Panama featured at latest GQ Magazine

The latest GQ magazine under features Panama and Casco Viejo under the article “The Up and Coming Travel Spots for Down and Out Times”. Since they don´t have an online version, I´ll post some of the comments here. It mentions Canal House as one of the best places to stay, along with Los Cuatro Tulipanes.

About the Casco Viejo, it says: ” Imagine if New Orleans had ignored the French Quarter for a century” …. “Now the neighborhood vibrates with the rough energy of transition. Local blasts reaggeton beats into the street while nearby chauffered SUV´s drop off an international set at Manolo Caracol which has an ever changing menu of whatever´s fresh and the Morrocan themed Indigo Lounge & Bazar ” “In a couple of years, Casco Viejo will be filled with hotels. But right now, your options are apartment rentals (nice apartments as little as $1000 per week), a dorm style youth hostel and three elegantly appointed rooms at Canal House.

Fiesta! Panama´s Festival Calendar

Fiesta! This upcoming week is Panama´s most beloved holiday: Carnivals.  It is said to be the only thing Panamanians take seriously. The city will plan way ahead, committees will actually get their work done. People will forget about global warming, financial crisis and just party their heads off.
But more than a simple five day party, it is a huge economic engine for all provinces outside Panama City. They bet it all on Carnivals. Their queens are fantastic, most parades (Las Tablas leading the way) are very elaborate, and compete between towns to attract people.

For some,  Carnivals are too extreme. However, visiting a country during its special holidays is the best way to enjoy a trip. So here is a calendar with the different religious and non religious festivals which can come in handy if you are planning a trip to Panama soon.

Feb 21-22: Afroantillean Fair at Panama City
Feb 7 to March 1st: Jesús Nazareno de Atalaya, Veraguas
March 5-8:  Darien Fair in Santa Fé, Darien
March 7th: San Juan de Dios at various provinces.
March 12-22: international Fair of David, Chiriquí
March 13-15: Calobre Fair at Veraguas
March 18-22: San José de Tolé Fair, Chiriquí.
March 18th: San Felipe Festival in Portobello, Colón
March 26 to April 5: Colón Fair, Colón
April 2nd: San Francisco de Padua Festival in Río de Jesús at Darien
April 8-12: Boquete Orchid Fair at Chiriquí.
May 3: Nuestro Señor de los Milagros, La Mesa, Veraguas
May 13: San Isidro Festival in various provinces.
May 16th: Religious Festival of Cativa, Colón
May 22: Santa Rita Festival at Colón.

Young, professional and jobless? Wait it out in Panama

A month ago I posted an add looking for a marketing director.  The person I had in mind had to be a “Jack of all trades”, with experience and hopefully with a young eye and with the flexibility to relocate to Panama.  I was amazed at the number of interested and interesting people who not only contacted, but called and even travelled for the job.  But maybe I shouldn´t have been so surprised.

As I paid attention, I suddenly looked around… and while Panama five years ago was marketed one of the best destinations for retirees, it has now become, almost accidentally a destination that is being considered seriously by a far younger crowd.

Alone or in  couples;  professional, entrepreneurial and young, they are exploring the country for far more than just a summer vacation. Attracted by exactly the same things retirees where attracted to: affordable health insurance and lifestyle, but with the added component of a world of niche business opportunities, Panama might just be the place where they can “wait it out”. Be what they always wanted to be, at least for two years while things get ready.

Most of them are coming with a concrete objective: a one or two year plan, where they can cut their living expense considerably, try new businesses that would be cost- prohibitive in the States and just enjoy Panama´s huge outdoors diversity (mountain, beach, two oceans, everything reachable in a long weekend). Some are choosing to live in the modern part of Panama City, but for those with a taste for authenticity and an eye for tourism related businesses (or just those who can work from home) the upcoming historic city of Casco Antiguo (or Casco Viejo) is where they are setting their headquarters.

This year the “young invasion” of Casco Viejo entrepreneurs include Americans, Venezuelans, Italians, French, British and Deutch among others. Running anything and everything from a pizzeria to soups & salad restaurant to property management services, Casco Antiguo is the perfect playground as it enjoys a revitalization momentum and the privilege of being Panama City´s second tourism attraction.

Casco Antiguo has currently only one hotel (Canal House Panama) and several short term rental apartments where you can stay per night, week or month. It also has, however, at least another two hotels currently under construction, another one starting this year. As hotels get built and open, more opportunities become available. And “opportunity” seem to be the young public´s middle name, and frankly, today´s most valuable asset.

Nightshot of Beautiful Casco Viejo, Panama

Casco Viejo is one of the most photogenic parts of Panama City.  I´ve taken so many good pictures with my little cellphone is incredible.  Even this nightshot, which wasn´t very good (even my cellphone has limitations) is quite poetic, showing the National Theatre, the San Francisco de Asis Church and modern Panama City as a back curtain…

Panamanian Bank Announces 58% growth for 2008

It seemed impossible due to the gloom world wide situation. But Banco General released its audited statements early this week and it confirmed the news:  58% growth in 2008 , local deposits being more than 70% of its business.

Known for being very conservative, this year they might go into ultra conservative mode. The question remains whether they´ll be able to sustain the same growth rate for 2009 under those circumstances. Pamela Cox, the Vice President of the World Bank for Latin America expressed in Costa Rica yesterday that the crisis will touch Central America as well. While no one is denying that it will reach the region (in this globalized world it would be impossible not to be reached) it is probably also true that Panama might weather the storm better than in other places.

End users and investors are still coming and buying because of a combination of factors: easy access that has made Panama become more of a business hub for the region, manageable cost of living (your health insurance if you are in your 30´s is around $100 and provides very good service with doctors who most of them studied in the States anyways), a lifestyle component (everything is close, so you can enjoy mountain, beach and rainforest in a long weekend), good internet access (optic fiber pipe runs nearby), and long term national projects like the Panama Canal expansion that will keep the country busy for at least 5 to 8 years.

For those looking at property where their value is protected, there is Casco Antiguo, Panama´s old colonial city (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998) and current main tourism attraction (only second to the Panama Canal). It has already one 100 room hotel under construction (the biggest size Casco Viejo will hold), and several bed & breakfasts anywhere between 3 to 15 rooms. you can get UNESCO protected historic apartments, one bedrooms and even two if you like the early bird deal for less than $300,000. The only formal existing hotel which has only 3 rooms, The Canal House, has been featured in the Travel New York Times and is getting to be known as the best hotel in Panama. It was here where Daniel Craig stayed for two months while filming his James Bond movie, The Quantum of Solace.

Commerce is thriving, as there are no commercial spaces ready to be used that are empty. The rental market for residential is also strong, as Casco Viejo is located 10 minutes from the Panama Canal Zone and from the modern city. As a friend told me the other day, is a happy middle between country and city living.

What will 2009 bring in terms of world wide economy is hard to tell. But one answer might be to stay focused, not to stretch too much and to “wait it out”.  Better to do so in a country where local banks are strong and/or have had a long culture of control/restrictions and to invest in a city like Casco Viejo where you can combine lifestyle with meaningful long term investment.

Cinta Costera reaching Casco Antiguo, Panama

The Cinta Costera is one of Panama´s mega projects for 2009 and 2010. This huge strip aims to recover Panama City´s green landscape by creating a big park  at its bay coast while adding extra traffic lanes and covering the brand new sewer system that will clean the bay and hopefully make it suitable to be used in the next five years.

The project has been given priority in all fronts, but not exempt from controversy, as it has been under the public eye for several charges of corruption and lack of transparency on the design and management of funds.

Despite of all the scandals, the Cinta Costera keeps going on. The first trees have been planted, the pipes for the sewer system have been put in place, and now they are starting to prepare Panama´s historic district called Casco Antiguo to receive the first segments of pipes that will finish the sewer line and hook it to the treatment plants.

Many of the oposers to the Cinta mention the lack of transparency in the design, which included several parks at the beginning of its presentation and slowly reduced it giving up space for parking and cement areas.   While this might be true, there is no disagreement that cleanning the bay and getting the sewer system up to date with Panama´s current growth will alone stand up as an enormous advantage.

For Casco Viejo, as it is locally known, the Cinta Costera is far more than a big park with traffic lanes.  It will not only make access to the Casco easier, but bring several additional benefits to the current Casco Antiguo residents lifestyle.   The Cinta Costera would bring a long park at walking distance suitable for running, exercise and other outdoors activities, but as the only part of Panama City that has beach, it will also make them usable and hopefully a beach culture will reborn.

Currently, beaches at Casco Antiguo are it´s most guarded secret. Used only by locals,  its tan sand and easy to get access pockets around the peninsula makes it a great spot to enjoy weekends.  It even has a small surfing spot, where the current Panama female Champion known as Samantha learned how to surf.  As most Panamanians who lived in Casco Viejo in the 50´s remember fondly, this was a wonderful part of their lives.  Now, their sons and grandsons will be able to go back and enjoy it.

Where to Stay at Plaza Bolivar, Casco Viejo

Plaza Bolivar is one of Casco Antiguo´s most prized plazas. Almost fully restored, it has stunning buildings including the National Theatre and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was once upon a time, the place where Simon Bolivar signed the Congreso Anfictionico to join all SouthAmerican countries into one big Granada.  As you may know, it didn´t work out, but Plaza Bolivar keeps its name and a beautiful monument in the middle honoring his dreams.

So, can you stay here?  you might be puzzled when visiting to see Hotel Colombia written on a terracota building.  It is not a hotel, but a condominium. So where can you find a hotel here? You rent short term rental apartments like Café de Asis.You´ll enjoy the full view of this elegant plaza while having breakfast at the balcony.

Panama News: US Marines Invade Casco Antiguo

If you have followed my blog, you might already know Aprojusan. It is a local NGO that runs a very good after school program for poor children in Casco Viejo, teaching them art, pottery and fun games, at the same time that monitors their school work, help with homework and even provide health check ups and dentist treatment.  They where ready to expand their program, but strugling to get resources to adapt the new space donated by the Casco Antiguo developer Conservatorio S.A. at Santa Familia on Fourth Street and A Avenue in San Felipe, Casco Antiguo.

Luckily, the word got out that a ship from the Marines was crossing the canal and that they would gladly donate their time and strenght to help out.  So… believe it or not for a full day, Casco Viejo got invaded by US Marine troops from the SS Saturn.  Well organized and running like only the army knows how, they got most of the hard work done in a few hours. And thanks to them, Aprojusan has been able to run this week their first pottery classes.

Thanks so much guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    You are the best!!!!

Panama joins Venezuela in Soap Opera

Soap operas in Latinamerica are huge. I remember growing up watching all sorts of soap operas, from the funny Brazilian ones (sexy but at the same time with a naive sense of humor) to the more aggresive Mexican or the frankly confusing ( and loooooonnnnnggggg) Venezuelan productions. Some of them where so popular, that literally Panama would stop to watch them. That was the case of Cristal, La Dama de Rosa, and more recently, Betty La Fea which was a Colombian soap opera, now made into Betty The Ugly, a succesful soap opera produced by Salma Hayek.

Well, Panama did not wanted to be left out and started producing its own soap operas, so it has joined hands with the mega production company Venevision.  An incredible step for a country with a very small group of actors, most of them without tv experience at all.  I get the sense that this will really be like the High School Musical, Panama version, but on the other hand it will incentive more acting students to get into the profession and take it seriously.

Now… for the best part…. their music video “Amor Urbano” (Urban Love) was shot in Casco Antiguo, along with five of the sixty episodes. Making his debut on the small screen is Roberto Blades, brother of the famous salsa musician and actor Ruben Blades. Some of the episodes will include other Panamanian music icons such as Nando Boom, El General and Renato, better known as the predecesors or reggaeton.