Learn About Panama the Best Offshore Tax Haven

Learn about Panama Hotels

2010-03-08T20:54:00Z

Here's a new way to plan your Panama Trip and find Panama Hotels which fit your budget and your travel plans.

I make it a habit of exploring a new part of Panama each time I plan a trip. One of my challenges is the time it takes to find appropriate Panama Hotels along my planned itinerary. You may have noticed this - when I want to explore a new part of Panama City the search engines often return 'Panama City Fl' suggestions. What a pain! Or the travel brokers like Expedia and Travelocity, although great resources for saving money, always come up on top. I use trip advisor quite a bit. If you want you can visit my Tropical Pathways page to read some of my reviews and see some photos. But sometimes I just want to see everything that's available in a certain part of the country. You know, just get an overview of location, prices, star rating maybe even a few reviews.

A New way to Learn About Panama Hotels

So, all of these resources have been helpful but not exactly what I'm looking for. So, for just the reason I started Learn About Panama, I've added some new pages. This new part of the Learn About Panama site is going to be dedicated to Panama Hotels. <= you can just click there if you want to have a look. It's a work in progress and hopefully it will never be complete. Let me explain that. I'm putting up content in just the way I've described above. So, you can get a nice quick overview of Panama Hotels that are available in certain regions of teh country. Over time I'm going to set up links to as many of those properties as I can so if you want more detail you can just click on a link in the overview page. I'm also hoping to set that up in a way where you will be able to even book right there and save some money. But, I'm getting ahead of myself. It's not there yet!

Traveller Reviews of Hotels in Panama

Another part of this is, where your participation comes in, is the comments section. Please leave questions so we can refine the results and also leave your comments and your review if you have stayed at any of these places. Now, please click on the link above and surf over to the new 'Learn About Panama Hotels' section of the site and let me know what you think and what you want! Oh, and a little favour to ask - of you are on delicious; twitter; digg; stumleupon; facebook or any other social network site I would really appreciate it a link or bookmark so more people can participate. Thanks!

Panama Carnival!

2010-02-26T22:02:00Z

Carnival Panama
Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010

Dear Learn About Panama Reader,

With the exception of Brazil, nowhere takes its Carnival season—the week before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent—more seriously than Panama.

If you like the quiet life, it's everything you want to avoid. But if you enjoy a good raucous, wild party…Carnival in Panama is the place to be.

Jessica joined in the fun last week, and sent us some photos, below.

How Panama Beats Out All the Rest…

The entire nation is recovering. The day after Carnival there is no traffic. The capital city is sunny and quiet and almost surreal. Last weekend Panama hosted the party to beat all parties…a mega-marathon of blowing off steam.

Every year in Penonome, one of the nation's most popular Carnival towns, thousands sweep into the tiny streets. As elsewhere in Panama, the main attractions are the culecos or mass dousings. On every block giant cistern trucks with fire hoses spray water into the crowds. The pulsing throng shouts "agua, agua, oo-eh!"

Jumping up and down and dancing to the riotous Carnival music, little scamps with water guns blast passing girls with ice-cold jets. In the summer heat, the waterworks are the perfect cooling system.

Sunburn is an unavoidable part of the fun. Everyone sports the same gear: cheap hats, cheap sunglasses. On every corner you can buy more (I always lose mine). Vendors also sell waterproof carry-alls that can be slung around the neck...get one and throw in some cash for the burger, beer, and meat-on-a-stick stands. The rule is to dress scantily or outlandishly. The more exuberant wear wild wigs in parrot hues of green, red, and yellow…or hair bands with bobbley antennae…or anything that might make others smile.

If you are a woman, the men will vie for your attention. They will want to let you know that they like what they see. Expressions of appreciation may include teasing, dunking, whipped creaming, or grabbing. If you are uncomfortable with the wantonness of it all, surround yourself with a buffer of friends.

Panama spends millions on Carnival. For many Panamanians this festival is more important than any other holiday of the year. People save, take out loans, beg, borrow, and steal to be able to attend. They will sleep on the streets if they have to…camp in their cars…quit their jobs.

The five-day celebration honors el Rey Momo or Bacchus. It always starts on a Friday, when the Carnival queens (and their courts) salute their subjects from atop scintillating floats. The pageantry is beyond anything I've ever seen. The dresses put Cher to shame. The floats feature anything from giant genies to fire-breathing dragons.

Monday is traditionally a day of fantasy, while Tuesday is all about folklore and tradition. At five a.m. it all culminates with a strange ceremony. The burial of the sardine symbolizes a burial of the past. Many in this Catholic nation then go on to observe Ash Wednesday. What happens in Carnival stays in Carnival…or with the sardine. After all the hard partying, everyone is spent; it's easy to behave for the following forty days of Lent.

Learn more About Panama - much more! In with your very own Panama Owners Manual. Click on the image below for more information -

HOT DEAL - Flights from $44!

2010-02-26T00:54:00Z

this is a very hot deal which i just discovered today thanks to my 'insider secrets' techniques. i could have searched for hours to find this deal but instead i had it in minutes. anyhow, this one is great but it has a pretty quick expiry date - you need to book within the next week - sale ends march 4. the good part is travel can occur right up to june 9, 2010 so you can take advantage of this for any spring trips you might want to take.

Here's the deal AirTran Airways has U.S. flights starting at just $44 one-way! You can fly to over 60 cities with great these low fares from AirTran Airways. Flights are now available to/from destinations all over the country, including the Bahamas, Aruba and Mexico. And, as always, there's no booking fee. Travel anytime between February 23rd - June 9th. Hurry, these sale fares won't last long, so book your ticket by midnight March 4th and let AirTran Airways take you on an affordable getaway.

CLICK HERE to learn more about these incredible savings and the places you can go!

Insider Secrets to Cheap Flights

2010-02-23T01:10:00Z

Another Quick Travel Tip for you!

Flying back and forth to Panama I couldn't believe the range of prices I was paying for airfare.

Here's an example - I once managed to get return airfare from Toronto non-stop for as little as $150! A few months later I found myself having to pay over $800 for the same flight. Trips from various other locations in the U.S. and Canada produced the same results.

I tried everything! From building my trip piece-meal with days in the air and connections all over the country to flying through Costa Rica and skipping into the back door of Panama through David or Bocas del Toro. What a pain in the you know what!

Anyhow, a good friend gave me a tip and turned me on to some very cool Insider Secrets for always getting the best price on my airfare. And not just to Panama but to everywhere else in the world I chose to fly.

So, if I've got your attention and you're interested in learning how the Airlines Rip You Off and what you can do about it now then go ahead and Click Here! to learn more.

Hot Deals on Overstock

2010-02-17T17:22:00Z

OK - I know this has little r nothing to do with Panama but then again it may. If you currently live in Panama or are in the process of moving there you know it is sometimes better to buy things at home and ship them down. There are just some things you can't find in Panama or you can get a better deal on at home.

Recently I came across a site that has been saving me a lot of money. It's called Overstock.com Today I discovered some discount coupons I wanted to pass along. Now $12 or $5 may not seem like much but when you add that into the huge savings you already get at Overstock well it's just icing on the cake.

Just click on either of these links to save yourself even more!

If you have never been to Overstock then click on this link:

$12 Off $300 for New Customers!

If you already shop at Overstock try this link to save even more:

Get $5 Off $125! Now at Overstock.com!

Boquete Jazz Festival

2010-02-12T21:49:42Z

For the fourth time, artists of International stature will be coming to the Boquete Jazz Festival. The Festival, February 25th to the 28th, will feature four days of jazz, as well as music clinics and workshops for music students from the University of Chiriqui and local High Schools.

The Festival seeks to create a scholarship fund that will help young Chiriqui musicians attend workshops at the annual Panama Jazz Festival and provide them with musical instruments. The Festival also hopes to fund other projects like the Summer Music Camp and programs for children at risk.

Antonio Singh, director and founder of the Boquete Jazz Festival, says that the working committee, residents of Boquete and David, is working on the final details of the Festival.

The 2010 Festival will feature international artists such as: Atila, a young Englishman with a voice that is captivating the stages of Europe. He recently released his debut album, “Hello Young Lovers”, and despite his youth has been impressing audiences with a sound made famous by artists like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and others. Atila begins his tour of the Americas with his quintet by participating in the Boquete Jazz Festival.

The Jon Day Jazz Quartet, based out of South Carolina, performs everything from jazz standards to modern jazz to original compositions.

Led by the smooth sounds of the internationally renown Canadian trumpeter, pianist, composer and arranger, Jon Day, this quartet will entertain and capture the imagination of all music lovers, leaving them eager for more.
Bannaba Project de Panama fuses the rhythms of the flutes of the Kuna with the saxophone, producing a vibrant mix of sounds and cultural dance. This group has been recognized internationally for its performances in the United States.

Local bands participating in the 2010 Festival include: Outside Chiriqui Jazz Band, directed by Quelvín Delgado, one of the winners of the Danilo Perez Foundation Scholarship; Sin Ensamble Jazz Quartet, featuring saxophone and guitar playing Jazz and 8 to 14 years old playing Latin Jazz; and the Fantasy Jazz Band, comprised of members of the Festival committee and outstanding young musicians from David playing Jazz standards.

Tickets are available in Valle Escondido, Boquete Bistro, Ana’s Sweet, Oasis Hotel & Restaurant and Cocina Rica (David) and Radio Chiriqui.

For more information, visit the Festival website at boquetejazzfestival.comTechnorati Tags: Jazz Fesitval, Boquete Panama

Flying To BOCAS del Toro Panama from Costa Rica

2010-02-11T17:40:00Z

Costa Rica to BOCAS DEL TORO PANAMA

Flying NatureAir is the best way to get directly to Bocas delToro, Panama from Costa Rica.

The onehour flight over is scenic and beautiful as you fly over miles of lush tropical jungle and pristine beaches. As an added you bonus customs and immigration is a breeze with these small planes carrying just a few passengers.

Compared that to:

Six+ hours on a bus with NO bathroom orair-conditioning. Albeit the scenery is still spectacular and at eye level. And then there is customs and immigration - you have to walkacross a rickety wooden bridge to three different areas for immigration all the while crop dusters are flying overhead spraying their cocktail oftoxic chemicals on the bananas. Then take a bus or taxi to the water taxi. Then take the water taxi toBocas on Isla Colon, another 1 hour ride. You will probably be stiff for stiff for days after this 8+ hour journey. All to save a few bucks. Not my idea of fun or adventure travel.

Your time and body are worth the extra cash.

Flying to Bocas del Toro, Panama from Costa Rica offers a fun experience in a19 passenger plane - one of those 'puddle-jumpers'.

There's just one airline currently servicing Bocas - NatureAir. http://www.NatureAir.com. Phone from the U.S. - 1-800-235-9272 or from inside Costa Rica just dial - 299-6000

Tip:Check online as sometimes there are greatspecials – they still offer last minute that you can’t find elsewhere!

Stay at the Marriott in Panama City!

2010-01-13T02:23:00Z

Hey! Just a quick note to pass on a special discount I discovered for Marriott Hotels worldwide. You know I love Marriott and I really love the Marriott in Panama City - both of them! The hotel is absolutely stunning. I would say the finest hotel in Panama City but I also love the Marriott Courtyard over at MultiCebntro Mall. The location is excellent.

Anyhow, here's a link to save you some cash at Marriott Hotels - just click the link below!

Marriott Sale - Save up to 20% off Weekend Rates at Marriott hotels worldwide!

Note this Ends Soon: - Expires 1/22/10 so, book now.

Ten Years since Panama Canal was Returned

2010-01-07T22:44:15Z

Just last month (Dec 31) marked the 10th Anniversary since the United States fully returned ownership and operations of the Panama Canal to its people.

Many thought the Panamanians would fail and run back to the U.S. for help but it simply was not to be. Panama has made an expemplory effort of not only keeping the canal profitable but safe and secure.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter signed the deal with then Panama president Omar Torrijos 22 years ago. Today the current president, Richardo Martinelli had this to say, "We have succeeded. Today the canal is run in an efficient and profitable way. That's a source of pride not just for Panamians but for the international community."

Of interest is the fact the Panamanians have brought in $4.7 Billion over the past ten years. Compare that to the paltry 1.8 Billion the canal earned bewteen 1914 and 1999 while it was under U.S. administration.

Now the Panama Economic future looks even brighter and more profitable as Panama embarks on a major expanision of the canal due to be completed by 2014.
Technorati Tags: panama canal, panama economy, panama in the news

Lonely Planet: Panama for Christmas

2009-12-16T16:55:00Z

Lonely Planet for Christmas! With winter coming on strong in many parts of America it's a great time to cozy up with a good book and start making your Panama Travel Plan. There's no better place to start than Lonely Planet Guides. Their Panama version is excellent and I just found about about this sale so I wanted to pass it along.

Click on the banner below and you will get a 30% discount on items you order over the next 6 weeks plus if your purchase is $40 or more you get free shipping. Check out!

Here Comes Panama!

2009-12-09T19:01:28Z

Read this very cool article about Panama this morning, it opens with,

"Watch out world, 'cuz here comes Panama--that skinny little land-bridge of a country that's famous for straw hats, yellow-fever infestations and American meddling."

It also closes with a bit of advice you've read about right here on LearnAboutPanama -

"Another quick tip: get out of Panama City. Other than the old city (a romantic, yet tumbledown cluster of Havana-like architecture), the city is trying its darndest to be the next Las Vegas. Better to trade the traffic jams for the nice villages and tropical landscape of the countryside."

"...this is a beautiful, safe and fun place to travel...
... amazing wildlife but wonderfully devoid of annoying tourists...
...relatively good roads, a surprising collection of fine hotels, and a greater degree of rule of law than your average Central American country....

- gives you the tone of the piece. It's full of fun, interesting and very positive stuff about Panama. You can check it out here Coming Attractions: Panama

Technorati Tags: panama travel, panama

Hot Deal on Vacation Package

2009-12-04T17:13:00Z

Here's another Hot Deal on a vacation package that arrived in my mail box this morning. Check it!

Book a flight or vacation package and get a $200 coupon for future package purchase.

See --> this site <-- for complete details. - Expires 12/31/09

Save up to $100 on Hotels

2009-11-17T01:22:00Z

When it comes to visiting family there often isn't enough room for everyone to stay at the family home. Sometimes we need to bunk nearby. Well, if this applies to you and you're traveling for
Thanksgiving this coupon may help -

Save between $20 and $100 on ALL Hotel Bookings Now! (Just click on 'Save')

Oh, and it's not just for Thanksgiving! If you're traveling anywhere, maybe you're in need of a good deals on Panama Hotels,
you can save too!

...

Forbes "Top Ten Retirement Destinations" gives Panama High Rank

2009-11-16T21:00:00Z

In October Forbes came out with it's "Top Ten Retirement Destinations" with Panama garnering the #4 spot on the list. The only negative things said about Panama were "pockets of corruption". Of course ex-pats who are looking for a clean, simple life in Panama need not be affected by that kind of negative. If you're one of those looking for quality of life, low cost of living, and peace than no place can beat Panama for the perfect retirement.

Panama has close to everything one would want: year round sun, low taxes, great discounts for retirees, 1st world infrastructure and amenities, U.S. standard private hospitals, rain forests which are home to the largest bird population in the world, a U.S. dollar economy which puts the Panama Economy as #1 in Latin America and easy access from pretty much anywhere in the world including numerous daily flights from U.S. cities. Panama City is considered the safest of all Central American cities, with constant newsworthy buzz due to the Panama canal, and being acknowledged as a World Heritage Site.

For the complete story ->GO HERE<-

Panama Debt Rating Outlook Raised to Positive by S&P

2009-11-13T17:28:00Z

This past week Standard & Poor raised Panama's credit rating to positive as reported on Bloomberg (see below for link to story).

This puts Panama very close to the rating of 'investment grade'. They reasons for the rosy outlook for Panama aren't a surprise to me or anyone else on the ground watching as Richard Martinelli (President) put his tax reform in action keeping their deficit in check and encouraging signs of continued economic growth.

The Panama Canals $5 billion+ expansion which will be ongoing through 2014 is a big reason for Panama's strong and stable economy.

One Latin American analyst believes the positive projects for Panama are based in the "fiiscal responsibility and its strong growth prospects that are underpinned by the expansion of the Panama Canal.”

Standard & Poor also released this statement - “Panama could be the next sovereign in Latin America to obtain an investment-grade rating. The positive outlook reflects our expectation that further fiscal consolidation and continued GDP growth could merit” an increase.

For the complete story GO HERE

Friday 13th Hotel Sale

2009-11-13T17:18:00Z

If you're traveling soon, maybe this weekend I just came across this Hot Deal and thought I would pass it aling. Hope this helps and saves you some cash on your travel!

Click below to check out the deals -

Friday the 13th Sale

Note this will save you up to 50% on hotels around the country! BUT it's only valid Midnight to Midnight on 11/13/09- that's today!

Oops! Regret you missed it but keep checking the 'Hot Deals' page as I'll post any coupons or offers I come across there.

Panama in the News Emerges as a Prime Spot for Natural, Low-Density Development

2009-11-05T18:27:00Z

I just picked up this interesting article off the newswire. The headline reads -

"Panama Emerges as a Prime Location for Close-To-Nature, Low-Density Resort
Development"

The story begins talking about sustainable development in Panama which is very 
encouraging. Here's an excerpt:

CHICAGO, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Trendsetters in environmentally responsible
real estate development are discovering the many benefits of constructing
low-density resorts in emerging markets like Panama. 

Some savvy resort developers are responding to recent customer demands for
exceptional natural experiences without sacrificing profitability. The key is
emerging markets. Mature tourism markets have high land prices that make
low-density development an unprofitable option. This results in higher-density
developments, like high-rise beach hotels, which don't offer the seclusion
many travelers demand. In contrast, low-density development is easy to
accomplish in a destination like Panama, which is just recently emerging as a
tourist destination and where land is still inexpensive. "There is pressure to
discover the new location, to find the unspoiled beach and create value and
outperform the market," said Liam Bailey, head of residential research for
Knight Frank, in a recent New York Times article.

For the rest of the story go here

Lonely Planet Panama November Sale

2009-11-03T21:01:00Z

Lonely Planet just announced their November specials.

CLICK HERE

I always recommend a good read through the Lonely Planet Panama Guidebook prior to your trip. It's loaded with tips and great things you would miss if you didn't know about them through the Lonely Planet scouts!

The U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement is Good for Both Countries

2009-10-26T20:15:00Z

The Heritage Foundation recently reported that the current administration, like the Bush administration before it, is languishing on approving the free trade deal with Panama and a few other countries.

They say, "This delay hurts American workers, as each of the agreements offers its own unique benefit to the U.S. economy. All three FTAs will spur economic development in both the U.S. and its trading partners, strengthening each nation economically and politically."

for the complete story GO HERE

Discount on Miami Hotels for those Connecting

2009-10-16T17:29:00Z

If you are traveling to Panama from anywhere in the Eastern US or Canada one of the best and cheapest ways to get there is from Miami.

You can get some really cheap airfares from pretty much anywhere these days to Miami and once there you're a quick direct flight to Panama City.

To make it all work you may need or even want to stop over in Miami.

Here's a great deal I came across for Miami Hotels which can save you at least 35% - maybe even more.

Check it out!

Click ...