Panama

From its sophisticated capital city to its unblemished forests, exotic beaches, and secluded island properties, Panama has emerged as one of the world's hottest new travel destinations.

Traveling to Panama is easy -- there are non-stop flights between many major North American cities -- the flight from Miami is less than three hours. The Republic of Panama has a stable democratic government, a rapidly growing economy and a wealth of natural resources, making it increasingly attractive to adventure tourists, foreign investors, retirees, and Panama real estate and beachfront vacation seekers.

Something for Everyone

Panama adventures abound; the small country offers an astonishingly wide array of unique travel experiences. In just one week, visitors can enjoy two different oceans, discover dozens of uninhabited islands, explore mountains and rainforest, visit thriving indigenous tribes, and enjoy vibrant night life.

As the isthmus connecting two massive continents, Panama's flora and fauna is incredibly diverse. Panama has hundreds of species of butterflies and over 950 species of birds! In the jungles live monkeys, sloths, armadillos, ocelots, foxes and tapirs, among other species. The ocean is home to whales, dolphins, manatees, sea turtles and of course, hundreds of species of fish. In fact, Panama loosely translated means "land of many fish."

Panama City: Heart of a Thriving Economy

Panama's government has strong ties to the United States and energetically supports business, development and tourism. The International Monetary Fund applauds the country's diversified economy and banking system and predicts it to have one of the strongest GDP growth rates in the world for the next several years. Currently undergoing expansion, the Panama Canal continues to drive Panama's service-based economy and remains one of the most important transportation links in the world. In addition to the country's strong economic base, Panama's physical infrastructure, including modern hospitals, airports and roads, is much more highly developed than its Central American neighbors.

North Americans love Panama because:

• It uses the U.S. Dollar as currency.
• Many residents speak English.
• Panama City is a modern, sophisticated city with active commerce, arts, fashion and dining - it's often compared to Miami
• Panama is well-known for its excellent medical care, making it a popular medical vacation spot. Johns Hopkins manages the modern Hospital Punta Pacifica
• Panama has a low crime rate and is considered very safe.
• Panama's tropical climate, indigenous cultures, colonial history and location at the center of global trade makes for a varied and fascinating national cuisine.
• Panama's many indigenous tribes are still thriving, living in the same ancient manner as their ancestors.
• Panama's coasts boast world-class sportfishing, surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving.

Read what the travel experts are saying about Panama:

“In Panama, a slim-waisted tropical nation about the same size as South Carolina, you can find sweeping rain forests teeming with exotic animals and birds, cloud forests cloaking the summits of rugged mountains, and vibrant indigenous cultures that predate the conquistadores. A cornucopia of wildlife wonders side by side with fortresses and sleepy colonial villages, Panama is a country just awakening to its vast potential.”
- National Geographic Traveler

“A secret the rest of the traveling world has yet to discover.”
- Lonely Planet's Central America

“Panama is far too attractive to be kept a secret for long”
- Frommer's Panama

“Long heralded as the Next Costa Rica, Panama is actually more culturally diverse.”
- Forbes Traveler

“The new Florida: Panama's quality health care, low costs, and proximity to the states are attracting American professionals as a retirement haven.”
- Business Week

“Panama makes itself over as its lenient tax structure and strong economy attract investors and entrepreneurs.”
- Forbes

“Panama is the new Central American bargain where the US dollar- the market currency- goes a long way.”
- Conde Nast Traveler

“Little wonder that Panama is increasingly lighting up the radar screens of those searching for an affordable alternative to more traditional south-of-the-border retreats in Mexico, Costa Rica and the Caribbean, where escalating prices increasingly rival those along America's own beach fronts…Yet despite the price increases, property here remains a fraction of what one would pay for similar real estate in the United States.”
- New York Times

“… ultimately, the beauty of Panama City is that it hasn't become Miami yet. It's much more welcoming and manageable. And now is the time to go.”
- The Washington Post

“Those who missed the boat in Miami and found Costa Rica inadequate and too costly, set their sights on this sliver of a country… Many expat retired people have also been enticed into investing in property here because of Panama's easy access to both oceans, abundance of flora and fauna, by a favourable climate - which conveniently lies south of the hurricane belt - and most importantly the infrastructure… In short, Panama has a slice of everything and something for everyone.”
- The Telegraph

“The Number One Retirement Destination in the Western Hemisphere”
- Modern Maturity Magazine

“I have projects all over the world, and Panama is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, real estate market.”
- Ivanka Trump