The director of Panama’s Transit Authority (Autoridad de Tránsito y Transporte Terrestre), Julio González has announced that they are analyzing the use of taxi meters in 2016. The ATTT director explained that they are currently having conversations with a few of the transport services in Panama to install taxi meters as well…
The popular navigation app Waze has published the world’s first “Driver Satisfaction Index” and Panama’s epic traffic jams didn’t rank so well. The traffic in Panama City is pretty unbearable at times and keeps getting worse as new cars are rapidly populating the cities already congested roads. A new report put together…
The Bounce team is ready to make your little one’s dream party a reality with a fun indoor playground facility and complete party planning services in Panama City, Panama. Bounce’s new facility provides a fun and welcoming space for both parents and kids to enjoy their next birthday party or special event.…
Casco Antiguo Spanish School offers affordable, small group Spanish courses in Panama’s most eclectic neighborhood – Casco Viejo. Out of all the “barrios” (neighborhoods) in Panama, Casco Viejo is the most eclectic. It’s a mix of restored Spanish colonial buildings that are now boutique hotels & hostels, apartments, trendy bars, and restaurants. Interspersed between these…
The Panama Canal authority and the Biomuseo has announced a new combo package that will allow tourists to visit both museums with a single ticket. The newly opened Biomuseo, designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, features eight galleries focussing on the origin of the Panamanian isthmus and its impact on the…
17 hours and 35 minutes – that’s how long you will be sitting on the plane for the world’s longest non-stop flight. Emirates announced that they will begin operating a daily non-stop flight between Panama City and Dubai in February 2016. The Boeing 777-200LR aircraft will feature a 3-class layout with…
Thursday, August 6 Starbucks inaugurated their first store in Panama City, Panama at the new Street Mall on Via Israel (open everyday 7am – midnight). A triple, Venti, Soy, No Foam Latte, por favor. This is the 15th Starbucks store to open in all of Latin America and the 1st of…
July 28, Mark Zuckerberg launched Internet.org in Panama, a service that provides free data access to basic online services for users on the Digicel network. Back in April during the 7th Summit Of The Americas, Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg met with Panama’s President Juan Carlos Varela to launch his Internet.org initiative…
Medellín, Colombia is no longer the dangerous playground of drug lord Pablo Escobar. Fast forward to today and it’s now a world-class city that has been voted as The Most Innovative City Of The Year. It’s filled with culture, great food, super-friendly people, and year-round perfect weather. I recently returned…
I’m back in Panama after a two week trip to Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, and Amsterdam! This was my first trip to Europe and I headed there with a group of five other friends. Right now is actually a great time to visit Europe because of the exchange rate between the U.S.…
Getting around Panama City, Panama is WAY more convenient with the launch of several car hailing smartphone apps! Normally getting a taxi off the street in Panama is not the most pleasant experience. They often stop to ask where you’re going then say “no voy” (I don’t want to go there)…
For the past four years, Late Night Music has been innovating and growing Panama City’s electronic music movement. When I first moved to Panama in 2011 there was a budding electronic music scene but you kind of had to search for events and they weren’t every weekend. One of the first electronic…
A series of unusual massive waves invaded Panama’s Pacific beaches over the weekend and caused quite a bit of damage. Here is a roundup up the most viral videos and photos going around social media right now: https://youtu.be/ejKeon7JP1w https://youtu.be/SWMJYrpyTZY https://twitter.com/CriticaPa/status/595240737618284544 https://twitter.com/CRHEDgt/status/595059915363717121 https://youtu.be/twFxe88gh3Q https://twitter.com/RioHatoCc/status/594837631675932674 https://twitter.com/TitinaManzano/status/594622716428222464 https://twitter.com/atenogenesR/status/594640984123793408 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4lgBVNFLHw
I attended Tuesday’s Panama vs Costa Rica soccer game (better known as fútbol here) and it was an experience as always. I don’t keep up with soccer at all or really watch any sporting events on television, but during my time in Panama I have found that I love going to the…
Panama’s National Assembly has officially declared September 5 of each year as “Indigenous Women’s Day”. The decision was published in the Official Gazette under 27751-B, through Law 9 of March 31, 2015. Article 1 states that “September 5 of each year is declared Indigenous Women’s Day, in order to highlight and promote…
An important event is coming up in Panama on April 10 & 11, 2105, Summit of the Americas (Cumbre de las Americas), where “the heads of state and government of the Western Hemisphere discuss common policy issues, affirm shared values and commit to concerted actions at the national and regional…
If you have spent an extended amount of time in Panama City you eventually notice some of the characters that make up where we live. The paralyzed man on Via Veneto, the man with a limp that tries to sell you a rose on Via Brasil, the mother that sits…
The price of a liter and tetra pack of pasteurized milk in Panama was increased by 15 cents on Tuesday, March 17. According to the two major dairies, they had to increase the price due to the recent increase in the cost of electricity that began in January. Milk is one of…
During my time in Panama I’ve discovered some neat ways to utilize the things around me in Panama City to make it my own “urban playground” where I can step outside and doing something active anytime of the year. Here are some of my favorite things I enjoy doing and…
After having established Spanish schools in Boquete and Bocas del Toro, Habla Ya has opened their first school in Panama City! They invited me out to be one of the first students to take classes at their new school and below is my journey (and struggle) with an intense five day course…
[adrotate banner=”18″] Mail Boxes Etc has recently opened their first store in beautiful Casco Viejo and residents, business owners, and tourists are thrilled! People finally have a place to be able to ship and receive goods, print, Skype or use the internet, send postcards and more in one of Panama’s most popular neighborhoods.…
*Update: Paddle boarding is no longer offered in Casco Viejo but you can still enjoy the article! Paddle boarding is a great way to have a fun workout while enjoying the beautiful, relaxing views of the ocean and it’s now something you can do right here in Panama City! John Boyle from…
Want to see some of the most beautiful photos of Panama? Follow some of my favorite Instagram accounts that capture images of the people, landscapes, and quirks of life in Panama: @carasdecascoantiguo I think this is my favorite Instagram account to follow. The concept is similar to Humans of New York and…
Late Night Music threw their 2nd annual Rescue Beats party with the opening night on Friday, January 30 at Teatro Amador and then on Saturday the event was held in a secret location only told to guests of the event (which ended up being at the Embera Temple). The lineup on day…
Late Night Music threw another epic party this past Friday January 23rd aboard a vessel that cruised around the Panama City Bay with house music by guest DJ tINI from Germany and local DJs Hannes Melis, Gio Vellojn and George Olmos. Check out the photos from the party: Be sure to check out…
[adrotate banner=”18″]I’m not sure how long this is going to last but right now you can book a flight between just about anywhere in the U.S. or Canada to Panama for around $400 round trip. According to Hopper.com the super low fares are a mistake so you should buy your…
I was browsing the Expats in Panama Facebook Group earlier this week and came across a great story that I wanted share by Canadian expat Cryss who is living in Bocas del Toro, Panama. She was in a situation that no one wants to be in: walking alone at night…
The government will hold a bidding for more than $ 11 million for the restoration of the Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana) in Casco Viejo, which was granted basilica status by the Vatican. The invitation for the bidding was announced by President Juan Carlos Varela, after a Christmas concert by the National…
President Juan Carlos Varela announced that in 2015 there will be a readjustment in the cost of using public transportation in Panama, which includes the Metro, Metro Bus, and feeder busses. The tariff charged will change to be based on the amount of time users use the public transportation system.…
On Saturday, Dec 6 the National Environmental Authority transferred a massive crocodile that was captured in the Cuarto Altos sector in Colon to Gatun Lake. It took several people to move the crocodile, who is known as “Juancho” and he measures approximately 3 meters. Editor’s Note: That beast looks like a…
It has officially been published that businesses selling alcohol will be exempt from Ley Zanahoria this holiday season. Ley Zanahoria (translates to Carrot Law, not sure why) began in 2011 and it prohibits sales of alcohol after 3 am Sunday to Thursday and 4 am on Friday and Saturday. Nightclubs, bars, liquor stores,…
President Juan Carlos Varela has officially signed a resolution authorizing Copa Airlines to begin two direct daily flights after January 15 from the Tocumen International Airport in Panama City to the Enrique Malek Airport in David. Previously people living in David and the Boquete areas of Panama had to drive or take…
Panama’s Urban and Household Waste Authority (La Autoridad de Aseo Urbano y Domiciliario) began an operation on Monday to clean up the streets of Avenida Central, Calidonia, Santa Ana, and Chorillo. The operation had the objective to clean up Avenida Central for the upcoming Christmas season. The streets received a deep…
Users who consume more than 301 KW of electricity will have to pay up in 2015. It was announced that users who consume 301 KW – 700 KW will have a 9% increase in their electric bill and everyone who consumes 701 KW or more will have a 19% increase.…
When I was 20 years old I sold my car, packed up my life into two suitcases, put my dog in a carry-on bag, and took off from Louisville, Kentucky to Panama City, Panama to begin a new adventure in my life. I had visited Panama a few times for…
The Instituto Nacional de Cultura (INAC) has given restaurant Monolo Caracol 5 days to remove a mural painted on the front of their restaurant by one of Panama’s most renown artists, Rolo de Sedas. The document sent states that “The mural must be removed and / or cleaned immediately. Failure…
Every year when November roles around people leave the city to enjoy several three day weekends. To most people the holidays are a day off work to head to the beach and party, but there actually is a meaning behind each of these holidays. Here is a quick glimpse into…
[adrotate banner=”18″]It has happened to all of us: We spend the night raging at a bar in Casco Viejo then 4 AM comes around and it’s suddenly time to head home. But the only thing on your mind now is FOOD. The munchies hit you out of nowhere and it…
[adrotate banner=”18″]Fireman had to rescue three tourists from Holland on top of Volc¡n Barº in Panama’s Chiriqui province. One of the woman was found with a leg injury while the others showed signs of exhaustion. Manuel De la Cruz, a member of Chiriqui’s fireman team, said the tourists received first…
I attended Saturday’s Kaskade Concert on the rooftop of the Hard Rock Hotel and it was one crazy night! My friends and I began the night like usual with a pre party at my apartment and listened to some of Kaskade’s mixes to get in the mood. Once we felt prepared…
