Panama lifestyle and conveniences

Panama is consistently rated as a top international retirement destination by major travel and retirement publications year after year. Panama is home to a stable democratic government that encourages foreign investment and provides outstanding tax breaks and incentives for investors. Panama is considered to be one of the safest countries in Latin America boasting low with low crime rates and a strong and professional police presence. Panama has first world infrastructure especially in the areas that used to be part of the US controlled Canal Zone. Wide streets, large parks, and modern supermarkets and shopping centers all make the Panamanian lifestyle particularly comfortable by international standards.

Panama is home to many private hospitals with US trained doctors providing first class healthcare in both English and Spanish. The brand new Punta Pacifica Hospital is an affiliate of the world renowned Johns Hopkins Medical Center of the United States, and is one of many Panamanian hospitals attracting foreigners looking for quality medical treatment at only a fraction of the price that they would pay back home. The private new 4 Altos Hospital opened just 2 years ago outside of Colon and is only a 20 minute drive outside of the Bala Beach Resort, promising high quality medical care at excellent prices only a quick ride away

In Panama you will spend much less than what you are accustomed to paying in North America or Europe for the same product or service. A newly released movie on the big screen in a comfortable movie theater goes for less than four dollars. A quality dinner in a nice restaurant can be enjoyed for less than ten dollars. You can ride from one side of Panama City to the other in a taxi for only two dollars. Transportation, utilities, entertainment and services will give you more for your money in Panama than you could ever imagine. Additional discounts and tax breaks for retirees and seniors in Panama apply to all people who are over a certain age limit including foreigners, leading to the potential for even greater value and savings.

Ecology and Environment in Panama

Panama is a tropical paradise with clean, safe drinking water widely available throughout the country. Panama is a landmass nearly equal in area to South Carolina, but it is stretched thin into a shape that leaves it with about as much beach and coastline as is possible for any country of its size. Surrounded all year long by warm tropical waters and sitting well below the path of hurricanes, Panama is blessed with beautiful and diverse terrain that is free from the threat of large tropical storms and mudslides. With cool green mountains and valleys, and warm sandy beaches leading out to crystal-clear turquoise-tinted waters, Panama paints a vibrant picture of natural beauty.

Panama itself is an ecological wonder. The isthmus is home to 9,915 varieties of plants, nearly 1,000 species of birds, 218 mammals and even more reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects. Panama is a world leader in environmental conservation protecting 19.5% of its total land area compared to only 8.6% for the Central American and Caribbean average and 10.8% for the world average.

Panama City´s Metropolitan Park is a lush tropical rainforest providing a home to countless plants and animals within capital city limits. Studying one hectare plots near the Panama Canal and in protected areas of Ecuador and Peru, Smithsonian scientists recently published findings stating that variety in the species composition of tropical forests are greater over distance in Panama than they are in Amazonia.

Economic development in Panama

Panama´s unique shared history with the United States along with the cosmopolitan influences felt from being an international hub for banking and trade, has created a political, economic and social climate within the country that understands and appreciates a foreign connection. Panama is committed to growth and development and is currently undergoing multiple large-scale infrastructure projects including the Panama – Colon Highway, Panama City´s Cinta Costera coastal road and most importantly, the expansion of the Panama Canal.

Panama is the maritime hub of the western hemisphere and experts see its significance only continuing to increase on the global stage. Panama is steadily becoming the equivalent in the Americas to world trading centers Singapore and Dubai in Asia and the Middle East. In terms of international maritime transport and shipping, avoiding Panama means taking an expensive and time consuming detour around the full perimeter of South America. By air, Panama is a 5 hour flight from New York City, only 2 hours from Miami, and all without the jet lag that comes from changing time zones. Daily direct flights link Panama City to many major cities in North America, Europe, South America and the Caribbean.

Panama´s overall economic activity and GDP both grew by rates of over 10% in 2007. These numbers are the highest in all of Latin America and comparable to those of China and the other fastest-growing nations in the world right now. Panama uses the US dollar as its national currency, simplifying international exchange rates and business transactions. Panama is a popular offshore banking haven where banking privacy laws are considered sacred and over 80 international banks currently operate. Panama is second only to Switzerland in terms of the number and quality of offshore banking options available to clients.

Panama is seen as a desirable location not only for tourists, retirees and business investors, but also by many international organizations. The City of Knowledge located in the former US Canal Zone is currently attracting lots of attention. Many multinational corporations, NGO´s and even the United Nations see Panama as an ideal site to put the headquarters of their Latin American and Caribbean regional operations.

Art, recreation and culture

The eclectic mix of historic Spanish architecture, modern skyscrapers and beautiful bay views is forcing more media production and entertainment companies to take a closer look at Panama. Appreciating the scenic beauty, solid infrastructure and low operating costs offered in Panama, the TV show "Prison Break" and the new James Bond film "Quantum of Solace" both recently finished filming extensive projects in Panama.

Panama is famous for its entertainment and nightlife. You can start the night off right by choosing from a full array of delicious and diverse dining options served up at excellent prices. Afterwards, check out any selection of the countless bars, clubs and casinos that light up the city night until sunrise. With its position as the bridge of the Americas, Panama is also a common stop for the tours of top-name bands, traveling artistic presentations and museum exhibits. Looking throughout the country you can always find Panamanians celebrating some sort of holiday, regional fair or local festival that can make for an exciting and culturally rich fun-filled weekend getaway.

Panama is a nation of athletic aficionados. The national baseball and soccer/football leagues display great competition and each province has its own team that draws infectious support from the local fans. Going to watch baseball, soccer, basketball, boxing, horseracing or the many other sports in live action is a fun and inexpensive way to go out and spend the day with friends and family. For being such a small country, Panama has produced many world class athletes including baseball greats Rod Carew and Mariano Rivera, Irving Saladino 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist and one of the greatest boxers of all time, Roberto Duran, among others.

Panama is a cultural melting pot like few other places in the world. Due to its position at the crossroads of the Americas and with over 100 years since the birth of the Panama Canal, people from all over the world have passed through Panama and many decide to make it their permanent home. In Panama there is a beautifully diverse mix of ethnicities and cultures. Most prevalent is that of the Panamanian Latino, Caribbean and Indigenous cultures, but there are also many strong influences coming from European, North American, South American, Asian and Arab populations as well. You can find lots of delicious restaurants and fascinating artistic presentations here in Panama that celebrate and share these various cultures with others, bringing them all to life.

Panama on the world stage

Panama is literally the bridge of the Americas. However, it only came to be just recently by geological standards, emerging about 3 million years ago as sea levels dropped. This action simultaneously connected two continents and separated two oceans, forever changing the face of the world. Looking at a map it is hard to find anywhere in the world that is as geographically strategic a location as Panama. And of course the addition of the Panama Canal, completed in 1914, immediately transformed Panama into one of the most important places in the world in terms of global transport and trade.

The great South American Revolutionary Simon Bolivar noticed the strategic geographical position and importance of Panama more than 200 years ago when he wrote that, "This magnificent position between the two great oceans could with time become the emporium of the universe. Its canals will shorten the distances of the world: they will narrow commercial ties between Europe, America and Asia; and bring to such fortunate region the tributes of the four parts of the globe. Perhaps someday only there could the capital of the world be established!"

Panamanians all agree that their country is at the heart of the planet, making it the true Corazon del Mundo.