Expert: Lorena Mlns - 8/8/2008

Question
Hello Lorena.  I hope you can help me with this one.  My husband, myself and two sons (19 and 21) will be visiting Panama in the next week.  My husband is Panamanian and left Panama when he was about 13 or 14.  I am Trinidadian.  The first time my husband went back to Panama was in 1987 when we got married.  After that he went back around the late 1990s.  We will be staying with his family (the most loving bunch of people), but I would like to really encourage my husband to more or less "learn more about his country" as well as my sons.  What would you recommend in terms of really seeing and experiencing the culture of Panama (other than the Panama Canal).  I have always been in love with the idea of living in Panama.  Could you recommend some neighborhoods that we can look at as far as housing is concerned.  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Lystra,
I hope I am not too late in answering this question !
I recommend you see:
1. Panama Viejo (old tower site... plus the museum, there are guided tours here)
2. Panama Casco Viejo/ San Felipe. Churches here are a must, there are 6 of them and you HAVE to go into the Canal Museum here. Also there is a nice little deli behind it where you can have great soup.
Just walking around and seeing the place is worth it...
3. Chiriqui - Boquete and Volcan the highlands,the guaymi indians, cool weather and the nature here are a true blessing.
If you are not willing to drive that far (about 5 hrs) a drive to El Valle is also a good outdoor option. Another option 45 min from the city is Gamboa Rainforest resort.
4. Beach! you can spend a weekend at Decameron or Playa Blanca resort or any of the many beaches here... but first check local weather, it´s been kind of rainy the last couple of days.
I think with the above you can get a glimpse of Panama, where we come from and also the nature.
In regards to neighborhoods, depends if you want a house or an apartment, if you let me know what you prefer I can point out a few options.
In regards to moving here, I do encourage you to read local newspapers and watch local tv.
Unfortunately Panama is not that safe country it was a few years back.
Have a great vacation.
Lorena