Whether you wake up every weekend with a hangover or simply enjoy drinking a cold beer every once in a while, consuming alcohol seems to be a common activity in Panama for both expats and locals. While it’s common in cities for the price of alcohol to be different in bars and clubs, in general we trust that running to any old store to buy a bottle or 6-pack will be relatively similar. In Panama City this is definitely NOT the case and you can literally end up paying twice the price depending on where you go. The worst place to shop for your booze is in the convenience stores (known as Chinos in Panama City). Here you will pay Read more
Any visitor to Panama may notice how often they see the locals eating soup. This can be quite confusing at first because the incredibly hot climate in Panama doesn’t really seem like the correct environment for consuming piping hot soup. Like it or not soup is a big part of Panamanian food culture, so prepare yourself for hot food and hot weather during your time here. Although there are a number of different Panamanian soups the overwhelming favorite and most consumed is called Sancocho. This hearty soup is typically composed of some chicken, potato or yucca, corn on the cob, and some local spices. It is usually served with a nice bowl of rice that most people slowly add to Read more
Panama has an array of culinary delights to satisfy even the broadest range of palates. This melting pot of different cuisines is a food lover’s paradise and it’s easy to find a meal from a wide variety of different cultures. The funny thing about the city is that it’s so easy to get caught up in the vast amount of restaurants from other countries sometimes you forget eating actual Panamanian food. While many restaurants may advertise authentic local cuisine they are often a blend of the various Latin cultures surrounding the Isthmus. For this reason it’s important to first discover what Panamanian food actually is so you can experience it for yourself.
I’ve discovered an absolutely delicious and a must Read more
With globalization, English abilities are progressively vital in order to improve Panama’s work and economic climate. Panamanians, having a higher degree of English, are given higher salaries and more employment possibilities, especially within the tourism as well as teaching industries. Many public colleges lack competent teachers, resulting in poor English instruction within pronunciation and grammar. Volunteers assist students and enhance their English speaking abilities in addition to training nearby teachers with innovative teaching techniques to continue teaching better English classes in the future.
Volunteers will support teachers using their set English curriculum as well as help all of them plan interactive activities and development-enhancing training. Students are going to be around the ages of 8-16. Young college students learn quickly Read more
Different job opportunities are available to people across the globe, and now it has become easier than ever to search for desired jobs no matter where you are located. Google has made it so that from anywhere across the globe you can search for jobs according to your skills and talents. Similarly, you can easily search for jobs in Central America on the Internet.
When you are looking for job opportunities in the States, there are normally quite a few options, especially if your pay grade is low. However, to find work in Central America via the Internet it takes a little bit more effort. Depending on the area where you are living, you may find that starting your own Read more
Those who are looking for employment in a foreign country may regard Panama as a role model. With its modern and growing economy, Panama is far ahead of its Central American neighbors. Finding a job in Panama can be exceedingly rewarding whether it be for life or temporary employment to build a résumé. These job opportunities are similar to the ones in the U.S with the addition of English required positions like teaching or translating. The currency in Panama is the U.S dollar which they call the Balboa. This makes traveling much easier because you will avoid the exchange rate. Another plus is that Panama pays on a 13 month calendar. How’s that for a bonus?
While cabs in Panama are fairly cheap, the ride to and from the airport is a massive exception. Although the Tocumen Airport is only a mere 20-30 minutes from anywhere in the city, the price does not reflect this distance. To the dismay of the citizens, somehow all the cab drivers in Panama City came together and decided to make the standard cab to or from the airport a whopping $25. Even the most legendary haggler on the planet will have a tough time getting this price reduced, so unless you enjoy forking unreasonable bundles of cash to cab drivers this can be a huge hassle. Some people spend copious amounts of time trying to save money on their flights Read more
The tropical sun combined with the often overwhelming humidity of Panama make doing anything without air-conditioning quite difficult. After a hot and sweaty week in the city an escape to cool off is an absolute necessity. Now most city-dwellers tend to head to the islands or beaches during their time off and while the ocean is a fantastic place to chill down, I’ve got another equally if not cooler option. An easy 2 hour bus ride from the city, El Valle de Anton is a nice little valley nestled in the mountains of the Coclé Province. The high elevation and persistent breeze gives this small, sleepy mountain town a very cool temperature most of the time, which is the perfect Read more
“Hey man where did you get those sweet shades?” I seem to be asked that question almost as often as I get sunburned in Panama, which is on a regular basis. As cheap, nice sunglasses are on the “To-Do” list of most travelers to Central America, Mexico or any country less expensive than their own, I found a gem of a place that I must share with you. Whether you are a traveler just passing through the Isthmus or a resident trying to protect your retinas while looking cool, sunglasses are an important part of your world. While seeing sunglasses salesman on the sides of the road selling their merchandise to drivers is common, these men will never give you Read more
Although I’m one of the farthest things on earth from a vegetarian I appreciate good food whatever the type. A friend recently recommended a small little restaurant called El Jardin Vegetariana in very close proximity to my house so I decided to give it a shot even though it was vegetarian. Spending only $2.50 for a meal consisting of 4 dishes of delicious fresh vegetables, beans, pasta, an eggroll and fresh juice I felt incredible and sad all at the same time. The incredible feeling came from food that was tasty, fresh and with an excellent selection that left me feeling good afterwards. The sad feeling was from knowing that I have been in Panama for so long and didn’t Read more
