PANAMA REAL ESTATE INFO

Why Panama?

There is much more to Panama than its famous and important Canal. This international crossroad is a great place to live.

Panama has it all-amazing weather, modern urban centres, incredible shopping, white beaches, rivers, lakes, crystal clear waters, mountains, jungles, rainforests, diverse culture and cuisine, and significant commercial investment opportunities. The exotic flora and fauna, international trade and the charming cultural mix make Panama an exceptional, elite and fashionable destination, for tourism and retirement alike.

In September 2005, Panama was rated by "International Living" as the best place in the world to retire. Besides the near perfect weather, stable government, cheap real estate, low cost of living, low crime rate, clean air, relaxed pace of living as well as abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation-everything from golf and tennis to river rafting and diving-a modern, advanced infrastructure gives Panama the edge over traditional retirement places like Mexico or Costa Rica.

Panama has excellent telephone, satellite, and international cable services. High-quality medical care and modern hospitals are available in the metropolitan areas, and the cost of prescription drugs is low.

Low Cost of Living A dollar goes far in Panama. With the lowest cost of living in all Central and South America, electricity is about 10 cents per kilowatt-hour; water bills are $18 per year; telephone service costs roughly $30 a month; Internet access is $14 a month; and cable TV about $30 a month. A full-time live-in maid costs roughly $150-$250 per month.

Shopper's Paradise

Panama is a shopper's paradise. Luxury goods from the world over are available for at least a third the price one would pay elsewhere. Panama City has large picturesque shopping districts like the Via España and Avenida Central (Central Avenue) where one can buy everything from high fashion to beautiful crafts. Local items include leatherware, necklaces made by the Guaymí Indians, needlework, paintings, handcrafted Molas made by the Kuna Indians, carved wooden handicrafts, mahogany bowls, and ceramics. Avenida Central, an open-air, pedestrian-only mall offers a deal on every corner.

The Free Zone

About 45 minutes from Panama City by car is the Colon Free Zone, America's largest free zone and the world's second largest after Hong Kong. The Zone occupies over 800 acres. More than 200 companies operate or are represented there generating $11 billion annually. Companies operating in the Colon Free Zone do not require a commercial license. The Free Zone laws create a climate where businesses operate with an absolute minimum of controls. No tax is paid on income derived from export activities within the Free Zone. There are no tariffs and quotas on imports and exports. The costs are highly competitive, and executives and foreigners receive immigration benefits.

The People

The people of Panama are fun, proud, tolerant and eager to please. They are not only friendly, they are welcoming. Though Spanish is the official language many in the service industry speak English. As well, English is taught in school.

Panama is an ethnic melting pot and cultural crossroad where civilizations and races have blended to create a charming local culture. Over the last 450 years, different ethnic groups immigrating to the country have created a culture rich in diverse customs. One can find the food and traditions of almost any country. Throughout Panama native-born Arabs, Jews, Hindus, Americans, Europeans, Chinese, Japanese, Caribbean, etc live and work side by side. Additionally, seven indigenous groups still follow the same traditions they have preserved for thousands of years. Among those are the Ngoebe-Buglé villages in Bocas and the 48 Kuna Yala villages on the San Blas Island region.

Panama City

Panama City, with its first-rate facilities, is an extraordinary city that offers excellent lifestyle prospects. And as a First World city, it is likely the least expensive place in the world to live. The city offers world-class restaurants, every imaginable luxury, and hundreds of multinational businesses at about half the price one would pay in the U.S.

The city skyline overlooking the Bay of Panama is spectacular with an assortment of banks, insurance companies, hotels, condominiums and apartment buildings. The large cranes dotting the skyline are the best evidence of massive growth and redevelopment. The city centre is modern and architecturally diverse.

Panama City has a wide selection of state-of-the-art, reliable medical facilities with American and European trained doctors. Because some hospitals such as the Hospital Nacional are on a par with U.S. hospitals at about 50% of the cost, Panama is carving out a niche in "health tourism".

Buying property in Panama City is a steal. One can purchase furnished studios for less than US $60,000; beachfront condos begin at about $77,000. A two-bedroom 1,300-square-foot condo in the banking district with a pool and gym facilities costs around $150,000. A two-bedroom apartment with views of the bay and maid's quarters costs $160,000.

For those who like to party, Panama City has a great night life and is home to one of the world's largest Carnival celebrations. Forget Rio de Janeiro or New Orleans- Panama City has the second largest Carnival in the world! Work comes to a complete stop during Carnival days and the main streets are filled with parades, floats, masks, costumes and confetti.

Las Tablas Carnival

Rivalling Panama's Carnival celebrations is Las Tablas. Many consider Las Tablas, with its beautiful Carnival queen and princesses, fireworks, music and general bacchanal, and the traditional high street/low street rivalry for fanciest costumes and most inventive floats, to be the best place in Panama to celebrate Carnival.

Incredible Weather

The weather cannot get much better than in Panama. Panama's beautifully pleasant tropical climate has an average temperature of about 27°C (80°F) with only a few degrees variation between seasons. And because of the varied landscape found in Panama, there are places that are spring-like all year round as well-the mountainous region of Chiriqui, for instance. The higher elevations in the interior have a mild average temperature of about 19°C (66°F). What's more, Panama does not experience destructive hurricanes or earthquakes as do Panama's Central American neighbours.

Water and Wildlife

Besides a stable, predictable climate, Panama's geographic location is responsible for its great diversity of life. The country offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the wonders of nature, and to find the perfect spot to kick back and relax while being soothed by a pleasant trade wind or witness to a dynamic sunset. And everything is within minutes from its metropolitan centres.

Panama is paradise for those who love wildlife and water. Panama has the highest ratio of coastline compared to land area of any Latin American country. Its gorgeous beaches, islands and waterways offer a rich variety of safe and exciting opportunities for swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, surfing and windsurfing, sea kayaking, deep-sea fishing and river rafting. Some favourite beaches are La Cabaña Beach on Colón Island and Boca del Drago Beach in Bocas del Toro Province. Other beautiful popular beaches are Cermeño, Gorgona, Coronado, Punta Barco, Las Lajas, El Palmar, Río Mar and Santa Catalina beaches in Veraguas Province.

Panama has 14 national parks, over a dozen forest reserves, 10 wildlife refuges, hundreds of islands and miles of protected coral reefs. About 29 percent of Panama's land area is protected.

Unique Ecosystems

Strategically located between two oceans and two continents, Panama boasts unique ecosystems nurture unparalleled flora and fauna with natural and environmental riches found nowhere else in the world. More species of birds live in Panama than in all of North America and Canada combined, and migratory birds and turtles stop there as well. In all, Panama is host to almost 1,000 species of birds, 220 mammals and 354 reptiles and amphibians.

On the easternmost side of the Pacific coast, shrimp, other crustaceans and mollusks spend the initial stages of their development in the shelter of Gulf of Panama mangroves. The American alligator and the leatherback turtle, the largest living turtle species, which can grow up to 2 metres (6 ft) in length and weigh over 630 kilograms (1,400 lbs) swim offshore. Also on the Pacific side, thousands of sea turtles lay eggs at the Isla Caña national reserve between August and November.

Diverse marine species and corals inhabit the Atlantic coast as well. An outstanding example is the massive Bocas del Toro archipelago at the entrance to Chiriquí Lagoon on the Caribbean Sea, where many species of marine and terrestrial life, such as sea turtle and manatee, are protected in the clear blue waters, coral reefs and beaches. The archipelago has nine islands, 51 keys and over 200 islets and is a popular place for scuba diving, snorkelling, and ecotourism.

So why is Panama gaining in popularity among retirees, investors, and part-time expatriates? Not only because of increased publicity - Panama has more amenities, lower costs and lower crime rates than many other traditional retirement locations. In fact Panama 's advantages are unrivalled. Apart from tax advantages and privacy advantages, consider the following:

Panama has a stable government and a growing economy
The US Dollar is the legal tender. Panama has a stable economy that has been based upon the U.S. Dollar since 1904
Residents pay no tax on foreign earned income
Foreigners can buy and own property in Panama with the same rights and protections as Panamanians citizens.
Pensionado program (retiree incentive program), the best in the world, is not necessarily age related and the benefits are considerable
Tourism investments have exemptions from import duties, construction materials and equipment, income, real estate taxes, etc.
Property tax exemptions apply to all new construction on a sliding scale according to value
English is widely spoken
The US presence in the country for many years has lead to a US style infrastructure with a number of familiar names and businesses
Panama has a number of US standard health care facilities and services with many US trained English speaking doctors available.
Panama has a reliable communications system with fiber optic telephone lines and much of the country has ADSL internet
Panama is one of the best offshore havens in the world

Last but not least, Panama is beautiful. From cool mountain retreats like Boquete, to affordable beachfront property, or cosmopolitan city apartments overlooking a stunning harbor, the choice is yours. With real estate prices beginning to rise, you also have an opportunity to make a considerable return on your investment if you buy now. Rental property is in high demand particularly in the highland areas, so even if you are not looking to retire for a while this is an opportunity to get into the market and earn a return on your investment in the meantime. There has never been a better time to invest in Panama . Not only is there tremendous interest in Panama as a tourist and retirement location, economically Panama is gaining strength. The new administration, under President Martin Torrijos, elected on May 1 st 2004 with a strong popular majority, has the momentum to carry out measures to promote growth. The plans to enlarge the PANAMA CANAL , and participate in additional free trade associations, will stimulate the economy still further. Panama's COLON FREE ZONE AND Trade Zone (CFZ), established in 1953, is the largest in the Western Hemisphere and contributes substantially to the country's economy. Panama has consistently maintained one of Central America 's highest per capita gross domestic product. In March 2004, the International Monetary Fund recorded 4% real term growth for 2003, and forecasts are positive for the future. The U.S.A. is still the largest user of the Canal and Panama 's foremost trading partner, central banker and is influential regarding its monetary policy.

To encourage long term foreign investment, Panama does not require special permits, authorization or registration to qualify investors. The 1998 Investment Stability Law protects foreign investors for ten years following the registration of an investment, shielding them from changes in tax, customs duties, municipal and labor laws. Major companies doing business in Panama include Federal Express, DHL, PriceSmart/Costco, Marriott Hotels, Holiday Inn, Sheraton Hotels, Kansas City Southern Railways, Continental, Delta and American Airlines, Warranty Company of the Americas and Hutchison Whampoa, to name but a few. You will find just about every US franchise on the streets of the larger cities from MacDonalds, Dominos, KFC, Pizza Hut, TGIF to Dunkin Donuts etc; luxury clothing lines such as Nautica and Liz Claiborne have stores in Panama City . You will feel right at home.

Over 80 banks have full service branches here including HSBC, Scotiabank, Dresdner, BNP/Paribas; there are no "brass plate" banks here. Panama is a growing international financial center with good communications and first world amenities.

Considered to be the best retirement program in the world, the Panama Pensionado program offers retirees excellent incentives including

Import tax exemption for household goods
Tax exemption to import a new car every two years
25% discounts on utility bills
25% discount on airline tickets and 30% on other transportation
15% discount on loans made in your name
1% reduction on home mortgages for homes used for personal residence
20% discount on doctor's bills 15% on hospital services if no insurance applies
15% off dental and eye exams
10% discount on medicines
20% discount on bills for professional and technical services
50% discount on entrance to movie theaters, cultural and sporting events
50% discount at hotels during Monday to Thursday, 30% on weekends

There are many more discounted items than we have space to list here. Once you have qualified as a Panamanian resident with a pensionado visa you qualify for these benefits.

The cost of living in Panama is lower than the US and much lower than Western Europe . For example, electricity costs approximately 10 - 12 cents per kilowatt hour depending on the area, water and trash collection around $7 per month. Direct TV, telephone and internet services vary according to the plans chosen. Direct TV with a wide choice of English language channels is approximately $50 per month. Locally produced vegetables, meat and fish are priced considerably lower than in the USA although imported items may be slightly higher. The minimum wage for housemaids or gardeners is 88 cents per hour. Local beer at the supermarket costs 30 cents per can, a coffee in a restaurant may be as little as 30 cents.

Panama currently has an undervalued real estate market; however as has happened in countries like Costa Rica , Mexico and Ireland , prices are beginning to rise as more people discover the advantages Panama has to offer. As a potential real estate investor there are several areas to consider where you will find maximum growth opportunities.

Panama City is an affordable cosmopolitan location for those who prefer city life. With a skyline reminiscent of Manhattan or Singapore , the high rise buildings tower above the ocean or rain forest. High class restaurants, first class hotels and fast food outlets, are here for all tastes and pockets. Entertainment is varied, the latest movies, concerts featuring foreign and local performers of all genres, every kind of sporting event - baseball is arguably the most popular sport and a number of Panamanian players are found in US major league clubs. Mention Mariano Rivera and the New York Yankees and you will make friends immediately! Shopping options range from local markets to multi million dollar super malls and luxury goods. The Amador Causeway has a number of great restaurants, yacht clubs and a duty free shop, it is also a great place to bicycle, jog or walk with sea breezes and a great view of the stunning Bridge of the Americas . Panama City even has a rain forest within its city limits.

There are two main real estate opportunities here. Beautiful apartments with fantastic ocean views are available in price ranges to suit all pockets. Many have the use of a pool, spa and children's play areas. You can still find apartments for less than $150, 000.00 but be sure to check out the location before you buy, as in all big cities some areas have advantages or disadvantages that are not immediately apparent to a newcomer. We have experienced licensed real estate brokers, lawyers and other professionals to assist you on any service you may need.

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