Jessica Ramesch

“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.