Many people visiting Panama rely on taxis to get around. This is the easiest way to ruin a trip. I’ve come to hate taxi drivers. Let me tell you why.

Filed under: Country Guide, Culture, Living & Retirement, News on April 8th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

View of Panama City from Casco Viejo
As I approach my mid-30s, in addition to a nagging rotator cuff and vanishing hairline, I have also lived long enough to witness three economic downturns.  My first experience was the stock market collapse of 1987.  I remember “Black Monday” distinctly, because my 8th grade Civics teacher spent the [...]

Filed under: Business, Living & Retirement, Politics, Real Estate on April 6th, 2009 | 14 Comments »

Panama City Panama: a Business Mecca?
There are plenty of great things about living and working in Panama. I’ve covered those many positives in plenty of past articles. This post deals with the more annoying challenges of living and doing business in Panama City, Panama. So, without further adieu, the [...]

Filed under: Living & Retirement on March 25th, 2009 | 9 Comments »

One of the most important things to know before moving to or visiting Panama, is that you cannot rely on ambulances. No matter the emergency, your best bet is most likely going to be to get yourself to the hospital.

Filed under: Country Guide, Living & Retirement, News on March 24th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Visitors to Panama who possess only a tourist card must leave the country every 90 days. Many people on a budget travel to Panama’s border towns, and cross over to Costa Rica for the mandatory 72-hour exit. This is probably one of the cheapest methods to reset your stay in Panama, but the border at [...]

Filed under: Country Guide, Living & Retirement, News on March 9th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

For those athletes out there, Panama is a great spot to partake in outdoor activities. Hiking, jogging, swimming, and surfing are all great exercise options in Panama. However, Panama does have many gyms available for when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Filed under: Country Guide, Culture, Living & Retirement, News on March 4th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

I recently flew into Panama from Mexico, my mind racing from a nasty hangover and my pockets stuffed with remnants of one final night in Cancun: ticket stubs, beer caps, a really nice electronic hotel key from the Westin that would probably show up on my credit card soon thereafter. I also had about $200 [...]

Filed under: Business, Living & Retirement on February 27th, 2009 | 5 Comments »

Most people who plan on moving to Panama do their fair share of research as to what is required to move to Panama. Most of the first concerns include finding a place to live, securing immigration documents and tying up lose ends at home. Often the family pet is one of the last concerns because [...]

Filed under: Living & Retirement, News on February 16th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

If you’re willing to hit the water early in the morning, right now is a great time to go fishing off Panama’s Azuero peninsula. The “el norte” or North wind is still blowing pretty hard in the afternoon, but if you get an early start, it will be worth the sleep deprivation!

Filed under: Country Guide, Living & Retirement, News on February 3rd, 2009 | 3 Comments »

The two main movie theaters in Panama are not different from those I remember at home. The majority of the movies, with exception of cartoons, are shown in their original English with Spanish subtitles which is actually a relief compared to Spain where Russell Crow’s voice is dubbed with that of a sixty year-old Spaniard. [...]

Filed under: Living & Retirement on January 17th, 2009 | No Comments »

Rednecks are found in all parts of the world

“If your bicycle has a gun rack, you might be a redneck.”
Comedian Jeff Foxworthy made a career stating such observations. Rednecks have it rough. Whether serving as easy targets for comics or the perennial whipping boys of coffee house snobs, few groups receive more flak [...]

Filed under: Living & Retirement, News on December 25th, 2008 | 6 Comments »

Panamanians don’t generally celebrate thanksgiving, but due to the amount of US tourist and residents there are a number of places throughout the country where turkey and all the fixings were served yesterday.

Filed under: Food, Living & Retirement, News on November 28th, 2008 | 2 Comments »

Panama has a lot of advantages thanks to its geographical location. Hurricanes are not common in Panama, unlike in other countries on the Pacific. Panama does however get a handful of earthquakes. Last night was one of the bigger earthquakes that Panama has felt in a while.

Filed under: Country Guide, Living & Retirement, News on November 19th, 2008 | 2 Comments »

Panama City’s Immigration Office Can Cause A Lot Of Headaches
Though Panama does offer a variety of visa options, there is not always a solution for every expat wishing to spend an extended period of time in Panama. Unless you have some sort of other visa, when you arrive in Panama, you have to purchase a tourist [...]

Filed under: Living & Retirement, News on November 7th, 2008 | 4 Comments »

Panamanian police are warning the public about an escaped criminal that may have his eye on tourists visiting this country. 23-year old Jonathan Oda has a lengthy criminal record, and a number of his alleged crimes have to do with tourists visiting Panama.

Filed under: Country Guide, Living & Retirement, News on October 28th, 2008 | 1 Comment »