Panama- A Great Place to Live and Visit:

Panama is a privileged country within Latin America. It is fast becoming a preferred location for a second or retirement home for North Americans. For its citizens, Panama is one of the top three of Latin American countries for quality of life: health, education and economic well-being. There are a number of good reasons.

Panama City is called a "second Miami" because of its sophisticated business district, high speed internet connections, the American-style infrastructure and the elegance of many of its neighborhoods. There are endless gorgeous sea-view apartments and numerous suburban subdivisions with lovely Miami-style homes. Few other Latin American cities can boast buildings of such quality construction and so many attractive neighborhoods. These same Panama City buildings were mostly built by the architect George Moreno, who is the architect for Big Creek Village!

Unlike other Latin Americans, Panamanians don't need to go shopping in Miami. Due to the lowest tariffs in the Americas, Panama is a shoppers paradise whether it be clothes, computers, electronics, or automobiles! Panamanian supermarkets can easily be mistaken for American supermarkets with their large selection of American products. Electronics stores compete in both price and selection with American stores. There are even three Price-Costco’s in Panama City and one in the city of David, which is only a 2 hour drive from Bocas del Toro.

Private education is excellent; there are three accredited international schools and dozens of fine bilingual schools. At the university level, there a dozen universities, including three United States universities with branches in Panama City.

Medical care and hospital facilities are almost on a par with the USA, one of the many happy by-products of the longtime American presence in Panama.

Numerous fine local restaurants can compete in quality with almost any large American city. If you are homesick, try Bennigan's or TGI Friday's not to mention McDonalds, Wendy’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Dominos, KFC etc.

If you're homesick, Panama is a short plane ride away from the USA. There are direct flights to and from Panama from 7 USA cities- Newark, Miami, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Orlando. The cost for round trip flights starts at only US$365! This proximity also makes it easy on all those relatives who will want to come visit you, the Panama Canal and some of the most nature-rich rainforests on earth.

Indeed, there is a reverse migration going on in recent years. There are many stories of Panamanians in the US moving back to Panama because they find the quality of life is simply better here. Not to mention, the 50,000 Americans who used to live in the former Panama Canal zone and called Panama "home". They call Panama their "Paradise Lost". The majority are not happy living back in the United States- that should tell you something.

Even nature has blessed Panama. Due to a unique geographical position, there are no natural disasters -no hurricanes and destructive earthquakes which plague its Central American neighbors.

This is not to say that Panama is a utopia. There are plenty of problems here like anywhere else. But the time has passed, especially post 9/11, when one can presume that for quality of life, up North is NOT the only place to live.

Panama has warm, friendly people, a stable democracy, a dynamic business sector and an unusual variety of terrains.

John Le Carré, writing in The Tailor of Panama summed it up well:

"We have everything God needed to make paradise. Great farming, beaches, mountains, wildlife you wouldn’t believe… people so beautiful you could cry."

Modern Maturity, the American Association for Retired Persons magazine, rated Panama as “one of the top four places in the world for Americans to live abroad”.

International Living, rated Panama as “the number one country outside the United States for a second home- based on Panama’s outstanding safety, infrastructure, climate and beauty”.

The Environment

With its huge expanses of tropical rainforest, the isthmus of Panama is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. Its unique ecology stems in part from its connection to two continents.

Birds are a primary indicator of biodiversity and Panama takes a grand prize: it has 936 species of birds, more than the United States and Canada combined. Until 1996 Panama held the Audobon Society's world record for identifying the most species of birds in a single day- 357 species were counted in one 24-hour period. There are 125 animal species found only in Panama.

Panama is also privileged to be home to the Smithsonian Institute of Tropical Research, the world's primary tropical scientific investigation center, which for 80 years has been cataloging and monitoring this vast ecological heritage.

The future of the environment, particularly the protection of Panama's fabulous rainforests is a major concern. Environmentalist groups like ANCON are doing an effective job raising awareness of the key issues.

People and Culture

Due to its position as a crossroads and transport center, Panama's people and culture reflect it's international connections. People and cultures from all over the world meet and mix here, resulting in an atmosphere of tolerance where people know how to get along with each other.

Panama is a microcosm of the Americas with a mixture of Latin, European, black and Indian populations. 65% of Panamanians are mestizo (European-Indian mixed) and the other 35% are a combination of traditional Indians, Caribbean blacks, European and Chinese. Small but dynamic, Jewish, Arab and Hindu communities play important roles in Panama's business community and there are a growing number of North American expatriates living in Panama.

You will find the Panamanian people gentle, friendly, fun-loving and helpful. Panamanians favorite pastime is a party. One of the most important national holidays are the Carnival celebrations in which it seems the whole country shuts down for serious partying or serious relaxation.

The presence of a large American community in the Canal Zone for almost a hundred years deeply impacted the local culture. Panamanian-American marriages abound. The quintessential American "can-do" spirit and the modernity of Panamanian character are due in part to America's long presence in Panama.

While this unusual history as a crossroads and a country divided by an American presence has been a source of pain and grievance in the past, it has prepared Panama as few other countries, to become a popular tourist destination an play a active role in today's global village.