Info on Panama....

[WillBrink]

I know many of you have been to Panama due to our mil presence/training there.

I have a few friends who have moved there, and they like it. My understanding is, pro US in general, low cost of living, good medical etc.

Major cons: making $$$, so you either have to have a way of making it where ever you are, or bring it with you.

My understanding, not a high crime rate, but I'm sure that's location dependent.

What surprised me most perhaps - and put it in the plus bracket - was unlike many SA countries, not anti gun.

My friends have had no issues there and my reading on it is, not anti gun in their policies. Of course it's not a Const. Right, but a major plus. I admit, I thought all SA countries were either anti gun for citizens to VERY anti gun for citizens...

For those who have spent time there, places you recommend visiting? Places to avoid? Would live there or not? Why? Am I correct in my general understandings of the place, or are my friends blowing smoke up my ass?

Looking for feedback from those who have spent some time there, etc

Thanx

[austinN4]

Looking for feedback from those who have spent some time there, etc
Panama is a great place to visit and I recommend it. There are 2 really different climate zones - tropical (think hot and humid like Houston, New Orleans, and Miami in the summer) and highlands. Most of the country is tropical.

The canal is a must see - it is truly amazing, especially considering when it was built. The Miraflores Visitor's Center is a good place to learn about it. Panama City is modern and fun, but I prefer Old Town (Casco Viejo) for its colonial charm and small boutique hotels, shops, restaurants and cafes.

I am not into the tropics much anymore so I prefer the highlands in the western part of the country along the Costa Rican border. A lot of US expats are settling in and around the Boquete area and the climate there is much more to my liking.

If you get to Boquete I highly recommend a few days at Finca Lerida, a working coffee farm and ecolodge. They grow premium quality estate coffee, some of the best I have ever tasted. http://www.fincalerida.com/index.php?cccpage=index

Panama is trying hard to attract US citizens for second or permanent homes. They offer an attractive package of benefits to do so, IMO. http://www.abpanama.com/retiring-in-panama/main.php

I am not sure about trying to earn a living there. Maybe others can help.

[WillBrink]

Panama is a great place to visit and I recommend it. There are 2 really different climate zones - tropical (think hot and humid like Houston, New Orleans, and Miami in the summer) and highlands. Most of the country is tropical.

The canal is a must see - it is truly amazing, especially considering when it was built. The Miraflores Visitor's Center is a good place to learn about it. Panama City is modern and fun, but I prefer Old Town (Casco Viejo) for its colonial charm and small boutique hotels, shops, restaurants and cafes.

I am not into the tropics much anymore so I prefer the highlands in the western part of the country along the Costa Rican border. A lot of US expats are settling in and around the Boquete area and the climate there is much more to my liking.

If you get to Boquete I highly recommend a few days at Finca Lerida, a working coffee farm and ecolodge. They grow premium quality estate coffee, some of the best I have ever tasted. http://www.fincalerida.com/index.php?cccpage=index

Panama is trying hard to attract US citizens for second or permanent homes. They offer an attractive package of benefits to do so, IMO. http://www.abpanama.com/retiring-in-panama/main.php

I am not sure about trying to earn a living there. Maybe others can help.

Thanx for the info. My connection is in Boquete in fact.