Author: Liz Larroquette

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]