| Member Questions Revealed |
|
|
|
| Written by Matt Landau | ||||||
| Monday, April 02 2007 | ||||||
|
We try to cater to you the reader so in light of the questions you sent us last week, we have chosen our favorites and followed up on them. These are questions that a lot of people are thinking, but just as in Science class, not all of us want to embarrass ourselves by asking something stupid. I think there's a saying something like, "only stupid questions come from a stupid people" which I never quite understood. But here, for your reading pleasure, are Panama FAQs. 1. Is there a threat of a terrorist attack on the Panama Canal?
Since 2002, the Panama Canal has upped its security measures and added a security charge to the vessels' toll for the added security measures (more guards, special patrol boats, cameras along the entire canal, a command center which monitors 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and also security consultants who participate in risk assessments for the Canal and give their final evaluation). They also started a simulation exercise called Operation Panamax, which is a Joint Training Exercise lasting for about two weeks. Last year nine countries (Chile, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras and the United States.) participated in addition to Panama and six observing countries (Uruguay, Paraguay, Mexico, Brazil, France and England). This operation consists of a simulation of an attack to the Panama Canal and accordingly a counter attack. Land, sea and air operations are part of this exercise, and everything is organized by the Panamanian authorities during the entire operation.
Canal authorities were not allowed to comment to The Panama Report on whether or not specific terrorist threats have been made on the canal, but acknowledged that, as with any location, it is always possible. Extra security is brought in for high value transits that might attract the attention of a terrorist (a nuclear submarine or transport ship, for example), and any tip or warning is to be taken seriously and investigated to ensure the smooth and continuous operation of the Canal.
2. What kinds of schools are available for children of expatriates?
The U.S. Embassy website supports two schools, both of which run on the American school system schedule (which is important for people to consider if they will only be living in Panama for a set period of time). These schools are the International School of Panama and Balboa Academy, both which go from K-12, and tuition is about $5,000 a year, depending on the year of the student. There are also several quality private schools outside of Panama City such as in David, and many of them offer International Baccalaureate classes that are internationally recognized. The more expensive schools tend to hold classes in English (except for Spanish class).
3. Is crime on the rise or fall? Or does it depend on the neighborhood?
Crime is, as expected with development, more on the rise due to the growing economic and social disparities. This does depend on the neighborhoods; I wouldn't say that any place is 100% safe, but some low-income areas are way more dangerous than others (i.e. Chorrillo, Curundú, Samaria, among others). Crime does tend to follow money, so crime is not restricted to these areas. And you can ask any expatriate in neighborhoods like El Cangrejo or Punta Pacifica or San Francisco and chances are, they'll tell you they feel completely safe.
4. Are tourists welcome by locals? Yes, Panama has always been used to having foreigners, and tourists are no exception. The city is so diverse and always full of foreigners, so you aren't a spectacle like in other countries. In the countryside, people can be even more welcoming to foreigners because they are seeing what they can do for the economy. Tourists bring money and foreign companies bring jobs to areas that are not as prosperous as the main cities. The only times we hear about issues are generally due to disrespect exhibited by the expats themselves.
5. Direct flights to Panama (PTY) leave from which major U.S. cities?
This list will be ever-evolving as more and more people look at Panama to visit, but for the time being you can find the following routes.
Copa Airlines: New York, Miami, Los Angeles & Orlando Continental Airlines: Houston & Newark American Airlines: Miami Delta Airlines: Atlanta
::Disclaimer:: although not phrased in the form of a question, we decided the topic was worthwhile enough that we will answer it anyway.
Keep in mind that Easter is a religious festivity and Panama is mostly Catholic. For Good Friday, the mayor's office decrees that there will be no alcohol sold in the city, so all the party venues are closed from 12am Friday until 12am Saturday. Most towns in the countryside follow the same rule. Most businesses, school and banks are closed Thursday and Friday through the weekend.
People often forget to take Jewish religious holidays into account. Passover falls on Tuesday of Holy Week, and you can expect most stores to be closed because about 80 percent of businesses in the country are owned by Jewish people. Four other days each year will have similar office closings due to Jewish holidays including Hanukkah and Rosh Hashana.
On Christmas and New Years you can also expect office closings and non-religious holidays include two days off for Carnival in mid-February, and four different independence days in November (the 3rd, 5th, 10th and 28th).
Now, also keep in mind that Panamanians drink like fish and when the law mandates they cannot, they take serious action. A common tactic is to stock up on the days before, using basements and kitchen cupboards as beer cargo space. Another common one is the pub that finds a way around the law by service alcohol in plastic solo cups. If nothing else, this allows you to feel like a college student for several hours which can be as fun as it can embarrassing.
7. What do people wear when they go out in the City?
For going out, Panamanians are bound to dress up. Girls will usually wear the latest trends, be it skinny jeans, mini-skirts or flirty dresses; and also make sure their hair and make-up is impeccable. The guys will usually wear jeans, dress shoes and a dress shirt or nice t-shirt. The rule of thumb here is dress to impress and many of the clubs won't let you in if you're wearing something too passé.
Yes, as long as you apply the same rules of common sense you would apply anywhere else. Perfectly nice place and welcoming to foreigners as well.
Boquete is a beautiful place. It has developed into mainly a retiree community but there are a few bars (Zanzibar, La Huaca) which would serve the purpose. However it's not necessarily the “it” place to hook up. About skin color, as with people everywhere else in Panama, it's very diverse. You'll find a Caucasian-descendant population, due to European settlers, but you'll also find brown skinned people because of the indigenous people who inhabit the area. There are also all sorts of cultural mixes, just like any other place in Panama. You sound like you're excited for Panama, my friend.
10. Where can I swim close to Panama City?
The closest place to swim in Panama City would be La Playita de Amador at the Causeway. Just beside “Mi Ranchito” restaurant, there's a small pool that also has beach access. They charge a few bucks per person entrance fee, and then you can enjoy the pool and bar. Other than that, most decent hotels will have a pool with free access for guests, and many offer membership fees per month for those who want access to the pool, and often the gym or spa as well. These can run from $30 to $50 per month. The Hotel Clayton offers access to their Olympic size swimming pool for $1 on weekends. Other nearby beaches would be Playa Bonita (about 30 minutes), Coronado (1 hour), or Portobello (1.5 hours).
11. What is the situation like with freedom of the press?
The criminal code in Panama was recently revised, with several bullets directed directly toward journalists. For one, documents that were not originally created for publication or obtained by illegal means cannot be published. The sentencing for libel was increased while penalties for corrupt government officials were lowered. Spying on people (i.e. looking through garbage, electronic eavesdropping, etc.) was outlawed. The two major newspapers in the country are La Prensa and La Critica. The majority of shareholders in La Prensa are part of the ruling government party, and La Critica is, in pure numbers, the most popular. Some of Panama's most qualified journalists would say that in Panama, the biggest threat to freedom of the press is the press itself, with a great amount of self-censorship.
12. Is there corruption within the bus companies?
The local Panama City bus system is faced with a permanent catch 22 that restricts its improvement. If the government enforces regulations that demand improved safety of the buses and training for the drivers, then the fares will have to go up, and the people will riot (again). If it punishes the bus owners and drivers for their poor maintenance, a bus strike could cripple the country. There are currently people who own large numbers of buses. It would simply not be in their favor to obligate themselves to pay for all the upgrades necessary to improve the system.
13. Is there corruption in the government?
Panama has a negative history regarding the ethics of its public officials. While there is no doubt that things are improving as people are held accountable by the public, there is still a ton of high-level corruption that exists. There are inevitably cases of public funding being offered to private companies, essentially the highest-bidder-wins scenario. But being realistic, this is the exact same thing that goes on in the USA. If anything, the Panama version is more out in the open: more exposed, which is actually kinda refreshing.
While this shouldn't affect the occasional tourist, if you are looking to invest a lot of money into the country and can't trust the system that protects your investment, you might instinctually be on-guard. Problems can also arise when you deal with corrupt people in the country that have not been prosecuted, such as scammers. But again, this sort of arrangement also goes on in the states: you just may notice it more clearly here.
14. Can you give me an update on the situation at Red Frog Beach Club?
This development is a good example of all the things that can go wrong when you try to build in paradise without any experience. The original developers of the project, Pilar Construction, S.A. were rumored to have sold the project to a group from Chicago.
At first the project ran into problems when the environmental authority froze the operation pending investigation of the environmental destruction. When this became public, lots of environmentalists protested the development as they so commonly do.
Another problem was that these developers were paying their workers very low wages despite the fact that the project will be sold off at U.S. “first-world” prices. Some worker protests occurred last year, and then the powerful union SUNTRACS took over and organized further protests which are scheduled to last until April 5. To be fair, Red Frog is, point blank, providing jobs which is putting money in the hands of locals. Sure, maybe a more ethical development might pay their employees a better wage but in truth, a lot of jobs have been created.
While it is unusual for projects to be delivered on time in Panama, this project has been set back more than others. The reasons for which we aren't interested in guessing.
A Panamanian developer recently purchased 70 hectares in Punta Chame, but any kind of development is still in the master planning stages. There are a few stretches of sandy beach in Punta Chame because the rest is low-laying land with mangroves, which can cause problems with the water supply. Chame, on paper, looks fantastic. However, after several reported trips out there, The Panama Report isn't a huge fan. Unless a developer is willing to topograph the place, Punta Chame's flat terrain, high crosswinds, and zero protection is extremely windy. The water has been seen on many occasions to be ridden with rays and the point is so thin that there's no hiding from the ocean's elements: something that every developer knows can be a *censored* to deal with. Yes there is a new road being built, but will that really mask Punta Chame's ills? Only time will tell.
16. Do wealthy people hire security?
Some do, especially Panamanians. It is also more common in Latin America to see nice houses surrounded by high concrete walls with elaborate metal designs on top, or simple barbed wire to keep the unwanted out. Security is readily available and pretty darn cheap, but for the most part, expats don't feel the need for it. Whether you're living in a gated community or simple in a neighborhood that you really like, most of us feel comfortable enough without it.
17. How available is power and how reliable is it?
Power is readily available and more reliable than the western neighbor Costa Rica. In each province there are places where it is not available, but you would have to search on a case by case basis.
18. How dangerous are the roads? Are highways divided? Are there lots of accidents?
The roads here are impressive. The Pan-American highway runs four lanes wide in most areas, and the majority of roads have lanes which are divided. There are some places where roads have yet to be constructed, but the general reputation of the roads here is much better than the rest of Central America. Accidents come more so from the driving behavior in the country, and loosely-followed signals and signs. It is not common for a Panamanian to actually stop at a stop sign. Making a left at a red light? Just make sure you looked first! Another problem for visitors are the poorly marked one way streets in the city, that occasionally change directions depending on the day or time.
19. How is the quality of ground water?
This also depends on location. Most places have good drinkable water, but the municipalities put a lot of chlorine in it after extracted from the earth. Most people in Bocas del Toro wouldn't dare to drink the water now unless it has been treated first but most other areas are OK. There are very few cases of sickness arising from water contamination.
20. Do the shopping and restaurants compare with large U.S. cities?
Compared to large cities Panama is still behind but better than any Central American city I have ever visited and it is growing every day. The newest shopping center in Panama City was recently expanded and includes mostly expensive designer stores. Others carry name brands like Zara and Tommy Hilfiger, but also have small boutique stores with lower prices. The duty-free zone in Colon has lots of buyer potential but is a bit grimy and it's surrounded by thu. It can be good however, to score watches, liquors, or that diamond eye patch you've always wanted. Interviews and answers compiled by Claire Saylor
|
||||||
| Last Updated ( Saturday, April 21 2007 ) | ||||||
 |
|
Panama Real Estate| Panama Vacation | Casco Viejo Real Estate | Panama Hotel | Contact Us | Sitemap
Copyright © 2008 The Panama Report - Panama Real Estate All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners. |
|
Our Favorite Links
Real Estate eBook Win a Vacation!!! Panama Hotel Consulting Services Investment Guide |
|
|
|
|
| Login Form |
|---|