| With its teeming rainforests, hidden beaches, and rich | | | | Panama has worked hard over the past decade to rid |
| history and culture, the tiny isthmus that was once only | | | | itself of the Noriega stigma that so many people still |
| known for a Canal, is now making sound waves as | | | | blindly refer to. The government has cleaned up its act, |
| perhaps the most authentic travel destination in Central | | | | personal safety in the country is better than ever, and |
| America. Over the past few years, thousands and | | | | the expansion of the Panama Canal as well as a new |
| thousands of visitors have been flocking to Panama, | | | | seat on the UN Security Council will be drawing more |
| the literal and figurative crossroads of the Americas, | | | | international attention than ever—a watchdog-like |
| and the trend doesn’t appear to be letting up. | | | | effect that is sure to encourage good behavior. |
| Panama’s high safety rating, tropical climate, and | | | | See the nation’s deeply-rooted history in age-old |
| retirement incentives are drawing more and more | | | | ruins outside the City’s metropolitan skyline. Visit |
| visitors from the States everyday. Condos in | | | | the Kuna Indians, a tribe who’ve fought off |
| cosmopolitan Panama City overlooking the Pacific | | | | colonials for nearly 500 years, who now offer |
| Ocean for $200,000? Beach houses within walking | | | | eco-resorts within their own private 360-island |
| distance from white sand beaches, $110,000? Giant | | | | archipelago. Walk through the telling streets of Casco |
| tracts of oceanfront land selling at $0.25 per square | | | | Viejo, the old city, where pirates like Henry Morgan |
| meter? They sound too good to be true, but thanks to | | | | stomped and trudged long long ago. And of course, |
| Panama’s low cost of living and still relatively | | | | how could we forget Panama’s biggest treasure |
| young real estate sector, anyone can get a piece of | | | | and undoubtedly its greatest shortcut, the Panama |
| the action. Pair that with its Costa Rica allure of secret | | | | Canal. For a country that’s long been a melting |
| waterfalls, uninhabited beaches, and spectacular wildlife | | | | pot of culture, it appears that the world’s |
| to see why the growth in Panama in 2006 was bigger | | | | vacation and real estate trend-setters are now eyeing |
| than any country in the region. | | | | Panama as the hotbed for development. |
| “You have to visit Panama to believe it” | | | | Still partially considered a travel secret, the Caribbean |
| says Casey Halloran, owner of Panama Luxury | | | | and Pacific shores of Panama lie hushed, awaiting |
| Vacations, an American-style travel agency with | | | | what will presumably be the fastest and most |
| offices in Panama. “By the time your vacation is | | | | powerful tourism growth in Central America. The |
| up, you’ll feel like you’re on the inside of | | | | country’s capital, Panama City boasts a |
| some travel secret”. With experience in Costa | | | | Miami-esque nightlife, the restaurant scene is innovative |
| Rica, Halloran believes Panama is destined for | | | | and constantly reinventing itself, the ocean-front |
| greatness, if not having achieved it already. He’s | | | | banking skyline conjures up images of a young |
| quick to point out though, that things aren’t | | | | Argentina, and the cobblestone streets of Casco Viejo |
| always as good as they seem. “As always for | | | | evoke a breezy afternoon Cuban charm. |
| a developing or emerging country, you’re going | | | | “Panama today is hotter than it’s ever |
| to hit a lot of snags. Immoral practices are like | | | | been” Halloran says, “and for a secret |
| snowballs in that once they start rolling, they become | | | | that’s been kept quiet for so long, it’s |
| hard to stop, so you need to address them at | | | | about time we let it out. |
| inception.” | | | | |