Custom Strike Lasts Only Two Days

June 29th, 2009 | Panama - Business, Panama - News | No Comments »

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!

Customs Officials Strike in Panama

June 25th, 2009 | Panama - Business | No Comments »

Yesterday, Wednesday June 24th, 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 Read more

ExPats West Meeting tonight

June 24th, 2009 | Panama - Business, Panama - Culture, Panama - Family Friendly, Panama - Gringo Favorite, Panama - Nightlife, Panama - Relocation | No Comments »

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 4th Wednesday of the month, and is a great way to connect with Read more

Buying Appliances in Panama City

June 22nd, 2009 | Panama - Best Shopping, Panama - Business, Panama - Relocation | 1 Comment »

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, Read more

Win a Free Trip to Panama through Reef.com!

June 19th, 2009 | Panama - Gringo Favorite, Panama - Travel Tips, The Best of Panama | No Comments »

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!

Veneto Panama—Not Just a Hotel

June 17th, 2009 | The Best of Panama | No Comments »

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 Read more

Fine Wine and Cheese at The Wine Bar

June 15th, 2009 | Panama - Adults Only, Panama - Nightlife, Panama - Places to Eat | No Comments »

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 Read more

Hooray for Gourmet Pizza in Panama City!

June 12th, 2009 | Panama - Gringo Favorite, Panama - Places to Eat | No Comments »

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 Read more

Gourmet Ice Cream in Casco Antiguo at Grandclement

June 8th, 2009 | Panama - Family Friendly, Panama - Gringo Favorite, Panama - Places to Eat, The Best of Panama | 1 Comment »

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 Read more

Panama Hats… not really Panamanian, but a great gift idea!

June 5th, 2009 | Panama - Best Shopping | No Comments »

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. Read more

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