GiGGi Travel Agency Brings Excitement to Panama Vacations

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GiGGi Travel Agency Brings Excitement to Panama Vacations

December 24th, 2008 | Panama - Business, Panama - Travel Tips | No Comments »

Panama boasts of an abundance of beautiful scenery and wildlife which is perfect for the adventures of ecotourism. Panama City is also one of the most developed and cosmopolitan cities in Latin America. The best way to experience everything Panama has to offer is to use an experienced guide who will cater a vacation plan to your exact wishes.

GiGGi Travel is an established Travel Agency with over 5 years of experience operating in Panama. They offer packages to a number of exotic locations with flight, hotel and transport included, as well as all types of tours. A long list of satisfied customers, the Panama Gringo included, will vouch for GiGGi as being one of Read more

Report on Panama as 2008 Draws to a Close

December 23rd, 2008 | Panama - Business, Panama - Family Friendly, Panama - Gringo Owned Business, Panama - Must See or Do, Panama - Places to Eat, Panama - Relocation | 2 Comments »

This commentary was prepared for the Members section of Retirement Wave. Due to requests that this be available to the general public, it also is being presented here.

(Posted October 26, 2008) A note to some readers: I will frequently use the word “billion” below. I am well aware that it is used differently or not at all in some countries and languages (Spanish, for example). When I use it, I am referring to 1,000,000,000 or what many of you call a “thousand million” (mil millones in Spanish).

About that Freight Train…

On February 3rd of this year, I Read more

Have Dental Issues? Go to Pacific Health Center in Panama City

December 15th, 2008 | Panama - Business, Panama - Gringo Favorite | 3 Comments »

A personal report directly from the Panama Gringo

Last week, the Gringo traveled to Panama City from Houston on a mission. After several difficult dental implant surgeries in the United States, I was determined to find a better way. Honestly, I was just sick and tired of dealing with a dentist treating 3 to 5 patients at the same time, feeling rushed and like I was on an assembly line even though I was spending over $3,000 an implant. I immediately thought about Panama because of the quality health care providers I had met on my previous trips. Personally being in the medical business my entire adult life, it is easy to tell the difference from people who practice medicine Read more

World Class Traveler's Magazine – Panama Q Magazine

December 4th, 2008 | Panama - Business, Panama - Travel Tips | 1 Comment »

One of my favorite reads regarding the country of Panama is Panama Q magazine. Each issue of the magazine features something great about the country of Panama; an inside look at its people, its most interesting places, and its great culture.

Panama Q also hits on topics that are of interest to investors and expats such as finance, medical tourism, and real estate investment and development. They report on new businesses, growth and expansion of current companies, and Panama’s business market’s influence on the world market.

Spot on reviews of things to do and places to see in Panama round out the content of Panama Q magazine. Panama Q is designed to attract travelers looking for the best that Read more

Apartment Building for Sale in Panama

November 26th, 2008 | Panama - Business, Panama - Relocation | No Comments »

If you’re like me, just thinking of a traditional retirement bores me to death. I have always been a hard worker, and while I am looking forward to “retiring” in Panama someday, I guarantee you I won’t be the Gringo who sits by the pool all day and reads the paper. I like to keep my hands moving.

If you are like me, then you may be interested in a certain investment opportunity I stumbled across the other day. Steve Rich from www.panama-offshore-services.com has posted this unclassified ad for an entire apartment building for sale on Calle 50:

$1,538,000 ($1,250/m2)

13 Apartments all having 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms plus maids room,living & Read more

Construction Solutions with Constructive Solution in Panama City

September 23rd, 2008 | Panama - Business, Panama - Gringo Owned Business, Panama - Relocation | No Comments »

Renovating your condo? Building your dream home in Boquete? Whatever your construction needs are, look to Constructive Solutions for help. This company speaks Spanish, German and English, and knows how to translate more than just language. They recognize the fact that the reasons we gringos flock to Panama are the same things that will drive us crazy when trying to complete a construction project.

Constructive Solutions started off when Dirk Schwalb, educated in England, undertook the project of restoring of Casa Testa in Panama City. Dirk managed the entire project from start to finish, with fantastic results. Constructive Solutions was born.

It can be difficult trying to get a project going when you don’t know the language, the code, Read more

Real Estate Investment Opportunities

August 15th, 2008 | Panama - Business, Panama - News, Panama - Relocation | No Comments »

If were being honest, the cost of housing in Panama is not what it used to be. As more people come to Panama to invest and retire the prices have been rising. Since business is booming, it is doubtful that prices will go down any time soon, but it is looking like the market is starting to level off.

Thankfully, despite this rise in the cost of housing prices in Panama are still way cheaper than what you will find in the States. The cost of rural properties can be extremely low, while costs in the city are obviously higher. The average cost across the board for a standard home or apartment is probably around $160,000 in the Read more

Prime Properties in Casco Viejo

July 4th, 2008 | Panama - Business, Panama - Places to Stay, Panama - Relocation | 2 Comments »

The bohemian-Spanish architecture, combined with its cobblestone streets dotted with sidewalk cafes and stylish bistros are what have drawn so many to Casco Viejo. With its beautiful courtyards and rich history, what better place is there to settle than in this growing subarb of Panama City.

Due to its close proximity, it makes a great place to base yourself out of if you plan on doing any business in Panama City, and at the same time is an excellent place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the downtown area.

Interested? Check out these two properties for sale, or call Sloan Wilson directly at 4157867856. Make sure and Read more

Thoughts about investing in Panama by the Gringo

June 29th, 2008 | Panama - Business, Panama - Relocation, Panama - Travel Tips | No Comments »

In recent years Panama has been growing in popularity among retirees, expats, and investors. In fact, International Living rates it as the No. 1 place to retire in the world, and not without good reason. Panama offers a higher quality of living at a lower cost and with less crime than typical Central American destinations although Panama City is rapidly getting to first world pricing.

The stable government is pushing the economy, and sees its future in the way of foreign investment. Tourism investments receive certain tax exemptions from import duties and residents pay no tax on foreign earned income. To encourage Read more

Panama Bay is beginning to be filled in for road expansion of Balboa Ave

February 6th, 2008 | Panama - Business, Panama - Culture | 2 Comments »

The expansion of Avenue Balboa is underway with the proceeds of the canal expansion being used to fill in some of the low tide parts of Panama Bay.

The plan is to widen Avenue Balboa to relieve some of the crushing traffic flow and to install a beautiful public park.

Panama is definitely a country in expansion mode and although the government is struggling to keep up with the rapid growth, they are doing a decent job with planning and implementation of public works. Every time I come back to the States from Panama, I have an even deeper respect for this wonderful central American country.

Here is a link to a map that fully describes the expansion.