Staying busy and happy in Panama

Some Sound Advice
Retirement or just living in another country often presents new challenges for people because they are confronted with having a plethora of leisure time and the problem of what to do to with it. As you will see throughout this chapter, Panama is a wonderful place to live. In addition to being relatively inexpensive, there are many interesting activities from which to choose.

With coastlines on two oceans, jungles, rainforests, and mountain ranges, Panama offers a lot for people who are interested in the outdoors. There is some hobby or pastime for everyone regardless of age or interests. Even if you cannot pursue your favorite hobbies, you can get involved in something new and exciting. Best of all, by participating in some of the activities in this chapter, you will meet other people with common interests and cultivate new friendships in the process. You can even spend your time continuing your education or studying Spanish as we talk about in Chapter 7.

Most people you meet will also be expatriates, so you probably will not need that much Spanish to enjoy yourself. However, the happiest expatriates seem to be those who speak Spanish. They are able to enjoy the culture more fully, mix with the locals, and make new friends in the process.

Panamanian Pastimes
Panama has a wealth of indoor and outdoor activities designed for everyone regardless of sex, age, personal taste or budget. All of us—Panamanians, tourists and foreign residents—can participate in river rafting (some of the world’s best), camping, world class diving, dancing, sea kayaking, weight lifting, tennis, baseball, soccer, swimming and surfing, bicycling, horseback riding, and sailing.

There are also plays, ceramic classes, movies, bird watching (some of the world’s best), clubs, art galleries, nature tours, social clubs, museums, parks, zoos, and more.

There is something for everyone —so enjoy. Check the activities section of the Panama News, or The Visitor/El Visitante. If you speak Spanish there is a listing in the weekend section of one of the local Spanish language newspapers. You can find activities, cultural events and all sorts of entertainment listed there.

Baseball and Boxing in Panama
Unlike the rest of Central America, baseball and boxing are more popular in Panama than soccer. Panama has had its share of luminaries in both sports. Boxing has been popular since the early 1900’s. Probably the most notable exponent of the sport is Roberto “Mano de Piedra” Durán. Known for his versatility and tenacity, Durán fought in several categories against some of the best fighters of all time and had an extraordinarily long career.

Many Panamanians have played in the major league baseball in the United States. Rod Carew was one of the best hitters of all time and was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame. Another Panamanian, Mariano Rivera, is considered to be one of the best reliever in professional baseball. He currently plays for the New York Yankees. Every Panamanian boy dreams of following in the footsteps of these great players. Baseball is the number one sport played in Panama’s schools.

Golf in Panama
Panama’s beautiful scenery and good weather provide a perfect setting for playing golf. Panama has the best championship golf courses in all of Central America. Golf lovers will find an American-style golf course and sports club about 15-minutes from Panama City.

Most of Panama’s golf courses have rental clubs and provide caddies. There is sometimes a difference in green fees if you are with a member as opposed to showing up at the course as a walk-on. Below is a description of some of the country’s courses.

Museums and Art Galleries
Panama offers a variety of museums highlighting all aspects of its colorful past. Panama City boasts a variety of museums and art galleries. The country’s newest and best museum is the Museo del Canal Interoceánico. Exhibits trace the history of the 8th wonder of this world, the canal.

Although not as impressive as museums in the States or Europe, there is still a lot to see. In general, Panama’s museums provide a good perspective on the history and culture of the country. Here is a list of some of the best museums:

Water Sports and Fishing
Panama’s thousand miles of Caribbean and Pacific coastline, hundreds of islands, lakes and rivers, mountain streams, a combination of clear tropical water, reefs, and white sand beaches make it an outdoor lovers paradise.

Snorkeling and diving are very popular. Panama offers spectacular reefs on both the Pacific and Atlantic sides. The Bocas del Toro archipelago, Isla Contadora, and Isla Toboga are places to practice these water sports. Divers will find Panama’s warm waters teeming with an unbelievable number of exotic fish. There are even several coral reefs worth exploring. There are several companies in Panama which provide lessons, equipment, and diving tours.

Parks for Nature Lover
Many people consider Panama one of the best ecotourism destinations in the world. Because of its unique geographical location, as a narrow land bridge between two continents, Panama has a greater diversity of wildlife than any country in Mesoamerica. Panama is the home to an amazing diversity of wildlife.

Around 1,000 birds migrate through or inhabit Panama. The country is also home to over 200 species of mammals, 350 kinds of amphibian and reptiles over 1,000 species of butterflies, 56 types of freshwater fish, over 100 animal species found nowhere else in the world and thousands of species of orchids.

Presently, about 29% of Panama’s territory is protected in 14 national parks, more than a dozen reserves, and 10 wildlife refuges. In fact, the Smithsonian Institute has installed an ecological research station where scientists from around the world study the country’s unique biodiversity.

Where to Make New Friends
You should have no problem making new friends of either sex in Panama, but might have some difficulty meeting Panamanians if you speak little or no Spanish. However, some Panamanians speak a little English and are dying for the chance to perfect their English language skills while you work on your Spanish. Perhaps you can find someone to exchange language lessons. This is a good way to make new acquaintances and learn how Spanish is really spoken.

You most certainly will find it easier to meet fellow Americans in Panama than in the U.S., because Americans living abroad tend to gravitate toward each other. Newcomers only have to find an enclave of fellow countrymen and they can make new friends. You cannot help bumping into other Americans since Panama is such a small country. There are many English-speaking people working in Panama City. In areas like Boquete and Bocas del Toro, you will also find people who speak English.

Another good way of making contact with other foreign residents is by participating in some of the activities listed in the weekly editions of the The Panama News and The Visitor. English publications serve as a vital link in the foreign community, or “Gringo Grapevine”and help to put you in touch with a whole network of expatriates and the services they offer.

Love and Permanent Companionship
If you are looking for romance, Panama might just be the right place for you.

Men will have no problem meeting Panamanian women. Panama’s women seem to like older, more experienced men. Many Latin women actually seek out relationships with older men who are financially more secure. It is not unusual to see a wife who is ten to twenty years younger than her spouse. This practice may be frowned upon in some countries but is accepted in Central America. Many retires we know claim to feel rejuvenated and to have a new lease on life after becoming involved with younger women.

A Walk on Panama’s Wild Side
The author of this guidebook feels it is his responsibility to paint a realistic picture of all of the aspects of living in Panama. He would not be doing a service to our readers if he did not cover the subject of prostitution. However, let it be known that in no way does he condone the sexual exploitation of minors. In this section he only provides information about sexual relationships between consenting adults.

As in the rest of Latin America, many males have their first sexual experience with prostitutes. In order to control the propagation of venereal disease and AIDS, prostitutes are required by the government to undergo regular health checkups by the Ministry of Health or Ministerio de Salud in order to practice their trade legally. Most upscale brothels make sure their employees have their health papers and tests up to date.

Nightlife and Entertainment
Panama City probably has the best nightlife in Central America. Panamanians will party almost any night of the week. There are countless bars, dance halls, pool halls, small neighborhood bars and discotheque all over Panama City and in most other parts of the country. Panamanians love to dance. Most of these nightspots will appeal to anyone from- 16 to 50, give or take a little for the young at heart.
No doubt when you have lived in the country for a while, the dance bug will bite you. There are numerous dance academies that offer classes for all levels of experience in various styles of Latin American dance.

Gambling
Gamblers can even find a bit of Las Vegas in Panama. In Panama, casinos and other games of chance are operated both under the government and privately. Panamanians play slots and tables (blackjack, craps, roulette, poker). Bingo is also very popular in Panama.

There are a number of popular gambling houses that can be found in downtown Panama. The three most attractive casinos are located in the Hotel Caesar Park, the Miramar Inter-Continental, and the Hotel el Panama.

The most popular form of gambling in Panama is the national lottery or lotería. It is truly a national pastime. Lottery is played twice weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays. Profits from the national lottery go to support hospitals and local charities. The lottery is operated by the government-owned Lotería Nacional de Beneficiencia. Tickets are sold all over the country. Tickets are sold by vendors who can be found hawking them in every city and town in the country.

Movies and Theaters in Panama
Movie theaters are found all over the Panama City area and in other large cities. Most of these theaters show first-run movies usually a month or two after they first are released in the United States.

Fortunately, the majority of movies are shown in English with Spanish subtitles. The cost of a movie is under $4.00. Just like in the U.S. to see what’s playing look in the Spanish newspapers under cartelera. Film buffs will be pleased to know that classic and foreign films may be seen at the National University.