• May 9, 2013
• Panama - Business, Panama - Relocation
• Jackie

Most expats living in Boquete will make the trip to David for their weekly shopping simply because the city’s larger population means more markets and more competitive prices. It is also more likely to find a larger variety of items you will not see in smaller towns like Boquete. Even so, for those who enjoy their mountain oasis, and are not keen on venturing further than their feet can take them, there are some local options for picking up the week’s groceries in Boquete.

Shopping at the Mercado Publico (public market) is a great way to support local farmers while enjoying fresh, high quality produce at low cost. Here you’ll find a wide variety of locally grown fruits and vegetables, Read more

• May 2, 2013
• Panama - Business, Panama - Family Friendly, Panama Life, To Do List
• Jackie

You can catch a glimpes of the new Biodiversity Museum from the Bridge of the Americas. the building, still under construction, was designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry.

Tours of the construction site are open tot he public every Saturday, and tour arrangements can be made by contacting the Museum office via email at consultas@biomuseopanama.com or by phone at (507) 314-0097.

Why tour a construction site? The brightly colored metal walls of the Biodiversity museum are the first of their kind in Latin America. Gehry’s work is known for reflecting the country in which it stands, and this building does the same thing for Panama, despite the fact that it still feels a bit out of place with the its old Canal Zone Read more

• April 25, 2013
• Uncategorized
• Jackie

Tourism is a year round activity in Panama. The temperature varies throughout the year, but never by much. However, there are two seasons in Panama, and the high season for tourism is from mid-December to May, and it’s not because it’s unbearable cold in the frigid north. (Although I think that is a motivator for some.)

Mid-December to May marks the dry season, when rain is very rare. That is what makes it such a popular time for tourists to come. If you are looking to come in the off season, also known as the rainy or green season, prices will be lower for hotels and tours. This season runs from June to December.

If you’re planning your trip for Read more

• April 18, 2013
• Panama - Business, Panama - Investment, Panama - Relocation, Panama Life
• Jackie

Thinking of buying real estate in Panama? This posts gives a concise summary of the purchasing process. *Laws are always changing, so make sure you work closely with your real estate agent and lawyer during the purchasing process.

1. Qualifications for buying real estate. The Panamanian constitution says that when it comes to buying real estate in Panama foreigners have the same rights and obligations as Panamanian citizens. The only difference is that foreigners can’t buy property within ten miles of the country’s Costa Rican and Colombian borders.

  Read more

2. Detailed investigation of the property and its owner. The transfer of the title can be affected by financial burdens, limitations or restrictions on the property, so a thorough investigation

• April 11, 2013
• Panama - Travel Tips
• Jackie

Hailing a taxi in Panama might seem easy, but just because one stops for you doesn’t mean it will take you to where you are going. In all honestly, you will likely have to ask a couple of drivers before finding one willing. This happens to both foreigners and nationals, and here’s why.

If you are heading into a high-traffic area during a high-traffic time, chances are you aren’t going to be able to find a driver to easily. If your driver sits in traffic for half an hour, remember, he is losing money. That is part of the issue of having fares paid by zone and not metered. It makes sense that many drivers want to avoid passengers whose Read more

• April 4, 2013
• Panama - Travel Tips
• Jackie

Navigating public transportation can be a challenge wherever you are. Add to that the language and cultural barriers sometimes present, and figuring out taxi services in Panama can be a real pain. The key to figuring out taxis in Panama is understanding the basic rules of the transportation system and expecting the unexpected. This Panama taxi guide will help you do just that. In this post we’ll talk about taxi rates, and in posts to come we’ll look at other idiosyncrasies of the taxi system.

First off, there are no meters in Panama taxis. Fares from the same point A to point B can vary depending on the taxi, the time of day, the number of people, what you look like and Read more

• March 27, 2013
• Panama - Culture, Panama Life
• Jackie

If you’ve been trying to get anything done in Panama this week, you’ve likely found it quite difficult. Why? It is Semana Santa, one of the biggest holidays in Panama, and perhaps all of Latin America. But just what is Semana Santa?

What is Semana Santa?

Semana Santa translates to Holy Week, and it is a week-long celebration in Latin America. It is celebrated the week leading up to Easter Sunday on the Catholic calendar. The week is set aside to commemorate the last week of Jesus’ life on earth, starting with his arrival in Jerusalem. This is celebrated the Sunday before Easter and is known as Palm Sunday for the palm fronds laid down on the road as Jesus Read more

• March 21, 2013
• Panama - Adventure, Panama - Business, Panama - Family Friendly, Panama - Gringo Favorite, Panama - Must See or Do, Panama - Travel Tips, Travel Panama
• Jackie

Boquete draws so many visitors because it has the best of both worlds: you can enjoy the serenity of a small town set among the mountains while at the same time experience the comforts of modern city infrastructure. In our last post we looked at three awesome Boquete day trips: Playa Barquita/Las Olas, Las Lajas, and Cangilones de Gualaca. In this post we will look at two more day trips in the Chiriqui province, just under 2 hours away from Boquete.

Volcan/Cerro Punta. Travel time from Boquete: Between 1.5 and 2 hours. These two quaint mountain towns sit on the other side of Volcan Baru. Visit Finca Dracula Orchids Farm and Finca Haras Cerro Punta, where they raise thoroughbred Read more

• March 7, 2013
• Panama - Adventure, Panama - Business, Panama - Family Friendly, Panama - Must See or Do, Panama - Travel Tips, The Best of Panama, Travel Panama
• Jackie

Boquete is well known among Panamanians and expats alike for its perfect climate, natural beauty, and abundant wildlife. It is also full of adventure, delicious coffee and excellent people. These things make Boquete the perfect place to base yourself as you explore the magnificent province of Boquete. In this two part series we will explore 5 places that make for excellent day trips when visiting Boquete.

Playa Barqueta/Las Olas. Travel time from Boquete: 1 hour and 30 minutes. Playa Barquete is one of the great Pacific beaches close to the city. At the public beach you can enjoy the sand and the surf, and get fresh fried fish or shrimp right on the water. Or, if you are looking for Read more

• March 7, 2013
• Panama - Business, Panama - Investment, Panama - Relocation
• Jackie

Executive Decree 343, which was signed May 16th, 2012 now makes it easier for citizens of certain countries to obtain Permanent Residency in Panama. Canada and the United States are both among the eligible countries. To qualify you must establish a bank account and some kind of professional or economic tie to the country. Also, be prepared to spend time in Panama while getting your Permanent Residency, as it is not something that can be done remotely.

To get the new Permanent Residency these are the documents you need to provide: Read more

Passport (must have at least 9 months until expiration).
National ID Card (if applicable; US citizens should provide a Driver’s License)
6 passport photos (recommended dress code is “business