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 »

The US State Department has issued a very negative report about Panama’s judicial and prison system. Anyone who reads or watches the news in Panama will realize this report comes as no surprise.

Filed under: Culture, History, News on February 26th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Hundreds of thousands of Panamanians and foreigners took part in this year’s carnaval celebrations across the Republic of Panama. Unfortunately, dozens of people were killed during the party and tons of garbage were left behind.

Filed under: Country Guide, Culture, News on February 26th, 2009 | No Comments »

Panama City, Panama is featuring in the news of late for its real estate boom that spanned the past several years, and is marked to result in empty units and falling prices. Due in part to speculation, and exacerbated by the global financial crisis, downtown Panama’s busy skyline of cranes and construction sites is all [...]

Filed under: Real Estate on February 23rd, 2009 | 5 Comments »

Panama’s annual carnaval celebration is like no other party in Panama. Though it can be a great experience, there are a few downsides to the celebration as well.

Filed under: Culture, News on February 19th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

One French national was killed and another injured after the airplane they had rented crashed on Isla Cebaco, off the Pacific coast of Veraguas. The crash happened Monday morning after the plane departed from the Albrook Airport en route to Coiba Island.

Filed under: News on February 17th, 2009 | No 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 »

Panamanians live for their annual Carnaval celebration. The festivities kick off this year on Saturday, February 21th and run until the next Tuesday the 24th of February. Most people actually celebrate carnaval from the 20th to the 25th. Carnaval is marked by parades, parties and heavy drinking.

Filed under: Culture, News on February 11th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Anyone who has stayed in a hotel in Panama knows that quality and price are all over the board. Panama’s new tourism regulations mean that hotels in the Republic will now have a standard rating system based on price and quality.

Filed under: Business, Country Guide, News on February 5th, 2009 | No 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 »