Read the original article published by International Living here.

The entire nation is recovering. The day after Carnival there is no traffic. The capital city is sunny and quiet and almost surreal. Last weekend Panama hosted the party to beat all parties…a mega-marathon of blowing off steam.

Every year in Penonome, one of Panama’s most popular Carnival towns, thousands sweep into the tiny streets. As elsewhere in Panama, the main attractions are the culecos or mass dousings. On every block giant cistern trucks with fire hoses spray water into the crowds. The pulsing throng shouts “agua, agua, oo-eh!”

Jumping up and down and dancing to the riotous Carnival music, little scamps with water guns blast passing girls with ice-cold jets. In the summer heat, the waterworks are the perfect cooling system.

Sunburn is an unavoidable part of the fun. Everyone sports the same gear: cheap hats, cheap sunglasses. On every corner you can buy more (I always lose mine). Vendors also sell waterproof carry-alls that can be slung around the neck…get one and throw in some cash for the burger, beer, and meat-on-a-stick stands. The rule is to dress scantily or outlandishly. The more exuberant wear wild wigs in parrot hues of green, red, and yellow…or hair bands with bobbley antennae…or anything that might make others smile.

If you are a woman, the men will vie for your attention. They will want to let you know that they like what they see. Expressions of appreciation may include teasing, dunking, whipped creaming, or grabbing. If you are uncomfortable with the wantonness of it all, surround yourself with a buffer of friends.

Panama spends millions on Carnival. For many Panamanians this festival is more important than any other holiday of the year. People save, take out loans, beg, borrow, and steal to be able to attend. They will sleep on the streets if they have to…camp in their cars…quit their jobs.

The five-day celebration honors el Rey Momo or Bacchus. It always starts on a Friday, when the Carnival queens (and their courts) salute their subjects from atop scintillating floats. The pageantry is beyond anything I’ve ever seen. The dresses put Cher to shame. The floats feature anything from giant genies to fire-breathing dragons.

Monday is traditionally a day of fantasy, while Tuesday is all about folklore and tradition. At five a.m. it all culminates with a strange ceremony. The burial of the sardine symbolizes a burial of the past. Many in this Catholic nation then go on to observe Ash Wednesday. What happens in Carnival stays in Carnival…or with the sardine. After all the hard partying, everyone is spent; it’s easy to behave for the following forty days of Lent.

I’ll be happy to share some of my steamier Carnival stories with you at International Living’s Live and Invest in Panama Seminar. Join us in Panama this April 18-20 for the ultimate all-things-Panama event.

I have traveled a great deal in Panama—and this fishing town still strikes me as the nation’s most alluring. Walking toward the square, I am charmed all over again by the tiny colonial homes that line the main strip.

Directly across the street is a house selling Panamanian arts and crafts. I can see clay pots tinged with burnt orange and yellow precisely the shade of French’s mustard. A white woven hammock sways lazily in the light breeze, and the few people on the street seem to be in no hurry. There are no power-walkers this morning, no suit-and-ties rushing to work.

This is not a destination for rushing…or for shopping or theater-going. If you need an active night life to keep you happy, Pedasi may not be for you. But if you’re looking to retire, relocate, or just buy a second home in “the real Panama,” this little beach town may be the answer.

Pedasi is known as the “tuna coast,” and it has been a destination for sport fishermen for years (the town even hosts an annual fishing tournament). Here the coastal shelf drops off suddenly to provide deep water fishing a short distance from shore. Yellow fin tuna, sailfish, wahoo, and dorado are among the regular catches. Expat Linda Mckee says: “In Pedasi, I am in seafood heaven…clams, conch, lobster, and oysters are available daily.”

Within an hour’s drive there are 11 different beaches, all clean and easily accessible. The sands vary from deep bronze to the sparkling volcanic black. The roads to Pedasi are first-class and the sleepy village is probably one of the best maintained towns in Panama. New businesses are springing up to offer fishing, snorkeling, and diving trips. There are unlimited opportunities for small businesses and niches to be filled. The town could use more restaurants, a fish market, a deli or bakery, a bookstore, or a high-end internet café.

Local businesses are intent on making it easier for everyone to get to know Pedasi. Expat entrepreneur Casey Halloran, who owns B&B Casita Margarita, is the area’s most vocal supporter. After many months of lobbying, he convinced local airline Aeroperlas to offer flights to Pedasi. Now instead of driving four hours from Panama City, you can fly here in under an hour.

Pedasi has long been a secret (though local developers say celebrities like Mel Gibson began to invest here long ago). Ask Panamanians for beach recommendations and they’ll name Coronado, Bocas del Toro, and San Blas…but hardly ever Pedasi. Five years ago, Pedasi was hardly frequented by expats. But with new hotels, restaurants, and now flights to the area, growth seems to be accelerating and the expat community is growing. Now is the time to visit…

I’ll talk about Pedasi (and show photos) at International Living’s Live and Invest in Panama Seminar in April.

Read the original article published by International Living here.

In Panama, the lifestyle is more convenient and comfortable than ever. Nowadays, because of a new coastal road, I need not sit in traffic for an hour to visit a bank in the busy financial sector. It’s easier to get to Casco Viejo, too…and when I have lunch in that historic district, I notice everyone has a BlackBerry. The city skyline, one of Panama’s best-known features, is more Hong Kong-esque than ever. And the cultural offerings are staggering…from flamenco to opera to theater.

Panama is more modern and cosmopolitan than any other Central American country. You can stay at a rainforest resort or an island hostel and still enjoy the same high-speed Internet that you would in Panama City. This means I can work from anywhere, even holding conference calls via VoIP programs like Skype.

From the expanding international airport at Tocumen, also known as the Hub of the Americas, you can travel anywhere in the world…often on a direct flight.

Panama has always been one of the most modern countries in the region. When I first came here in 1990, it was not what I expected. The lush jungles and pristine beaches were everything I’d hoped for. But the bustling city and international vibe were a pleasant surprise. There were new cars of every make and model…busy, perfectly paved roads…chic cafés with impeccably dressed clientele. Fresh from Eugene, Oregon, via the steamy metropolis of Mumbai, I was prepared to scorn—but instead felt quite the country bumpkin.

Twenty years later, Panama offers a unique combination of modernity, low cost of living, and Latin flair. “We are coming to Panama in the next few months,” says Jacqueline B. of Virginia. “Thanks to his work, my husband Randy understands the value Panama offers to expats. Plus, the cost of living there is fantastic and the people are wonderful.” There are other places in the region where Virginia and Randy could live well—probably for less—but none of them offers the same cosmopolitan feel.

The Panama Canal expansion is just one of several mega-projects expected to fuel Panama’s economy in the years to come. Back in 2007, Panama had the fastest-growing economy in the world. Today, it’s still going strong—one of the few countries in the world expected to show growth in 2009. In fact, the Latin Business Chronicle ranked Panama the number one “growth champion” in the region in its 2010–2015 GDP growth forecast.

With historically low inflation, one of the world’s biggest banking sectors, and a business-friendly president with a “go get ’em” attitude, Panama offers a combination of benefits (with an affordable cost of living) that no other Central American country can match.

New infrastructure projects are modernizing the city. A massive Panama Bay cleanup program is underway. Three contracts worth more than $413 million will get that job done. The $189-million Cinta Costera project—the coastal beltway I mentioned earlier—has completely changed the face of Panama City, for the better. Foreign investment and a growing international community have enhanced the city’s international character. And because those new expats bring with them high expectations, services have improved across the board.

Yet my daily cost of living is still low enough to allow for a comfortable lifestyle. I have a nice señora who cleans my house from top to bottom for just $15 a day. My friend Barbara raves about the health care, and about the fact that she can hire a nurse to come to her home for just $25 a day. When my car needs maintenance, I take a cab to the shop for $1.75. At my favorite restaurant, I can sit by the ocean and enjoy a cold beer for $2.

These prices are not unusual in Central America. But in Panama you can sip that $2 beer while networking at an internationally renowned trade show…or on a posh train en route to the hemisphere’s largest free trade zone…

Editor’s note: Join International Living in Panama, April 18-20, and discover everything you need to know about Panama to help you decide if it’s your ideal retirement or relocation destination. We’ll assemble more than 50 Panama experts, including an unprecedented number of expats, to make sure you get the most during three information-packed days.

Aug. 12, 2009
Kobbe Beach, Panama
Live from IL’s Live and Invest in Panama Seminar

“So give me the downside…what’s the ugly underbelly here you’re not telling us about?”

I’m Suzan Haskins and this is the last note you’ll receive from me from our 2009 International Living Live and Invest in Panama Seminar at the gorgeous Playa Bonita Resort, just outside the capital city.

I overheard the conversation above between a gentleman from Arizona and Anne-Michelle Wand, an expat who moved to Panama a few years ago.

Anne-Michelle has been living her dream life, splitting her time between the mountains of Colorado and the beaches of Hawaii. At least she thought it was her dream life…until she visited Panama. She quickly sold out of the U.S. and moved to Panama.

“I have a house in the mountains of Boquete, beachfront property in Bocas del Toro, and a condo in Panama City…the perfect golden triangle,” she says. She couldn’t be happier, and no matter how hard she’s looked, I heard her tell the man from Arizona, she has yet to find anything ugly about Panama.

Even Rainelda Mata-Kelly, our expert attorney here in Panama couldn’t dampen the crowd’s spirits…and she talked about taxes! You’re not liable to pay many of those at all in Panama…if you buy a new home here you’re eligible for a property tax exemption of as much as 20 years!

Low Cost, High Quality Health Care (Including Pioneering Anti-aging Treatments)

Health care reform. It’s the big debate in the States right now. It’s something everyone cares about. Everyone has an opinion. Usually, a strong one.

“I don’t like what’s going on in the U.S. right now,” a doctor from Texas told me over cocktails. He and his wife are thinking of moving to Panama with their two youngest high school-aged kids. He’s ready to bail out on his health care career and do something else. Become a part-time farmer, maybe.

He…like many others at the International Living Live and Invest in Panama Seminar the past three days…is pleased with what he’s learned about health care in Panama.

There are excellent hospitals here, including the brand new state-of-the-art Punta Pacifica Hospital, affiliated with the U.S.’s well-respected Johns Hopkins Hospital. The latest technology is there (even more than in many hospitals in the U.S.), and most of the doctors speak fluent English.

And it’s all very inexpensive, as expat after expat has mentioned: $10-$30 for a doctor’s visit, $5 for blood tests.

According to Dr. Michael Sigler, who took the stage yesterday, some procedures and treatments (especially anti-aging and preventative) are available in Panama that you just won’t find in the States or Canada…

Health insurance, too, is a fraction of the cost it is back home, said Dorothy De Sing, from Alianza Insurance. Cheaper still…in a revolutionary move, many Panama hospitals offer private facility-specific plans. Pay a small monthly plan fee and your preferred hospital becomes your major provider for all of your medical needs.

A personal note here: My husband and I have been living outside the U.S. for nearly a decade now. We’ve been more than happy with the top-quality health care we’ve received overseas…and ‘care’ is the key word here. We’re not treated like numbers or cases or checkbooks, but like people with issues and concerns that matter.

Start Your Own Business in Panama

Also today, we’ve learned about construction techniques and costs here (would you believe $60 per square foot?). And we learned how to get our pets to Panama…our household goods…and even the things we buy on eBay and Amazon.

I have yet to meet anyone here at the conference who isn’t thinking seriously about making Panama their home…even some of the presenters who came from other countries are talking about Panama and considering a move here.

After all, it has a stable government, a strong economy (the official currency is the U.S. dollar), a great health care system, and daily living costs are low. And you can drink the tap water.

Today we learned how easy it is to set up a business in Panama. Businesswoman (and yes, expat) Mirella Rugulotto offered resources and contact information for help in setting up a business anywhere in the country. This is ‘need-to-know’ information for my doctor friend or anyone who decides to come here and wants to make a living.

Want to learn more about the good life in Panama? Here’s how…

If you’ve been reading these dispatches these past several days, you know the motherlode of information that’s been shared here in Panama this week. We’ve heard from scores of highly respected professionals…attorneys, business owners, tax specialists, financial advisors, expats who live here, and others who know from whence they speak. By my tally, there have been 40 different presentations on everything from health care … to how to find Panama’s best real estate bargains … to some sound investment opportunities.

We’re putting together a complete package of nearly everything (minus only coffee breaks and cocktail parties) that’s happening at this event. We’re making audio recordings of all 40 of the presentations.

We’re also making copies of the handouts, PowerPoint and visual presentations. And we’re including the complete dossier we gave to each attendee when they arrived here in Panama for the seminar.

It’s our Fast Track Panama Package. And we guarantee it will help you fast track your plans of moving to…or investing in… Panama.

Reserve your Fast Track Panama Package NOW — at the Lowest Price Possible

We’re offering the Fast Track Panama Package for a short time only at a tremendous discount. The full price to attend this sold-out event was $1,195–but reserve now and you can have the entire Fast Track Panama Package for only $349… a tiny fraction of what attendees paid to join us here in Panama City.

Even those in attendance at the seminar are excited about the Fast Track Panama Package.

“Thank God you’re offering these recordings,” a seminar attendee from Minnesota told me. “There’s just too much to process…all the speakers have been so excellent! When we get home we’re going to listen to each one of the presentations again, and then talk about them…and then listen to them again!”

Reserve your Fast Track Panama Package here.

As Always, Our International Living Guarantee: If This Information… These Tips and Secrets… Don’t Work, You Pay Nothing

We guarantee that the information in our Fast Track Panama Package will help you make your Panama dreams come true…whatever they are. If you don’t agree, we’ll return every penny you paid.

You have nothing to lose: Call us at any time in the future–next month…next year…or next decade–and tell us the information didn’t help you. (Or don’t tell us anything. Just ask for your money back.) We’ll give you back your $349.

If you’re serious about tapping into the opportunities Panama offers you, I urge you to reserve your Fast Track Panama Package now.

Aug. 10, 2009
Kobbe Beach, Panama
Live from IL’s Live and Invest in Panama Seminar

There’s a constant droning in my ears. It can’t be stopped. Can’t be relieved.

Yesterday, on the way into the Panama City from Tocumen Airport, it was so loud I couldn’t hear myself think. Not only that, I was on visual overload. I almost didn’t recognize the place.

Gone were the riverside shantytowns that used to border the highway. Instead, scads of workers in yellow reflective jackets (they call them ants) were busily cleaning trash from the roadside. And gone, too (or so it seemed), were the honking taxis and smoke-spewing, lane-careening Diablo Rojo buses that used to clog the thoroughfares and add to the chaos.

In just one year, since my last visit, the new Cinta Costera, built to bypass frantic Balboa Avenue traffic, has been completed. Instead of crawling along in bumper-to-bumper traffic, the drive from the airport to the gorgeous Playa Bonita beachside resort was an unimpeded pleasure. We buzzed right along.

But that’s not the only “buzz” I’m talking about.

I’m here in Panama for the International Living’s Live and Invest in Panama Seminar with nearly 250 readers with a thirst for learning what this country is all about and 50 presenters and exhibitors who can’t wait to tell them.

Why, of all the places in the whole wide world, are all these people so interested in Panama?

I couldn’t help wondering that. I mean…there are other places that are closer to home. Places that are cheaper…more exotic…

But, if nothing else, I’ve learned anew that there’s no place else like Panama.

Panama has always had a lot going for it. And according to those who took the stage today…despite a global recession and even despite the air being let from this country’s real estate balloon…there’s never been a better time to pay attention to Panama.

Why? First, there’s the “general buzz”:

Low Cost of Living. You can live very well for $1,200-$2,200 per month in Panama City, and for $890-$1,200 per month in the “interior”–outside the city in a beach or mountain community. That’s according to International Living’s Panama editor and lifelong Panama resident Jessica Ramesch. (A loud frenzy of whispers from the audience…yes, a buzz…ensued after she showed a photo of a brand new house selling in David for $30,000.)

Speaking of real estate… yes, the market has faltered in Panama as it has elsewhere in the world. But armed with some insider insight, there’s still room to prosper…

Active Panama Real Estate Opportunities. “Although Panama is a small country, there is a huge diversity of real estate opportunities. Panama has it all.” So said Ronan McMahon, Editor of International Living’s Real Estate Trend Alert. Ronan has researched real estate markets around the world, and he’s still keen on Panama.

“Three or four years ago, the opportunities in Panama were in pre-construction,” Ronan said. While that’s no longer true, Ronan gave us eight tips for how to succeed in today’s Panama real estate market, including exactly where to sniff out the deals and exactly how much to pay in each of these places. He told us about one in particular…an island in the Pacific… “It looks like the Caribbean, but it’s not…it has white-sand beaches, turquoise waters…but today, you can buy a fully outfitted villa at 1999 prices.” Again, the audience was abuzz….

What’s behind it all? Political stability and economic security…a rarity in the Americas these days. During the first coffee break, I chatted with attendees–two of whom have already bought retirement or vacation homes here in Panama. They both said the same thing: “We’re here to stay. There’s too much uncertainty anywhere else, including at home. But Panama’s the greatest. And the new president here is making things even better.”

Their comments were still ringing in my ears as I checked my e-mail.

One of my news feeds was about the “LatAm Five”–Latin America’s five star countries. Front and center: Panama, where the economy is “experiencing fast growth and growing importance.” What a difference a few thousand miles makes, huh?

Panama is expected to post Latin America’s highest GDP growth rate this year. Even though residential projects are being impacted by the global recession, say analysts, both local and foreign investors are bullish on Panama, thanks in part to the new government of supermarket mogul Ricardo Martinelli, who assumed the presidency just last month.

What a concept, huh? And it matches what International Living experts and expats here at the seminar are saying: Panama may be the best place in this hemisphere to live or invest these days.

Your Inside Track to all the Information Shared at this Seminar

I’m Suzan Haskins, and for the next few days I’ll be reporting to you from here in Panama. I’ll be your eyes and ears both inside the conference hall and behind the scenes.

I’ve been an International Living editor for nearly a decade now. I’ve attended a lot of conferences in a lot of different countries. And despite what’s going on in the rest of the world right now…despite the sharp left turns by many governments in this part of the hemisphere and the downbeat of recession…things are straight ahead and positively upbeat in Panama.

By all accounts, President Martinelli is smart, market-friendly, and will continue the positive trend of the economy. Already a wealthy man, he’s refused to take a salary. And he’s urged other “financially comfortable” members of his administration to do the same.

As Ricardo Diaz, from Panama’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry told us, it’s a new era. “I am from the new government. We’ve been in power for only about the last 30 days. Panama has been known as a country of transit. That’s changing. Two words being uttered by business analysts everywhere are ‘China and Panama.’ We’re going to exceed all expectations. It’s an exciting time to be here.”

There was that buzz again…

The air was electric. You could feel it. People are excited to be here. And why not? Panama is a teeny tiny country, but it has a world-class city, lush green mountains, some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. And it’s incredibly inexpensive.

It has financial stability, political stability, and maybe most importantly, it’s populated by stable people.

As former U.S. Congressman Bob Bauman (who also researches and writes about the world’s best privacy and tax havens) says, “Panama is the most American-like country in this hemisphere. But Panama is not going to be told by the U.S. government what to do. The president here has advocated some very good policies…stay tuned.”

Stay tuned, indeed. If you’re looking for the perfect place to live or invest, keep your eyes on Panama. Just try to keep the buzzing out of your head. Because if the information we heard today is any indication, the volume is going up.

Your No-risk Way to Learn What we’re Learning

There’s so much more from today’s session to share. There’s far too much, in fact, to put into this e-mail. (And there’s more to come in the next two days.)

But… there’s a way that you can get every bit of the important information from the Live and Invest in Panama Seminar…

It’s the next best thing to being here…

You can have all the most important information and benefits from this event…

Ronan McMahon identified eight places in Panama where you’ll find extraordinary real estate bargains…

Attorney Joel Nagel explained asset protection…. “It’s not a scheme to evade taxes,” he said, “it’s a way to protect what is already yours.” And he outlined seven ways to do just that.

Panama attorney Rainelda Mata-Kelly gave us the inside scoop on the country’s visa options, including a complete rundown on her favorite…one that’s easy to get and favorable to both you and the country. “We expect this president to be more lenient,” Rainelda said, “and he may even lower the investment amount requirement for (for instance) the ‘person of means’ visa.”

And what about healthcare? This topic is on the agenda for later this week, but in one of today’s more sobering moments, expat Harry Hunt told us about a healthcare scare he had…his doctors here in Panama ordered a CAT scan early on…something that just wouldn’t happen in the States. He believes they saved his life.

Is your head buzzing yet? Mine still is. But listen up…

We’re putting together a complete package of nearly everything that’s happening at this event.

We’re making audio recordings of all 40 of the presentations.

We’re also making copies of the handouts, PowerPoint and visual presentations. And you get the complete dossier we give to each attendee when they showed up here at Playa Bonita for the Live and Invest in Panama Seminar. Everything but a rum punch cocktail. (And if we could figure out how to send you that, we would!)

We call it our Fast Track Panama Package. And we guarantee it will help you fast track your plans of moving to…or investing in… Panama.

Reserve the Fast Track Panama Package at the Lowest Price Possible

The full price to attend this sold-out event was $1,195–but you can secure yourself a copy of the Fast Track Panama Package for only $199… a mere fraction of what attendees paid to join us here in Panama City.

And to sweeten the deal, we’re throwing in a $100 voucher toward any future International Living event. Use it to attend next year’s Panama seminar (or any future event you may be interested in).

But, this is a limited time offer only.

Once the Fast Track Panama Package is available for download and the initial orders have been placed, we’ll increase the price to $349.

To recap, the discounted price includes:
•    Audio recordings of all our Panama experts’ presentations
•    Copies of all hand-outs and slideshows
•    Plus a special bonus report, titled: Property and Lifestyle Secrets of the Hidden Affordable Panama (This report is only available to conference attendees and to you…when you order the Fast Track Panama Package.)
•    And a $100 voucher toward any of our future conferences anywhere, any time. There is no expiration date on this voucher!

Reserve your copy today by completing our secure online form and save $150 on the Fast Track Panama Package.

Reserve Your Recordings Here.

But remember, we’ll only offer this low price until we have the recordings ready to deliver to you. At that point… we’ll charge the full price of $349.

There won’t be a more affordable time to reserve your copy. This special conference discount is only available until we’re ready to deliver the recordings to you.

After that, we’ll charge the regular price.

I’ll send the information about how to obtain your Fast Track Panama Package as soon as we’re finished making copies of the recordings, the handouts, the PowerPoint presentations, etc.

If This Information… These Tips and Secrets… Don’t Work, You Pay Nothing

As I said, we guarantee that the information in our Fast Track Panama Package will help you make your Panama dreams come true…whatever they are. If you don’t agree, we’ll return every penny you paid.

You have nothing to lose: You can call us at any time in the future–next month…next year…or next decade–and tell us the information didn’t help you. (Or don’t tell us anything. Just ask for your money back.) We’ll give you back your $199. And your $100 voucher, good toward any future event, is still yours to keep.

If you’re serious about tapping into the opportunities available in Panama, I urge you to reserve your Fast Track Panama Package now.

Just one caveat and one more guarantee: have your earplugs handy. Because when you listen to these recordings and hear about all that Panama has to offer, your head will be buzzing, too.

Until tomorrow,

Suzan Haskins
Your Conference Insider, International Living

P.S. Remember, you get $150 off the regular price of the Fast Track Panama Package, and a $100 voucher toward any of our next events or conferences. But this special conference discount is only available until we’re ready to deliver the recordings–after that the price goes up.

Don’t wait. Because if you do, you’ll pay more. Learn more about the Fast Track Panama Package now.

Read the original article published by International Living here.

Living for less in Latin America is a hot topic, but what exactly does it cost to have that dream life south of the border? For a luxurious lifestyle for less in Panama City, the first step is finding a home in a location that’s safe and affordable. It’s an easy task if you know where to look.

The most upscale areas in Panama City include Clayton, Casco Viejo, Paitilla, Punta Pacifica, and Marbella. Here your neighbors will be Panamanian society elites and international high-flyers. But there are many more areas that are just as safe and central. To save on property costs, look to areas like Bethania, El Cangrejo, San Francisco, La Loma, and Hato Pintado.

Bethania is where I live now. I chose it for several reasons. It’s a pleasant residential area, but it’s served by three major arteries. I have everything I need nearby, from a choice of three supermarket chains to video stores, pharmacies, clinics, and more.

Here you can find monthly rentals of every kind–from inexpensive, unfurnished apartments for $500, to three-bedroom homes for $800, to luxury residences with a terrace and garden for $1,500 a month. You can buy a two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment for $75,000, or spend a bit more and get a newer two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with a 14-year property tax exoneration for $82,000.

The most popular areas are San Francisco and El Cangrejo. Both are busy areas with a hip, international feel. El Cangrejo has a more bohemian vibe, and is known for its cute cafés and restaurants. To really save and live like a local, look to La Loma and Hato Pintado. A two-bedroom apartment in Hato Pintado is on offer for just $65,000. It could use some work, but it comes with a balcony and a studio, as well as furniture and major appliances.

For less than you’d spend for a deli lunch in the States, you can enjoy a night on the town of a day at the beach. About $10 will buy you…

• A main course at a fashionable restaurant: Try the corvina (sea bass) at Parrillada Jimmy’s, the city’s most popular Greek restaurant; the brie and portobello mushroom quesadilla at Segafredo, a happening terrace café; or the malai kofta at Masala, a cozy Indian restaurant that oozes ambiance.
• An evening show: Get a ticket to a play, the opera, or ballet…or buy a movie ticket plus snack combo including soda, large popcorn, and nachos.
• A day at the beach: Ferries to the island of Taboga, just 12 miles off the coast of Panama, run daily for just $10 round-trip. It’s a great option for a day trip, and you don’t have to take anything but your towel and swimsuit. Vendors at the beach will set you up with an umbrella for $5 and a cooler for just $2. They’ll even stock your cooler with beer for a dollar per beer.

I’ll share more Panama lifestyle tips, including the best place to live on the beach with a small budget, at the Live and Invest in Panama Seminar

Reserve your seat at the Live and Invest in Panama Seminar here.

Read the original article published by International Living here.

To me $0.69 is a reasonable price for a pound of potatoes, but my dad has a different idea. “They’re half that at the market,” he says, “we’ll get the produce there.” He knows all about Panama’s best markets, where he can buy a rainbow assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables straight from the farmers.

Today the air at the market is heavy with the fragrant scent of mango. At $0.35 cents a pound, the colossal papayos are a steal. Another variety that’s much smaller and great for juicing is being sold in bags of 10 for $1…that’s only $0.10 each! The produce markets aren’t obscure or “secret” by any means…every local knows this is a smart way to save. The growing expat population is learning how inexpensive it is to live like a local, too.

I hear expats practicing Spanish at the city’s many bargain department stores…satiny couch cushions for $0.99 and groovy beaded lamps for $5.99 are hard to turn down. I see expats of all ages taking advantage of the super-inexpensive movies…$4 for regular tickets, half price for pensionados (retirees). And movies aren’t all pensionados pay less for. The retirees you meet here will tell you that they get 25% off their power bills, 20% off medical consults (even at the swankiest of hospitals), and much, much more.

In a recent e-mail, a U.S. reader asked me: “Can I live in Panama on my $1,059 a month social security check? I plan to buy a home so as not to pay rent, and I don’t need anyone to clean for me…I can do that myself.” The answer is yes. And I’m not talking about just eking by. I’m talking about living well, without having to sacrifice the things you love.

Maybe you want to join a gym…the Panama University gym charges $1 for each weight training session and $2 for aerobics classes. You can play 18 holes at Summit Golf & Resort for half what you’d pay in Miami…and here you’re not obligated to pay a membership fee. Swim at the Albrook pool for $2.50 or take a $10 round-trip ferry to Taboga Island (just 12 miles off the coast) for a day of snorkeling. I frequently attend movie festivals for as little as $4 and this week I saw a dance troupe from Moscow perform classical ballet on ice for just $15.

As for the cost of property in Panama, you’ll be impressed with the variety and value available here. I found a two-bedroom apartment in the convenient 12 de Octubre area of Panama City, on offer for just $60,000. It comes with a 14-year property tax exemption. Another two-bedroom apartment is listed for $61,000 on La Transistmica, one of the city’s main arteries.

And these apartments aren’t one-off lucky finds. Every month I find similar ads in the local papers or through my local contacts and resources.

I’ll tell you more this Aug. 6-8, at International Living’s Live and Invest in Panama Seminar. If you join us, you’ll learn how to live and prosper–and even profit–in Panama.

Reserve your seat here