PanamaForum.com is back after an extended outage!

All problems have been fixed and we even have some new features, including a live Panama Chat!

Interact with other PanamaForum members daily at noon and at 8 pm Panama time (EST), or feel free to check in at any time around the clock.

Go to PanamaForum.com, login (or register if you aren’t a member yet), and then click on the “Panama Chat” link in the sidebar.

TOP PANAMA THREADS:

Dentists in Panama City
Are you looking to get your teeth cleaned, polished, whitened, filled, and x-rayed in Panama City? Find out who does it best, who speaks English, where they are and how much they charge, on this thread.

Skateboarding in Panama City
Is skateboarding at all popular in Panama City? Where do fellow skateboarders hang out? Read this thread and find out.

Retiring to Panama
jrmanville and his wife are exploring the possibility of retiring in Panama. He has questions regarding living expenses, solar power, crime in Panama, and mortgages. Share your wisdom and advice on this thread.

Is It Worth Living In Panama?
A member who has been a part of the forum for some time and has been considering relocating still has a few doubts. Is it really worth living in Panama? What are your reasons for moving here?

New bank challenges
The fees, the delays and the customer service. Check out this thread to find out which banks treat you like a criminal, and which banks treat you like a customer they want to keep.

Dating in Panama Part 2
This thread is hot! Read Mr. WOOHOO’s advice on dating beautiful girls in Panama. What do you need to watch out for? This thread is especially useful for those who want to have fun without getting burnt. (Access password required! You must be over 18 to request the password.)

TOP PANAMA NEWS:

Taiwan government defends plane donation to Panama
The Presidential Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended the planned donation of an executive jet to Panama yesterday, denying dollar diplomacy was still alive.

Panama to host International Tourism Fair next year
PANAMA, Dec 30 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) – Panama will host next year the first edition of the International Tourism Fair, aimed at promoting the development of the tourism industry in the country.

Final Panama Canal contract awarded
A consortium of Spain’s FCC, Mexico’s ICA and Costa Rica’s Meco has won the final Panama Canal dry-excavation contract with a US$ 267.8 million bid. The consortium beat Belgium’s Jan de Nul, Brazil’s Oderbrecht and the ISC Panama consortium to win the contract, the second largest in the US$ 5.25 billion canal expansion programme.

Panama: Families mark 20 years since US invasion
Relatives of people who were killed when the US military invaded Panama in 1989 marked the 20th anniversary of the intervention on Dec. 20 with a protest outside the old US embassy in Panama City, burning effigies of US president Barack Obama and Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli. The Association of Relatives of the Fallen is calling for a Truth Commission to investigate the events of December 1989, including possible war crimes.

Panama-flagged bulk cargo ship seized by pirates
MOGADISHU, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Somali pirates hijacked the Panamanian-flagged bulk cargo ship Navios Apollon on Dec. 28 as it was sailing to India with fertiliser, a maritime official said on Dec. 29.

Is it worth living in Panama?
The best advice comes from MRWOOHOO: “Swing on over, be prepared to
have a good time.” This thread shows you the pros and cons of Panama,
from the people who have seen it, done it and are now living it.

Is PanamaLaw.org legit?
Read about a dramatic $400,000 dispute between a former Panama
law firm and one of their clients. Who is right and who is wrong,
and what can the rest of us learn from the controversy?

Biggest Misconception/Surprise about Panama
What was your biggest misconception about Panama and/or what
surprised you the most?

Real Estate in Panama
Wow! This thread is hot and a must read for anyone considering
buying, renting or building in Panama.

Dating in Panama
Read Mr. WOOHOO’s advice on dating beautiful girls in Panama.
What do you need to watch out for? This thread is especially
useful for those who want to have fun without getting burnt.

TOP PANAMA NEWS:

Panama’s dilemma
The Panama Maritime Authority sent an advisory to the 7,100 commercial
vessels flying the Panamanian flag, warning of an “immediate cancellation”
of vessels detained in Paris Memorandum of Understanding port state
control inspections before the end of the year.

Panama Increases HIV/AIDS Prevention
The Panamanian health strategy gives priority to prevention of sex
transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS, scourges that are affecting this
country’s population, official sources reported.

Earthquake hits off Panama coast, no damage reports
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean near Panama on
Wednesday but authorities said they had no initial reports of damage.
There was no immediate tsunami warning in the area. A quake of
magnitude 6 or above is considered strong and capable of causing
severe damage in populated areas.

Dirty Diamonds in Panama?
Poised to become a hub for the Latin American diamond market, Panama may
also become a funnel for smuggling illegal diamonds abroad, writes Samuel
Logan for ISN Security Watch.

EIB loan for energy project in Panama
The European Investment Bank (EIB) granted, on 27 October, a loan of
US$211 million to two subsidiaries of the Gaz de France-Suez Group
holding the concession in Panama for the Dos Mares project. The loan
will help finance the construction and operation of the Guanaca,
Lorena and Prudencia hydropower plants on the Chiriquí River in
Western Panama.

My Panama lawyer is selling an established 11-year old Panama corporation with a bank account. This is great for everyone who is looking to start doing business immediately and obtain the credibility of an existing company when dealing with banks, etc.

Company details:

• Established in 1998
• Clean history, no lawsuits, all taxes paid
• Involved in consulting
• Includes well-managed bank account opened in 1998
• Account can be managed via online banking
• Nominee directors included
• Available for immediate purchase; be in business within days

Contact me for more details.

What has been going on on Panama Forum? Check out these threads and the latest news:

POPULAR THREADS

• Is it worth living in Panama?
• Is Panama really the most business-friendly country?
• What can I do with an offshore company?
• Real Estate in Panama City Will Soon Be Cheap Again
• Panama Banks - Complete List

PANAMA NEWS

• Balbina on the clear
• Fugitives creating a Costa del Crime
• Buy-American maven Dennis Kucinich uses Panama webhosting company
• Panama Canal transit falling off
• Big steps made toward free trade pacts with Panama, Colombia
• Panama Election Observers Announced

Enjoy Panama!

Photo by _mundo.

Let your creativity run wild and help us find a new slogan for Panama Forum!

Then, take a few minutes to check out these new boards which we recently added to Panama Forum:

• Real Estate: Investing in Panama Real Estate could be the best decision you ever made. But not all is what it appears to be. Make sure to actually visit the property and do due diligence on the company you are buying from.
• Panama Sports: Talk about baseball, soccer, basketball, boxing, and other sports popular in Panama.
• New Members: It’s never too late! If you haven’t introduced yourself to our community yet, feel free to do so at any time.
• Humor, Jokes, Spam & more: Do you know any jokes that are popular in Panama? Post them here.

There’s more! Here’s what else has been going on:

• Martinelli Expands Lead in Polls to 16%
• Three Killed, Two Injured in Attempted Armored Car Robbery
• Panama on Flood Alert
• Panama Ports hits yacht club for $2 million
• Panama’s Copa Holdings reports February traffic
• Ivanka Trump hails Panama’s booming real estate market
• Panama’s banking system said safe
• Panama a poster child for tax evasion?
• Hotel occupancy down 18% — sales down 80%…

Have you been dreaming about sharing your observations and thoughts with a huge audience?

Or maybe you just want to keep a public record of your insights and ideas?

There’s an amazing new feature at Panama Forum that allows you to do all that, and more: your own blog!

But wait… you might be thinking that starting your own blog is difficult, and that it’s even harder to gain readers and make your blog well known.

And that’s certainly true. There are millions of blogs out there and most of them have just one reader: the author.

However, starting your blog at Panama Forum gives you an instant headstart and puts you way ahead of more than 95% of all the bloggers out there:

INSTANT BENEFITS

1. Your blog is integrated into PanamaForum.com
2. You’ll have a big readership right away: all Panama Forum members will be aware of your blog
3. All your blog posts are promoted near the top of our front page, where they are seen by hundreds of visitors each day
4. Each week we’ll email a selection of the best posts to all our 4,309 forum members
5. Your blog has your own RSS feed, which makes it very easy to promote your blog posts all over the web (we do that for you, too)
   and finally,
6. Your blog is 100% FREE and it takes you just a minute to get started.

If you always wanted to start a blog but didn’t know how or thought it wouldn’t be worth your while, think again!

It’s so easy that you have NO EXCUSE!

You don’t even have to register… just log in to Panama Forum and make your first post right now:
http://www.panamaforum.com/blog_post.php?do=newblog

Don’t be shy… tell it like it is! Write something about yourself, about Panama or about anything else you can think of.

After you’ve made your first post, take a minute or so to customize your blog (this is OPTIONAL):
http://www.panamaforum.com/blog_usercp.php?do=editoptions

I look forward to welcoming you to the wonderful world of blogging! If you have any questions, I’m here to help.

Enjoy Panama and have fun!

See you next week.

LATEST THREADS:

• Panama switches to energy-saving light bulbs
  Panama joins the list of nations who are suffering an energy crisis. They try to remedy the problem by handing out free fluorescent energy saving bulbs to its citizens.
• Stable banks in Panama
  Worried about your money? Check out this thread and get a list of most stable and reliable banks for your needs.
• Panama climate
  Traveling to Panama for the first time and no clue about the climate? Visit this thread to get more information.
• Best beaches of Panama
  Want to visit the best beaches in Panama? Lots of information and pictures in this thread to get you to your dream beach.
• Panama nightlife
  Do you want to know more about nightlife of Panama City? See which places to visit and which to avoid.

PANAMA NEWS:

• Gringa Robbed at Gunpoint on Bus at Albrook Terminal
  A friend of mine was on the David-Boquete bus a few days ago which had not yet left the Albrook terminal. A guy without a ticket boarded the bus on the pretext of needing to deliver some papers to someone on the bus. He robbed my friend (and her 90 year old mother) at gunpoint and walked off the bus carrying about $8000 worth of gold coins and jewellery.
• Positive Panama 2008 Economic Activity
  The Monthly Index of Economic Activity (IMAE) of Panama grew 8.27 percent from January to November of 2008, informed official sources. According to comptroller reports the growth was due to the high performance of mining and quarries, construction, transportation, storage and communications, hotels and restaurants.
• A Live Auction of pre-Columbian Artifacts from Panama?
  “Panama, c. 500-1500AD. A heavy and nice red ware vase with round body and wide flared tubular neck and swirl design in gray with crème colored background on neck. Nice example of its type, produced near and influenced by Costa Rica, in excellent condition. H: 6.25″. Choice. Old San Francisco Collection.” Somebody is auctioning off a whole bunch of pre-Columbian pottery, all of it supposedly from Panama, in an auction on 15 February 2009.
• Absolved Former Nicaraguan President Eyes Presidency
  Former Nicaraguan President Arnoldo Aleman wants his old job back now that his money laundering conviction has been overturned. Aleman says he is ready to challenge the ruling leftist Sandinistas in 2011. He says he will seek the presidential nomination from his Liberal Constitutionalist Party. Aleman’s announcement Monday came three days after the Supreme Court overturned his 2003 conviction and 20-year prison sentence. He had been accused of using 60 bank accounts in Panama to launder about us$58 million in stolen government funds. Aleman governed Nicaragua from 1997 to 2001. He had spent most of his time since his conviction under house arrest, but remained the top power broker in his party.

This is the 38th issue of the Panama Forum Newsletter.

While most of our participating members are single or retired, some are asking questions about what it’s like to live in Panama with kids, and what there is to do.

If you have just relocated to Panama, you may have noticed that there is quite an active single life, but what about family life there? Luckily, Panama is quite child-friendly, and there are plenty of options for entertainment and activities.

When planning a family trip to Panama, there are many adventure tours that take you around various areas of the region, allowing you to explore local villages, beaches, jungles, and more.

While most trips are ideal for children above the age of 6, there are many different fun activities to choose from for children of all ages.

Within Panama City, I would suggest visiting Casco Viejo, a historic neighborhood filled with gorgeous restored buildings, plenty of shops, delicious restaurants, and even a museum that can give you a nice, educational day trip out with your family.

Feel like a walk in the park? Panama’s Parque Omar is a huge park filled with trails for jogging or strolling, a playground, a gym, several sports fields and courts, a swimming pool, a local library, and fresh smoothie and fruit stalls. Be sure to check out the park’s weekly schedule to find out about the many public events that are held there.

If you are a member who is still unsure about visiting or relocating to Panama as a family-friendly spot, there is no need to worry. Panama is a happy, culture rich, historical place that is great for raising kids.

TOP PANAMA THREADS

• Is It Worth Living In Panama?
  A member who has been a part of the forum for some time and has been considering relocating there is still having a few doubts. Is it really worth living in Panama? What are your reasons for moving there?
• Real Estate In Panama
  With such a huge market for real estate in Panama it isn’t surprising so many investors are flocking there. But one user would like a few more details about local real estate, and how it relates to business there.
• First Time Visitors To Panama
  Some must see sites for people visiting Panama City for the first time, and some activities you just have to try.
• Renting An Apartment In Panama City
  Here is some advice for people looking to rent apartments in Panama City. Where should you look?
• Stats On Number of Americans Living In Panama
  Michael is curious about the number of Americans who have relocated and are currently living full or part time in the area.
• Best Beaches
  Which beaches are best? With so many covering the Panama area, what beaches are the most beautiful, family friendly, and fun? Check this thread to find out.
• Gyms In Panama City
  Want to stay fit? This thread lists some of the best gyms in Panama City.

TOP PANAMA NEWS

• Panama’s waterless Promised Land
  Tucked away among the rolling hills of Panama’s impoverished Sector C countryside rests a small and secluded village known as La Tierra Prometida - The Promised Land. But water only flows through the village’s pipes once every three to six months.
• Panama Seizes Mexico Company ICA Funds
  Mexican construction and engineering firm ICA, which operates a toll highway in Panama, called for respect for the rule of law after a portion of its capital was seized in a dispute with Panamanian tax officials.
• Panama President Torrijos and U.S. Secretary of State Rice Hold Bilateral Talks in Panama
  Talks Held on Margins of “Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas” Ministerial MeetingSec.
• FARC Guerrillas Return to Bajo Chiquito in Panama’s Darién Province
  Although this time they were dressed in civilian clothes, men who are assumed to be Colombian guerrillas returned on Saturday to the town of Bajo Chiquito in Panama’s Darién province, returning to the store sacked by FARC guerrillas on 1 August 2008.
• Barbara Bush Library exhibits Panamanian children’s art (Spring Observer)
  The children of Panama may be miles away from Spring geographically, but local kids can relate to and appreciate their artistic talent.
• Beachfront Beauty and Pastoral Charms: Dekel Panama Presents the Andromeda Country Cl
  Dekel Panama S.A. proudly announces the launch of the Andromeda Country Club in Pedasí, Panama.

Photo by rbcullen.