Living and Investing in Panama

by Christopher Howard

Live in Latin America's most overlooked tropical paradise for less than you dreamed possible,
live the good life and enjoy all of the amenities of home.

Confronted with the spiraling cost of living in the United States, Europe and Canada, people from all walks of life and all ages - including baby boomers and seniors - are searching for an affordable place to live or retire without sacrificing their current lifestyles. Panama, one of Latin America's best-kept secrets, just might be the country many people are seeking. Located only two and one-half hours by air from Florida, Panama has everything for potential retirees and residents - Expatriates, investors and retirees are welcome in Panama. If you choose Panama as an investment / retirement haven, or as a location for your business you will be moving to a country with a very welcoming attitude and a modern infrastructure.

Living & Investing

In Panama

Living & Investing

In Panama

Year-round spring-like weather in the mountains and tropical weather in the rest of the country; political stability with NO army; friendly people; the U.S. dollar as currency; a low cost of living with the most generous discounts in Latin America for foreign retirees; a first-world modern banking system, a first-world capital city; inexpensive medical care; excellent transportation and communication systems; affordable housing opportunities; excellent U.S. style shopping and goods, the best incentive-filled retirement program in Latin America plus a government that makes relocating as easy as possible for foreigners-all combine to make Panama one of the world's most desirable expatriate havens. The AARP rated Boquete Panama the fourth best retirement place in the world. However there are manys spots even better than Boquete; including spots closer to Panama City, with its twenty minute ocean to ocean access. Panama is a perfect investment / retirement haven with plenty to do, no taxes, no crime, peaceful people, a wonderful environment, an entire nation to explore, including two pristine Archipelagos. (Bocas del Toro Archipelago and the Perlas Archipelago)

The 2004-2006 1st edition of the one-of-a-kind "Living and Investing in Panama." offers invaluable assistance to anyone looking for a safe, affordable place to live outside of the United States. This useful report contains all the ins and outs and dos and don'ts and much more indispensable secret insider information about all areas of living in Panama. It guides you step by step and shows how to live on a budget; 100s of sure-fire tips, valuable contacts business resources; how to stay busy and happy; the best places to live in Panama; how to acquire residency; time proven shortcuts for learning Spanish; how take advantage of the many tax savings for foreign residents, how to make the break from the rat race and start a new exciting life; and even how and where to find quality people for companionship.

Living & Investing

In Panama

Living and Investing in Panama
Table Of Contents

FOREWORD
Chapter I

PANAMA´S LAND, HISTORY AND PEOPLE
THE LAY OF THE LAND
MAPS WEATHER
WHERE TO LIVE IN PANAMA
A ONE-OF-A-KIND TOUR
PANAMA´S HISTORY IN BRIEF
GOVERNMENT
ECONOMIC
THE PEOPLE.

Chapter II

SAVING MONEY IN PANAMA
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO LIVE IN PANAMA?
TIPPING // MONEY
BANKING IN PANAMA
HOUSING AND REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS
AFFORDABLE HIRED HELP
HEALTH CARE // INSURANCE
TAXES // PANAMANIAN OFFSHORE CORPORATIONS
PANAMANIAN INTEREST FOUNDATIONS.

Chapter III

MAKING MONEY IN PANAMA
INVESTING IN PANAMA
PANAMA´S STOCK MARKET
FINDING WORK
STARTING A BUSINESS
COMMON BUSINESS SENSE
PROTECTING FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN PANAMA (Law 54)

Chapter IV

RED TAPE
DEALING WITH BUREAUCRACY
HOW TO BECOME A LEGAL
RESIDENT OF PANAMA.

Additional Methods of Applying for Panamanian Residency
IMMIGRATION AND OTHER MATTERS
Visas // Extending Your Stay
Leaving the Country
Work Permits
Perpetual Tourist
Panamanian Citizenship
Getting Married and Fiancée Visas
PURCHASING AN AUTOMOBILE
DRIVING AN AUTOMOBILE TO PANAMA
BRINGING YOUR BOAT TO PANAMA
SHIPPING YOUR HOUSEHOLD GOODS
WAYS TO BRING YOUR BELONGINGS
HOW TO FIND A LAWYER
PANAMANIAN CONSULATES AND EMBASSIES ABROAD
EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES IN PANAMA.

Chapter V

KEEPING BUSY AND HAPPY IN PANAMA
SOME SOUND ADVICE
ENGLISH BOOKS NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
TELEVISION AND RADIO
VIDEO RENTALS
SHOPPING
PANAMANIAN PASTIMES
BASEBALL AND BOXING
GOLF IN PANAMA
MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES
WATER SPORTS
PARKS FOR NATURE LOVERS.

WHERE TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS
LOVE AND PERMANENT COMPANIONSHIP
THE WILDSIDE OF PANAMA
NIGHTLIFE AND ENTERTAINMENT
GAMBLING // MOVIES AND THEATERS.

Chapter VI

COMMUNICATIONS
TELEPHONE AND INTERNET SERVICES
MAIL SERVICE
RECEIVING MONEY FROM ABROAD
PRIVATE MAIL SERVICES.

Chapter VII

EDUCATION
HOW TO LEARN SPANISH
PANAMA´S UNIVERSTIES
PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

Chapter VIII

GETTING AROUND

AIR TRAVEL TO, IN AND AROUND PANAMA
TRAVELING BY BUS IN PANAMA
BUS TRAVEL TO AND FROM PANAMA
PANAMA´S TAXIS
AUTOMOBILE RENTALS
DRIVING IN PANAMA
KEEPING YOUR BEARINGS STRAIGHT
MAP OF DOWNTOWN PANAMA CITY
BOAT TRAVEL.

Chapter IX

MORE HELPFUL INFORMATION
WHERE TO FIND AFFORDABLE FOODS
RESTAURANTS
RELIGION
PANAMA´S HOLIDAYS
BRINGING YOUR PETS TO PANAMA
UNDERSTANDING THE METRIC SYSTEM.

Chapter X

PARTING THOUGHTS AND ADVICE
PERSONAL SAFETY IN PANAMA
LIFE AS AN EXPATRIATE
STEPS FOR IMPOTING A HANDGUN
INFORMATION ABOUT LIVING IN PANAMA.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The author, Mr. Howard, is a paid consultant for National Geographic in Costa Rica, columnist for, Inside Costa Rica, Costa Rica Today, and Central America Weekly newspapers, Costa Rica Outdoors magazine and the Association of Residents of Costa Rica's magazine, El Residente. He is the only author of many of the guidebooks about Panama, Nicaragua and Costa Rica who is a full time resident in Central America. It is not surprising, therefore, that he is considered the foremost expert on all areas of living and investing in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama.

Living and Investing in Panama

by Christopher Howard