By now the fact that chocolate is good for your health is old news. Many people have been advised of the positive effects that dark chocolate especially has on blood pressure numbers, and have since forth rejoiced in the pleasure of eating delicious chocolates as “medicine.”

What you may not have known is that the Kuna tribe from right here off the coast of Panama is partially responsible for all the excitement. Melanie Grimes reported for HealthNews.com that a Harvard University study of the Kuna tribe, which drinks 5 cups of cocoa everyday, has practically perfect blood pressure numbers and a lower occurance of heart attacks, strokes, cancer, and diabetes.

From their studies, researchers have concluded that chocolate has a relaxing effect on blood vessels, increasing blood flow. This is because of the flavanoids, an antioxident found in chocolate.

As long as you are eating the cocoa, or rich dark chocolate without added ingredients such as massive amounts of milk or sugar, it just might be good for you health. Check out the full article from HealthNews.com here.

Take a trip to see the Kuna Indians and drink a cup of cocoa with them. It’s no Swiss Miss, that’s for sure, this is the real deal!

The customs strike in Panama that started last Wednesday ended last Friday as demands of the workers were met by the governemt.

Customs workers managed to receive  see Customs officially recognized as a career path, raise wages and have the appointment of 197 workers who were deemed as temporary named as permanent employees. The Director of Customs estimates that these changes will cost the government $1.6 million and $1 million respectively.

This is in addition to the multi-million dollar effect the strike has already had on the Panamanian economy. Well… at least things are moving again!

Yesterday, Wednesday June 24^th, the Customs officials and members of the Association of Customs Employees announced that they are on going on strike, effective immediately.

Labor actions began last month, in May, with workers demanding higher salaries and better working conditions. The put their demands to the National Government, and have not since heard an answer. Workers in Customs as well as the Association of Customs Employees will go on strike until they receive an answer from the National Government.

This means if you are in the midst of importing something into Panama, such as a car, household goods, or other random items, actually getting it into the country might be a little difficult. It remains to be seen how the strike will afffect shipping and processing of goods, but for the moment it seems everything is on hold.

If you are looking to connect with other Expats in Panama City, head to the ExPats West meeting tonight (Wednesday, June 24th) in Coronado.

The group is meeting to mix and mingle at about 5 pm at Twisters in Coronado, which is located on the north side of the highway across from the Coronado Rey and west of the new Cochez store. For more info call Guillermo, the owner of Tusters at 240–1532 and 6673–4155.

Twisters serves up all different kinds of food, and it’s good, so come hungry. You can choose between Italian, Mexican, Columbian, Panamanian and American food.

ExPats West meets pretty much every 4^th Wednesday of the month, and is a great way to connect with other foreigners.

Buying appliances in Panama City is most often done at Panafoto, which has 7 branches, including one on Calle 50, at Albrook mall, and in the Multiplaza. They have the best selection out of most every store, so you can find exactly what you are looking for, or at least pretty darn close. (Broilers… you won’t find them in a Latin American brand of oven.)

Be careful when buying appliances that you buy sturdy ones. Spikes in power can cause problems on fancier models. It is almost always best to go with trusted brands you know, rather than go the cheap route and pay for it later.

In addition to Panafoto you can find good deals on appliances at Price Costco, but they have the most limited selection. They have 3 branches in Panama City: one in El Dorado, one in Los Pueblos shopping center, and one off Via Espana. (They also have a branch in David, which is good for retirees in Boquete.)

Other stores with large appliance selections are Raenco and Rodelag, both located on Transistimica Ave.

Shop around between these stores, and ask around for any sales. Sometimes you can find virtually the same thing at a way better price depending on the store.

The following post is not for kiddies or women who are easily offended. It is for guys who like staring at women’s butts and want to win a trip to Panama.

That’s right Surfline.com is holding a contest called “Bottom’s Up” in preparation for the Miss Reef contest. All you have to do is vote on your favorite derrière and you will be entered in for a chance to win a free trip to Panama and be a guest judge at the Miss Reef contest.

You can also download wallpaper for you computer from Reef.com.

Shameful? I think not. Afterall, it is a free trip to Panama!

If you’re staying for a few days in Panama City and are looking for a first-rate, luxurious place to call home while you’re there, we can’t recommend the Veneto Panama enough. It’s located in the heart of Via Espana, right in the middle of Panama City’s banking district. It’s also within walking distance of some pretty amazing shopping and dining, and is only a 20-minute drive from Tocumen Airport.  

If you love to play the slots or the blackjack tables, the Veneto will do you right, too. A Las Vegas casino has nothing on the Veneto’s five-star casino, and you’ll swear you were rolling the dice in Sin City.  

Other accommodations include a huge business center, where you can get Internet access, hones, faxes, computers, and just about any other business need you might have. You can also take a load off in the executive lounge, where you can get a complimentary breakfast, snacks, and drinks all day long.  

As for food, you can’t do any better than the four restaurants at the Veneto. Here’s a breakdown of what they are and what they have to offer: 

Vivaldi

This Italian eatery boasts handcrafted sauces made with the best olive oil money can buy. You’ll smell it from about a mile away! The Vivaldi has become one of our favorite Italian restaurants in all of Panama City. 

New York Steakhouse

A fine restaurant, this steakhouse feels like it was transplanted directly from Midtown Manhattan. With its mahogany details and red brick floors, New York Steakhouse has exquisite meals with gorgeous cuts of beef and an amazing selection of wine. 

La Fontana Sushi Lounge

Feeling like a taste of the Far East is more to your taste? Drop by La Fontana for a bite to eat in glamorous style. Donna Karan designed the accessories, and contemporary furniture completes the look of this restaurant. They also have tapas and appetizers if you’re feeling like something on the lighter side. 

Bamboo Spa Pool Bar

If you’re just looking for an unfussy sandwich, this restaurant/bar is your ticket. It overlooks the pool area, which is great scenery for sipping a margarita and chowing down on something light and refreshing.  

The Veneto Panama also has a full-service spa (c’mon, you didn’t really think there wouldn’t be a spa, right?). Get a massage, a manicure, a facial—whatever you need to relax and unwind.  

All that, and one of the best concierge services in all of Panama. Just ask; chances are good, they’ll be able to help you. The competition for luxury Panama hotels is pretty tough, but the Veneto has to be right up there among the very best. We recommend it to anyone visiting Panama for the first time, or, for that matter, seasoned gringos living in Panama who just need a little escape. Either way, you can’t go wrong with the Veneto Panama.  

The Wine Bar is part of a group of restaurants all started by the same Swiss Chef who moved to Panama a long time ago. The wine bar serves up a large variety of wines (as expected), and casual gourmet food.

Let’s start with the good points: the wine selection is incredible. There are over 200 varieties from Europe, Chile and California, to name a few. Most of the wine is mid-range, but there are a few special bottles on the menu. The Wine Bar is decorated like a little Italian tavern, with vine and trellis ceilings, making it a nice relaxing place to enjoy a cup of wine, chat with friends, and listen to some live music. They also have an appetizer menu with several cheese platters.

So, if we were to leave it at the wine, this place gets decent reviews. I mean, it isn’t a bodega in Argentina, but… we’re in Panama City, I’m not going to compare the two.

If you are hungry, you have the option of ordering from a pretty extensive full menu of Caffè Pomodoro. This is where I’m not incredibly pleased. The food selection is pretty much limited to Italian, which is fine with me, it goes well with the ambiance and the wine, but the dishes all seemed to be lacking something.

First, we were served bread with olive oil and balsamic vineager. The bread was warm, but didn’t taste quite fresh, and was dry, although the oil and balsamic helped that.

The appetizer, Funghi Aglio cost $8 and had a good flavor, but something wasn’t quite right. Maybe it was the button mushrooms. After that, the main dishes were brought (about a half hour later, which is typical in Panama), and both were just okay.

Overall, nothing was terribly wrong with the meal from start to finish, but nothing was particularly outstanding. For the price, $7–$15 for an entree, you would expect more. I would definitely go back for the wine, but I would probably skip the full menu and snack on the cheese, which compliments the wine quite nicely.

Oh, and try and get a seat by the window, or if you come in the evening try the patio.

The Wine Bar is located on Calle 55 and Av Eusebio A. Morales, Hotel Las Vegas, Panama City. Phone number is 507–265–4701.

Click here for more information on The Wine Bar in Panama City.

Who doesn’t love pizza? A night out at a neighborhood pizza joint with friends can be the best way to spend a Saturday night. I’ve found that Gourmet Pizza consistenly serves up good, thin crust pizzas, as well as salads and pastas.

To start things out there is a great antipasta appetizer, for about $6, and a giant Greek salad with just the right amount of feta and loads of black olives, which is just fine with me. Salad is served with hot pita bread, all for only 5 bucks.

As far as pastas go… I generally stick with pizza, but I can tell you what your options as far as sauce go are: Alfredo, Matrichana, Bolognese, and Carbonera. There are five different types of pasta to choose from as well, so it is kind of a mix and match thing, satisfying everyone.

For pizza, if I skip the Greek salad to start off with I always get the Greek pizza. (What can I say, I’m a sucker for feta and black olives.) Other popular choices are the traditional Hawaiian, with pineapple and ham, and pepperoni and cheese. The Four Cheese version is pretty extraordinary as well, and the Primavera is a popular ligher choice (vegetarian with fresh asparagus).

Make sure you save room for dessert! Gourmet pizza has a vouple of dessert pizzas with honey and cinnamon or Nutella.

Pies come in three sizes, the smallest being a 10” for about $6 and the largest being a 16” for about $20. There is a full bar and a simple wine list.

You can sit down and dine in, or get it to go. Gourmet Pizza is located on Avenida Balboa next to Arrocha Pharmacy on the edge of Paitilla across from MultiCentro Mall. It is open from 11 am to 12 am.

It’s June, which means summer is officially here and it is hot outside, and going to get hotter! My favorite way to cool off is with a little bit of ice cream from the famous Grandclement Ice Cream Shop.

Grandclement serves up delicious gourmet ice cream (gelato!) and it is gelato done right! The place is opened by Paris immigrants, Monsieur et Madame Alex de Beaulieu. They serve up some of the best and most interesting flavors (like basil!).

The homemade ice cream at Grandclement is out of this world delicious. If you are a big ice cream buff like I am you won’t be disappointed. It’s creamy and delicious, just the way premium ice cream should be.

Grandclement is located in Casco Antiguo on Avenida Central between Calle 3 and Calle 4, although all you have to do is ask around, everyone knows where this delicious ice cream shop is located.

Panama hats aren’t really Panamanian, they are Ecuadorian in origin, made out of “paha toquilla” a straw plant that grows on the North Coast of Ecuador. That doesn’t stop Panamanians from selling them though, and that’s a good thing, since most tourists don’t know the real origin of Panama hats.

The quality of the hat depends on the density of the weaves and the way it is woven. The toquilla plant is split by hand into fibers that are as thin as thread and woven very finely. The making of a true Panama hat is a real art. It has to be smooth and soft all the way around, with no visible fibers poking out of the side of the weave. It almost appears to be made out of linen when it is done correctly. The hats are made to be rolled and put into boxes without losing their shape, making them a great gift for anyone back home. You did go to Panama afterall.

The hats are sold pretty much everywhere in Panama. If you are in Panama City then head to the Mercado de Artesanias on the 5 de Mayo. They have a range of qualities and are willing to barter on prices, especially if you want to buy more than one item.

An average quality Panama hat will run you between $25 and $35 dollars. You can obviously buy cheaper ones, and very nicely made ones, as well as traditional ones, which are a little bigger than most, will cost more.

Not all taxis are created equal.

Many foreigners learn this the hard way, which means paying anywhere from USD $5 to $10 more than the going rate for a taxi.

The first place you will get hit with the “special” taxi rate is outside the airport. The most convenient taxis, the ones parked right there, tend to charge more than if you arranged your taxi in advance with someone like Carlos Aleman.

The airport is to be expected, for sure, but the raised prices go beyond Tocumen to the streets of Panama. Two of the most common places you will pay extra are outside hotels, and outside malls, such as Multicentro.

To avoid paying extra, walk across the street and hail down a taxi. If you are going to be needing a lot of transportation, you can get a driver, or just get the number of the first taxi driver you find that you really like. Then, you can call him for advance pick-up.

Make sure that you always get a price quote before you get in the taxi to avoid confusion. These aren’t metered cabs like the kind in New York, and you can end up paying a lot more than you were expecting at the end of a trip.

If you reallly want to get away from it all, then head to the North Central side region on the Caribbean side of Panama to Playon Chico. It is the closest thing I have found to paradise, and the longer I stay here, the more I enjoy myself.

There are several tiny islands that make up a small archipelago and they are owned and operated by the Kuna Yala Indians as part of their reserve. That keeps the area refreshingly clean of the typical tourist traps, and the beaches virtually untouched.

If you come up to Playon Chico then check out Yandup, an island located in the center of the Kuna Yala reserve. It is a great little place to stay, with private thatched huts, and private baths (optional). They serve you three meals a day, and each day you get to take a boat trip to a nearby island to snorkle, fish, trek through the flora, navigate the mangroves and visit native Ky Indian villages.

Prices range from 45–115 dollars a night depending on occupancy and the season. That includes guided tours, lodging, three meals a day, and tranfer from the Playon Chico airport to Yandup. Not a bad deal at all.

One downside is that no credit cards are accepted on the island, so you have to make sure to bring cash. They sell alcohol, but you can bring your own as well.

If you are looking for something a little different, and something completely relaxed, then Yandup might be for you. Visit www.yandupisland.com for more information.

For all those beer fans out there, did you know that Cerveza Panama was a awarded a gold medal at the International Brewers Contest in 2008? That may be why it is one of the most popular beers in Panama.

The five most popular beers drank by the locals that are brewed locally are Atlas, Balboa, Crista, Panama and Soberana.

Atlas and Balboa are brewed by the Cervezaria National and Atlas tends to be the most popular choice among Panamanians, sort of like the Budweiser of Panama. Balboa tastes a bit better, but neither are as good as what is brewed at the Cervezaria de Panama.

Cervezaria de Panama, located in Chiriqui, is where Cerveza Panama is brewed, and it is also home of Cristal, a Pilsner. The brewmaster up at the Cervezaria de Panama is German, and Cerveza Panama is definitly a German style lager.

Another great thing about drinking local beers is that they are cheap! A returnable bottle is 35–40 cents, plus a 10 cent deposit. The bottles are 9.5 ounces. Twelve ounce cans cost about 55 cents, and are cheaper in larger supermarkets than they are in the local convenience stores.

Outside of Panama City beers is sold loose on the shelf in bottles or cans. Atlas and Balboa now have a blister-wrapped 12–pack, but only comes in 9.5 bottles or 12 oz cans. Twelve ounce bottle are pretty rare, but can be found from time to time in Panama City.

Panama City is certainly one of, if not the most, developed cities in Central and South America. Nowadays business brings many North Americans, Europeans, and businessmen from other countries to this little isthmus, to one of the biggest business driven cities in Latin America.

So, if you are stuck in Panama City for a week or so on business, why not add a little bit of Latin splash into the mix. For a weekend getaway, or even a day trip, visit Isla Taboga.

Isla Taboga is just an hour’s boat ride from Panama City. There is a variety of things to do – you couldn’t ask for more in a weekend getaway. There are beaches, a myriad of watersports and a variety of hiking paths. The paths are a great place to birdwatch and enjoy the flowers.

This is a true break from the city though – no cars are allowed on Isla Taboga. However, the island is small enough that you can walk anywhere you want to go. The two main beaches are Playa Honda, on the south, and Playa Restinga to the north. Playa Restinga is the place to swim, Playa Honda is unattractice, rocky and dirty, not somewhere you will want to swim.

To get to Isla Taboga from Panama City head down to the Causeway. The bost leaves from the pier behind the Mi Ranchito Restaurant on the Amador Causeway. The first boat departs at 8:00 am and it costs $10 for a round trip ticket. On holidays boats fill up fast, so get there early.

Panama America recently reported on the continued protesting in Colón, as farmers block the road to the Petaquilla Mine.

Farmers in the area are rallying for the closing of the mine, which they say is harming the environment. As a people who depends on the land and the water, the contamination puts their livelihood is at stake.

The Governor of the Province of Colón, Julio Kennión, has been in negotiations with the farmers, but to no avail. They say that they will not leave until the mine is closed down for good.

Managers from local plants have tried to appeal to government forces for help, but the farmers are not backing down. The group of protestors is made up of people from different farming communities, as well as local native people. For more than 5 years they have been protesting the mining project, because of the adverse affects on the environment.

Some workers on the inside, such as Rufo Lorenzo, who used to work as a security guard for the Petaquilla Mining Company claims that the company is in fact contaminating the river.

Various studies done by health and contamination organizations, the ANAM, MICI, the Office of the Ombudsman, and health authorities have revealed that there has been no damage to the environment, and that the company is compiling with the proper regulations.

Governors in Colón and Coclé are both unsure as to what to do to improve conditions and avoid any confrontations between employees of the mines and farmers. As of now, the issue has not been resolved.

When I need to ship something to Panama I always use Mail Boxes Etc. It is the UPS store, making it a US based Postal and Business service. MBE. has 16 stores in Panama and over 6,000 around the world.

One of the most convenient and priceless services offered by Mail Boxes Etc. is mail forwarding from Miami Florida. You are given a US based address that can be used for any kind of mailing – magazine subscriptions, online purchases, and even good old fashioned letters. Mail that is sent to the address given you by MBE is then forwarded to the corresponding office in Panama, according to your wishes, where you can pick it up.

To set up a mailbox with Mail Bozes Etc. in Panama go to www.mbe.com. At the top of the main page you will see a link to “Locate a Store Globally.” Select Panama from the pull down menu, and then fill in your location and you will be given the information for the closest store. There are locations in the Panama City, Coronado, Boquete and Bocas del Toro area.

After you find the store location nearest you, all you need to do is call or email and someone will be able to help you get your mailbox set up. Generally it only takes one working day to get a new address activated and ready for use. And, unlike many companies in Panama, email is an effective way to get in touch with them.

If you want to know what is really going on with the Real Estate in Panama then you need to hear what Kent Davis, fellow gringo and Real Estate expert in Panama has to say. And once he has sold you on Panama, check out www.equitypanama.com to get the process of investing or relocating to Panama started:

So you have just spent two grueling weeks waging war in the streets of Panama, dealing with realtors that don’t show up on time and home owners that answer the door in their pajamas. You are on the home stretch, and have finally decided on your “short list” of Panama properties: you’re ready to buy. 

This report is designed to be a bit of a primer for someone that has never purchased real estate in Panama. You will find that many of our laws, customs, and things to think about are quite similar to what you are used to at home, but there are also a number of distinctly Panamanian laws and nuances that you need to be prepared for.

Remember that the Panamanian Real Estate Market is still relatively unregulated, and many agents do not know the laws and protocol set forth by governing bodies such as ACOBIR and the Ministerio de Vivienda . This guide is an accumulation of my experience helping clients to buy and sell real estate here in Panama, and I am providing it to the community as a resource during a time of financial crisis so that any decisions made with regard to Panama real estate are sound ones.

(more…)

As an expat living/investing in Panama I try to keep my ears open for any reliable help with my ventures. I was recently refered to De Leon Van Hoorde Lawyers, and received the following e-mail detailing their services:

Rosairo Turner, Panama’s Health Minister, has confirmed the first case of the H1N1 Swine Flu virus in Panama. The influenza type A virus has been detected in a 20 year old Panamanian male who was traveling in the United States, and returned to Panama some 2 weeks ago.

Upon his arrival back in Panama from the United States, the patient began to experience symptoms consistent with Swine Flu. No details were given on exactly when the patient arrived back in Panama, nor what airline or flight he was traveling on.

The patient is currently at home, in stable condition, and has been receiving on-going medical care.

Detection of the Swine Flu H1N1 virus in the unnamed male patient was made by Dr. Nelson Sossa. He is the Director of the Gorgas Commemorative Institute. He has urged Panamanians to take precautionary measures: wash your hands with soap, use alcohol based hand sanitizers, cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough and use disposable Kleenex.

If you present with flu-like symptoms do not go to school or work. If you believe you have contracted Swine Flu, visit your doctor.