Did you know that the hat that most of us know as the ‘Panama hat’ didn’t actually originate in Panama? Until recently I had no idea that the hat that most of us recall when we hear the term is actually an Ecuadorian imposter. The ‘Panama hat’ is made from the leaves of the toquilla straw plant. The leaves are used to make the material the hats are woven from. The hats received the name because in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when the hats were shipped from Ecuador they made a pit stop in Panama before reaching the rest of the world. The hats were then named after the major shipping port that most other countries received Read more
The concept of keeping appearances and worrying about what others think of me had little relevance until I came to Panama. I’ve heard countless people say that Panama City is like a really big small town in that there are tons of people, but somehow everyone seems to know everyone or everyone is only separated by a degree or two. While this may have its advantages or disadvantages for some it never really held much importance to me, only intrigue. I’m intrigued by the way that people carry themselves in Panama; how they dress, eat, walk, talk and generally behave. It seems that this factor of everyone knowing everyone, paired with remaining conservative views and a culture obsessed with Read more
With the definition of the “American Dream” changing and ideas regarding how we’re supposed to work and live evolving, the sabbatical can be seen as an excellent route to self discovery, renewed faith or enlightenment of sorts. The word sabbatical is derived from the Latin word sabbaticus which means “ceasing”. Recent economic changes have driven many of us to change what we were previously doing in trade for a different pace. The idea of working hard to gain a higher standard of living, more possessions and ample time to enjoy them in retirement doesn’t have the same appeal anymore.
Perhaps too many of us have seen the fruits of our labors vanish beyond our control. Or, perhaps we have Read more
I can recall, during my first few weeks in Panama, my Panamanian friend Charlie and I discussing random topics about the city over dinner. As a very “well endowed” young lady walked by the restaurant, catching attention from every man in a two block radius, I chuckled as Charlie nearly choked on his patacone. He looked at me in all seriousness and said “Honey, in Panama, nothing is real and everything is what it seems.” I laughed his comment off as I dug into my tamale; but I knew that the statement held more truth than anything I had seen or heard since arriving on this mystifying little isthmus.
As any country struggling to develop and define itself Panama has Read more
The food scene in Panama is constantly changing and evolving while keeping a strong hold on traditional cuisine as well. In Panama food can be found on nearly every street corner and borough to suit any palette as well as any wallet. If you are looking for traditional Panamanian food I highly recommend you check out El Trapiche in the El Cangrejo neighborhood on Via Argentina. Constantly filled with locals- evidence of the authenticity and quality of its Panamanian food-
El Trapiche offers everything genuinely Panamanian from the chicken soup to the deep fried corn tortillas, empanadas and plantains. You can expect to pay around $10 to $15 a plate at dinner in El Trapiche, but the quality of Read more
The spectacular waterway leading from Panama’s pacific coast to the Caribbean was a concept considered by leaders and businessmen as far back as the early fifteen hundreds. The French were the first to begin construction on the canal. Ferdinand Marie de Lesseps, who was previously in charge of the construction of the Suez Canal in Egypt, organized the effort.
In 1899 the US Congress formed the Isthmian Canal Commission to look at the possibilities of a Central American canal and to recommend a course. At first the commission decided on a route through Nicaragua, but later reversed its decision. The Lesseps Company offered its resources to the United States at a price of forty million. The U.S. and the Read more
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.
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