PanamaExpertos.com - Helping YOu Live the Good Life in Panama
Panamaexpertos.com is a repository of useful information on living in Panama.
- Some General Information on Panama
Situated between Costa Rica (in the northwest) and Columbia (in the southeast), Panama is a small country that has a total land area of 29,157 square miles. On the list of the world’s largest country, it is placed 118th. It is the smallest Spanish speaking country in Latin America in terms of population with a little over 3 million people. Panama is shaped like a small letter “n” though a little skewered and it is a “bridge” between Central America and South America. If you think about Panama, you will most likely think of sun and sea. Panama is blessed with long wonderful stretches of sandy beaches along its north and south coast so it has become a favorite romantic getaway for tourists who like the sun and sea. However, Panama has other attractions as well. Near the Costa Rican end, there is a mountain range which extends up to 6,500 feet. In the Chiriqui district, you can find some volcanoes, the largest of which is called Baru. This region is mainly used for agricultural purposes and is quite cold. If you plan to visit these parts, please be advised to bring the appropriate clothing. Panama was a Spanish colony up to 28 November 1821. It was also under Columbian rule until 3 November 1903.... - Panama’s Transportation System
If you intend to explore Panama from its Colombian tip to the Costa Rican tip, you would need to know how to do so. Even were you visiting for just a few days with no intention to do some extensive exploring, it is just common sense to investigate how to get around and about in any place that is not your home. Knowing the modes of transportation available in a place you are visiting is right up there with knowing where your countryÂ’s embassy is located, having a travel insurance, and having an emergency or hotline number to reach in case of any crisis. Given the fact that Panama is aggressively marketing itself as one of the best Caribbean destinations and the fact that Panama is commercially inclined due to the Panama Canal, Panama has made sure that its transportation system is more than adequate for its visitors. Of course, you have to know beforehand where you want to go so you can set out to learn the means by which you could get there. Panama has a sufficient airway system in place. To reach Panama, you will probably have to get an international flight to Panama City. From there you can fly to your intended island location because Panama currently has around a hundred airports, some of... - December 31st
In typical Panamanian households it is traditional to laden the table with various fruits and breads; to hang rice and lemon boughs above the door and even place with it a dollar. In the stores in the days just before New Years you will find cases of apples, oranges, pears, and grapes in addition to the regular fruit that is available normally. On the sidewalk in front of the store you are almost sure to see tables set up selling the boughs of rice and lemons in additions to the various incenses that are used in the catholic belief. All of these steps and precautions are taken in the hopes that the act of doing so as the New Year begins will insure the same bounty within their homes through out the rest of the year - Life in Panama
The combination of incredible natural beauty, pleasant moderate climates as well as access to international markets and the quality and low cost of the labor force, make Panama an ideal place to live. You can drive from a modern, bustling urban environment to a rain forest teeming with animal and plant life in as little as an hour.Stats:Full country name: Republic of PanamaArea: 78,000 sq km (30,420 sq mi)Population: 3 million (July 2005) (growth rate 1.3%)Capital city: Panama City (pop 700,000)People: 70% mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white)14% Amerindian and mixed (West Indian)10% White 6% Amerindian Language: SpanishEnglishIndian languages Religion: 85% Roman Catholic10% Protestant5% Islamic Government: Constitutional republicPresident: Martin Torrijos GDP: US$8.8 billion GDP per head: US$3200 Annual growth: 4.1% Inflation: 1.1% Exports: $5.699 billion f.o.b. (includes the Colon Free Zone) (2004 est.) Exports - commodities: bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing (1999) Exports - partners: US 50.5%, Sweden 6.6%, Spain 5.1%, Netherlands 4.4%, Costa Rica... - Why Learn Spanish?
When you come to visit Panama, after about a week you will notice that you have access to just about every resource you are used to having available: Cable, Internet (Broadband and Wi-Fi), Computer Stores, Large shopping malls, discount department stores, and much more. The only real barrier to being able to function freely is language. Even if you are able to speak spanish at a 5th grade level, you can give directions to taxi drivers, order from a spanish menu, or even 'haggle' with a street vendor! Learning the native language is certainly beneficial, and necessary if you plan to live here. Here are some excellent resources we have found to help you learn to speak like a native Panamanian: Panama is a relatively unknown as a destination for language travel and Spanish immersion programs. You'll be pleasantly surprised by Panama's cultural diversity, its rich history and its high living standard. Come in an learn about this exciting new opportunity to learn Spanish and a whole lot more . . . . - Cost of Living in Panama
Cost of Living in Panama Panama has one of the lowest costs of living in all Central and South America. Colombia is cheaper if you don't mind being an occasional kidnap/robbery victim. Actually many legitimate Colombians have moved to Panama and are setting up businesses here. Honduras is cheaper but there is no infrastructure for medical, phones, internet etc. Ecuador has little infrastructure but it sure is cheap. Belize isn't so cheap and has little infrastructure. Costa Rica is not really cheaper and has a serious crime problem plus there are no longer benefits for Expats and you would have to pay income tax on your offshore income like retirement, social security etc in Costa Rica. Mexico has a serious crime problem with drug gangs executing mayors and police chiefs their first day in office and kidnappings are common. It is debatable if Mexico is cheaper than Panama but they do tax offshore income in Mexico so it is probably more expensive for this reason alone and the crime situation makes it hazardous. I am sure you could find some safe areas in rural Mexico but then you have no infrastructure like internet, phones, cell phones, good highways, medical, good water, etc. So that brings us back to Panama which is the only country that seems to have it all - no taxes on offshore... - Shopping in Panama
Shopping In Panama - Mercado De Abastos (English-The Supply Market) at Ancon This market is where restaurants and super markets purchase their fruits and vegetables. The trucks start arriving about 3 a.m. and the early bird gets the worm. The earlier you get there the better your selections. But even at 10 a.m. when we were there, theres still plenty of good produce to choose from. Parking cost us $.25, here are some of the offerings and prices on this day when we did our weekly shopping: Ginger root - .25/lb Sweet Potatoes - 3 lb/$1 Zucchini - .70/lb Plum Tomatoes - 3 lb/$1 Papaya (mine weighed about 6 lbs) $2 Pineapples .50/ea Bananas .10/lb For fresh and cheap you cant beat this market. - Crime and Safety in Panama
Crime and Safety in Panama While in a foreign country, you are subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in your home country and may not afford the protections available to the individual under your home jurisdiction. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe for similar offenses. Persons violating Panamanian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Panama are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. If you are not a money launderer, drug seller or terrorist you will find Panama to have a relatively laid back attitude towards crime compared to North America, Australia and the EU. In general while in Panama the average Expat is unlikely to run afoul of the law. In Panama business has not been criminalized as it has in the USA, UK, Australia and many other countries. The vast majority of the law enforcement people in Panama devote their time and energies to real crime, drug traffic enforcement and crime prevention. There is not a whole lot of victimless crime prosecution in Panama. Prostitution is legal and the prostitutes are medically inspected weekly for STD