Korean Job Discussion Forums

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Retirement haven for expats.. plus one of the more wealthier more foreigner-convenient cities in Central America and the region.

Anyone been there?

Richard Krainium · Joined: 12 Jan 2006

Not since Noriega was deposed. Laughing

Was there in Jan '87 and then again in May '87. January was beautiful. Warm sunnny and only mildly humid. May was the exact opposite. Hot humid and monsoon like rain. First time I'd ever felt hot rain!

The canal is at best interesting, but the fact you can drive from the Atlantic to the Pacific in 2 and a half hours was cool. The drive cut through some triple canopy jungle and that was amazing. Although, I had enough of triple canopy jungle by the time I left!

Retire there? Sure, if the cost of living could beat the P.I.

inspector gadget · Joined: 11 Apr 2003 Location: jeollanam-do in the boonies

panama is a cool place, while working on board a cruise ship we travelled through the panama canal every 14 days for four months. Going through the canals sure was interesting while being on a huge ship. Nice beaches on both sides and the jungle treks were a lot of fun.

I plan to go travelling through that part of the world for a few months next year.

Yesanman · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Location: Chungnam

Tiger Beer- Man what's going on?
Vladivistok, the Dominican, Republic, Micronesia.
Now Panama-WTF?
Make up your mind!
You win the lotto or something?
Or just aching to move on?
Just curious.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Just interested in travel.. always have been.

what else are people suppose to talk about on a travel forum?

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 4:17 am Post subject:

keninseoul · Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Location: Seoul

Had a very close friend from Panama - went there for a XMAS vacation. Nice place, nice people, nice food Smile

BUT crime is a MAJOR problem - nearly everyone I meet had been mugged or robbed. While walking down the MAIN street at NOON, on the grass median, I was repeatily warned by the clearly concerned natives to get the hell out - I would be robbed, otherwise.

San Blas islands are cool, though fresh water is a major problem.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:30 pm Post subject: Re: P a n a m a

numazawa · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Location: The Concrete Barnyard

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

MothraAttack · Joined: 20 Jan 2009

Panama City is fairly modern and has lots of colonial architecture. I found it accessible and affordable, and it's within an hour of major rain forests.

Took a flight from there to the islands of Bocas del Toro. It's backpacker party central, but it has good snorkeling and plenty of beaches. The San Blas archipelago affords tourists the opportunity to live with the Kuna Indians, under their rules. I heard nothing but ringing endorsements for this.

A water taxi from Bocas Town to Almirante is fun and dirt cheap, and a five-hour bus from there will get you to David, and a $1 bus from there will take you to Boquete in the Panamanian highlands. There are endless hiking trails, cheap hostels on the river ($6/night roughly) and the topography is like Swiss alpine meets rainforest. Very unique and stunning.

The coffee grown in this region is also unparalleled. If you want true adventure, take the Pan-American Highway until it terminates in Yaviza near the Darien Gap. Didn't do it myself, but for that some Spanish would be advised.

asian sensation · Joined: 13 Oct 2008

I went to Panama a year ago in the Spring. I loved the place! Panama city gets a bit chaotic with traffic (worse than Seoul) but nightlife is good on the weekends. Get out and explore the country's ecotourism. I had no run ins with crime, I walked around late at night and during the day. Doesn't mean you shouldn't take some precautions. Girls are beautiful, food is great and it is definately inexpensive. Check out Calle Uruguay at night. Don't worry if you don't Speak Spanish, many Panamians speak English.