We have discussed in our previous articles why we think you should move to Panama, and how to go about it. Now, what can you do in Panama once you’re living here?
There is plenty of information on this subject, yet, it is mostly focused on what you can do when you visit as a tourist. Once you live here, though, do you know what you can do in your spare time? What can you do to be and become part of the community? We have classified these “activities” into two categories: 1) Fun and 2) Investment
Now, there are certainly way too many things of interest to do in Panama for such a short article, so we have tried to narrow it down to just a few.
Category: FUN
- Food
The multicultural atmosphere that stands out in our warm country, is clearly perceived in its culinary offer. There are restaurants offering cuisine from all over the world, and local Panamanian cuisine is exquisite. Food truck parks have become a sensation, having in one location four, six, or ten different trucks with a variety of menus ranging from local Panamanian food, Sushi, and Argentinian to Mexican, Chinese, and more. - Art & Culture
The Festival scenery is growing bigger every year in Panama. Starting with music, we have the Panama Jazz Festival, Luna Llena de Tambores, and Summer Rock Fest, to name a few. If you’re into cinema, theater, and visual arts, we have the Festival de Artes Escénicas (FAE), Panama International Film Festival (IFF Panama), Panama Horror Film Festival, and many others. - Classes & Workshops
While in Panama, why not learn a new craft, a new skill, or even a new language? There are plenty of classes going on all year round: photography, craftwork, painting, film, health, French, Italian, German, you name it, Panama has it. These are a great way of meeting new people and becoming part of the community. There are many websites and blogs, with plenty of information on all the activities we have suggested. There’s so much to do, you can make the most of the time you’ll spend in Panama.
Category: Investment
- Properties
If you’re looking for a long-term investment, real estate can be the right choice for you. The geographical diversity of Panama makes it ideal for any property. There are beach properties on both coasts: pacific and Caribbean. You can find a beach house or apartment as near as 45 minutes from Panama City, and as far as 7 hours drive, for a true getaway. The mountain landscape makes it ideal for nature lovers, where temperatures drop down just enough to enjoy cool and pleasant weather, without ever reaching freezing and uncomfortable states. You can find beautiful properties in places like Chiriquí, Veraguas, and Coclé, among others. - Local businesses
The entrepreneur community in Panama is enormous! Thousands of people are opening new companies every year, trying to follow and make their dreams come true. Most of the time, the biggest challenge for entrepreneurs is to find financing or economic backing for their projects. By investing in a Panamanian business, not only will you put your money to use and generate an alternate flow of income for yourself, but you will support someone else’s dream, and directly contribute to the growth of the Panamanian economy. Some specific types of businesses even have tax incentives, such as tourism-related ventures. - Non-profit
There is a continued increase in the number of not-for-profit foundations. As the Panamanian population expands, so do the different causes that the emerging foundations support. There are social, education, health, sports, and culture-related organizations that you can support in many ways, whether it’s financially or even by volunteering. It is a great way to give back and get involved in the reality of your new home: Panama.
At CLD Legal, we strive to give our clients a personal and professional service. We will assist you not only with the legalities of your move to Panama, but we will be happy to guide you in establishing yourself in our country and becoming a member of our community.