Health care staying healthy

Panama is considered to have one of the best health care systems in Latin America. Life expectancy is around 75 years. Along with Costa Rica Panama has some of the best private medical facilities in Central America. Many of their private medical facilities are affiliated with hospitals in the U.S.

Unlike other countries in Latin America, especially Mexico, Panama’s water supply is good and perfectly safe to drink in most areas of the country. In most places you can drink the water without the fear of Montezuma’s Revenge (diarrhea) or other intestinal problems. However, be careful when you drink water in the countryside.

We have not heard many people complain about the quality of the country’s water. If you prefer, bottled water is available. Just as in the U.S. there are about twenty brands of bottled water in all size containers sold at the supermarkets. Some of the more popular brands are Evian and Perrier which are available in supermarkets, restaurants and at hotels. Due to the country’s hot climate it is important to drink a lot of liquids to avoid dehydration. Furthermore, health standards are good in most areas of the country due to the sanitation programs put into practice during the construction of the Panama Canal.