Panamanian voters recently chose their next president and diputados, or lawmakers. It’s not the kind of news that’ll make for major headlines in the international press, though. This is a small, prosperous, neutral country. There were no major scandals and the voting process was well-organized.
Panama City is a compact capital, crammed with must-see sights, world-class restaurants, and so much more. You could easily spend a week enjoying all the city has to offer. But what if you’re short on time?
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The town of San Ramón is a perfect little grid, its church spires towering above the surrounding buildings. It has many of the amenities you’d expect from a proper city, including a cultural center and a few small museums and galleries. There are events a-plenty, including concerts, exhibits, plays, and festivals.
In the heart of Panama City, surrounded by gleaming new high-rises and the buzz of a modern capital city, New Yorker Litha Wilson feels at home. “It’s a lot like New York City,” she says. “I call it the city that almost never sleeps."
The day started out cloudy—I suppose it’s bound to happen from time to time, even in paradise. But by mid-morning the mist has cleared, revealing a crisp Central American sun. The light transforms the scene before me, brightening myriad shades of green and giving the white church a soft glow. I’m in the central park Read more...: Community and Culture in Cool San Ramón
East of Panama City’s San Francisco sector you’ll find new developments with much to offer…all of them between the vibrant city center and Tocumen International Airport. The largest and most convenient of these, Costa del Este, is favored by well-heeled Panamanians. The majority of these are white-collar types who speak English.
I can remember being new to Panama City. It could be incredibly frustrating…and at the same time, incredibly fun. I got lost a lot…that’s how I learned about my favorite back roads and out-of-the-way shops. I had to go out of my comfort zone to meet people…that’s how I discovered the best venues and networking events.
This cool mountain town is welcoming and attractive—and hardly a secret. And yet…new arrivals are breathing fresh life into Atenas. Right now I’m at Kay’s Café. Canadian Ania Dudek recently revamped the beloved expat hangout. She didn’t strip the menu of classics like chicken parmigiana or chocolate cake. But she did call her Polish mama for recipes, adding zing with savory mushroom pierogis and Hungarian pancakes...
Panama City. It’s the kind of place that wows first-time visitors. The downtown area, which shines and twinkles with sky-scrapers and deluxe hotels…the deep blue waters of the Panama Bay…the romantic Casco Viejo sector, dripping with colonial gems. There are scads of concert and performance venues, green spaces galore...it’s incredibly modern and unexpected.