Panama is no doubt growing as a tourism destination for couples, families and retirees from around the world. It’s also a place where you can sometimes spot Hollywood screen sirens and rock stars.

Filed under: News on January 30th, 2009 | 4 Comments »

International shipping lines are asking the Panama Canal Authority to either cancel or defer the toll rate increase, due to take effect this year. The request comes as some of the worlds largest shipping lines are avoiding the Suez Canal transit fees by diverting around the Cape of Good Hope. Panama could be in trouble [...]

Filed under: Business, News on January 29th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

David, the largest city in Panama’s Chiriqui province is facing major problems with its landfill site. What used to be an exemplary landfill site has now been turned in to an unusable, open air dump site.

Filed under: Business, Country Guide, News on January 26th, 2009 | No Comments »

Isla Iguana is one of Panama’s most beautiful natural attractions. Located just half an hour off the coast of Pedasi in the Pacific Ocean, Isla Iguana is a great spot for camping.

Filed under: Country Guide, News on January 26th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Enjoying the peaceful view in Uverito
El Uverito Beach is about a ten minute drive from the center of Las Tablas in the Los Santos province. This small seaside village sits on a ledge overlooking the endless Pacific Ocean.  So far, there is only a small number of houses and restaurants built, but this location seems [...]

Filed under: Country Guide, Food, Reviews on January 24th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Panama retains one of the highest economic growth levels in Latin America, but that doesn’t mean the country is immune to the global financial crisis. The Republic of Panama has created a new fund that is aimed to help ease the credit crunch.

Filed under: News on January 22nd, 2009 | 1 Comment »

The city of Colon, on Panama’s Caribbean coast has a long-standing reputation as a dangerous place. Tourists do visit the area for the surrounding beaches and Duty Free Zone, as well as the cruise ports, but most don’t stay long due to its reputation.

Filed under: Country Guide, News on January 20th, 2009 | 15 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 »

The global economic crisis is having an effect on banking in Panama. Two international banks have just announced they will no longer be operating in Panama.

Filed under: Business, News on January 16th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Panama’s 6th annual Jazz Festival is currently underway in Panama City. International jazz musicians are in Panama displaying their unique vocal and instrumental talents. This is a not-to-miss event in Panama.

Filed under: Culture, News on January 14th, 2009 | No Comments »

“Dream Girls” at Gay Club BLG Panama
Panama is known for its parties and who better than to help out with the decorations, glitz and glamour than the gays? All joking aside, after experiencing the normalcy here that gay people are treated with, it’s no wonder why Panama is a gay friendly destination for travel and [...]

Filed under: Country Guide, Culture on January 12th, 2009 | 5 Comments »

January 9th marks the 45th anniversary of a riot that occurred in Panama which killed upwards of 21 Panamanians and 4 US soldiers. The riot was the result of a disagreement between Panamanian students and Panama Canal Zone police officers.

Filed under: Business, History, News on January 8th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

Many people who live in the small towns on Panama’s Pacific coast are self sufficient when it comes to what they eat. Fisherman catch their food and sell what is left over. Locals in these towns are also self reliant when it comes to other delicacies the ocean offers up.

Filed under: Culture, Food, News on January 6th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

Panama City, Panama
No question about it, 2008 was another boom year for Panama. The country made its way on to the tourism and investment radar, began the ambitious Canal expansion project and saw its economy grow by nearly double digit figures.
All successes aside, the bleak outlook for the world economy in 2009 has many [...]

Filed under: Business on January 2nd, 2009 | 1 Comment »