Panama Insider Articles Archives

At the Sandwich Shop I have enjoyed a tasty breakfast burrito; eggs, salsa, bacon, and cheese wrapped in a taco with a side of sour cream. Also try their Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon instead of ham.

East of Panama City’s San Francisco sector you’ll find new developments with much to offer…all of them between the vibrant city center and Tocumen International Airport. The largest and most convenient of these, Costa del Este, is favored by well-heeled Panamanians. The majority of these are white-collar types who speak English.

“For the longest time, I considered myself a nomad; a self-proclaimed gypsy roaming the world,” says Joe Yaker. “Eventually I ended up in Panama, after quite a few years living in New Orleans, where I did film work.”

I can remember being new to Panama City. It could be incredibly frustrating…and at the same time, incredibly fun. I got lost a lot…that’s how I learned about my favorite back roads and out-of-the-way shops. I had to go out of my comfort zone to meet people…that’s how I discovered the best venues and networking events.

Living in Panama is never, ever boring. Pick any province, any city, any time and there will be some sort of festival, parade, sporting event, or national holiday in full swing. Pulsing salsa music, frenetic dancing, boisterous cheering, and vibrant parades are common occurrences.

Once in Panama, we quickly found ourselves embracing the slower pace of life, the Spanish language, and the interesting people that we met from all over the world.

This couple ended up on the beautiful island of Isla Colón in the Bocas del Toro province of Panama. Although small, this island has a lot of personality, great weather, and plenty more to offer expats. Are you ready to trade frigid winters for sunny, Caribbean beaches?

With our Panama residency requirements fulfilled, and our 5,000-square-foot Nevada home downsized to a partial container of “should we keep that?” possessions, my partner and sweetheart, Will, and I took a one-way flight toward a new life.

Panama was everything I wanted from a new home. The climate was good, though it could get hot along the coast. I considered moving to the mountains for a cooler climate, but then I discovered something even better. A mere 30-minute drive inland, I found the slight increase in altitude made for a climate that suited me perfectly.

Originally from Oklahoma, Taquoyah moved to Chiriquí just over two years ago after marrying her Panamanian husband. The Chiriqui Province, bordering Costa Rica on the Pacific coast, has become one of the most popular retirement destinations in Panama.