Table of Content

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Contents

Foreword

Chapter 1

• Panama’s Land, History, People and Where to Live
• The Lay of the Land
• Maps
• Weather
• Where to Live in Panama
• A One-of-a-kind Tour
• Panama’s History in Brief
• Government
• Economy
• The People

Chapter 2

• Saving Money in Panama
• How Much Does it Cost to Live in Panama?
• Tipping
• Money
• Paying Bills
• Banking in Panama
• Housing and Real Estate Investments
• Affordable Hired Help
• Health Care
• Insurance
• Taxes
• Panamanian Offshore Corporations
• Panamanian Interest Foundations

Chapter 3

• Making Money in Panama
• Investing in Panama
• Panama’s Stock Market
• Finding Work
• Starting a Business
• Opening a Business in Twenty Minutes
• Common Business Sense
• Protecting Foreign Investment in Panama (Law 54)

Chapter 4

• Red Tape
• Dealing with Bureaucracy
• How to Become a Legal
• Resident of Panama
• Additional Methods of Applying for Panamanian Residency
• Immigration and Other Matters
• Visas
• Extending Your Stay
• Leaving the Country
• Work Permits
• New Immigration Law
• Perpetual Tourist
• Panamanian Citizenship
• Getting Married and Fiancee Visas
• Purchasing an Automobile
• Driving an Automobile to Panama
• Bringing Your Boat to Panama
• Shipping Your Household Goods
• Ways to Bring Your Belongings
• How to Find a Lawyer
• Panamanian Consulates and
• Embassies Abroad
• Panamanian Consulates in the U.s
• Embassies and Consulates in Panama

Chapter 5

• Keeping Busy and Happy in Panama
• Some Sound Advice
• English Books Newspapers and Magazines
• Television and Radio
• Video Rentals
• Shopping
• Panamanian Pastimes
• Baseball and Boxing
• Golf in Panama
• Museums and Art Galleries
• Water Sports and Fishing
• Parks for Nature Lovers
• Where to Make New Friends
• Love and Permanent Companionship
• Panama’s Wild Side
• Nightlife and Entertainment
• Gambling
• Movies and Theaters

Chapter 6

• Communications
• Telephone
• Internet Services
• Mail Service
• Receiving Money from Abroad
• Private Mail Services

Chapter 7

• Education
• How to Learn Spanish
• Panama’s Universities
• Private Schools
•  

Chapter 8

• Getting Around
• Air Travel to, in and Around Panama
• Traveling by Bus in Panama
• Bus Travel to and from Panama
• Panama’s Taxis
• Automobile Rentals
• Driving in Panama
• Keeping Your Bearings Straight
• Boat Travel
• Map of Downtown Panama City
• Ferry and Train Travel

Chapter 9

• More Helpful Information
• Where to Find Affordable Foods
• Restaurants
• Religion
• Panama’s Holidays
• Bringing Your Pets to Panama
• Understanding the Metric System

Chapter 10

• Parting Thoughts and Advice
• Personal Safety In Panama
• Life as an Expatriate
• Steps for Importing a Handgun
• Gun Permits
• A Movers Check List
• Information About Living In Panama
• Internet Resources
• Discussion Groups
• Suggested Reading
• Spanish Survival Vocabulary
• Important Phone Numbers
• Another View of Panama
• Panamanian Corporation Law
• Index

• Next