There is much more to Panama than its famous and important Canal. This international crossroad is a great place to live.
Panama has it all—amazing weather, modern urban centers, incredible shopping, white beaches, rivers, lakes, crystal clear waters, mountains, jungles, rainforests, diverse culture and cuisine, and significant commercial investment opportunities. The exotic flora and fauna, international trade and the charming cultural mix make Panama an exceptional, elite and fashionable destination, for tourism and retirement alike.
In September 2005, Panama was rated by “International Living” as the best place in the world to retire. Besides the near perfect weather, stable government, cheap real estate, low cost of living, low crime rate, clean air, relaxed pace of living as well as abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation—everything from golf and tennis to river rafting and diving—a modern, advanced infrastructure gives Panama the edge over traditional retirement places like Mexico or Costa Rica.
Panama has excellent telephone, satellite, and international cable services. High-quality medical care and modern hospitals are available in the metropolitan areas, and the cost of prescription drugs is low.
A dollar goes far in Panama. With the lowest cost of living in all Central and South America, electricity is about 10 cents per kilowatt-hour; water bills are $18 per year; telephone service costs roughly $30 a month; Internet access is $14 a month; and cable TV about $30 a month. A full-time live-in maid costs roughly $150-$250 per month.
Panama is a shopper’s paradise. Luxury goods from the world over are available for at least a third the price one would pay elsewhere. Panama City has large picturesque shopping districts like the Via España and Avenida Central (Central Avenue) where one can buy everything from high fashion to beautiful crafts. Local items include leather ware, necklaces made by the Guaymí Indians, needlework, paintings, handcrafted Molas made by the Kuna Indians, carved wooden handicrafts, mahogany bowls, and ceramics. Avenida Central, an open-air, pedestrian-only mall offers a deal on every corner.
About 45 minutes from Panama City by car is the Colon Free Zone, America’s largest free zone and the world’s second largest after Hong Kong. The Zone occupies over 800 acres. More than 200 companies operate or are represented there generating $11 billion annually. Companies operating in the Colon Free Zone do not require a commercial license. The Free Zone laws create a climate where businesses operate with an absolute minimum of controls. No tax is paid on income derived from export activities within the Free Zone. There are no tariffs and quotas on imports and exports. The costs are highly competitive, and executives and foreigners receive immigration benefits.
The people of Panama are fun, proud, tolerant and eager to please. They are not only friendly, they are welcoming. Though Spanish is the official language many in the service industry speak English. As well, English is taught in school.
Panama is an ethnic melting pot and cultural crossroad where civilizations and races have blended to create a charming local culture. Over the last 450 years, different ethnic groups immigrating to the country have created a culture rich in diverse customs. One can find the food and traditions of almost any country. Throughout Panama native-born Arabs, Jews, Hindus, Americans, Europeans, Chinese, Japanese, Caribbean, etc live and work side by side. Additionally, seven indigenous groups still follow the same traditions they have preserved for thousands of years. Among those are the Ngoebe-Buglé villages in Bocas and the 48 Kuna Yala villages on the San Blas Island region.
Panama City, with its first-rate facilities, is an extraordinary city that offers excellent lifestyle prospects. And as a First World city, it is likely the least expensive place in the world to live. The city offers world-class restaurants, every imaginable luxury, and hundreds of multinational businesses at about half the price one would pay in the U.S.
The city skyline overlooking the Bay of Panama is spectacular with an assortment of banks, insurance companies, hotels, condominiums and apartment buildings. The large cranes dotting the skyline are the best evidence of massive growth and redevelopment. The city centre is modern and architecturally diverse.
Panama City has a wide selection of state-of-the-art, reliable medical facilities with American and European trained doctors. Because some hospitals such as the Hospital Nacional are on a par with U.S. hospitals at about 50% of the cost, Panama is carving out a niche in “health tourism”.
Buying property in Panama City is a steal. One can purchase furnished studios for less than US $60,000; beachfront condos begin at about $77,000. A two-bedroom 1,300-square-foot condo in the banking district with a pool and gym facilities costs around $150,000. A two-bedroom apartment with views of the bay and maid’s quarters costs $160,000.
For those who like to party, Panama City has a great night life and is home to one of the world’s largest Carnival celebrations. Forget Rio de Janeiro or New Orleans— Panama City has the second largest Carnival in the world! Work comes to a complete stop during Carnival days and the main streets are filled with parades, floats, masks, costumes and confetti.
The weather cannot get much better than in Panama. Panama’s beautifully pleasant tropical climate has an average temperature of about 27°C (80°F) with only a few degrees variation between seasons. And because of the varied landscape found in Panama, there are places that are spring-like all year round as well—the mountainous region of Chiriqui, for instance. The higher elevations in the interior have a mild average temperature of about 19°C (66°F). What’s more, Panama does not experience destructive hurricanes or earthquakes as do Panama’s Central American neighbors.
Besides a stable, predictable climate, Panama’s geographic location is responsible for its great diversity of life. The country offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the wonders of nature, and to find the perfect spot to kick back and relax while being soothed by a pleasant trade wind or witness to a dynamic sunset. And everything is within minutes from its metropolitan centers.
Panama is paradise for those who love wildlife and water. Panama has the highest ratio of coastline compared to land area of any Latin American country. Its gorgeous beaches, islands and waterways offer a rich variety of safe and exciting opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing and windsurfing, sea kayaking, deep-sea fishing and river rafting. Some favorite beaches are La Cabaña Beach on Colón Island and Boca del Drago Beach in Bocas del Toro Province. Other beautiful popular beaches are Cermeño, Gorgona, Coronado, Punta Barco, Las Lajas, El Palmar, Río Mar and Santa Catalina beaches in Veraguas Province.
Panama has 14 national parks, over a dozen forest reserves, 10 wildlife refuges, hundreds of islands and miles of protected coral reefs. About 29 percent of Panama’s land area is protected.
Strategically located between two oceans and two continents, Panama boasts unique ecosystems nurture unparalleled flora and fauna with natural and environmental riches found nowhere else in the world. More species of birds live in Panama than in all of North America and Canada combined, and migratory birds and turtles stop there as well. In all, Panama is host to almost 1,000 species of birds, 220 mammals and 354 reptiles and amphibians.
On the easternmost side of the Pacific coast, shrimp, other crustaceans and mollusks spend the initial stages of their development in the shelter of Gulf of Panama mangroves. The American alligator and the leatherback turtle, the largest living turtle species, which can grow up to 2 meters (6 ft) in length and weigh over 630 kilograms (1,400 lbs) swim offshore. Also on the Pacific side, thousands of sea turtles lay eggs at the Isla Caña national reserve between August and November.
Diverse marine species and corals inhabit the Atlantic coast as well. An outstanding example is the massive Bocas del Toro archipelago at the entrance to Chiriquí Lagoon on the Caribbean Sea, where many species of marine and terrestrial life, such as sea turtle and manatee, are protected in the clear blue waters, coral reefs and beaches. The archipelago has nine islands, 51 keys and over 200 islets and is a popular place for scuba diving, snorkeling, and ecotourism.
The low cost of real estate in Panama is made especially appealing by the country’s extraordinary advantages. Besides the near perfect weather, astonishing biodiversity, gorgeous beaches, wonderful multicultural mix, and friendly people, Panama has a stable government and a dollar-based economy, as well as great infrastructure and services.
Excellent healthcare, good roads, safety, and low cost of living are among the many perks of retiring in Panama. But as if all these factors weren’t enough, the Panamanian government has created a system of benefits for those who retire in Panama. If you are thinking about retiring in Panama, or investing in Panama, take these bullet points in consideration and call Katerina Brosda, Broker Associate with Century 21 Oceanfront Realty in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida.
- No property taxes for 20 years;
- No income tax on incomes earned outside Panama;
- No tax on home furnishings if it is the retired person’s only property;
- Exemption from property tax if it is the retired person’s sole residence;
- Discount on the maximum interest rate on personal and commercial loans;
- Discount of percentage points on interest rates for mortgages on housing for retirees;
- Personal and commercial loans are exempt from taxes stipulated by the Special Interest Compensation Fund.
http://www.miamijustlisted.com/centralamerica.html
Panama Hotline (305) 788-9393 (USA)
About Katerina Brosda
Katerina Brosda is a preeminent negotiator dominating by far her industry and field of expertise. As the sole principal at MiamiJustListed.com Ms. Brosda is charged with the day-to-day operations of a boutique real estate services and development firm that caters to the haves and wants of an international upscale clientele in the greater Miami area and in particular on the beaches. Ms. Brosda is recognized by the largest real estate services firm in the world, Century 21, as one of its most successful and outstanding professionals. Ms. Brosda’s firm is located in chic Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, a barrier reef island in North Miami.
About Century 21 Real Estate LLC
Century 21 Real Estate is the franchisor of the world’s largest residential real estate sales organization, providing comprehensive training, management, administrative and marketing support for the CENTURY 21 System. The System is comprised of more than 7,800 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices in 42 countries and territories worldwide. Century 21 Real Estate LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation (NYSE: H), the world’s largest real estate franchisor.
©2006 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. CENTURY 21® is a registered trademark licensed to Century 21 Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each CENTURY 21 Office is Independently Owned and Operated.
