Focus Panama  - English information on Panama
http://focuspanama.com/

The Visitor – English information on Panama
https://www.thevisitorpanama.com/

Sea Las Perlas - transfers to Saboga and Contadora Islands on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday www.sealasperlas.com

Finca Lerida - http://www.fincalerida.com/  birding, coffee and accommodations. Panama is one of the favorite destinations for birding, but birding in Panama is not complete unless you visit the Boquete highlands. As suggested in Robert S. Ridgley's A Guide to The Birds of Panama, Finca Lerida is a place to go "searching for quetzals and other specialties".

Living in a tropical country is like no other…especially Panama!
http://theboquetehandbook.com/   

Birdwatching Close to the City from the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center
www.pipelineroad.org 

The Panama Canal three ways!
By land www.acp.gob.pa 
By sea www.canalandbaytours.com 
By air www.flyairpanama.com 

Casco Antiguo – the Old Quarter of Panama City or the second Panama City

We love this area and only wish we could afford to live here…a mix of French, Caribbean and other styles. This area is under going some beautiful major renovations and the great thing about it is that they must keep the facades looking the time frame…whatever happens behind closed doors is fine, but the fronts must maintain that old world feel.

Founded in 1673 after the sacking and burning of Panama Viejo by Henry Morgan.

The ‘White House’ or the Presidents House is also in this area and to take a tour is easy to arrange…what an exquisite interior. The President does not live here any more but does use it for special functions. This is just an incredible area to visit even amidst the ruins…James Bond – Quantum of Solace was partly filmed here and we happened to be out taking a walk with friends when we happened upon them filming. You will also find some really nice restaurants in this area.

www.cascoantiguo.gob.pa 

Panama Viejo – the First Panama City

These are the ruins of the first settlement in Panama City, destroyed by Pirate Henry Morgan in the late 1600’s. They are not that far from us and we can even see the ruins of the famous cathedral tower from our balcony. Well worth seeing…lots of incredibly old trees with orchids and other plants making their homes in the ancient trees. What they have done as well as use this area for special events. We went to a Christmas Music Concert one year and just recently took in the Yanni Concert here…what a special place.

By the way, they have discovered six cannons at the mouth of the Chagres River that might have belong to the legendary pirate. The specialists say that the cannons have the characteristics of small iron guns from the 17th century and that they likely came from his flagship ‘Satisfaction’.

www.panamaviejo.org

Panama BioMuseum

World famous architect Frank Gehry has an incredible museum under construction. I had the opportunity to see a bit of it as I was at a meeting that took place in the building next to it and it is a place where we drive by every time we head to the Amador Causeway to take an early morning walk. I hear the landscape will be done by a lady from New York who now lives here…she loved Panama. I can hardly wait to see it completed!

www.biomuseopanama.org

Don’t forget that if you are a tourist coming to visit Panama that you can get free tourist insurance! Pick up your free insurance card that will cover accidental medical expenses for up to 30 days. The phone number in Panama is 204-9300 or 204-2312.

Panama now has a new logo in cooperation with Copa Airlines. I use Copa a lot and love them. The Butterfly logo symbolizes the new image for tourism promotion around the world.

http://visitpanama.com/ 


VIP Vacation Kennels
A doggie’s dream come true…

www.vipvacationkennels.com 


A new steakhouse has opened up in Panama…we have not eaten there yet, but if anyone does and want to review it, please send and we would be happy to get it up for you.

www.patagoniafrill.net  They say it is an upscale sister property to Gaucho’s where we have eaten and loved it! (all except for the last time when it was a real disappointment)

Signs & Symptoms of Dengue Fever - How to spot the onset of dengue - too often people put the symptoms down to a simple fever. note, the site can be slow to load so be patient.

Allan Hawkins - Allan is a prolific photographer and videographer - he has over 130 videos on youtube - check them out. If you are thinking of Panama you will find a travelogue from Allen to help you get a sense of Panama.

Living in Panama - by Sandra Snyder - , your guide to all things Panamanian. The must have, all new, second-edition reference book for residents, want-to-be residents and those simply curious! I've not read this book but if it lives up to the press it should be good resource. 

Boquete spa - The Haven  - The Haven is set in a tranquil location where you can just unwind and de-stress or have treatments, get fit, get healthy, or just a hotel room.

Shipping Container House in Panama  - A blog by Fred and Cynthia in El Valle about their decision to build their home from used shipping containers.

Oakleaf Creations - Ann & Jim Molitar's site - all about their unique creations in wood and stained glass 

Panama City's first Yoga Therapy Studio Has Arrived - Yoga Divina

The Canadian Expat Association - News for Canadian Expats all over the world.

Calendar of Holidays in Panama (2010)

La La Montaña y el Valle, The Coffee Estate Inn in Boquete, run by Canadians.

Emerging Terrains - an interesting approach to land ownership/investment - we do not know these people personally so if anyone has any direct experience we'd like to know. Like all investments - Be careful out there.

Carol Skinner's website - I did an article on her in the December 2008 issue of Vivir Bien.

Vivir Bien - Panama's premier livestyle magazine featuring Donna's monthly gardening article

Find It Panama - an online magazine on what and where in Panama.

The "other" Why Panama :} - Mary & Matt, Americans living in the El Valle area.

Panama Guide - Don Winners site and email newsletter

Map of Panama - showing various provinces

Detailed Online Road Map of Panama - detailed road map of panama

Spanish Panama - a Spanish school in Panama that also offers tours.

Panama Info - listed as Panama's #1 Travel Guide -

Panama Surf Tours - we're not into surfing - but maybe you are - one short quote from the site "Panama has some of the best surf spots in all of Central America! Unlike Costa Rica, Panama is still virgin and you can catch most of the best surf spots by yourself with your buddies. Panama’s circulating currency is the US Dollar so there are no currency conversion hassles or rip-offs. Panama’s prices are still very low, so you can live like a king and eat like a pig after hard core surf sessions for as little as $2 or sometimes less, depending on where you are at. "

Welcome to the Project Golden Frog http://www.ranadorada.org/goldenfrog.html

Best Places In The World To Retire http://bestplacesintheworldtoretire.com/ for "no spin", credible information on where to live, visit, or do business in Panama.

Community Q & A has over 4,000 answers provided by over 300 experts to the most relevant and often asked questions. The Location Advisor provides an interactive, real time questionnaire matching visitors to the best places to live, while Expat Stories has over 100 interviews and reports by people who share their real world experiences. Visitors can also download their eBook “Panama—the 62 Things You Need To Know“ for free.

Hotels, B&B's, Resorts - some we've visited - we've not stayed at any of them but judging by others they are pretty impressive.

Panama Marriott Hotel
Calle 52 y Ricardo Arias, Area Bancaria
Panama City
Panama
Phone: +507-2-109100
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ptypa-panama-marriott-hotel/

JW Marriott Panama Golf & Beach Resort
340 Calle 3ra, Buenaventura
Rio Hato
Panama
Phone: +507-908-3333
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ptyjw-jw-marriott-panama-golf-and-beach-resort/

Isla Cristobal, Bocas del Toro - Selva del Mar, owned by Susan and Izzy http://casaselvadelmar.bocas.com/ 

Bocas Town – Hotelito Del Mar, owned by Sally Ramirez http://www.hotelitodelmar.com/index.html 

The Balboa Inn -  The owners, Thorwald and Saskia are originally from the Netherlands, so they speak Dutch, English as well as Spanish. The Balboa Inn updated their web site in January 2010 - worth checking out. www.thebalboainn.com

The Panamonte - Boquete - if you are visiting Boquete in Northern Panama, you need to check out the Panamonte as a hotel or just for dinner. One of the classiest places to stay or eat.

Embera Village Tours - Anne Gordon de Barrigon, is a blonde, blue-eyed, US citizen who fell in love with the open hearts of the Embera people while working on a film in Panama, ("End of the Spear")

Gamboa Rainforest Resort - just a few minutes from downtown Panama City, this is a great place to have breakfast and enjoy the local flora and fawna.

B&B La Estancia - Nestled in the quiet hillside of Cerro Ancon with views to the Bridge of the Americas, we are close to the domestic airport, old town Casco Viejo, the Panama Canal, Amador Causeway, and only 10 minutes from the heart of Panama City.
http://www.bedandbreakfastpanama.com/

Canal House - Situated in a restored turn-of-the-century mansion at the heart of Panama City's historic district, Canal House caters to those who desire the service and comfort of a boutique hotel, but need complete privacy and ample space.
http://www.canalhousepanama.com/

Bristol Panama - A boutique hotel with a standard of luxury and attention to detail. Set in the heart of the bustling financial center, minutes from shopping, cultural attractions and nightlife, Bristol Panama is a rare jewel where luxurious accommodations and sumptuous dining are blended to create uncompromising quality.
http://www.thebristol.com/eng/default.asp

Fusion Lofts - All of Fusion Lofts’ exclusive boutique apartments are located in the heart of this exciting and vibrant city, with gorgeous ocean views, and within walking distance of the banking district, shopping malls, restaurants and a whole lot more.
http://www.fusionlofts.com/explore.html

Los Cuatro Tulipanes - If you're looking for Casco Viejo, Panama, you have come to the right place! Panama hotel apartment rentals, located in the heart of the old quarter of Casco Antiguo. Known as the "gem of Panama", Casco Antiguo (aka. Casco Viejo) dates back hundreds of years
http://www.loscuatrotulipanes.com/