Jessica Ramesch

Jessica Ramesch

International Living Panama Editor Jessica Ramesch has been living the life international for as long as she can remember. By the age of 15, she had already called the U.S., India, and Panama home. The travel bug bit her hard, and she lived out of a suitcase for many years. More than 25 countries later, she’s still got plenty of exploring left to do… Before joining IL, Jessica taught English to Vietnamese refugees, studied French, Italian, and Portuguese, and worked as an interpreter at an international emergency hotline, a writer for the Panama Canal’s newspaper, El Faro and a Second Officer on Carnival Cruise Lines Jessica left the Panama Canal for a position with Carnival Cruise Lines, touring the world and moving up in rank from Cadet Purser to Second Officer. A year in, she had the honor of joining the Carnival Legend’s maiden crew on her first voyage out of Helsinki and—after visiting beautiful European ports like Tallinn and Saint Petersburg—a transatlantic crossing. Today, Jessica lives the good life from her base in Panama City. Jessica enjoys learning new things and laughing with friends, preferably over great food and drinks She travels often—scouring Panama’s beaches, islands, mountains and countryside for her International Living articles.

“It’s So Easy to Meet People and Make Friends”

“It’s So Easy to Meet People and Make Friends”

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“Congestion, noise, and frenetic energy.” That’s how Maureen LoBue describes her former life in San Diego. Her new life in Panama couldn’t be more different. Here, her days consist of salsa dancing, swimming, and plenty of happy hours. “I rent a three-bedroom house with three porches and a huge yard—in the beach town of San Carlos—for just $800 a month,” says Maureen. Panama City is just over an hour away. She goes often, adding that a bus to the vast Albrook Mall and National Bus Terminal is just $2.50. And she’s about 10 minutes by car from a hub town bustling with supermarkets, shops, a clinic, and more.

“I Have a Second Lease on Life”

“I Have a Second Lease on Life”

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Jennifer Blackstone’s newfound tropical lifestyle is a far cry from her childhood in Wisconsin. In fact, it’s a life she didn’t think she could ever have. “Several things fell into place and conspired to get me to Panama,” says Jennifer, who fell in love with the tropics several years ago. “I visited Costa Rica and I loved the tropical feel…the colorful flowers and the warm ocean,” she says. “But the thought of living there…it was a fantasy.

A Tropical Retirement in Panama for $1,000 a Month

A Tropical Retirement in Panama for $1,000 a Month

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Lying in the Arco Seco, little Las Tablas is Panama at its best. This town of under 30,000 people lies on the Azuero Peninsula, a region renowned for everything from colorful Carnival celebrations to artisanal textiles, pottery, and leatherwork. Life in this region of Panama is good. It is graced with more sunny days and less humidity than any other part of the country. And the cost of living is the lowest in Panama: Here, a couple can easily live on $1,000 a month, including rent, as expats Joyclyn and Armand Brodeur have found out. Originally from St. Louis, the Brodeurs came to Las Tablas in August 2014 to test-drive their Panama retirement, so to speak. Armand, 66, and Joyclyn, 59, long yearned for a tropical, beach lifestyle. At the same time, they wanted to choose a place where it was possible to live on a social security check.

High-Yield Rentals in Panama’s Los Santos Province

High-Yield Rentals in Panama’s Los Santos Province

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Foliage presses up against the perfect, charcoal gray road. Though this time of year is known as the “rainy season” in Panama, the sky in this region is a powerful blue, and the sun is shining hot and strong. It’s quiet, and I pass very few cars…and perhaps just as many horses. For my recent scouting trip I drove the five hours from Panama City to Pedasí, a town of about 2,500. It’s a place that’s been growing in comfort and convenience— slowly but surely—since 2004. Over the past couple years in particular, it has become a burgeoning expat hub. Still, it remains a place where a couple can live on $1,300 a month including rent, and as little as $950 if they own.

Schools in Panama Offer a Solid Return on Investment

Schools in Panama Offer a Solid Return on Investment

Entrepreneur profiles
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Panama is one of the fastest-growing countries in Latin America. And with a steady influx of expats of all ages and a growing middle class, its beleaguered education system has been hard-pressed to meet the growing demand for quality instruction. Public schools don’t prepare students very well for college. So middle and upper class residents turn to the nation’s private schools.

A B&B in Panama City’s Leafy Ancon District

A B&B in Panama City’s Leafy Ancon District

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Though the inn is small, just nine rooms, Mieke and Bill like to be onsite as much as possible, helping guests organize tours and transport and answering all kinds of questions about Panama. “We absolutely love this part of Panama City,” says Mieke of the Balboa area. Located in the capital’s Ancón district, this area is a world away from the city skyscrapers.

Delve into Panama’s Artisan Traditions

Delve into Panama’s Artisan Traditions

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Over the years archeological sites across Panama have yielded artifacts used long before the conquistadores came from Spain. Round-bellied clay pots called tinajas kept water cool in the tropical heat. Geometric motifs adorned platters and open bowls used for meals and prayers. Centuries later, this tradition continues in La Arena, known for its pre-Columbian style pottery.

El Valle: Beauty and Convenience in Panama’s Crater Valley

El Valle: Beauty and Convenience in Panama’s Crater Valley

Expat Advice
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In the heart of rural Panama, nestled in the crater of an extinct volcano, El Valle is a place of orchids, rainforest greens, and canary-yellow flowers. Though it’s relatively unknown beyond Panamanian borders, locals argue that no other town can match it. And not just because of the singular beauty of the velvety-green mountaintops.

Starting Over in a Panamanian Paradise

Starting Over in a Panamanian Paradise

Panama Insider Articles
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"My typical day starts with a steaming cup of excellent Panamanian coffee," says Jade Wills. "I settle down at my desk and work for a few hours then I take a smoothie break using fresh papayas from our yard. "Later, I’ll ride my bike to the vegetable truck or maybe spend some time gardening. I’ve plenty of time for things like yoga and pilates, and some days I’ll pack up my laptop and work from right on the beach. Life is good."