Panama is located in the middle of the American continent, our neighbors are Costa Rica (west) and Colombia (east) with the Atlantic Ocean in the north and the Pacific in the south.

  • Estimated Population: 2.8 million, 40% residing in Panama City.
  • People: 65% mestizo, 14% African descent, 10% Spanish descent, 10% Indian.
  • Language: Spanish is the official language but many people also speak or understand English.
  • Time zone: Eastern Standard Time. (GMT-5)
  • Religion: 85% Roman Catholic, 10% Protestant, 5% Islamic.
  • Climate: Tropical with temperatures from 80º to 90º F the whole year. There are two seasons, dry from December to April and rainy from May to November. Humidity averages 70%.
  • Government: Constitutional republic.
  • Economy: Service-based, heavily weighted toward banking, commerce and tourism.
  • Currency: The Balboa, which has the same value as the U.S. dollar (the U.S. dollar is legal tender in Panama by a 1904 agreement between the two countries). Entry requirements: In most cases a tourist card (US $5.00) is sufficient and can be bought before boarding the plane at the airline ticket counter or at the Immigration Office at the Airport in Panama after you have arrived.

In 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, the prestigious International Living Organization ranked Panama among the world’s top retirement heaven in their Annual Global Retirement Index.

Panama is an amazing country full of benefits such as:

  • They use US dollar as official currency and have great international banking.
  • Many benefits for retirees and import tax exemptions for people who retire in Panama.
  • Discounts in restaurants, airfares, prescription drugs and many others.
  • You can enjoy a good quality of life at very affordable prices.
  • Panama is 3 hours non stop flight from Miami and 4 hours from Houston.
  • Prescription drugs and medical services are cheaper than in the US.
  • Great outdoor activities and some of the best fishing in the world.
Panama Links: