Panama is one of the most popular medical and health tourism destinations for a number of reasons. First off, it is close to the United States and easily accessible by any number of airlines. Flights are cheap and it is easy to find one leaving and returning when you want. Second, the first-world infrastructure you see in Panama is unique to this Central American country. You get the prices you would expect from Central America, but the American trained doctors you want to trust with your health care.

Here are just a couple of reasons why you should choose Panama for your medical tourism destination:

1. Panama City is the most modern city in Central America.

 

2. Panama City is close to some of the most beautiful beaches and is a fantastic vacation destination to combine your medical trip with.

 

3. It is home to a ton of English speaking doctors who work at state of the art hospitals.

 

4. Many doctors received training in the States and are comfortable using the same techniques foreigners are used to.

 

5. Procedures done in Panama are on average half as expensive as having the same procedure done in the States.

 

6. Package deals from medical tourism companies often cover hotel costs (meaning discounted hotel deals) and additional medical costs.

The Pana-Health group is made up of more than 100 doctors who specialize in 24 different fields of medicine, everything from cosmetic surgery to dental implants. For more information visit www.pana-health.com.

The health food craze hasn’t just swept the United States; it has most definitely made its way down to Panama. Organica is proof of that fact.

The only store in Panama that offers completely organic products without chemicals or preservatives, Organica supermarket pretty much has the health food sector of Panama City covered. There is a huge selection of products, the most popular being hormone free chicken and pesticide free vegetables. It is debatable, however, if there is a need to buy organic veggies in Panama, as many of the produce is grown on farms that do not use pesticides. If you buy locally, or at the vegetable markets in town, it is not likelly that you’re vegetables have been exposed to chemicals.

Organica also has some other interesting products that might draw shoppers from even farther than Panama City. They stock homeopathic remedies, natural toothpaste, and chlorine free toilet paper. (I guess that is a problem for some people… as for me, I will continue to buy my rolls from good old Riba Smith.)

While it’s nice to have such products available, they come at a price. Most people who shop at health food stores are accustomed to paying more than they would at a regular grocery store, but in Panama City organic and natural products are even more expensive than they are in the States.

But, if it’s gotta be natural, it’s gotta be Organica.

Address: Calle Ramon H. Jurado inside Paitilla Mall in Punta del Este

Phone: 507–390–2000

Imported Quality Meats Inc. has been in business since 1984 and offers some of the highest quality, and definitely one of the widest selections of meat products in Panama City. All cuts are of the highest quality and are only taken from plants and industries that comply with USDA requirements. Every cut, be it beef, pork, lamb, or one of their exotic meats (think ostrich, buffalo and frog legs, to name a few) is assured to be the best and highest quality. The storefront name is Meat’s Gourmet, and it is located on Calle 50 in Panama City.

Meats from Imported Quality Meats Inc. are recognized by the entire tourism industry, from hotels to restaurants and cruise ships crossing the Canal, as being the finest provider of meat in Panama, and I would most certainly agree with them.

Cuts are reasonably priced, especially considering the quality of meat you are getting. Prices range from $6.25/lb for the brisket cut from whole beef, to $55/lb for Kobe beef steak. You can also get seafood; Salmon costs $8.50/lb and Lobster meat will run you $11.25/lb.

Imported Quality Meats Inc. is located on Calle 50 behind ELGA, Edificio #23. You can call 264–8454, email meatsgourmet@hotmail.com or visit the company’s Web site by clicking here.

Over the phone or via email you can place an order to either be picked up or delivered to your location.

As far as high quality meat in Panama goes, you aren’t going to find better. When they say gourmet, they mean it. For serious cooks, this is the best place to go to get the quality cut of meat you are looking for.

More images of Meat’s Gourmet after the jump.

The Pedasi business community, in conjunction with the Panama
chamber of Commerce and the ATP, has worked together to open
an exciting new flight route in Panama.

The drive to Pedasi can take up to 5 hours.  Now, with this 12 passenger
flight, tourists, investors and area business people will be able to get
to Pedasi in under and hour!

• WHEN?
  First flight to launch on February 5th, 2010!

• FLIGHT SCHEDULE
  Flights departing Friday & Monday

12:31pm — Departs Albrook  
1:26pm — Arrives Pedasi  

1:41pm — Departs Pedasi  
2:36pm — Arrives Albrook 

• COST:
  Approx $155.50 round trip, depending on gas tax

See more at http://www.aeroperlas.com

Can you smell the oranges? The National Orange Festival begins today and runs through January 31^st. If you are interested, head on over to Coclé and join the fun!

The National Fair de la Naranja de Churuquita Grande de Pajonal, Penonomé district, will be inaugurated tonight.
In the sector of Coclé there are a lot of citrus growers and also of other items from northern rural communities of Penonomé, published the newspaper La Estrella de Panamá.
During the last week of January they have worked on preparations for the fair which ends on January 31 where more than 60 associations, public and private entities have registered.

The newspaper said that over 50.000 people are expected to visit the fair; that will exceed the 40,000 who came last year.
The objective of this activity characterized by the great amount of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, limes, lemons and others is that farmers can market their product without middlemen and get the profits of his work directly with these sales.

For the president of the fair, Fernando Núñez, this year they expect a greater amount of public and visitors due to the warm reception it has had in recent years and also because they have had more support from the Ministry of Agricultural Development Region 4 Coclé.

They expect 50,000 visitors to Orange Fair.

Make this Friday night out something special. Indigo Lounge & Bazaar in Casco Antiguo Panama is hosting its 1^st Annual Summer of Love Sale, this Friday night, January 22^nd. What makes this night out so special? Cover is $20.00 and all proceeds will be donated to UNICEF for the Haiti cause to help the country recover from the devastating earthquake the country suffered last week.

The special event starts at 7 pm and goes until 8 pm, although the restaurant will be open from 6 pm to 3:30 am, according to its regular Friday schedule. Indigo is located on Ave Central, San Felipe, Panama City, Panama.

Indigo is a Moroccan Riad serving a mix of mediterranean and middle eastern cuisine. You can either sit in the restaurant and bar for a formal dining experience, in the interior patio with Buddha fountains, in the comfortable Moet-Chandon lounge or on the outside patio where the mediterranean vibe is the strongest.

For more information or to make reservations, call 507–228–1822 or send an email to indigo@indigopanama.com.

Entrepreneurs in Panama were informed earlier this month of a new loan structure designed to help small businesses get on their feet.

 Prensa.com reports, “The bank will be the third component of “Proyecto Impulso” (”Stimulus Project”), and will begin operations with $25 million in capital. The announcement was made by Roberto Henríquez, Commerce and Industries minister, who will present his plan to the Executive Cabinet.”Henríquez explained that 90% of the country’s companies are classified as micro and small. This is why this bank will be focused on granting credit solutions to this sector of the economy.”

 With the program in place, Panama has the potential to see micro businesses flourish and hopes to see new enterprises grow and prosper. Lack of experience among Panamanian businessmen and women, however, might just stunt the much needed entrepreneurial growth.

 What’s the solution? Matt Landau of The Panama Report has an idea: the Panama Entrepreneur Visa.

 He says in part, “Ask any entrepreneur nowadays in Panama what the most difficult obstacle is to deal with and the answer is united: immigration. Visionaries like these can usually see through the little hurdles - the red tape, the cultural nuances, the fact that nothing gets done on time - because that’s what entrepreneurs do. But for small business owners, immigration in Panama is an extremely hard obstacle to overcome. Not only are visas difficult to obtain for oneself, but the ability to import skilled laborers is virtually impossible.

The potential to make a profit in Panama supplies a huge incentive for entrepreneurs to come up with new and better ideas: thus the giant explosion in new corporations created over the past five years. There is - and will be more and more amidst a recession and tightening immigration policies elsewhere in the world - a mad dash to bring in the world’s skilled foreigners.”

To read the full story by Matt Landau, visit The Panama Report.

Thinking about renting a car while you’re in Panama? You may want to think again – gas prices are on the rise again.

Saturday, January 16^th prices will go about about 17 cents per gallson. Telemetro reported that in Panama City a gallon of 91 octane will go up to $3.02 and 95 octane will go up to $3.19 per gallon. Diesal will rise to $2.76 per gallon and a gallon of light diesel will cost $2.82.

These prices will remain the same until Friday, January 29, 2010.

If you are planning on spending most of your time in Panama City you might want to consider taking taxis, which within city limits are quite reasonably priced. If you are traveling out of the city look into hiring a private driver.

There are plenty of reputable taxi drivers and tour companies that provide driving services. I use Carlos Aleman (www.panamacarlos.com) for driving in and out of the city. You can call him at 507–6645–7075 or 877–815–6580 toll free from the US and Canada.

Recently I stumbled across some frank advice in regards to getting your 90 day tourist visa renewed in Panama. For those of you who are unaware of Panamanian law the US Department of State outlines the following:

“Panamanian law requires that travelers present a passport valid for at least three months, and must either purchase a tourist card at the airport in Panama before clearing customs, or obtain a multiple entry visa from a Panamanian embassy or consulate before traveling to Panama. Further information may be obtained from the Embassy of Panama, 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20009, tel. (202) 483-1407, or the Panamanian consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, San Juan or Tampa.

As of August 26, 2008, U.S. tourists are allowed to stay in Panama for 90 days, without extension. If they want to stay longer, a “change of migratory status visa” should be requested through a Panamanian lawyer before the expiration of the 90 days in country. An initial fee of $250.00 must be paid for the “change of migratory status visa.” Please note that the approval of the change in migratory status falls under the Panamanian Immigration Office’s discretion.”

Most people travel to Costa Rica, which is all fine and dandy, but don’t expect to cross over and back in a day. You need to stay several days outside of the country to be able to re-enter with e new tourist visa. If you consider it a mini-vacation you will likely enjoy yourself much more; take the time to explore Central America!

Another option that is becoming increasingly popular is flying Spirit to Ft.Lauderdale for a few days. Spirit flights can be incredibly cheap; often cheaper than flights to closer Central American country. If you don’t want to pay through the nose to fly to Costa Rica, or don’t feel like enduring the long bus ride from Panama City, check into Spirit Airlines.

In regard to extending your visa longer without leaving the country, let me tell you what Alvaro Aguilar has to say about it: “The cost of lawyer fees, aggravation of getting fingerprinted at Immigration’s lovely installations and paperwork is about the same as the cost of the Spirit flight to Ft. Lauderdale. This is coming from a lawyer.”

So there you have it – best bet for renewal is exiting the country, with Florida looking like the cheapest, most hassle free option.

Star-Telegram.com reports:

The country has made $4.75 billion from the Panama Canal since taking it over a decade ago, more than twice what it received in the 85 years the U.S. ran the waterway, the operating authority said Wednesday. Today marks the 10th anniversary of the handover of the canal by the U.S., which opened the waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific in 1914.

Ringing in the New Year in Panama City? Head down to the newly-opened Zona Viva at the start of the Amador Causeway. Located in the Figali Conecntion Center this strip is the next big thing in the Panama nightlife scene. Lined with a variety of clubs and bars you can find everything from salsa to hip-hop, house and raggaeton just a few steps away from each other.

New Year’s Eve marks the official opening of the Zona Viva, which will surely mean some pretty hard partying. There is plenty of parking outside, and the streets are sure to be full of others celebrating 2010.

The official site of Zona Viva is www.zonavivapanama.com, but seeing as that site is still under construction you can read more about this up-and-coming nightlife spot by clicking here.

When picky visitors come to town, you can’t go wrong with taking them out to eat at Friday’s. A popular choice in the States, the familiarity of T.G.I. Friday’s can be exactly what your uptight, hard-to-please guests need to relax and get comfortable.

Locals enjoy Friday’s for American food, and the atmosphere of an nice place to relax after a hard day at the office. If you want to have a drink, watch some sports and grab a quick bite to eat in typical American fashion, you’ll enjoy eating here, just as you do back home.

While the food is quite similar to a Friday’s back home, the service isn’t. It’s a popular place and can get crowded, and it seems some of the waiters have a hard time keeping track of people in the crowd. Food can be slow to arrive, and sometimes cold, although they are usually good about taking it back to the kitchen if it isn’t satisfactory.

If what you are out for is a great meal, there are plenty of other places in Panama that will do you better, at a better price as well. However, what you get at Friday’s that you can’t get anywhere else is a killer atmosphere, especially during Happy Hour, when the place can get packed.

Come and enjoy a drink and relax with friends, and you will for sure get your taste of back home in no time. Oh, and while you may not be pleased with the pasta or the nachos, you will never be disappointed by a cold beer and french fries, and the hamburger usually comes through too!

Location:

Calle 49, Bella Vista (The nicest of the three locations in Panama.)

www.tgifridays.com

507-269-4199

Crystal Cruises is offering great deals on an 11– day Panama Canal cruise during this holiday season. Savings include:

• 2–for-1 Fares
• $1000 per couple in “All-Inclusive. As You Wish.” shipboard spending credits.

The cruise stops in Aruba, Tortola, and Antigua before taking you through the Panama Canal. Cruises embark or disembark in Miami.

If you’re not sure what to give those hard-to-buy-for people on your list, I think the gift of a cruise through the Caribbean would be accepted by all.

To book a cruise call 1–888–698–9605 or click here to request a quote.

You can also visit www.crystalcruises.com for more information on all Crystal Cruises special offers.

It’s Friday… looking for something to do this weekend? Guru is the megaclub of Calle Uruguay, with a large stage, multiple levels, VIP areas, and of course, a giant dance floor.

Guru’s rocks the dance club atmosphere and locals and foreigneres flock to its bright lights like moths. On most nights a DJ can be found spinning everything – electronica, rock, hip hop, dance, and of course Latin. Occasionally you’ll even find a live act on stage.

Being so large, and at the center of the main bar and night club (disco) area, Guru can draw quite a crowd on big nights. Drinks, music and lots of dancing are the building blocks Guru. On really hot nights, they even have professional dancers shakin’ their things in the rafters.

If you don’t feel like dancing, there is plenty of bar spaces, although they crowd up fast. There are also severl plush couches for sitting and enjoying a cocktail with some friends.

Phone: 507–269–6130

Web-site: www.gurupanama.com

Address: Calle 47, Bella Vista, Panama City

In the event of an emergency in Panama, you want to have doctors you can trust, and understand! At Hospital Punta Pacifica you’ll find just that. The hospital opened in 2006, and is an affiliate of Johns Hopkins Hospital. Located in Punta Pacifica, about 15 minutes from the Tocumen International Airport, it is on the list of hospitals recommended to foreingers.

Hospital Punta Pacifica is a modern hospital, with the proper equipment to handle emergencies and serious situations. The majority of the doctors and surgeons speak English and have been trained in the States.

The hopital has 52 private rooms and 12 suites. The only complaint I have heard voiced is that the maternity rooms are on the same floor with rooms for those who are ill.

Hospital Punta Pacifica accepts national and international insurance and assurance managing companies. While research should be done to see what hospital best fits your needs, if an emergency arises, you shouldn’t be afraid to accept treatment from Hospital Punta Pacifica, it is considered one of the finest and most advanced hospitals in Panama.

Phone: 507-204-8000

Web-site: www.hospitalpuntapacifica.com

Address: Boulevard Pacífica y Vía Punta Darién

In Panama we have the luxery of being able to find many of the same foods that we have back home at a variety of grocery stores, but for me there is just something so American-esque about Price Smart. Perhaps it’s due to the similarites it shares with Costco, an old favorite of mine. Whatever the case may be, Price Smart is bulk shopping done right.

Price Smart has everything you would expect to find at a Costco back home. When you walk in, you’re immediately greeted by the standard electronics department, with big screen TVs, computers, MP3 players, and a whole lot more gadgets and gizmos that I can happily browse through. Prices aren’t always the greatest for electronics here, so make sure you compare, and keep your eye out for great deals.

The fruits and vegetable selection at Price Smart is good, but there is no reason to buy your produce here. You will find it much cheaper at a local grocery store. By the veggies you will find massive amounts of delicious cheese, at prices that are generally quite reasonable.

Price Smart cakes are also some of my favorites, as they have a more traditional American taste than the super sugary cakes I have found at local bakeries.

The rest of the store is like a giant treasure hunt! Some items are things you can only find here, while others are available at other supermarkets, at a way higher price. Always compare prices though – not everything is cheaper at Price Smart, but some of their deals can’t be beaten.

I also like Price Smart for their Costco like food service after the check-out. The pizza is decent, as are the calzones, but on a hot day nothing beats their soft-serve. A chocolate-vanilla twist sends me straight back to the Dairy Bar back home.

They also offer great deals for Business Members:

For our Business Members, PriceSmart provides a service to make your shopping quick and effective. With just a phone call, fax or email, our Business Services team will handle all of your shopping needs, including quotations, placing of orders, and collecting the merchandise for your pickup – all at no additional cost. PriceSmart is ready to supply you with products for resale, business use or for your home.

Price Smart is membership shopping; one year costs $40.

Price Smart has severl locations in Panama, including one in El Dorado, on Via Ricardo J. alfaro, at the entrance to Villa de las Fuentes #2.

Visit http://www.pricesmart.com

Or call 507-214-7011

If you’re looking to break away from your standard haunts for dinner tonight, check out Casa Nikki. Recently opened, Casa Nikki serves up a pretty varied menu.

Coming from St.Barth, Casa Nikki has a fine reputation and established style and menu designed to bring success. Life entertainment, good food and drink and an elegance all its own make Casa Nikki an attractive place to hang out.

Having just opened in October, it will be interesting to see what direction the restaurant and bar continues to go in. Don’t miss Friday Happpy Hours, which run from 6–8:30 pm.

Tip: From Thursday to Saturday during lounge hours (10 pm-6 am) dress to impress. Weekdays the dress code is casual.

Lunch: 11:30 am to 5 pm

Dinner: 6 pm to 11 pm

Lounge: Thursday to Saturday, 10 pm to 6 am

Brunch: Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm

Address: Local A 127 Multiplaza Pacific Mall

http://www.nikkibeach.com/panama/

507-302-6830

The revitalization of Casa Viejo in Panama is well underway.  Had an opportunity to head there last night to sample the culinary selections in the eclectic foodery named Ego and Narciso.

Interesting and robust menu -although priced reasonably by US standards - you will find this on upper end of Panama restaurants.

Quality was superb although I do recommend that you choose to sit outside - the service seemed much better there.  We sat inside and waited for every course.  Could have just been a one time issue and this place is worth trying out regardless.

November is the height of the rainy season in Panama

November is the height of the rainy season and 2009 is proof positive of that fact.  It has rained very hard every day for at least two hours every single day for the past several weeks.

The key tip for Gringos is to watch the sky - cabs get nearly impossible to find once the rain starts.