The large air-conditioned establishments known as supermercados are a dime a dozen throughout the city and along with convenience they give you the best booze prices in the city.  A local beer will cost you a mere $0.35 and a bottle of rum about $6.  Not only are the prices the best in the city, the promotions are unreal.  Don’t only stick to the liquor aisles when browsing for some liquid courage at a supermarket, very often in some random corner of the store or near the cash register you will find a bottle of rum with a free half bottle, coffee-mug, hat or some other cool freebie.  The rum industry in Panama is extremely competitive, so take advantage of the amazing discounts and free stuff that only seems to be available at the super markets.  Another awesome phenomenon about purchasing your booze in the supermarkets is the beautiful local girls working for the liquor companies handing out free samples and holding games to win free stuff.  For example, one time in a Rey (a common supermarket) I was on my way to the beer aisle when a pretty girl with a foosball table challenged me to a match. She was dressed in Balboa (local beer) attire and said they were running a promotion that if I beat her I would get double the beer I was going to buy.  So if I bought a 6-pack I would get one free.  To my luck she wasn’t a foosball hustler, in fact she actually let me win which resulted in the cheapest beer purchase of my life!  Friday afternoons are a good time to take advantage of these promotions….

For something a little different, you may also want to check out these local breweries in Panama.

Sancocho doesn’t only function as a delicious lunch or dinner, many locals also use it to cure their hangovers.  The broth does wonders to cure a rotten, alcohol ravaged stomach and with the right combination of rice and hot sauce you will find your dehydration headache and general sense of gloom being lifted almost immediately.  Sancocho can be found in virtually every restaurant with Latin food, so no matter where you are in the city this soup is nearby.  One surprising location to find good Sancocho in Panama City is at the various casinos.  Nearly all of them serve the soup for dirt cheap and I’ve found it to be the same quality as in some nicer restaurants where you pay twice the price.  One place in particular that I tend to frequent the morning after a big night of drinking or just when I’m in the mood for some soup is the Bingo Casino near the El Cangrejo neighborhood.  They have excellent Sancocho and massive helpings that will guarantee to fill you up!

I’ve discovered an absolutely delicious and a must visit restaurant for all visitors and expats alike who spend any amount of time in Panama City.  The spot is called El Trapiche and there are actually two locations in the city.  One cozy restaurant is located smack in the middle of Via Argentina while the other can be found within the vast Albrook Mall complex.  The restaurant is reasonably priced with entrees ranging from $5-10.  They offer awesome large platters for visitors to share and indulge in a mixed plate of all the goodness Panama has to offer, in addition to normal sized entrees of the local cuisine.  One dish I would recommend is called Ropa Vieja.  While the name translates to “Old Clothes” in English I promise you that it is far tastier than any old t-shirts or jeans you might have.  Shredded beef mixed with a few vegetables topped with a slightly spiced tomato sauce and usually accompanied by rice and salad, this meal is guaranteed to produce a content smile from deep within your stomach.  Whether you just want a good, well priced meal or interested in discovering what Panamanian food really is make sure you pay a visit to El Trapiche!

Volunteers will support teachers using their set English curriculum as well as help all of them plan interactive activities and development-enhancing training. Students are going to be around the ages of 8-16. Young college students learn quickly and may noticeably enjoy the proficient English-speaking dialect you use, which will in turn create efficient and innovative learning conditions. Volunteers tend to promote grammatically proper English speaking abilities.

There tend to be qualifications required to be an English teacher/volunteer in Panama. A degree in a teaching or language as well as some experience will certainly assist you in finding a job.  Some Spanish is actually encouraged, although not mandatory.  Teacher/volunteers should be flexible, open minded, caring and like children, as well as teaching. All volunteers should respect local culture and customs.

Throughout your time as a teacher or volunteer you may have plenty of spare time in the evenings as well as on weekends. This leaves time to travel and experience a different landscape. Volunteers may have the opportunity to immerse themselves inside a new lifestyle and discover Panama. The experience is educational and personally developmental.

Panama offers endless pursuit opportunities and has a continuously growing biodiversity. Teachers and volunteers can certainly explore Panama City and all it provides. You may wander through the ruins in Panama Viejo, have a day at the Isle of Blossoms, or watch the ships go through the Canal. Teachers and volunteers will discover endless adventures throughout the city. Those focusing on conservation or even health tasks can benefit from the endless places and wealthy cultural heritage from the Azuero Peninsula. Additionally, Panama offers various seashores for people in order to relax and enjoy the sun.

For more information on volunteering or teaching English in Panama, download our FREE eBook, here.

When you are looking for job opportunities in the States, there are normally quite a few options, especially if your pay grade is low. However, to find work in Central America via the Internet it takes a little bit more effort. Depending on the area where you are living, you may find that starting your own business, such as a small, private English school, could fill a local demand. Or, if you live on a coastal town in Central America you may find starting a seafood restaurant is more your style. You may also find success in running a souvenir shop, selling sea shells, stones, pearls, etc. If you’re not keen on the idea of starting your own business, you may find some offices in Central America looking for workers who speak English to handle bilingual office tasks, tech work, teaching or consulting. Information on these types of jobs can be found online when diligently search for it.

Panama is a well-known name on the map of the World, being a part of Central America. Being basically surrounded by water makes Panama an attractive place to live for those looking for a job where they can also enjoy the beauty of nature. Bored at your local job in the States? Living and working in Panama sure beats having to struggle to make ends meet in the States, where the cost of living is higher, job security is less, and people are simply not as nice (so maybe I am a little biased…). Panama is an attractive place to start your life as an expat, which means people are constantly arriving in the country, creating an influx in the economy and creating more job opportunities.

Panama is a magnet for people from all over; however, it can be a challenge to find jobs online, since many employers do not use the Internet to post jobs. In addition, many job postings will be entirely in Spanish, posing a problem for newcomers to the country. Mostly, it is considered that searching English teaching job in Panama is a difficult task because the available posts are not disclosed by most of the schools and universities operating over there. Sometimes, one has to find available jobs by doing manual research on-site, meaning visiting schools and universities and seeing for themselves which positions are available. Although this is not always the case, being able to actually visit the schools makes finding a position much easier. If you’re not already in Panama you can submitting résumés to desired schools (including a photo) to help employers match a face with a name. So, although it might make the task easier, you don’t necessarily have to go to Panama to find a job there.

After the successful gathering of information about schools and universities in a particular area you may find you are able to get a job that makes your stay in Panama comfortable, and easy to extend. While the task of landing a job takes a bit of work, once you’ve got a foot in the door you will find you are in demand, and compensation is good. Teaching in Panama is now considered one of the best jobs to have in Panama as a foreigner to the country.  Panama organizations are offering many other incentives as well for the employees who are willing to devote their time working in Panama.

For more information on working as an English teacher in Panama, download our FREE eBook, here.

Guide to Teaching English in Panama - FREE

Those who are looking for employment in a foreign country may regard Panama as a role model. With its modern and growing economy, Panama is far ahead of its Central American neighbors. Finding a job in Panama can be exceedingly rewarding whether it be for life or temporary employment to build a résumé. These job opportunities are similar to the ones in the U.S with the addition of English required positions like teaching or translating. The currency in Panama is the U.S dollar which they call the Balboa. This makes traveling much easier because you will avoid the exchange rate. Another plus is that Panama pays on a 13 month calendar. How’s that for a bonus?

Depending on your position, and what part of Panama you find work, you will be making a decent wage. Panama City is a great place to find employment. Qualifications and experience will affect your salary but overall it is the most modern place in Panama. Advancements in technology and communication are always allowing for more and more job opportunities to be created. In a country that thrives on growth and development, finding a job is not difficult. Working in Panama may be more than just getting money. It opens doors to a new location and culture. There are thousands of possibilities to find work in Panama and the experience alone will be extraordinary. You can find out more in our free eBook, here.

Now the cab drivers in Panama will probably hunt me down for revealing this secret, but contrary to popular belief you can actually take a city bus downtown or even to the bus terminal from the airport.  If you ask a cab driver near the airport where to catch the bus, they will tell you that buses don’t come to the airport which is actually true.  However, a mere 5-10 minute walk down the road from the airport, you will find a nice bus stop and for $1 it will take you to a plethora of locations throughout the city.  Now it isn’t the easiest bus stop to find and it can throw you off when you first go out to discover it because there really isn’t even a path to get there.  When you exit the airport simply head right and walk along the side of the road where the cars exit the area.  Don’t worry if it seems a bit strange at first, eventually you will see some large advertising billboards a bit further along in the distance across a series of small roads.  Pass the first bus stop, cross the highway and underneath the billboards you will find the bus stop that will provide you service to anywhere in the city area and the bus terminal.  The area is not well lit so it may be more difficult at night, but once you’ve taken the short walk it’s easy to navigate.  For more information on the secret bus service to the airport please inquire below.

Besides enjoying the cool temperature and tranquil vibes, El Valle has a number of fun things to do for entertainment.  If you enjoy scaling a mountain or two, there are a number of great hikes to the surrounding peaks.  My favorite hike is up Cerro Gaital, an amazing trek through dense jungle to a spectacular peak above the valley.  However this is not the easiest hike in the world, be prepared to scale small cliffs with cables and fight your way through dense jungle plants to reach the top!  If trekking isn’t your cup of tea there are also ATV or horse tours of the mountains.  A Canopy tour over the jungle is another way to enjoy nature and it’s located near the impressively big Chorro El Macho waterfall.  While it is fairly easy to see a number of different animals while walking the various trails in the area there is also a small zoo and serpentarium (snake zoo) for you to check out.  There are also a number of good restaurants and plenty of nice hotels to stay the night.  The city is well known for a nice artisan market and the best day to check it out is on Sundays.  For more info on El Valle or places to escape the heat of Panama City please inquire below.

The Mecca of cheap sunglasses in Panama City is located in the most unlikely of locations, the bus terminal.  A small kiosk near the stairs and main large entrance to the terminal exists an amazing selection of only the coolest shades.  At a no haggle price of 2 pair for $5, don’t be surprised if you find yourself walking away from the kiosk thinking, “what am I going to do with 4 pair of sunglasses?”  The selection seems to change on a regular basis, so every visit presents a new opportunity to purchase protection for your eyes.  From Ray-Bans of every color to Aviators of every shape and size, a purchase from this kiosk will guarantee you look a little cooler next time you’re out in the sun!

The food seems to alternate on a daily basis with a wide variety of Asian and Panamanian style vegetarian food so you can eat here often and get something different every time.  Each scoop of food is $0.50 as is the price of a cup of the delicious fresh juice. The place is located on Via Venteo in the little strip mall next to the Casino.  Free cold water and tea with a plethora of newspapers lying around this restaurant is a great hangout and my new favorite place to eat in the El Cangrejo area.  El Jardin Vegetariana is open from 7am- 9pm Mon – Fri and 7am – 5pm on Sundays.