“When our beautiful view is the Pacific Ocean and the warm breeze blows through our condo, we hardly feel like we are confined. If we have to stay in for an extended period of time because of Coronavirus restrictions, we are okay with that. We love it here,” says Jo Anne Burrill of her adopted hometown of Coronado.
While we wait for the boat to pull away from the dock, we pose in our orange lifejackets. The breeze is whipping our hair into our faces, and the sun is shining brightly. The ocean varies from intense sapphire to a crystal clear aqua. There’s exuberant greenery along the shore, and the striking city skyline gleams in the background. We all smile wide for the inevitable photo. Soon we’ll be digging our toes into white sands and wading into warm waters.
Asparagus soup with tarragon and goat’s cheese…roast turkey with oyster stuffing…delicate little pearl onions in cheddar cream. It’s a Mid-Atlantic-style Thanksgiving feast. And it’s being served up in Panama—a place where expats and locals enjoy coming together for this tradition from up north.
Panama City—a cosmopolitan capital on the Bay of Panama—has long stood as a testament to this region’s vast potential. Its gleaming skyline is composed of international banks, upscale hotels, and swank commercial and residential towers.
There’s so much to see in Panama, from ancient volcanic sites to pristine islands that look untouched by humankind. You’ll find hiking trails, hidden waterfalls, rare species, and there will always be more to explore.
Along the Caribbean coast of Panama, white sand beaches and aquamarine waters rival the best of the Bahamas. For a memorable vacation, these picture-perfect destinations provide the ultimate tropical backdrop. Pacific coast beaches, on the other hand, are the most popular for weekend getaways and full-time residents.
After 11 years of covering this country for International Living, you’d think writing about the best places to vacation in Panama would be a cinch. The more you know, the easier it should be…but the opposite is often the case. I know so many great Panama vacation destinations that it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few.
What’s it like living alone in Panama City? It’s a question I get a lot, and I can never seem to give a short answer. That’s because there are quite a few factors that make this a great place for any single.
Panamanian voters recently chose their next president and diputados, or lawmakers. It’s not the kind of news that’ll make for major headlines in the international press, though. This is a small, prosperous, neutral country. There were no major scandals and the voting process was well-organized.
Panama City is a compact capital, crammed with must-see sights, world-class restaurants, and so much more. You could easily spend a week enjoying all the city has to offer. But what if you’re short on time?