By Oliver Wolfe (oliverjordanwolfe@gmail.com) “What don’t you like about this place?” I asked Peter Huss, owner of the beautiful Punta Duarte Gardens project. A 30-second pause was all I needed for an answer. And after two days touring the property, I can understand the feeling. In 2004, after traveling 20,000 kilometers over the course of three months ("We kept going down the path less taken," Huss said), they bought 12 hectares of land overlooking the beautiful Playa Morillo. … [Read more...]

By Amanda Sides in Coronado (amanda@ipreinfo.com) The best part about the beach community is just that: community. Not that it takes an excuse to get together with good friends, but we like this one, anyway: Bahía Thursdays, which features our love of beach volleyball and good margaritas combined. We meet every Thursday at 3:30 on the sand in front of the Bahía. Don’t worry if you’re not an athlete–the court is full of people of all ability levels. Last time, the … [Read more...]

By Denise MacDonald in Coronado (denise@ipreinfo.com) As a female, one of the things I am always concerned with is personal safety and security. It is not always easy to blend in as a six-foot tall woman – especially in a country like Panama. So when I heard about a self-defense class that was being held twice a week at Bahia Resort in Gorgona, I knew it was a good idea for me to check it out. The instructor, Richard Hamilton, is a 6th degree Taekwondo expert and certified Krav … [Read more...]

By Linda Card for Inside Panama Real Estate Once you decide to come to Panama, you will need to consider whether or not to obtain a residency visa. There are literally dozens of types of visas available in Panama, but only a few will be of interest to most foreigners wanting to settle here. It is very important to research these and discuss them with your attorney to determine which is the best option for you. Regardless of which path you choose, here are a couple of items relating to visas … [Read more...]

By Melissa Darnay in Panama City (melissa@ipreinfo.com) I have friends from all over the globe who want to know what to see and do in Panama. I’ve put together a sample itinerary to help you get a feel for what you can experience here in a short amount of time. Day One – Fly to Panama Flights from the US typically get in late, so consider this a travel day. When you get to the airport, customs is a breeze and taxis are plentiful. Just tell the driver where you want to go. Ask the taxi … [Read more...]

By Karyn Saunders in Coronado (karyn@ipreinfo.com) There are only a few things that I miss from my life in Toronto.  (It is definitely not the weather, the cost of living, nor the rat race I came from.)  The list includes, of course, my family and friends, wine gums (a Canadian version of a jelly), and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). I am not a star-gazer or a stalker, but there is something about sitting in a movie theatre next to Tim Robbins, watching a movie premier … [Read more...]

By Rudi Van Enoo in Coronado (rudi@ipreinfo.com) For an easy and enjoyable day trip, we recently took some friends to visit a few of the sites of Panama. They really wanted to see the new locks under construction at Gatún Lake, which is located parallel and close to the old Gatún locks. While we were there we also decided to visit the old Spanish Fort at the entrance to the Chagres river, which is very near the new locks. Both sites are a must see for any visitor to Panama, … [Read more...]

By Amanda Sides in Coronado (amanda@ipreinfo.com)   If you've spent any time in a car during rush hour in Panama City, it probably didn't take long for you to wish there were a better way. Soon, to the relief of many daily commuters (and out-of-town visitors), there will be. The city is hard at work on Central America's first metro system. The first line will run north and south from Los Andes to Albrook Mall, taking some of the above-ground pressure off … [Read more...]

By Denise MacDonald in Coronado (denise@ipreinfo.com) Panama City might be a bustling, growing metropolis with plenty of modern amenities and activities, but Panama is very much centered in nature. Any high-rise condo is only a short drive from a tropical forest trek or a deep-sea fishing adventure. The weather is warm all year round, so the beaches are always welcoming. Lake Gatun is one of Panama's most well known landmarks. Formed by the creation of the Panama Canal, this man-made … [Read more...]

By Ryan Braasch in Boquete (ryan@ipreinfo.com) My US passport is set to expire in a few months.  Even though I have residency and a work permit, the only way I can leave to visit my family in the states again is to renew my documents at the US Embassy in Panama City.  I live in Boquete, and I love it here because it is a relatively small mountain town with loads of outdoor activities and a cooler climate.  Many people I encounter who live in Boquete complain about having to make a trip … [Read more...]