Living and Investing in Panama - Informative Report on Relocating to Panama

Living and Investing in Panama
A Guidebook on How to Live, Retire and Invest in Central America's Tropical Paradise By Christopher Howard

Live in Latin America's most overlooked tropical paradise for less than you dreamed possible, live the good life and enjoy all of the amenities of home.

Confronted with the spiraling cost of living in the United States and Canada, people from all walks of life and all ages - including baby boomers and seniors - are searching for an affordable place to live or retire without sacrificing their current lifestyles. Panama, one of Latin America's best-kept secrets, just might be the country many of these people are seeking. Located only two and one-half hours by air from Florida, Panama has everything for potential retirees and residents -

Year-round spring-like weather in the mountains and tropical weather in the rest of the country; political stability with NO army; friendly people; the U.S. dollar as currency; a low cost of living with the most generous discounts in Latin America for foreign retirees; a first-world modern banking system, a first-world capital city; inexpensive medical care; excellent transportation and communication systems; affordable housing opportunities; excellent U.S. style shopping and goods, the best incentive-filled retirement program in Latin America plus a government that makes relocating as easy as possible for foreigners-all combine to make Panama one of the world's most desirable expatriate havens. The AARP rated Boquete Panama the fourth best retirement place in the world.

The 2008 2nd edition of the one-of-a-kind "Living and Investing in Panama." offers invaluable assistance to anyone looking for a safe, affordable place to live outside of the United States. This useful report contains all the ins and outs and dos and don'ts and much more indispensable secret insider information about all areas of living in Panama. It guides you step by step and shows how to live on a budget; 100s of sure-fire tips, valuable contacts business resources; how to stay busy and happy; the best places to live in Panama; how to acquire residency; time proven shortcuts for learning Spanish; how take advantage of the many tax savings for foreign residents, how to make the break from the rat race and start a new exciting life; and even how and where to find quality people for companionship.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

FOREWORD
Chapter I

Panama’s Land, History, People and Where to Live
The Lay of the Land
Maps
Weather
Where to Live in Panama
A One-of-a-kind Tour
Panama’s History in Brief
Government
Economy
The People

Chapter II

Saving Money in Panama
How Much Does it Cost to Live in Panama?
Tipping
Money
Paying Bills
Banking in Panama
The Official Guide to Living and Investing in Panama
Introduction | ix
Housing and Real Estate Investments
Affordable Hired Help
Health Care
Insurance
Taxes
Panamanian Offshore Corporations
Panamanian Interest Foundations

Chapter III

Making Money in Panama
Investing in Panama
Panama’s Stock Market
Finding Work
Starting a Business
Opening a Business in Twenty Minutes
Common Business Sense
Protecting Foreign Investment in Panama (Law 54)

Chapter IV

Red Tape
Dealing with Bureaucracy
How to Become a Legal
Resident of Panama
Additional Methods of Applying for Panamanian Residency

Immigration and Other Matters
Visas
Extending Your Stay
Leaving the Country
Work Permits
New Immigration Law
Perpetual Tourist
Panamanian Citizenship
Getting Married and Fiancée Visas
Purchasing an Automobile
Driving an Automobile to Panama
Bringing Your Boat to Panama
Shipping Your Household Goods
Ways to Bring Your Belongings
The Official Guide to Living and Investing in Panama | Introduction
How to Find a Lawyer
Panamanian Consulates and Embassies Abroad
Panamanian Consulates in the U.S.
Embassies and Consulates in Panama

Chapter V

Keeping Busy and Happy in Panama
Some Sound Advice
English Books Newspapers and Magazines
Television and Radio
Video Rentals
Shopping
Panamanian Pastimes
Baseball and Boxing
Golf in Panama
Museums and Art Galleries
Water Sports and Fishing
Parks for Nature Lovers.
Where to Make New Friends

Love and Permanent Companionship
Panama’s Wild Side
Nightlife and Entertainment
Gambling
Movies and Theaters

Chapter VI

Communications
Telephone
Internet Services
Mail Service
Receiving Money from Abroad
Private Mail Services

Chapter VII

Education
How to Learn Spanish
Panama’s Universities
Private Schools
The Official Guide to Living and Investing in Panama
Introduction | xi

Chapter VIII

Getting Around

Air Travel to, in and Around Panama
Traveling by Bus in Panama
Bus Travel to and from Panama
Panama’s Taxis
Automobile Rentals
Driving in Panama
Keeping Your Bearings Straight
Boat Travel
Map of Downtown Panama City
Ferry and Train Travel

Chapter IX

More Helpful Information
Where to Find Affordable Foods
Restaurants
Religion
Panama’s Holidays
Bringing Your Pets to Panama
Understanding the Metric System

Chapter X

Parting Thoughts and Advice
Personal Safety In Panama

Life as an Expatriate
Steps for Importing a Handgun
Gun Permits
A Movers Check List
Information About Living In Panama
Internet Resources
Discussion Groups
Suggested Reading
Spanish Survival Vocabulary
Important Phone Numbers
Another View of Panama
Panamanian Corporation Law
Index

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The author, Mr. Howard, is a paid consultant for National Geographic in Costa Rica, columnist for, Inside Costa Rica, Costa Rica Today, and Central America Weekly newspapers, Costa Rica Outdoors magazine and the Association of Residents of Costa Rica's magazine, El Residente. He is the only author of many of the guidebooks about Panama, Nicaragua and Costa Rica who is a full time resident in Central America. It is not surprising, therefore, that he is considered the foremost expert on all areas of living and investing in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama.