The Panama VIP Can Live in Luxury and Harmony with Nature on Panama Pearl Island
A true VIP lifestyle integrates luxury with adventure, opulence with activity. With this definition in mind we suggest that the Panama VIP take a look at Pearl Island. This development on the third largest island in the Pearl Archipelago should be the illustration in the dictionary entry for “tropical paradise.” The island lies in waters where humpbacks and other whale species come to breed and give birth every year. With over 700 species of fish and over a dozen types of coral the waters around Pearl Island are ideal for scuba diving. The island itself has a hundred and fifty bird species and miscellaneous mammals, amphibians and lizards living in harmony with the natural environment. The development plan for Pearl Island will leave 75% of the island untouched. This integration of luxurious living and a dedication to preserving pristine nature provides the Panama VIP with an authentic private tropical island experience.
A limited number of hotel suites and residences are being developed on the island’s Northern Zancadilla Peninsula as part of the first phase of Pearl Island. These hotel suites and residences are minutes away from Panama City by air and a short boat ride to the island, giving the Panama VIP the best of luxurious seclusion and easy access to the city.
For more information regarding Pearl Island and luxury living in a sustainable natural environment contact VIP Panama today.
There are ordinary places to live in Panama and there are extraordinary locations. Depending upon your preference for sea coasts or mountains, ability to get away from the daily routine, or desire to live the high life in an exciting Latin American capital city Panama offers a number of choices. The following article is about a development in the Chiriqui Highlands. Read on and then contact the Panama Club for the services that will fast track your business, real estate investments, and/or retirement in this tropical paradise.
In looking for the ultimate in luxurious living, upscale amenities, and a setting a of natural beauty, we have looked at seacoast developments and mountain properties. We recommend Valle Escondido in Boquete as an excellent choice for an upscale development with wonderful services in a great setting. There is the luxury of having people wait on you and the luxury of getting to do whatever you want when you want to do it. Valle Escondido fits a bit of both.
Valle Escondido offers spa treatments as well as a golf course for exercise. The surrounding area is replete with nature trails. In fact, people come from all over the world to see what you will have at your doorstep.
Valle Escondido offers meals every day at the resort’s restaurant. Alternatively, you have your own beautiful home for the privacy of an intimate get together.
Valle Escondido’s fitness center has the latest cardiovascular fitness equipment, as well as free weights. There is a racquetball court in case you want to pick up the speed of your workout.
Valle Escondido may be a “hidden valley”, but it is not cut off from the world. Available day activities that you can do from Valle Escondido include white water rafting on class 4 rapids, a very long canopy tree tour, tours of coffee plantations, horseback riding, rental of four wheelers, hiking tours including Volcan Baru and Quetzalas National Parks, a visit to the hot springs at Caldera, a trip to see pre-Columbian petroglyphs, and deep sea fishing 45 minutes away by helicopter on the Caribbean Sea.
This place is a combination of laid-back relaxation and up and at ‘em activity. There are those of us who think that mix is the ideal.
If you are interested in doing business in Panama or doing business with Panama you will want to make the right contacts, hire a competent, English speaking lawyer, and have someone on your side who knows local customs and politics. VIP Panama takes pride in connecting its clients to the right luxury living accommodations, the right business arrangements, and the most discrete entertainment, when required.
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
Panama is now positioning itself as the “New Costa Rica”. It has put together the most appealing program of special benefits for foreign residents and retirees you’ll find anywhere in the world today. We can refer you to a law firm in Panama that has an attorney who does nothing but Immigration Law in Panama. Below are some of the Visas available.
Panama Visa Qualifications All visa applications must be made through a Panamanian lawyer. There is no age limit required for applying for any of these visas, save for the minimum legal age of 18 years. Youngsters under 18 will qualify for a visa as dependents of their parents. All overseas documents to be presented to the authorities in Panama must be authenticated by a Notary and by the Panamanian consulate nearest you, or by a notary and the Apostille. The Apostille (The Hague Convention of 1961) is a faster way of authenticating documents and is normally obtained through the Secretary of State in your home state (in the United States) or through the Foreign Office (in Britain). For Canada, please check with the Panamanian Embassy or consulate nearest to your home city. All documents must be fresh (within two months of visa application) and passports must have at least one year to run. Dependents: Bring a marriage certificate. However, original marriage certificates are not acceptable if over two months old, so you’ll need to request fresh ones. If your children under 18 are to be covered by your visa, you’ll need to bring fresh birth certificates (not originals). None of these visas grant work permits. All visa applications require that you obtain a health certificate and HIV test in Panama. Types of Visas in Panama The Tourist Pensioner Visa (Turista Pensionado) This visa is designed for persons whose pension from a government entity or private corporation is $500 or more ($600 or more for a couple per month). You will have to prove this under scrutiny. Usually a pension statement from the government or private pension will suffice but backup bank deposit records could not hurt. The Pensionado Visa is granted indefinitely but it is necessary to prove to the Immigration Departmenton on an annual basis that the income is still flowing from your pension. The benefits include one-time exemption of duties for the importation of household goods (up to $10,000) and an exemption every two years of duties for the importation of a car. There is also a basket of other benefits and discounts available to those holding this Visa. However, please note that under this visa you cannot qualify to acquire Panamanian nationality.
Private Income Retiree Visa (Rentista Retirado) This visa is for persons who don’t have a monthly pension, are no longer working, and have received a retirement lump sum. As a visa requirement, that money is to be deposited on a five-year certificate of deposit with the National Bank of Panama, to yield at least $750 a month (at current rates the face value of the CD would need to be approximately $260,000). The visa is renewable every five years, as long as the CD is renewed. The Private Income Retiree Visa includes such benefits as a travelling Panamanian passport (that however does NOT grant nationality), a one-time exemption of duties for the importation of household goods (up to $10,000), and an exemption every two years of duties for the importation of a car.
Person of Means Visa (Solvencia Económica Propia) Designed for those who wish to live in Panama off their own means, without the need or desire to work or start a business. The person must have a one-year certificate of deposit in any local bank of at least $200,000. $80,000 of the $200,000 can be in the form of a home purchase. Upon applying for the first, provisional renewal of this visa, the certificate of deposit must also be renewed for one more year. After renewal, the visa is granted permanently with the right to a cedula (local identity card). Five years after obtaining the permanent visa, holders will be eligible to apply for Panamanian nationality.
Investor Visa (Inversionista) Designed for those who wish to establish a business in Panama (note, though, that some retail businesses and some professions are reserved to Panamanians). There must be a minimum investment of $150,000 and minimum of three, permanent Panamanian employees hired. It is granted provisionally for one year and after renewal is granted permanently with the right to be issued a cedula. Five years after obtaining the permanent visa, holders will be eligible to apply for Panamanian nationality.
Small Business Investor Visa (Inversionista de Pequeña Empresa) Designed for those who wish to establish a small business in Panama (note that retail businesses and some professions are reserved to Panamanians). There must be a minimum investment of $40,000 and minimum of three permanent Panamanian employees hired. It is granted provisionally for one year, and needs to be renewed three more times before it is granted permanently with the right to a cedula. Five years after obtaining the permanent visa, holders will be eligible to obtain Panamanian nationality.
Immediate Panama Passport This program allows foreigners to obtain immediate Panamanian Passport under the condition that they make a 5 year certificate of deposit (CD), at the Banco Nacional de Panama, which earns a minimum of US $750 per month in interest income.
Panamaexpertos.com Call us — 561-210-5832
If you are interested in doing business in Panama or doing business with Panama you will want to make the right contacts, hire a competent, English speaking lawyer, and have someone on your side who knows local customs and politics. VIP Panama takes pride in connecting its clients to the right luxury living accommodations, the right business arrangements, and the most discrete entertainment, when required.
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
$40,000 Investment – Permanent Residency leading to Panama Passport
Summary – This is a unique program where one invests $40,000 in an approved Panama reforestation program. This allows the investor to obtain a Visa for themselves and their spouse as well as dependent children; no additional investment is required for dependents. This is the least expensive legitimate residency program we are aware of. The Visas are renewable annually and after either one or five years they become permanent residency Visas allowing the investor and their dependents to reside in Panama permanently and also to work in Panama. After five years one can apply for citizenship. This is an extremely inexpensive way to obtain a Panama residency and eventually a citizenship with Panama passport which is good fro visa free travel in most of the western EU and throughout most of Latin and South America. The reforestation program is a statutory program written down as law. It is not a pay off some lawyer in the dark situation which will blow up when the government investigates some corrupt official selling citizenships. Never get involved in any residency/citizenship/passport program that is not written openly in the public laws for you to read. Never get involved in any residency/citizenship/passport program where you do not have to go to the official immigration building in the country for processing and to pick up your documents. Never get involved in any situation where you are paying a lawyer large fees because he “knows” the immigration officials and can make it happen cutting the red tape for you. People are constantly getting arrested trying to use passports and identity cards obtained in this manner. All of our programs are statutory and written in the public laws. If you actually make the investment of either $40,000 or $80,000 in the reforestation visa program it is a documented lawful program written in the law books and will be honored by the government, subsequent elected officials of Panama etc. What I am saying is if you make the investment, you will have your permanent residency which after five years makes you eligible to apply to be a citizen of Panama with a Panamanian Passport.
The Investment – You are investing in forestry projects generally dealing with teak wood but other types of trees are available. Some projects give you title to the actual land, usually about 2 hectares. The reforestation project must be an approved one. These projects are supposed to generate a fantastic return after 25 years, many times your investment. If you were to liquidate the land say after 10 years your return would generate substantial losses. This is because it takes years for the trees to grow. If you wait 15 years the loss would be less or perhaps you’d reach break even. Now if the value of land in Panama keeps appreciating like it has been doing recently this may prove to be untrue and the investment may be worth more in a few short years? We do think it is a tremendous way to obtain residency and eventually citizenship for a small investment. If the investment is held long enough it is possible to realize a high return on the investment as well. Any gain made on this investment is not taxable in Panama. We are not investment advisors and you need to evaluate the investment potential yourself. The land can be held in the name of a corporation.
Residency – There are two levels of investment for the Reforestation Visa – $40,000 and $80,000. Both have residency and lead to the ability to apply for citizenship after five years. The larger investment leads to a permanent residency after one year, the smaller investment leads to a permanent residency after five years requiring the visa to be renewed each year until the fifth year.
Documents Required – Passports valid for at least 6 months, police clearance report from last place of residence, marriage certificate, birth certificate for children dependents, medical clearance from Panama (we can refer), application forms, pictures, proof of investment contract etc. You have to come to Panama to apply in person but you do not need to live here for this visa.
Time Frame – From the time of receipt of all documents and fees 30-45 days as an approximate time frame. Much depends on the workload of the immigration department at the time of your application.
Fees – The visa immigration processing legal fees are $1250.00 for first person and then $250.00 for each dependent for the initial application. The fees in the following years ($40,000 visa) are $795.00 for the first person and $250.00 for each additional person. Our fee to review and negotiate your investment contract with the reforestation company is $300 (optional). Please note our fees are fair and honest just like our programs being offered unlike the lawyers in other countries that are charging $25,000 and up to get you a visa or citizenship based on the “immigration connections” they have.
For more information please visit: www.panamalaw.org — Email us at: http://thepanamanetwork.com — or — Call us at: (507) 6-480-1279
If you are interested in doing business in Panama or doing business with Panama you will want to make the right contacts, hire a competent, English speaking lawyer, and have someone on your side who knows local customs and politics. VIP Panama takes pride in connecting its clients to the right luxury living accommodations, the right business arrangements, and the most discrete entertainment, when required.
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
Panama offers a multitude of programs enabling one to fairly easily obtain a Passport, Visa, Residency and Citizenship. Panama is an excellent place for a second passport (2nd passport). The plans are outlined below. Do feel free to ask questions. We do not advise attempting to deal with the immigration authorities without adequate legal representation by a competent attorney.
Warning: All of our passport programs require you to be physically present at the immigration department for fingerprinting and photographing. These are NOT the “Pay someone off in the dark” programs you see on the internet which do not require you to go to the country physically and come with a passport, identity card and driver’s license. There are numerous stories on the internet if you look for them of people getting arrested all over the world when they attempt to travel on these passports. What is often done is passport blanks that come back from the manufacturer slightly defective (bad printing, stitching etc.) are marked as not usable by the government and are then sold by unscrupulous immigration officials through third parties. The problem is when the country that issued those does an audit of their immigration department they pick these things up and then the passports are flagged as fraudulent or stolen and this is sitting in some unfortunate person’s wallet waiting to be used and can cause a police detention with likely arrest to follow. There was just a raid recently in Guyana and the corrupt immigration officials there were issuing hundreds of passports daily. Now along comes some guy who bought one of these “officially issued” passports and he goes through immigration in say the EU. Well he doesn’t appear to be a Guyana type so they query around a bit and he gets arrested. Months after the scandal we still see Guyana Passports being sold on the internet which makes one wonder.
We even see Diplomatic passports being sold on the internet for $50,000 and up. This is ridiculous. What the buyers are not aware of is in almost all countries travel using a Diplomatic passport requires a visa so the country you intend to visit will require you to physically submit the diplomatic passport to their embassy for a visa which will involve scrutiny. So when they contact the diplomatic passport issuing government to verify the purpose of your visit, duration, whether or not you will be attached to the embassy, etc. what do you think is going to happen? Do you think the issuing government is going to provide official documentation for all of your journeys? Do you think they will even know who you are? They will most likely remain non responsive and your passport will probably never be returned as a best case scenario but this would most likely be followed by a knock at the door shake you up or arrest you visit by some authorities depending on where you live, admittedly some countries will not care what you did but others that are terrorist sensitive will get really interested in you and your whole life and you should expect to be added into the watch/stop list making airport travel a nightmare for the next ten or twenty years. The government that issued this diplomatic passport may also contact you after they get contacted for a $10,000 bribe or they will make trouble for you and on it goes. Remember why do you see Nigerian Scam Emails – because they work. There are a lot of stupid people out there so don’t be one of them.
How can you tell if a second passport or residency/citizenship program is real? Be careful when buying a second passport (2nd passport). First thing to look for is the statues in the law that contain the laws spelling out the program you are considering. If there are no statues run the other way. If you are told about a special program not for everyone, run.
Next make sure when buying a second passport (2nd passport) you will be going physically to the immigration department in the country for processing, photographs and fingerprints. This will greatly cut down the odds of a scam. Normally the country will want to know who you are, and like to see and copy a valid passport as a minimum. If the deal is you give them pictures and they send you the documents run away, this is probably a scam involving a counterfeit passport blank or a stolen one. I have even heard of them applying for passports in the name of a dead person using your picture. What if he was a dead criminal with warrants outstanding?
When buying a second passport (2nd passport) never agree to get a name change and a second passport all in one shot unless it involves court appearances for the name change. If not this probably involves a corrupt government official and will surely be trouble. If you do a name change in court in some jurisdiction make sure it is not public record or it is greatly diminished in value. Never carry two different passports with your picture in both that have different names unless you enjoy being detained at airports, border crossings etc. A lot of scams involve a story that goes like this; Ok Mr. Gringo you want the passport to be able to travel and open bank accounts and not as a citizen of the USA, EU, Canada etc. Ok well it is best to do so using a name that sounds like someone’s name in our country, here let me suggest this name: Enrique Haeverra. Hey that sounds great you say. Now what you don’t know is they got Enrique’s name off of a tombstone and they are going to identity theft the dead guy for you. This will probably blow up when a cross reference is made or something causes a record check like you trying to enter the country some day and then you are in for it. Remember you don’t talk, look, act or have a story like someone from their country should. Some jerk criminal buys such a passport and then gets caught doing something no regular person would do like money laundering 25 million dollars and then they pull his papers, scrutinize them, see the fraud and the pull all the fraud papers of the corrupt official who signed the bad guys papers and then start canceling all the passports this corrupt official processed illegally for fraud, theft, corruption or just to shake you down for money for playing games with their country and of course you better believe they are going to think you are a millionaire.
Another scam is selling second passports (2nd passport) from non-existent or non-recognized countries. This is done a lot usually for $1000-$2000. There are very few countries who will ever accept these passports and then usually only at border crossings. Usage is hit or miss, mostly misses. People buy these to open bank accounts with offshore. This sometimes works but usually in small countries with small banks. The problem comes when the bank examiner looks over their files and sees one of the fantasia passports as an identity document. He hits the roof and says I want to see real passports for all these people in here in 30 days or lock down these accounts. Now what do you do?
For more information please visit: www.panamalaw.org — Email us at: http://thepanamanetwork.com — or — Call us at: (507) 6-480-1279
SOURCE: panama-travel-bureau.com
If you are interested in doing business in Panama or doing business with Panama you will want to make the right contacts, hire a competent, English speaking lawyer, and have someone on your side who knows local customs and politics. VIP Panama takes pride in connecting its clients to the right luxury living accommodations, the right business arrangements, and the most discrete entertainment, when required.
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
Let us first say there is no shortage of competent physicians in Panama. Panama itself has two medical schools and two dental schools and please bear in mind that the country only has 2.7 million people.
Panama has specialists available in all the specialties to be found in the USA, Canada or the EU. The differences between these countries and Panama when it comes to seeing a specialist are vast. Let me explain. I went to see an ENT doctor once in a clinic in Panama and he spent almost one full hour with me and I was only charged $25.00. Yes he was able to talk to me in English just fine. In the USA, I would have been charged about $100.00 and would’ve been lucky if he spent 15 minutes with me. Some Panama physicians have studied abroad (particularly the U.S.) until time to serve their internship. Then, if practicing medicine in Panama is important the Panamanian government requires intern to complete their residency in Panama. Some Panama doctors are American Board Certified in fact and some even have American Medical Licenses. It easy to correctly assume, the doctors in Panama are excellent. Unlike in the U.S., where medicine has become ‘Big Money Game’ the doctors in Panama are afforded the luxury of still being able to CARE about their patients rather than their medical malpractice insurance rates.
Cost and Refilling Existing Prescriptions in Panama We have experienced being able to take our empty prescription bottles into the local pharmacy and have them refilled without any questions, hassles or unnecessary and costly trips to the Doctor for a refill. The only exception to this is serious narcotics like heavy pain meds, antibiotics and it seems most other medications can be bought over-the-counter. Are you aware that soon in the U.S., most vitamins and supplements will require a doctor’s prescription? For example, Vitamin C of more than 200 mg will be a prescription item as it is already in the U.K. Our experiences with the ease and availability of refilling prescriptions added great comfort to our lives. My husband’s eye medicine runs around $90/month self insured state side costs and is about 1/3 the cost in panama for same medicine, same manufacturer. Many medications will run about 30% to 40% of what they cost in the USA with no difference in the medicine.
In addition to the already much reduced price as compared to the prescription costs in the U.S., not to be forgotten is the 10% discount given for many services to individuals with Pensionado visas, plus not having to keep paying the Doctor for refills.
General cost of Medical Care in Panama As with most things in Panama you can spend as much or little as you like. The same rule applies to a great extent with physicians.
Most doctors in Panama besides being in private practice also are required to work at the public hospitals (Seguro social). The problem with using the Seguro social system isn’t related to the quality of care but is related to being at the hospital clinic at 6:00 a.m. and waiting most of the day to have your turn for an examination. Then, this is a life style decision. You can choose see a physician in the public hospital for $10-15, or you can choose to make an appointment with him in his private practice $35. With that said, what follows are rates and fees at the private practice level in Panama.
I had a broken tooth that I needed to have repaired. My office visit, x-rays, and composite filling were $89. A root canal would have been around $70 with an additional $25 for the filling.
A surgery in the states that would typically run $40,000 would be around $15,000 in Panama. Remember, no AMA and no U.S. insurance companies. In the U.S. coronary surgery is running in the $50,000-60,000 range. In Panama the same surgery will cost in the $10,000-15,000 range in Panama’s finest hospitals. In addition, the rates of success and complications are comparable to U.S. rates. Most of the elective surgeries will run about 25% to 40% of what they cost in the USA.
An initial visit to a Mental Health Care Professional will run you about $25.00. Doctors are by U.S. standards very inexpensive with $35 being a good average price for office visits. Remember, as stated early our ENT doctor was $25 for an office visit. And hold on to your hat, while we have not checked on the price yet doctors still make house calls. And it’s not unusual for your attending physician to call you at home, even on the weekend to see how you’re progressing – imagine that. Some of you probably can remember Doctor House Calls in the States going back about 40 or 50 years.
Panamaexpertos.com Call us — 561-210-5832
Overall large differences in price such as the one written here exist in all areas of medical and surgical procedures.
SOURCE: panama-travel-bureau.com
If you are interested in doing business in Panama or doing business with Panama you will want to make the right contacts, hire a competent, English speaking lawyer, and have someone on your side who knows local customs and politics. VIP Panama takes pride in connecting its clients to the right luxury living accommodations, the right business arrangements, and the most discrete entertainment, when required.
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
Panama’s program for retirees is said to be the best in the world. There is no age limit to qualify for the Tourist Pensionado Visa Program. You need only to be able to prove a monthly pension or retirement income of US$500 from a government or corporation, plus US$100 for each dependent. Legally, you could be as young as 18 to retire in Panama.You will need documentation proving your pension income, certified and stamped by the Panamanian embassy in your country of origin, plus a valid passport and a clear police record for the past five years.If you don’t have a pension, you can still qualify by depositing sufficient funds in the National Bank of Panama to generate $750 a month. This amount covers any number of dependents. Alternatively, you could start a qualified tourism-related business, or invest in a forestry project.You must use a Panamanian immigration lawyer, pass a medical on arrival in Panama and be tested free of HIV. Your legal representative will shepherd you through the immigration office, once to register various documents and a second time to have your photograph taken and be presented with your identity card (carnet).Carry this card with you at all times. You can be fined for not doing so. Prior to receiving your carnet, carry your passport or a photocopy of it.Legal expenses and fees can vary depending on size of family and complexity, but should be around $1,500 for one person, or $2,000 for a couple.The immigration process must be started before you leave your home country. Once you arrive in Panama as a tourist, you will be able to stay for up to 90 days. This can be extended for a further 90 days if needed.Qualifying for permanent residence takes from 30 to 60 days, depending on the time of year and the availability of certain key immigration officials. Given all the public holidays, November and December are good months to avoid.Although not required, it will be helpful for you to obtain letters of good standing from your bank or banks and any other financial institutions. Do not close your bank accounts. You will need at least one, and preferably two, open bank accounts somewhere in the world before you will be able to open an account here.Also, keep at least some credit cards. Getting credit cards in a new country ranges from difficult to impossible. One bank here, HSBC, offered the writer a card with a $5,000 credit limit provided $10,000 was placed on deposit.Finally, go to your local automobile association and get an international driver’s license. Your own license is good here for 90 daysScience Articles, but there is no limit on an international license. (Expect lots of puzzled looks from local traffic police as they thumb through the multi-page document written in several languages.)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sydney Tremayne publishes http://www.yourpanama.com, a leading website for tourists and for potential ex-pat retirees in Panama. His team of experts gives regular Q&A teleseminars that can save costly mistakes. To find out more, go to http://www.yourpanama.com/fear.html
If you are interested in doing business in Panama or doing business with Panama you will want to make the right contacts, hire a competent, English speaking lawyer, and have someone on your side who knows local customs and politics. VIP Panama takes pride in connecting its clients to the right luxury living accommodations, the right business arrangements, and the most discrete entertainment, when required.
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
Panama: A Paradise for Retirement Life by Caitlina Fuller
When you know that it’s time for your life-after-work to begin, it’s easy to become stagnant and run out of ideas for what you are going to do now that money isn’t a problem and a job is ancient history. Retirement can be a scary time for a lot of people, but not if you have a beautiful place to live. Whether you are still waiting for that day when you don’t have to keep a nine to five or you’re fresh out of the office, Panama is a great place for retirement life. Others could go on a vacation on Panama beach, but you could settle in there for good.
With the tropical climate and the calming atmosphere, Panama is the perfect place to spend the rest of your days. Specifically, Bocas Del Toro is especially suited for the newly retired. The secluded beaches and the lush rain forests will make your stay a relaxing paradise that rivals heaven. It’s a small peaceful city with great weather and the living expenses are much cheaper than they are here in America. On top of that, it’s a beautiful Caribbean archipelago so your family will always want to visit whenever they can. This town also has multiple marinas. Fitting into the lifestyle will be as easy as buying a boat and learning to sail the open waters of the Caribbean Ocean. You know you have always wanted a life of luxury and relaxation, and you’ve worked all your life for it. This is the place that can give you that.
If you are thinking about moving to Panama, you will definitely need to figure out the best place to live. The unique thing about most Panama real estate is the fact that you don’t just buy the house, but a piece of land along with it. For example, most houses for sale in Bocas Del Toro are around one third of an acre to well over an acre of land. Some of these homes include small fruit orchards, their own private docks right on the ocean, and some even have their own beach areas. After retirement, this is the perfect place to unwind and think about the grandkids.
Whether you are just thinking about vacationing in Panama or planning on living there for a few years, the choice is simple. Prime real estate will sweeten the deal and great weather all around will top it all off. What are you waiting for?About the Author
Caitlina Fuller writes about home and family.
SOURCE: panama-travel-bureau.com
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
So you’re planning your next vacation getaway to the Caribbean and you’re thinking about what kind of things you want to do in this beautiful part of the world. Laying out and soaking up some sun all day? Watching a gorgeous island sunset? How about snoozing the day away in a hammock? If this sounds like a waste of vacation time to you, and you want to spend your Caribbean experience enjoying more active pursuits, then have no fear; many of the Caribbean Islands offer more than just a day at the beach and picturesque sunsets.
Those travelers who are more into adventurous and active endeavors while visiting the Caribbean can spend your days with plenty of exciting activities. Try the popular sports of tennis and golf if you enjoy a little friendly competition. There are watersports and underwater exploration for those who want to get their feet wet. And nature-friendly eco-oriented endeavors allow you to become one with the great outdoors. All you have to do is decide which activity interests you the most, and you’re ready for all kinds of adventures during your visit to the beautiful and exciting Caribbean.
Caribbean Sports
A lot of hotels and resorts in the Caribbean have packages especially for tennis and golf players to accommodate sports-minded travelers. A lot of the major resorts in the region have tennis courts on location that are available to their guests and by reservations for those who aren’t staying at the hotel. A lot of the time hotels with tennis courts will offer tennis instruction for various fees, so even if you’re a beginner player, you can still enjoy some great tennis action on your vacation in the Caribbean.
If you happen to be in the Caribbean at just the right time, or if you plan a little bit in advance, you may be able to catch a professional tennis tournament during your stay. If you want to spend the daytime hours relaxing and soaking up some sun, a lot of hotels have lighted courts, so you can hit the courts at night, which may also be more comfortable than playing in the hot Caribbean sun. Keep in mind that you may have to pay a little extra for the luxury of lighting.
In order to guarantee that you get some much-coveted court time in the Caribbean, contact your hotel or other resorts near where you’ll be staying to see if they have courts available, if the courts are illuminated, and how much it costs to play. There are several islands in the Caribbean where vacationers can go to find great tennis courts and facilities, including the Dominican Republic, Aruba, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica, which feature resorts that provide special tennis packages and top-notch facilities.
Golf is also a popular sport for many people visiting to the Caribbean. Golf can be a laid-back and relaxing outing, as well as provide some exciting competition. The beautiful tropical weather in the Caribbean is just right for enjoying a game of golf almost any time of year, and many of the region’s courses are located in beautiful breathtaking settings among majestic mountains and tropical greenery. Vacationers can find great golf courses throughout the Caribbean, but especially on the larger islands. The majority of courses are available to visitors and offer equipment for rental as well as golf lessons for various fees. The expenses of golfing on particular greens will vary from course to course, and can range from extremely pricey to budget play, so check ahead with the course or golf resort.
Golf players can find courses in the Caribbean that were designed by world renowned golfers and expert course designers. You can find exciting golf courses and golf resorts on many Caribbean islands with some of the best being in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.
Making Waves
During your visit to the Caribbean, you’ll be surrounded by the amazing sapphire waters of the Caribbean Sea and sparkling Atlantic Ocean, so you’ll have access to a wide variety of watersports and other aquatic endeavors, like snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing, just to name a few.
People from around the world come to the Caribbean to enjoy its offshore activities in the region’s warm, clear, blue waters. Beneath the calm surface of the Caribbean waters is a wondrous world of colorful and exotic ocean wildlife including brilliant fish and coral. Because of its fascinating underwater habitats, the Caribbean features some of the most popular dive destinations in the world, and is home to various resorts and hotels that focus especially on the diving aspect of visiting the Caribbean by offering special dive package.
Dive resorts and many hotels offer their guests equipment rental for scuba diving and snorkeling, and even provide scuba diving lessons and certification, because you must have a license and some instruction in order to get the most out of your diving experience.
Volcanic vents, Coral reefs, old shipwrecks, as well as other underwater formations make great places for scuba divers to explore, and can be an unforgettable experience for vacationers of all ages. The cost of your dive or snorkeling excursion will vary according to the kind of dive you take, when you go, and what kind of certification you want to get. Travelers can find great dive spots all over the Caribbean, but especially on the Cayman and Virgin Islands.
Other water-based pursuits that vacationers can enjoy while vacationing in the Caribbean include fantastic watersports like fishing which is a popular activity for many who visit the Caribbean, which has a countless number of fish species dwelling beneath the surface of the crystal blue waters. In recent years, windsurfing has become an extremely popular watersport in the region. Also, there is kayaking, parasailing, water rafting, and many other ways to enjoy the waves of the salty Caribbean.
Ecological Activities
For a lot of travelers, a trip to the Caribbean is the perfect chance to get back to nature. Several islands in the region boast lush landscapes and are home to a variety of exotic animal species. Travelers who are more ecologically aware can experience nature in the Caribbean in a number of ways, such as through hiking, camping, and mountain biking. To find out more information about outdoor excursions and nature-related activities, the best place to start is your hotel information desk, which may be able to provide you with maps of the island, the names and numbers of rental companies where you can get camping equipment and mountain bikes, and information on local guides that you can hire to show you around island trails.
Hiking is good exercise and can be a great way to see parts of islands that can’t be reached by car. Hikers can pick from a few different levels of hiking difficulty, from leisurely strolls to brisk uphill hikes and more strenuous treks. Mountain biking is also another way to get off the beaten path and see areas of the island you couldn’t see by staying in the city limits. Take a trip up the side of a volcano, visit a cascading waterfall, or do some exotic birdwatching. In the Caribbean the ecological possibilities are endless.
If you want your vacation to be an active and exciting one while in Caribbean, you won’t be at a loss for things to do in this amazing region of the world, which is rich in various sports and activities. You’re sure to have a memorable experience while enjoying active pursuits in the Caribbean.
About The Author
Danielle Mitchell writes for http://Caribbean-Guide.info , http://Jamaica-Guide.info , and other Segisys travel Web sites. © 2005, Interactive Internet Websites, Inc. Article may only be reprinted if it is not modified in any way, and if all links remain live.
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
Bocas is one of Panama’s top tourist destinations, with good reason. There are few places left in the world where you can enjoy gorgeous beaches with scarcely a soul in sight. Many of these incredible beaches are fringed with rain forests so fine that Lonely Planet Guide calls them “a biologist’s fantasy.”
Amid this natural splendor you’ll find the charming town of Bocas, a laid back Caribbean settlement with a friendly English speaking population, historical ambiance, great restaurants and a lively nightlife.
Bocas is also blessed by nature in that no hurricanes ever touch these shores, as they do other Central American neighbors.
The archipelago of Bocas del Toro is located on the northwestern coast of Panama in and around the Bay of Chiriqui. International travelers have only recently discovered this isolated region of Panama. It is for this reason that much of the island chain remains pristine and untouched.
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It is an outdoor lovers paradise with diving, fishing, boating, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, horseback riding and white water rafting.
This region, considered the most geographically diverse in the Caribbean, is also a nature lover’s dream come true. Bocas is one of the few places in the world that can boast of being the home to a fully functional research facility owned and operated by the Smithsonian Institution. Eco-tourism is coming of age in Bocas, and why not, with unspoiled coral reefs, a magnificent rain forrest and miles of unspoiled beaches within close proximity. If nature is your thing, you will find quality jungle tours, river tours, island tours, bird watching and turtle watching expeditions.
Bocas is also home to at least two tribes of indigenous Indians whose villages can be visited by invitation. Several of these villages are located within the boundaries of the Bastimentos National Marine Park, a gem in Panama’s National Park system.
The main town on the archipelago is Bocas Del Toro, which is located on the southeastern tip of Isla Colón. It is easily reached by land, sea or air. There are several daily flights from Panama City and other nearby cities into the modern airport. Taxi service by boat is available throughout the day from Almirante, the closest city on the mainland. For those wishing to get to Bocas by car, ferry service is provided several times each week from Almirante.
In addition to the charm of a small Caribbean community, the town boasts paved streets, treated potable water, several new hotels and restaurants and modern conveniences such as internet service, cable TV, a hospital with ambulance service and a fire department.
As in all of Panama, the currency is the US dollar and in Bocas you will find that many of the local people speak English.
In addition to a tourism boom, in recent years Bocas has experienced a real estate boom. Although prices are rising, they still represent some of the best buys in the Caribbean. On a retirement income in Bocas, you can enjoy “the good life” in safe and beautiful surroundings.
Email us at The Panama Club
+507-836-6542 / 43 (Panama) | 1-(305)-503-9957 (USA)
