Anyone that has, or has had Real Estate interests in Panama knows that the world that lies within can be a treacherous one. I have found this fantastic article written by Kent Davis who has written a great guide to Panamanian Real Estate. The article is posted here in full to read but feel free to check out more of his work at www.buscapanama.net
Blood on the Streets:
Everything that is wrong with Real Estate Agents in Panama and Why I am One of Them
The music of the marching bands filled the air for hours from the annual Christmas parade on December 9th.
Balboa Avenue was jammed with thousands of spectators as Panama welcomed the Christmas 2007 season.
The event ended with an incredible fireworks show over the city.
Don’t miss this place. First, you will see plenty of Gringos here for the $12 Jimmy Special – garlic infused strip steak to die for – complete with butter and chimichurri sauce. It’s huge and you will smell like a human garlic factory but the taste is to die for….
If you are not in the mood for steak, there is an extensive menu featuring many types of fish and chicken, The Gringo likes the Bolegnese Spaghetti in particular.
Tip: Order two drinks at a time if you are thirsty, drink glasses are small and when they are busy, it can take a while for refills. Also, let your waiter know when you are nearly done to get Read more
Bistro Ten is one of the Panama Gringo’s favorite haunts when he visits his second home in Panama City.
It used to be a secret but not anymore – check out this article in Washington Post earlier this year. Seems everyone is on to it now.
This is a favorite of most restaurants in Central America and seems to be practiced to an art in Panama City in some places.
Here is how the gringo-abuse takes place:
1. You eat a fine meal. For this example, lets use Benihana as an example – it just opened in the mall and the meal was great.
2. You get the bill but ONLY in summary format (basically just the charge to sign with a space for leaving a tip).
3. At this moment, STOP EVERYTHING. Get your waiter to bring you the full detailed bill. In the case of Benihanas and many other restaurants in Panama City, it will likely have the 10% service charge already added to Read more
The two biggest cell phone providers in Panama are Movistar and Cable and Wireless. They both offer “cards” (more commonly known as pay as you go wireless) in multiple denominations. Here is what they look like:
Ok so you are going to Panama and want to be able to stay connected to the world (plus if you want to survive in Panama – you need a cell phone – they are everywhere). Here is the process:
1. Have your cab driver or better yet call CARLOS (driver of Panama Gringo 001-507-6645-7075) take you to a store and buy the cheapest phone you can find. It is usually about $20 or so. (In the case of Carlos, call him Read more
MIAMI (Reuters) – A U.S. judge on Tuesday approved the extradition of former Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega to face money laundering charges in France when his long Florida prison sentence for drug smuggling ends next month.
The decision by Magistrate William Turnoff followed a separate court ruling last Friday rejecting arguments from Noriega’s lawyers that his status as a “prisoner of war” under the Geneva Conventions meant he had to be immediately returned home when his U.S. sentence ends on September 9.
“This court will issue a certificate of extraditability with respect to Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega,” Turnoff said at the end of a 30-minute hearing in Miami.
Turnoff said he would issue the extradition order on Wednesday for the Read more
The purchase of real estate in Panama can be confusing and uncertain if you are not well guided, or it can be a very pleasant experience. One of the most prevalent qualms within foreigners is whether or not the asked price is fair for a particular property. Sometimes it is difficult, even for locals, to determine what the asking market price for a particular property is.
1.The easiest way to ensure that you do not pay much more for it, is requesting for an appraisal of the property. Even if none is available, the cost of having one done is minimum and possible out of pocket expenses well worth it, because it is common to see very similar properties, even Read more
