Hand-Line Fishing In Panama
Many tourists come to Panama to experience the great deep sea fishing available off the coasts. Far fewer visitors have had an opportunity to take part in a much simpler type of fishing: hand-line fishing.

Filed under: Country Guide, Culture, News, Sports on August 26th, 2008 | No Comments »

Panama’s old quarter, a historic peninsula called Casco Viejo, has long been known to Panamanians and foreigners alike as a cultural center. But nowadays, after nearly half a decade of downturn, Panama City’s so-called gem is re-inventing itself in a new sort of light.
Casco Viejo, Panama also known as Casco Antiguo was recently declared a [...]

Filed under: Country Guide on August 26th, 2008 | No Comments »

The Elusive Panamanian Taxi
If you’ve ever taken a taxi in Panama City you have probably heard the words “no voy“. These are two words I dread when trying to get around town. “No voy” basically means, “nope, not gonna take you there”, when uttered from the lips of a Panamanian taxi driver.

Filed under: Country Guide, Living & Retirement, News on August 25th, 2008 | 3 Comments »

A Humpback Whale Off Panama’s Pacific Coast
This time of year is one of the best times to catch a glimpse of whales and dolphins off the coast of Panama. Whale watching tours are not as common in Panama as they are in the colder, further north waters of the Pacific Ocean. Your best bet to [...]

Filed under: Country Guide, News on August 19th, 2008 | No Comments »

One Of The Many Large Fish Caught In Pedasi
Playa Arenal in Pednuasi hosted its annual fishing tournament this past weekend. The event is popular with Panamanians as well as foreigners. More than 50 boats took to the water off Pedasi to compete for the top prize of an outboard motor.

Filed under: Country Guide, Culture, News, Sports on August 6th, 2008 | No Comments »

After living in Panama for some months now I have a bit more perspective on what it’s like to be a woman in Central America. Granted, I am a foreign woman, but here are my thoughts on the best of times and worst of times to be a lady here.

Filed under: Country Guide, Culture on August 1st, 2008 | No Comments »

Lola Draws A Big Crowd In Los Santos
Lola has been a roadside fixture on the highway between Las Tablas and Pedasi for a long time. Her Panamanian owner found her somewhere else in the country and brought her to his farm in Los Santos. She is now a very popular fixture in Los Santos.

Filed under: Country Guide, News on July 30th, 2008 | No Comments »

A Sunset Over The Pacific Ocean in Panama’s Interior
People often refer to themselves as country folks or city folks. I don’t think you could take someone who is used to living in Manhattan and move them to Volcan. I am sure someone used to living in small town Ohio would have to adjust to living [...]

Filed under: Country Guide, Culture, Living & Retirement, News on July 25th, 2008 | No Comments »

Panama’s Traditions On Display In Veraguas
As the town of Las Tablas recovers and cleans up from the Santa Librada Festival, Santiago is now gearing up for their annual party. Santiago Patronales takes place this coming weekend in the province of Veraguas.

Filed under: Country Guide, Culture, News on July 24th, 2008 | No Comments »

Celebrating Santa Librada In Las Tablas
Everything you ever wanted to know about Panamanian culture could be found this weekend in Las Tablas at the Santa Librada festival. The festival has a distinct religious aspect, but the country’s culture and traditions were just as prominent.

Filed under: Country Guide, Culture, News, Reviews on July 22nd, 2008 | No Comments »

The Capuchin Monkey Is Native To Panama
I have been in Panama for a few years now and have to admit, I didn’t have much of an interest in Summit Zoo and Botanical Gardens just outside of Panama City. When I heard a new exhibit had opened that featured jaguars, I figured maybe it was finally time to [...]

Filed under: Country Guide, News, Reviews on July 18th, 2008 | No Comments »

Perfect Road, Priceless View in Panama’s Azuero Peninsula
Tales of driving experiences in Panama can be found just about anywhere. Most foreigners will say you take your life in to your hands when getting on the road in Panama. For the most part that’s pretty true. Not all the roads are in great condition (to say [...]

Filed under: Country Guide, News on July 16th, 2008 | No Comments »

Festival Santa Librada - The Best Way To Get A Taste Of Panama’s Rich Traditions
The town of Las Tablas celebrates Santa Librada every July and if you’re in the area, it’s not to be missed. The town’s population swells during this popular weekend celebration, which is the second largest festival in Las Tablas, next to [...]

Filed under: Country Guide, Culture, History, News, Reviews on July 14th, 2008 | 1 Comment »

Arm wrestling grudge match in Pedasi, Panama
Editor’s Note: My roommate in Panama recently had his friend Josh visiting from Atlanta. We gave him quite a tour, the highlight of which was test of strength with a local fishermen. He sent in the following story…
I am a high school history teacher in Georgia, so I [...]

Filed under: Country Guide, Culture on July 11th, 2008 | 3 Comments »

There Are Plenty of Nearly Deserted Beaches in the Azuero Peninsula
Things are really changing at the bottom of the Azuero peninsula. When I visited the southern tip about 2 years ago there was virtually nothing for tourists. All of the hotels past the Playa Venao area were basically surf camps and not really family accommodations.

Filed under: Country Guide, News, Reviews on July 10th, 2008 | No Comments »