Panamainfo’s Blog

Panama’s new tourism minister Salamon Shamah is working to land the World Surf championships in 2012 for Panama. Panama has world-class surfing breaks at Playa Venao, Santa Catalina and on the island of Bocas del Toro.

Bring Two Surf Boards to Panama for Free

To get things rolling Minister Shamah did some arm twisting and got Panama’s Copa Airlines to agree that from now surfers can bring two surf boards free to Panama from selected Copa destinations in the USA, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico.  Call you national Copa office for details.

Also, Minister Shamah plans to bring the 5 best surfers in the world to Panama next year and will be inviting international surf journalists to check Panama out.  Truth is many top surfers know Panama, have enjoyed it for years and were secretly hoping Panama would not be discovered.

We recommend you come to Panama to surf before the rest. Start with Lonely Planet’s Panama guide- they have a great surf map and basic info.

• No Comments

Below is a link to an  article from CNN about budget travel in Panama. For budget travel, it is important to avoid the high season- that is January-March. Every Panama destination has bargain hostels and hotels. Buy a Lonely Planet guide which will have listings of inexpensive but nice lodgings. travel between cities by bus is incredibly cheap and taxis in the city are also very cheap. You can have a great time in Panama on a budget

http://us.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/getaways/09/25/panama.travel/index.html

• No Comments

Panama is just not feeling the effects of the economic downturn like most places.  American Airlines reports that flights to and from Panama are are up 7.8% so far this year and that they will soon add another Miami-Panama flight. Continental is also up and they will soon add another Houston flight.

Also, hotelier expert Fidel Reyes ofFR Consulting tells me that Panama is now making more money on tourism than Costa Rica. Panama has less tourists but those tourists spend more. The reason for this of course is that most of Panama’s tourists are businessmen coming to Panama City and businessmen spend more money than regular tourists. Panama has several megaprojects starting up including the 5 billion dollar expansion of the Panama Canal. It is also is increasingly business capital of the Americas, especially since businesses can no longer get visas for their employees for meetings in the States with any consistency.

Nancy

Nancy Hanna

President Panamainfo.com/The Panama Planner

• No Comments

Hi Folks

I just spent the weekend staying in the new wing of Los Mandarinos mountain resort in El Valle.  I came back soaked in beauty and peace.

What a perfect get away.

I loved Mandarinos deluxe new wing- it has one of the most beautiful swimming pools I have seen- with muted natural colors, intriguing shapes that embrace flowers and  a spectacular mountain  view as a backdrop. Owner Pedro Fabrega also has also built new facilities with families in mind, including a childrens play room, a children’s pool and a snack bar.

The handsomely appointed  deluxe rooms have large picture windows that look out on the gorgeous Gaital peak with the beautiful marble floors and tiling. On the top floor there is two bedroom suite which includes a terrace jacuzzi with some of the best views in all Panama.

Another great addition to  El Valle is Los  Mandarinos new on-premise restaurant O’Pedros, which is Panama’s first Irish pub. It features a fine large bar in rich dark wood, tables inside and tables large wooden deck with views. ( At Mandarinos you will always find me taking in the views.) I loved the shepherds pie, club sandwich and even the hamburger was delicious.

O’Pedros Pub is open from 8am to 10pm to everyone- so if you can’t stay at Los Mandarinos, at least  come here to drink or dine .

The entire resort is beautifully landscaped with expansive grounds with soft grass and a  bright variety of flowers everywhere.

There is also a well appointed full service spa with an outside jacuzzi, sauna etc.

The staff is very attentive- it is exciting to see how fast the El Valle locals are learning to take care of tourists.

I talked to Anne, the capable French manager and she says they are doing very well-bookings are well up over last year. About 70% are locals and 30% are tourists.  She says more and more businesses are choosing Mandarinos for conferences.

Congrats to Pedro Fabrega and the whole team at Los Mandarinos for giving Panama a superlative place to enjoy Panama’s mountain beauty.

Check it out at www.losmandarinos.com

• 2 Comments

 Folks,

Below is the link to an article by Simon Black, a knowledgeable  ex-pat who explains why Panama will  be the capital of Latin America beating out other candidates like Miami ( which was the de facto capital) Sao Paulo, Santiago, Mexico City etc.

I agree with him but I would go further and say Panama is destined  be the Capital of the Americas- which includes not only Latin America but also the Caribbean and North America.

One factor which he does not mention, is that the major reason in my opinion Miami will no longer be the de facto capital is 9/11. Since 9/ll no international business can get visas for its employees to the US with any consistency. This is a deal killer for businesses. This  is the major reason Miami is ceasing to be the business capital of Latin American and the Caribbean and Panama is in the process of taking it’s place.

He also does not mention an important new development which is Panama’s new President Martinelli, a successful business man dedicated to improving the lives of all Panamanians who has put together an effective,honest  team which is briskly making the changes Panama needs from top to bottom.  His goal is for Panama to be “the best place in the world to do business” and he is dead serious.

http://www.sovereignman.com/expat/the-capital-of-latin-america/#more-370

• No Comments

Sam Taliaferro, the owner Valle Escondido, Panama’s original resort community posted an important interview with an American retiree couple who were invited to converse  with  Panama’s new President Ricardo Martinelli when they ran into his group at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Panama City.  President Martinelli told this couple ” he wants to make it very easy for Americans to move here and to invest. He said he was planning on having meetings with ex-pats to see what their concerns are. He told us it was going to be easier to get residency, drivers license and he was going to make it safer.”

See the whole interview here:

http://primapanama.blogs.com/_panama_residential_devel/2009/08/president-martinelli-personally-welcomes-foreigners-to-panama.html

We are also are hearing  that Pres. Martinelli is moving quickly on a number of fronts so that foreigners who invest and live in Panama will have less bureaucratic hassles with government in immigration and setting up businesses etc.  He will also improve security which is already excellent  compared to other countries in the region.  The police have been instructed to help foreigners in any way they can and not hassle them as has happened in the past.

In fact, in his inaugural address President Martinelli declared his goal to make “Panama the best place in the world to do business”. This man does not think small.  And he is proving as good as his word on his campaign promises.

• No Comments

Inaugural address July 1st, 2009
by President Ricardo Martinelli

Today, before God who protects us and my country, I stand here,
honored by the confidence that the people have given us.

I am enthusiastic about the work that awaits us.

This transfer of command is something that we all value. What we
celebrate today is proof that in Panama the voice of every citizen is
heard, and that the democratic principles that unite us are more
powerful than any difference.

Although they are not here, I want to thank President Torrijos and the
former first lady Vivian de Torrijos for their service to our country.
I also thank them for their so generous support in this transition.
Together we have demonstrated that this people respects the political
dignity of every human being.

I also want to take advantage of this opportunity to sent President
Endara our wishes for a prompt recovery.

Here in Panama we have a democratic tradition, which is as solid as a
rock. I am honored that the international community is here to
celebrate with us this great moment. We have never had so many
visitors, from so many parts of the world. All are welcome and we
thank them for participating today, in our first steps toward a new
Panama, which we see on the horizon.

Our country is unique in many things:

It is the biggest inhabited island on the Pacific littoral.

Panama is the only place in the Caribean that has indigenous peoples.

This city was the first to be built by the Spaniards here on the Pacific.

Here Vasco Núñez de Balboa discovered the South Sea.

But we have something more that distinguishes us. We have grown to
become the pass key to the world’s economy. If Marco Polo had lived in
our epoch, he would have used Panama as his modern spice route.

We Panamanians have always played an important role for our neighbors
and the world. And now were are tapped to do it again. In these five
years, we are called to demonstrate how our economic and governance
model can be an example for all who aspire to prosperity and progress.

Juan Carlos Varela and I are two businessmen who have become involved
in politics, to change the way of doing things. We are going to take
hold of our experiences in the private sector and put them to work
where they have never been seen: in the government.

We are going to debureaucratize the state. “Debureaucratize” is a word
that’s a little difficult to say, but he who’s going to work with me
in this government had better learn it.

In the world of business I walked the aisles, asked questions, opened
drawers. I learned to face problems. As my great friend and political
mentor Samuel Lewis Galindo noted, the government of Ricardo
Martinelli will act with firmness and education, but without favors. I
believe that time is gold and very short.

Neither Juan Carlos nor I accept this job to remain seated behind a
desk. I am a simple, plain and direct man. If I fail somewhat in
protocol, I beg your pardon. But we were not elected to add more pages
to the protocol book.

This people gave us a clear mandate to bring change to this
government, from top to bottom, and that is what we are are going to
do. The custom that the politicians put their personal interests above
those of the people is over. The game of having a fat government and a
thin people has come to its end. The era of politicians entering broke
and leaving as millionaires is finished.

In my government, you can put your foot in your mouth, but you can’t
put your hand in the till.

Thus today, we inaugurate a government that’s going to put the
people’s interests first. We know that difficult times are coming. Now
is when the government has to be more agile, more transparent and more
efficient. it is no secret that we are at the beginning of a world
economic crisis.

it is a crisis that we didn’t cause, but all of us are going to
suffer. it is the worst crisis since the Great Depression of the 30s.

In this storm we are all in the same boat, and in the same boat we are
going to face it. The truth is that our government is not going to
have the resources that the previous government had.

But this gives us more reason to act with urgency. The Panamanian
worker sees the storm gathering above. The changes that we have
proposed can not wait any longer. The promises that we made in the
campaign are good ideas. They are the mandate that this people demands

But more than this, they are an integral part of a stimulus plan that
we need to get our economy afloat. Tomorrow we will have our first
Cabinet Council. We are going to be where we were always walking
towards. We are going to be where the change has to happen.

we are going to be the las Garzas de Pacora, not in the Palacio de las Garzas.

That’s where they need jobs.

That’s where they need the subway.

That’s where they lack public safety.

Las Garzas de Pacora is the point of departure for what we are going
to accomplish in the next five years.

I ask you to prepare with me. we will roll up the sleeves and get to work.

We start with this: we are going to raise the salaries of all law
enforcement, because they’re very badly paid. we are going to give
life to one of Juan Carlos’s proposals: we will give $100 a month to
the old people who have not retirement pension.

And for the students who see us on television or listen on the radio,
you can count on scholarships and free books and school supplies. This
we will do for all the poor families in Panama.

We will begin a massive land titling program, so what I can tell
everyone who’s listening who has possessory rights, prepare these
rights because you’re going to have your piece of land titled.

And we are also going to start the biggest jobs program in the history
of Panama after the canal expansion. we are going to start the bidding
for the construction of a new subway that will give the Panamanian
people a better quality of life. But this is just a start.

We have many more things to do. Nothing is more important than to
lower the cost of food. Thus we will augment the sales point for the
Compita program, and with no more “married” products.

we are going to give more credit to the agricultural sector and
support the self-sustaining farms. In this way we will augment
national production and help our farmers produce more food and cheaper
food.

Two years ago, we built a house for a forgotten Panamanian named
Newton Rodney. Newton taught us a lesson: that like him, there exist
more than 165,000 forgotten Panamanian families that suffer the
tragedy of not having a safe roof over their heads. we are going to
start on a massive plan to build houses for the people. This program
will not only go to those families in need of dignified shelter, but
it is going to create jobs for construction workers and reactivate the
economy.

Everyone who lives in Panama, and those who visit us, deserve a safer
country. we are going to turn our jails into rehabilitation centers
and not universities of crime.

Minors who commit crimes like adults, we are going to try as adults.
And we are going to give more resources and more intelligence support
to our police.

To protect the right of citizens to walk along safe streets is one of
the primary obligations of any government. we are going to meet this
responsibility.

And for those who want to come and invest in Panama, I’m letting them
know that our doors are open. I want to leave our mission very clear:
we are going to make Panama the best place in Latin America to do
business.

This is the best way to generate jobs and have a better quality of
life for all Panamanians. And we are going to complement the free
trade agreements, with the United States of America and all the other
countries of the world, including Europe and our Latin American
brothers.

we are proud of our history and our heritage, of our freedom of
expression, of our freedom of thought, and our freedom to decide the
course that the motherland takes. Panama has to maintain itself as a
leader in freedom and justice, not only here in our house, but in our
region and our continent.

As president, I will do everything within my reach to advance the
ideals of a free economy, challenging the different ideological
pendulum that Latin America has.

We are going to be an active partner with Mexico and Colombia in the
battle against the narco-terrorists, who have invaded our country,
bringing crime, mourning and desperation to our innocent population.

We start this government with an unprecedented mandate: a mandate for
change. But this mandate does not go alone. It comes moored to a great
responsibility, the responsibility to work together, shoulder to
shoulder, leaving behind the political egotisms that have divided us.

We were elected for this: not only for our proposals, but also to
change the way of governing. we are going to change the system in
which one political party only to looks for what it can take from the
other, in which the people look for what they can take from the
government, in which the government looks for what it can take from
the people. it is a vicious circle in which we all believe that we
will win like this — and believe me that it is not so. The truth is
that in this game, we are divided one against the others and we all
end up losing.

The government does not have to be partisan. we are going to govern
with the best, no matter from where the come or their political
affiliation.

We are united for something more important than a political party. We
are united for our country, and in this way, putting the people’s
interest first, we are going to govern.

Some say that the challenges that await us are a lot for just one
person. But they are not much for a united people. This government is
going to keep all the promises that I made. This is my commitment.

The only promise that I probably will not keep is to lose weight, but
believe me that I am going to do everything possible.

Until now we have accepted that the destiny of our country is only in
the hand of the government. But I believe that our hopes depend on
something more powerful than any government. They depend on the sweat
and determination of three million Panamanians.

This is the true formula for our success. In five years, another
president will be standing here to celebrate a transfer of mandates,
put what we begin here will not change, not in five nor in 100 years.

From now on, this government and those who follow it are going to walk
in the shoes of the people.

From now on, our governments will not enrich themselves on the people,
but will only serve the people.

This is a time of great challenges and opportunities. The world
economy is put to the test, and that of Panama as well.

I can tell you: I am not perfect. Perfection is something God reserves
for human beings in another life, and I know that we are going to
encounter obstacles along the road.

But the difficulties are not going to stop us. On the contrary: they
are going to demonstrate our determination. We are going to rise above
this economic storm. We are going to come out of it prepared to
compete, prepared to win.

This is the moment to be a citizen of this country, because the
opportunities the await us are enormous.

I see a Panama with more men and women working.

I see a middle class that’s growing and making more money.

I see new technologies producing an unprecedented economic growth.

I see a Panama with better health, better education and more families
united and content.

We can do anything that we dream. Then, why not make our future the one we want?

We dream big. Our best days are to come. We are Panamanians, united
for a change.

And united, nothing is impossible. United, nothing can defeat us!

I thank all of you, and God bless, and long live Panama.

• 1 Comment

Spanish Panama , owned by Canadian Joseph Ennis,  is the place to learn Spanish in Panama.  Their new attractive facility is  conveniently located right on Via Argentina in El Cangrejo which is  Panama City’s most attractive business and residential neighborhood full of coffee shops. restaurants and services.

Spanish Panama is a l a language immersion school.  You can learn Spanish by attending classes at the center  or they will send their professional teachers to your office or home for private lessons. Home stay is also an option.  They even have a “crash course” if you are in a hurry.

Spanish Panama has extras like a Spanish computer lab, a city view terrace for socializing or enjoying a cup of coffee, free salsa dance classes and other Panamanian cultural activities.

Joseph and his team including a charming Panamanian wife have thought of everything to make learning Spanish in Panama easy and fun.

Contact them at 213-3121 or 6624-3302 and www.spanishpanama.com

• No Comments

Palms is one of Panama Citys most popular restaurants and rightly so.  Just walking into Palms is impressive- I love the clean, sleek modern decor with Panamanian touches that immediately puts you into a relaxed mood. The attentive staff is ready to serve.  The cuisine is innovative,  different and delicious.  The presentations are beautiful and very creative.

Appetizer: For appetizers you can’t beat the Lobster Bisque- you gotta to try it! It’s unlike any bisque I ever had.  Also excellent,  Crab with potato salad, avocado and beetroot

Main Dishes: Rack of Lamb with Rosemary and garlic.
Dessert:  Desserts here are some of the best in town.  T he Chocolate and Pecan Tart with vanilla ice-cream will satisfy any chocolate lover- very rich and a good size portion.

Palms is conveniently located in on Calle Uruguay restaurant district in the business sector of Panama City. Call  265-PALM (7256) for reservations.

• No Comments

Just a week before the May 3rd.  elections, presidential candidate Ricardo Martinelli predicted he would win the Panama presidency by a “tsunami “. No one believed him. The polls showed him ahead but after all, the last time he ran for president in 2004 he got only 5% of the vote. But that is exactly what happened- he won by landslide- 60% in a 3 way race- the highest margin of any race in Panama’s recent history

Martinelli won because he convinced the Panamanian people he would  do all the right things for both the populace and the business community- that  he was the person  who could  solve the countries mounting problems including rampant corruption, increasing crime, a public school system that is the most expensive and one of the worst in Latin America and a Panama City transportation chaos that means city dwellers spend 10 years of their life on a bus or car getting to work.

Mr. Martinelli ran a campaign  with a slogan about “Change ” just like President Obama.  In fact according to an interview in The Panama Post, his models are Barack Obama “because he showed change is possible, Winston Churchhill “for his tenacity”, Otto Von Bismark for unifying Germany and next door neighbor Alvaro Uribe, the very successful of President of Columbia.

Change is what Panama needs as it stands at a crossroads- a country with one of the most promising futures in Latin America, but only if Mr. Martinelli can solve its current very pressing and serious problems.

Mr.  Martinelli, age 57  is one of Panama’s most successful businessman having built the country’s largest supermarket chain.  He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Arkansas and an MBA at the prestigious Costa Rica INCAE school of business afilliated with Harvard University. He is a brillant, no-nonsense, take charge type of guy.  His election is hailed  as a turn the right after a string of Latin American governments have turned to the left in recent years.  He is pro-American, will work hard to get the Free Trade Agreement with the US signed this year and he is going to bring modern management and business know-how to solving Panama’s problems.

Panama watchers are heartened by his actions since his  elections including a choice of ministers- some of whom are brilliant like economist and banker Alberto Vallerino as the head of the all important Ministry of the Economy and some of whole are   “out of the box” appointments like Lucy Molinar as Minister of Education- a popular and formidable TV journalist of enormous integrity.

Mr. Martinelli’s election made news in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Time. Indeed, many investors looking for a good place to invest money these, are taking second look  at Panama now because of his election.  Among other things, he plans to  will start building right away a metro to solve the devilish Panama City transportation problems, 5 new airports for the burgeoning tourism industry and a highway network including  coastal route to connect Panama’s attractive Caribbean.

Mr.  Martinelli takes office July 1st. From there on, there’s going to be plenty of interesting news out of Panama.

• No Comments