News

OK, you’ve made the leap and decided to move to Panama City. Or maybe you’re still on the fence, close to making a decision, but a million questions are swirling around your head.

We get it. Panama City is an exotic, exciting, international city in a foreign land, a country of jungles and beaches. Panama has its own culture and history that may be very different for many people.

But that’s part of the charm, part of the adventure. One aspect of Panama’s lure is the combination of foreign and familiar, living in a different culture while still connected to all the comforts of home.

During the research process, people are bombarded with information, some useful, some nonsense. Here are five more things you should know about life in Panama City:

1. There is a wee bit of traffic: Yes, there is traffic. The roads are often jammed, people use their horns and nobody seems to really pay attention to the concept of “lanes.” That’s the way it is. Panama City is a bustling, fast-growing metropolis. The good news: the metro system and road expansions are happening at a rapid rate.
2. The Food is Outstanding: Not enough focus is paid to the great cuisine available in Panama City. It is an international city, in every way, and it has attracted some of the great chefs of the world. None of the rice-and-beans menus found in other Central American countries; in Panama City you can feast on a different type of food every night of the week.
3. It’s Not that Foreign: Panama City is an international city, full of people from around the world. And it’s been an international city for 100 years. That, plus its long ties to the United States, make Panama City a very familiar city. The dollar is the currency, many people speak English and there are cultural landmarks everywhere. The internet works and you can even get your favorite TV shows.
4. You Need to Explore: Panama City is a vibrant, exciting capital city. But to really experience Panama, you need to get out of the city. Go to the islands, explore the hills, meet the people in the small communities around the country. Panama City is the center and heart of the country, but to really know and enjoy Panama, you need to escape the energy of Panama City and explore the rest of the country.
5. It’s All About the Waterfront: Panama City may not have the white sandy beaches of some city cities (those can be found a short drive away), but it’s still all about the water. Panama City means enjoying the sunsets over the Pacific from your terrace, taking long walks or bike rides along the Cinta Costera and Amador Causeway, and enjoying seafood fresh off the boats. In Panama City, you never take the water for granted.

For more information of Panama’s best spots for dining and entertainment, visit: www.puntapacificanews.com