(International Living) We’re sitting on the terrace of our cozy Casa Mariposa bungalow, drinking our morning coffee…grown, picked, and roasted just beyond the emerald hills below. From our vantage point it feels like we can see forever, the morning light playing across the rocky-topped Mount El Tute in the distance. Suddenly, I spot a rainbow-billed toucan flying … [Read more...]
Expat is Living the Dream in Panama City, Panama
(International Living) On a dusty corner in Panama City’s Casco Viejo sector, there is a bar/restaurant. It doesn’t look like much, but the name on the sign makes passersby stop and puzzle: Mojitos sin Mojitos. In English it means, “Mojitos without Mojitos.” Weekend nights, the place is full to overflowing. There are hipsters from the local art scene…young bankers from the … [Read more...]
Choose Your Ideal Location in Panama – Beaches, Mountains, Cities
(International Living) Linda McKee fell for the rainforest in Rambala. She wrote to me: “We are enjoying our time on the farm. Our local farm manager is so happy when he produces a new veggie for us all to eat! We are learning more than we could have imagined and our Spanish is growing exponentially!” For Jason and Lisa, it was the bustling beach area of Gorgona, which … [Read more...]
Santa Fe, Panama for a Better Quality of Life
(International Living) Mitzy and Bill Martain moved to Santa Fe, Panama from North Carolina in search of a simpler, yet better lifestyle. “Our standard of living had deteriorated,” says Mitzy. “We lost our pensions and our medical, and were going to have to survive on social security.” In contrast to these stark words, Mitzy today is the picture of contentment, shelling peas … [Read more...]
Live in Panama’s Highlands from $800 a Month
(International Living) “Buenas,” he says, nodding his head as he rides past. Leathery tan on a face framed by a worn cowboy hat, he’s the very picture of a Marlboro Man. Except he’s Panamanian. I’m sitting in an ancient Lada Niva—a Russian 4Ă—4 made for rugged terrain. We’ve stopped so our cowboy (and his herd of cows) can pass safely. It’s a chance to take in the view… In … [Read more...]