Many countries have sought to control Panama because of its unique and highly desired location and concentration of natural resources. More than one day is celebrated as Independence Day from countries such as Colombia and Spain. Still, nothing changed Panama more than on December 31, 1999, when the United States government turned over the keys to […]
Author: Liz Larroquette
Renting, Investing In Panama Checks Lots Of Boxes
The adage in real estate is location, location, location. The bottom line in finance is Return On Investment (ROI). Today, you can realize both with the same property in Panama City. There is solid marketing research behind why the new Seaside House residential tower located just off Avenida Balboa in Panama’s capital city is ideally located […]
Panama Welcomes Newcomers To “Best Of” Lists
Has Panama worn out its welcome of always being at the top of most “Best Of” lists for retirement, investment, living abroad, and island getaways? Not really, but lately, the list makers have been courting new, lesser-known countries for inclusion. Think Malta and Bulgaria. Both are lovely options, but they also present unique challenges. Malta […]
Slowing Down And Smelling The Roses
After almost 15 years of living in Panama, I have finally paused for a minute and looked around at what I love about this country. Australian by birth, well-traveled, and not blind to the problems of Panama, I can honestly say I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I’m constantly amazed at the luck of me putting […]
Restaurants At The End Of The World
Boquete, a picturesque Panamanian town of approximately 25,000 is located only 37 miles from the Costa Rican border and has always been a top retirement haven for expats worldwide. Nestled on the side of Panama’s inactive and only volcano, Baru, Boquete enjoys spring-like weather year-round and sits at an altitude of approximately 4,000 feet. Known […]
The Tipping Point Of Panama
When I moved to Panama almost 15 years ago, it was considerably different than what I see today. Just a couple of weekends ago, I woke up to find numerous emails from friends who wanted to make sure I knew about The New York Times article entitled 36 Hours, Panama City, Panama. I’ve always loved the […]
Once A Zonian, Always A Zonian
Lots of Panamanians speak English fluently, including many well-to-do locals who have studied in the United States, Canada, or Great Britain. Servers in fast-casual restaurants often speak well enough to have a light conversation and most medical doctors and pharmacists are completely comfortable discussing complex medical situations in English. And then there are the Zonians […]
Worry About Hurricanes? Not In Panama!
Panamanians watched in horror as hurricane Ian made its way across Cuba and then directly onto the West Coast of Florida, near Ft. Meyers. It was sobering to hear about the 125 individuals who lost their lives because of Ian and damages estimated to be over $50 Billion dollars. Panama does not have hurricanes. For […]
New Opportunities in Boquete
Many retirees are not looking for the urban hustle of Panama City or the business vibe of Costa del Este. Even the beach properties of Gorgona and Coronado have not answered the call for those seeking a location with a more moderate temperature, laid-back feel, and generally lower cost of living. Boquete, a small town […]
Movie Ramifications
Most North Americans actually know very little about Panama. There is the Panama Canal and the invasion by the United States to depose General Manuel Noriega more than 30 years ago, but generally, that completes the list. In a recent poll, individuals in the US, Canada and seven other countries were asked about their knowledge of […]
Goodbye 2021. Hello, 2022.
Now that we have put 2021 behind us, I would like to share with you some of the exciting things that are coming in 2022. While the year 2021 was certainly miserable for many, there were also outgrowths of the pandemic, both positive and negative, which will affect Panama for generations. After a difficult continuation […]
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