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
If you want to know what is really going on with the Real Estate in Panama then you need to hear what Kent Davis, fellow gringo and Real Estate expert in Panama has to say. And once he has sold you on Panama, check out www.equitypanama.com to get the process of investing or relocating to Panama started:
So you have just spent two grueling weeks waging war in the streets of Panama, dealing with realtors that don’t show up on time and home owners that answer the door in their pajamas. You are on the home stretch, and have finally decided on your “short list” of Panama properties: you’re ready to buy.
As an expat living/investing in Panama I try to keep my ears open for any reliable help with my ventures. I was recently refered to De Leon Van Hoorde Lawyers, and received the following e-mail detailing their services:
DE LEON VAN HOORDE LAWYERS was founded by professionals with years of experience committed to provide its clients with legal expertise. This Law Firm prides itself with honesty, integrity, hard work and is a full service law practice providing effective representation to clients from around the world that require legal assistance in Panama.
We treat clients as part of our family, as this law firm is a family business. We try to provide the highest world class service possible to make clients fill 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
ATTENTION READERS – We need to team up to support the Gillinghams, an expat family, in Bocas del Toro.
A rich Panamanian family is trying to twist the judgment system to their advantage in order to take back the land in Bocas del Toro that the Gillinghams have been living on for the last 10 years.
Here is what we need to do, according to Lin Gillingham:
“Hi Friends, Please take time to read this petition to the Supreme Court of Panama. I hope to be able to deliver this personally before the planned date of the invasion of our land. I thank you for your support.” (Letter was sent to Don Winner from www.panama-guide.com
Most Americans don’t have a big enough nest egg to permanently become expatriates in Paris or kick back with a daily glass of Chianti in Tuscany. But surprisingly, your current 401(k) balance could be more than enough to retire in a lost-cost country with a favorable exchange rate. Many foreign cities boast consistently beautiful weather and allow you to stretch your dollars further than would ever be possible in the United States. “In Nicaragua or Ecuador, you can live on somewhere between $18,000 and $25,000 a year,” says Barry Golson, author of Retirement Without Borders: How to Retire Abroad—in Read more
It’s a simple case of, pick this, not that, and Panama has shouldered out Costa Rica to be the vacation spot of choice for budget-minded travelers looking for more bang for their buck.
Seen those commercials where singer Rubén Blades urges you to visit Panama? Well, even if you haven’t, better listen up and head there now, because tourism in this 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
The Panama Gringo has an apartment for rent on the 22nd floor of a one year old building in the Punta Pacifica area of Panama City. Great location in the middle of nearly everything.
Here is what is included:
2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, approx 950 sq feet condo.
42 inch plasma TV with over 250 channels (including English CNN, FOX and ESPN, BBC and others)
Broadband wireless and wired connectivity
Voip phone that can be used to call US for free
Fully furnished � two couches, 2 brand new beds, all linen (2 sets) and towels
Washer/Dryer/Refrig/Microwave/Stove
Air conditioning in each bedroom plus master air conditioner in living room
Small balcony with fan
One secure parking space on the first
As other traveling gringos will attest to, one of the most missed things on the road is American coffee. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy Panamanian style coffee almost any day of the week, but sometimes, I just need a good old American cup of joe!
That is where California Coffee comes into play.
California Coffee is hands-down the best American style coffee house in Panama. It serves a variety of imported coffees prepared by professionally trained baristas.
If that weren’t enough you can also grab lunch (they serve a fine selection of gourmet sandwiches), satisfy your sweet tooth (scrumptious baked goods) and check your e-mail (free Wi-Fi)! The sandwiches are good, the baked goods are great and the internet connection is Read more
