Many of those who decide to relocate to Panama are very surprised once they arrive and begin to settle in their new home. Panama is a different country than the U.S. and one should expect living in a different country to be just that. Different.
An element to consider when living in Panama is the major change of pace. Panamanians do not exhibit the constant sense of urgency in most tasks that Americans would. The phrase “manana” which means tomorrow has become a joke of sorts in that when someone in Panama tells you they will be there or do something “manana” it doesn’t necessarily mean tomorrow, but actually just means not today. This is where patience must come Read more
On a recent trip home to visit the states a few people asked me about what currency is used in Panama. The concept of Panamanian currency is simple yet a little confusing. The official currency in the Republic of Panama is actually the Balboa. But don’t start panicking yet. The Balboa and U.S. dollar are virtually the same thing and work equally in Panama. There are no Balboa paper notes as with the dollar (at least none that I have ever seen) and the coins or cents are known as “centavos”. If the price of something in Panama is listed with a B. before, such as B.25, then the price would be $25 U.S. dollars. Panamanian coinage is Read more
According to the Venezuelan news site El Universal, investment in Panama by Venezuelan businessmen represent about 12% of the total new investment into Panama. We thank the leadership of Venezuela for driving these significant investment dollars into Panama. It is most unfortunate for the citizens of Venezuela that their countrymen find it much safer to invest here rather than their own country.
Economy
The Panamanian market has become one of the favorite destinations for Venezuelan investment. Nowadays, 12 percent of new businesses are the result of Venezuelan investments, as reported by Leandro Ciciliani, the CEO of International Property Networks (IPN).
The best resources on life in Panama come from the people who know. PanamaQ Blog is full of people who know all there is to know about life in Panama. As they so eloquently put it:
“PanamaQ magazine is the quintessential authority for discerning individuals interested in this vibrant paradise. Delivering comprehensive, provocative journalism and rich photographic essays, PanamaQ is the ultimate guide and inspiration for an elite audience of world-class travelers.”
Articles on PanamaQ feature everything from medical tourism, health care in Panama, travel through the Panama Canal, ecotourism and investment in Panama.
Subscribe via email to get the latest articles from PanamaQ, or just check out their web-site. Posts come every week or so, but often Read more
I believe that it is safe to say that all who visit Panama are familiar with the fifty mile long waterway which runs from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean, divides the country of panama and creates a major lifeline for Panama via exporting and importing goods worldwide. However, many are unfamiliar with the history of the Panama Canal. The first attempt to construct the channel was made by the French in the late 1800’s after the Panama railway was built. Over 22,000 French workers died in the first attempt due to poor hygiene, malaria and yellow fever; the idea of constructing a canal at sea level was soon abandoned and considered impossible by many.
Can you smell the oranges? The National Orange Festival begins today and runs through January 31st. 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 Read more
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 Read more
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
GiGGi Travel specializes in all aspects of receptive tourism within the country. We can provide tours to fit anyone’s needs or desires ranging from the softest to the most extreme, so you can enjoy the BEST OF PANAMA.
Our Mission is to provide our customers with fast and accurate answers and quality service now … not mañana, and be the vehicle for travelers to visit our country and see the many wondrous things Panama has to offer. We will make sure that our customers will return home with vacation memories that will last forever.
Act now: GiGGi Travel is also offering any customers who come to them directly through thepanamagringo.com a 20% discount on all travel services. Just say you Read more
I am happy to help anyone who wants to make the move to Panama with tips on how I have success in Panama, but I have to admit that sometimes getting back to those who e-mail me is pretty difficult, and time consuming.
So, this Gringo, along with all the other Gringo writers (see my blogroll for affiliate sites) have worked to create a database that puts you in contact with the people you need to reach in Panama (and Guatemala, Costa Rica, Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and more!)
If you are looking for legal services, real estate information, an English speaking assistant or driver, cosmetic surgery, dental work and so on, all you need to do is the Read more
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