Travel in Panama, Living in Panama, Real Estate in Panama, General Information about Panama

<body> <p>This page uses frames, but your browser doesn't support them.</p> <p>Below is the <b>escapetoPanamá.net  </b>site in brief without frames and minus the photos. Originally I put the whole site here but it made the "home page" first load rather slow.  So a lot was deleted to improve load time, please see the full site.   Also, I was told I used the word Panamá and some others too much for the search engines but how do you do a site that is completely about the Panamá without using the country's name a lot???  This is all new and strange to me!!!  Anyway, I hope the site is informative and easy to use.  (Please contact me with any errors noted or information that I should add.)</p> <p><b><font size="6">HOME PAGE</font></b></p> <table border="1" cellspacing="5" width="99%" id="AutoNumber2" height="902" cellpadding="5" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111"> <tr> <td width="50%" height="77" align="left" valign="top"> <p style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 0"><font size="2" face="Verdana"> The Lonely Planet guidebook says "</font><font size="2"><span style="font-family: Verdana">If you have ever said to yourself while traveling, 'I wish I had come here back when…', then come to Panamá now before it is discovered because it soon will be."  </span></font><font size="2" face="Verdana"> MM magazine (with more than 20 million readers) recently named Panamá "The Number One retirement destination in the western hemisphere..." and International Living says its the best in the world.   Interested?  Escapetopanama offers information on travel to Panama, tours, buying real estate, properties for sale, interesting facts about Panama real estate, a map of Panama, a comparison of yesterday's destination, costa rica, with today's destination, Panamá, hotel reservations, a gift shop and links to other information on Panamá.  Scroll down this page to get a brief synopsis of each. </font> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%" height="100%" align="left" valign="top"> <p style="line-height: 150%"><font face="Verdana"> <b><font size="5"> <a target="main" href="tours.htm">TOURS:</a></font><font size="4"> </font></b><font size="2">We currently offer three local trips and horse rentals.  All are one-day, flexible, informal and have between two and five guests.  The favorite is the "Lost in the Amazon" trip where we explore by boat the mangroves, visit Cañas Island, and look for critters.  We also have a horse back trip and a beaches and jungle exploration trip, snorkeling and surfing.  </font></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%" height="154" align="left" valign="top"> <p style="line-height: 150%"><font face="Verdana"> <b><font size="5"><a target="main" href="buyingrealestate.htm">BUYING Real Estate:</a>  </font></b><font size="2">Buying real éstate in Panamá is safe.  Your rights as a foreigner are the same as a citizen.  Whether you are looking for a home, a lot on which to build, a vacation property or a real éstate investment, this section will give you the information you need to do it safely and wisely.  <a target="main" href="buyingrealestate.htm"><BUYING real éstate></a></font></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%" height="77" align="left" valign="top"> <p style="line-height: 150%"><font face="Verdana"> <font size="5"><b><a target="main" href="properties.htm">PROPERTIES:</a></b></font><b><font size="4">  </font></b><font size="2">We have homes, lots, farms and much more, and all for great prices.  A one-half acre oceanfrount lot can cost as little as $20,000.  You can buy a brand new 2000 s.f.  playafront home for under $100,000 or an income producing vacation cottage for as little as $50,000.  <a target="main" href="properties.htm"><PROPERTIES></a></font></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%" height="77" align="left" valign="top"> <p style="line-height: 150%"> <font face="Verdana"><font size="5"><b><a href="livinginpanama.htm">LIVING IN Panamá</a></b></font><b><font size="5"><a target="main" href="factsonPanamá.htm">:</a> </font><font size="2"> </font></b> <font size="2">Living in Panama weather (see facts about Panamá) can be a much better option than the U.S., Europe or Canada.  Your money goes much, much further.  The climate is great.  You can afford to live like a king and/or queen, with place on the , a maid, a boat in the water and a lot of free time to relax and enjoy life. </font><font size="4"> <a target="main" href="livinginpanama.htm"><LIVING IN Panamá></a></font></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%" height="154" align="left" valign="top"> <p style="line-height: 150%"> <font face="Verdana"> <b><a target="main" href="factsonpanama.htm"><font size="5">FACTS ABOUT THE COUNTRY OF PANAMA</font><font size="6">:</font></a><font size="4">  </font></b><font size="2">Here's a collection of valuable and interesting facts about Panamá including links to travel to Panama weather (see facts about Panamá), máp, and time information. </font><font size="4"> </font><font size="2">Get a better idea of what Panamá is all about, get the facts.</font><font size="4">  </font><font size="2">From population, government, religion, seasons, time zone, economy, holidays, electricity, currency, airport, business hours, life expectancy and more, click here the ...</font><font size="4">  <a target="main" href="factsonpanama.htm"><FACTS ON Panamá></a></font></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%" height="42" align="left" valign="top"> <p style="line-height: 150%"> <font face="Verdana"><b><font size="5"> <a target="main" href="panamaorcostarica.htm">Panamá OR COSTA RICA?:</a></font><font size="4"> </font></b></font><font face="Verdana" size="2">Costa Rica, Panamá's well known cousin to the west (not north as many think, see máp below), is the place most people think of when they think of vacationing, living or investing in Central America.  I lived in Costa Rica seven years and it has it's good points but it can't even begin to compare to Panamá.  I've lived in Panamá three years now, and you couldn't get me to move back to Costa Rica, no how, no way!  What people look for in Costa Rica, they find in Panamá.</font><font size="4" face="Verdana">  <a target="main" href="panamaorcostarica.htm"><Panamá OR Costa Rica?></a></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%" height="77" align="left" valign="top"> <b><font face="Verdana" size="6"><a href="maps.htm">Map of Panama</a></font></b><font face="Verdana"><b><font size="6"><a target="main" href="maps.htm">:</a></font><font size="4"> </font></b><font size="7">  </font>Get oriented and see where we are located.<font size="7"> </font><font size="4"> <a target="main" href="maps.htm"><map of Panama></a></font><font size="7">              </font><font size="4">  </font></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%" height="89" align="left" valign="top"> <font face="Verdana"> <font size="6"> <b><a target="main" href="giftshop.htm">GIFT SHOP:</a></b></font><font size="2">  If you can't make it to Panamá to visit or live, you can still have the fun and enjoyment of shopping and of having the local treasures in your home or as wonderful, unique gifts.</font><font size="4">  </font> <font size="2">All items are unique to Panamá, hand made in Panamá, fairly priced and of high quality.  All come with with information as to their history and fabrication.  When possible, items come with a photo and personal information of the artisan who made the item.  All are available by mail or courier delivery and payable by credit card. </font><font size="4">  <a target="main" href="giftshop.htm"><GIFT SHOP></a></font></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%" height="49" align="left" valign="top"> <p style="line-height: 150%"><font face="Verdana"> <b><font size="5"> MORE INFORMATION:  </font></b><font size="2">For more websites and recommended reading, scroll down on the panel to your left.</font></font></td> </tr> </table> <p style="line-height: 150%">This site is about the following:</p> <p style="line-height: 150%">travel to Panama real estate in Panamá, facts about the country of panama canal, real éstate buying information, compared to Costa Rica, gift shop, <br> <br> escapetopanama, travel, tours, panamá travel, reservations, hotels, beaches, snorkeling, jungle, real éstate, real éstate, buying real éstate, real éstate buying information, properties, lots, homes, facts about panama weather (click on "weather" hyperlinnk in facts about panamá), Panamá compared to Cósta Ríca, horseback riding, Los Santos, Tonosi, surf, snorkeling, exploring, Republic of Panamá, travel to Panamá, map of panama, máp, retirement, living in Panamá <br> <br> Travel in Panamá, Live in Panamá, Real Estate in Panamá, General Information about Panamá </p> <table border="1" cellspacing="5" width="100%" id="AutoNumber2" height="902" cellpadding="5" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111"> <tr> <td width="100%" height="77" align="left" valign="top" bgcolor="#99CCFF"> <p align="center"><font face="Tempus Sans ITC" size="7">TOURS AROUND TONOSÍ </font><font face="Tempus Sans ITC" size="2"><a href="maps.htm"> (see máp)</a></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" height="77" align="left" valign="top"> <font face="Verdana"> <b><font size="5"> LOST IN THE AMAZON:</font><font size="4">  </font></b><font size="2">We are not actually in the Amazon jungle, of course, but people say it sure seems like it, and hence the name.  We don't get lost either.  Well, maybe once.  This day long boat trip.....</font></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" height="77" align="left" valign="top"> <b><font face="Verdana" size="5">B</font></b><font face="Verdana"><font size="5"><b>EACH  EXPLORATION:</b></font><b><font size="4"> </font></b><font size="2">We take you to a 500 acre private ranch with more than 3 kilometers of and ocean frontage to explore including blow holes, natural stone arches and doors, a small island you can wade to at low tide, playa caves including one deep one which interconnects with others, the pristine white and tan Playa Madroño, the 200 meter wide Playa Raya,  rocky cliffs, tide pools, some of which are great for soaking in the solar heated water,  coral reefs and tropical fish (snorkeling depends on sea conditions and the individual's experience), a fresh water soaking pool in the jungle, a visit to one of the families of howler monkeys which live there, incredible 360 degree views from the high points of the ranch, an estuary and more.  You will most likely have the ranch completely to yourselves.  Lunch, drinks and snacks are included.  We have a minimum of two people and a maximum of five.  This is a day long trip.  We meet in the morning in Tonosi.  Guests should bring sun protection and footwear that can be used in water and in rocky tidal areas.  Also recommended is a bathing suit and towel.  The cost is $60 pp for two and $50 pp for three to five.   </font> <a href="mailto:reservation@escbeachapetoPanamá.net?subject=Reservation for "Beach Exploration" trip"> <font size="2"><make reservations></font></a></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" height="154" align="left" valign="top"> <font face="Verdana"> <b><font size="5"> HORSEBACK RIDING TRIP:  </font></b><font size="2">We take you to a 400 acre private ranch with more than 3 kilometers of ocean frontage.  You will most likely have the ranch and it's beaches completely to yourselves.  We saddle up at Playa Avalon and head over to a watering hole where we can usually find an alligator or two.  Then we start up and over the coastal hills, enjoying the spectacular 360 degree views of ocean, playas, the Tonosí valley, Isla de Cañas, the mangroves and estuary.  We also enjoy the flora and fauna as we go, the refreshing ocean breezes that sweep across the point,  arriving a couple of hours later at Playa Tiñadero.  We visit the scenic shear rock face and beach at Punto Tiñadero, and go galloping (or walking, as you like) on the beach for as far as you please.  We lunch on the playa and return to Playa Avalon where we can visit the fishing village of Bucaro, explore the rocky tide pools or go for a swim in the calm waters in front of the sandy playa.  Lunch, drinks and snacks are included.  This is a day long trip.  We have a minimum of two people and a maximum of five.  Guests should bring sun protection and shoes appropriate for horse back riding.  Bring other items such as a bathing suit, towel and footwear depending on your interests.  The cost is $60 pp for two and $50 pp for three to five. </font> <a href="mailto:reservation@escapetoPanamá.net?subject=Reservation for "Horseback Riding" trip"> <font size="2"><make reservations></font></a></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" height="154" align="left" valign="top"> <font face="Verdana"> <b><font size="4">   </font></b><font size="5"><b>HORSE RENTALS:</b>  </font> <font size="2">You can also rent the horses and explore on your own the same as in the above trip.    The cost is $30 per person for half day and $40 per person for all day.  <br> </font> <a href="mailto:reservation@escapetoPanamá.net?subject=Reservation for "Horse Rentals" "> <font size="2"><make reservations></font></a></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" height="154"> <font face="Verdana"> <b><font size="5"> SURF LESSONS:  </font></b><font size="2">Beginner surf lessons are available.  We take you to the perfect beginners playa on a private ranch.  This playa is more like a giant wave pool with sand bottom.   You will most likely have this playa completely to yourselves.  This is a four hour outing, and includes a brief exploration of the ranch and a dip in the fresh water soaking pool in the jungle to rinse off.   Lunch, drinks and snacks are included.  We have a minimum of one person and a maximum of three.  Guests should bring sun protection, surf wear and towel.  The cost is $80 for one person and $50 pp for two to three.  </font> <a href="mailto:reservation@escapetoPanamá.net?subject=Reservation for "surf lesson" "> <font size="2"><make reservations></font></a></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" height="42"> <font face="Verdana"> <b><font size="5"> CUSTOM TRIPS:</font></b>  <font size="2">All tours are flexible to better meet the moods, inclinations and interests of our guests.  Generally speaking we will vary the itinerary if all guests on the trip are so inclined.  If your party is not the maximum number but you would like to make the trip exclusively for your party, we can do so for a surcharge.   Also, we can custom design a tour for you.  Tell us what you would like to do and see and we will tell you what we can do for you.  </font> <a href="mailto:info@escaptetoPanamá.net"><font size="2"><tell us about the tour that you want></font></a></font></td> </tr> </table> <table border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="10" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="100%" id="AutoNumber1"> <tr> <td width="100%" bgcolor="#99CCFF"> <p align="center"><b><font size="6" face="Tempus Sans ITC">BUYING REAL ESTATE IN Panamá</font></b></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><font face="Verdana" size="2"><b> Owning property and residing in Panamá</b>:  Foreigners in Panamá have the same title and property rights guaranteed by the constitution both under the law and in practice as do citizens.  In fact, foreigners have almost the same rights guaranteed under the constitution in all things as do citizens, with the obvious exceptions of voting rights, etc.  Panamá law and processes are often similar to that of the U.S.  No doubt this is as a result of the influence the United States has had on Panamá for nearly a century.  However, the processes can also be quite different, especially regarding land between twenty and two hundred meters of mean high tide. </font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><font face="Verdana" size="2"> <b>The purchasing process:</b>  </font><font face="Verdana"> <span style="font-weight: 400"><font size="2">(important stuff!!!!, deleted for load time, please see framed site)</font></span></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2"><b>Why Panamá?</b>  There are a lot of good reasons to buy real estate in Panamá whether it be to vacation part of each year, retirement or investment.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2">Panamá...</font><font face="Verdana"><span style="font-weight: 400"><font size="2">(deleted for load time, see framed site)</font></span></font></p> </td> </tr> </table> <p><font face="Tempus Sans ITC" size="2">PROPERTIES IN </font> <font face="Arial" size="2">Los Santos</font><b><font face="Verdana" size="2"> OCEANFRONT</font></b><font face="Verdana"><b><font size="2"> LOTS:  </font></b><font size="2">From fronting on the playa or sea cliffs, to back up and higher with a view and breeze, from 5000 square feet (500 square meters) to 12 acres (5 hectares), from $10,000 to $90,000, there is something to fit all tastes.  </font> <span style="font-weight: 400"><font size="2">(deleted for load time, see framed site)</font></span></font></p> <p> <font face="Verdana"><font size="2"><b>HOMES:</b></font><b><font size="2"> </font></b><font size="2"> Buy the lot and let the home be part of the contract, turn-key, no hassles or wasted time for you.  We can build anything from a small vacation home to a luxury home for as little as </font> <span style="font-weight: 400"><font size="2">(deleted for load time, see framed site)</font></span></font></p> <p> <b><font face="Verdana" size="2"> TIMESHARES</font></b><font size="2" face="Verdana"><b>:  </b></font> <font face="Verdana"> <span style="font-weight: 400"><font size="2">(deleted for load time, see framed site)</font></span></font></p> <p> <font size="2" face="Verdana"><b> LARGE OCEAN FRONT PARCELS:</b>  Ocean front parcels in the order of 40 acres up to 500 acres are available for as little as $600 per acre.  Great for a getaway ranch, tourism or development project or as just a buy and hold investment.</font></p> <p> <font face="Verdana" size="2">Note:  Los Santos is the last good area where you can get great deals on large parcels.</font></p> <p> </p> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="100%" id="AutoNumber3"> <tr> <td width="100%" bgcolor="#99CCFF"> <p align="center"><font size="7" face="Tempus Sans ITC">LIVING IN PANAMA</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><font face="Verdana" size="2"><b> Owning property and residing in Panamá</b>:  Foreigners in Panamá have the same title and property rights guaranteed by the constitution both under the law and in practice as do citizens.  </font><font face="Verdana"> <span style="font-weight: 400"><font size="2">(more great stuff deleted for load time, please see framed site)</font></span></font><font face="Verdana" size="2">  </font></p> <h2><font size="2" face="Verdana">A safe stable government:  <span style="font-weight: 400">You may expect to find a rough and unstable government, shabby, squalor conditions and anti-American sentiment. But the truth is almost the exact opposite. Panamá is safest, most stable place in Central America.  For the past half-dozen years, the Panamánian government has focused on getting foreigners to put money into the country's economy.  The government realizes ...</span></font><font face="Verdana"><span style="font-weight: 400"><font size="2">(deleted for load time, see framed site)</font></span></font></h2> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2">    Plus, Panamá uses the U.S. dollar as its legal currency, which insulates its economy from global shocks. During the Asian monetary crisis of 1998, Panamá became one of the healthiest economies in Latin America. </font> </p> <h2><font face="Verdana"><font size="2">The world's best incentives for retirees:  <span style="font-weight: 400">Without a doubt, the "law for pensioned or retired persons" is the best deal going for retirees the world over. </span></font> <span style="font-weight: 400"><font size="2">Qualifying for the Pensionado visa is relatively simple. You must: (deleted for load time, see framed site)</font></span></font></h2> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2">        </font><font face="Verdana"><font size="2">Mountains...beaches...and a First World metropolis:  </font><span style="font-weight: 400"><font size="2">From cities to the ocean...mountains to tropical islands, Panamá offers geographical diversity few places can match.  Panama City Panama real estate is probably the least expensive First-World cosmopolitan city. In fact, it's a top choice of many if you're looking for inexpensive city living. Here you'll find world-class restaurants, every imaginable luxury, hundreds of multinational businesses...all at about half the price you'd pay in Miami, or any other U.S. city for that matter. </font></span> <font size="2"> </font><span style="font-weight: 400"><font size="2">It's not just Panamá City's skyline (which is more reminiscent of Miami or even New York than any Central American city) that looks First World...it's that things here work. You can get through the airport quickly and efficiently. The roads are pothole free. Your international phone calls go through the first time every time. Travel to Panama City Panama is efficient and reliable, unlike any other Central American city. </font></span></font> </p> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2">    Outside Panamá City, this country offers some of the finest natural attractions in the world... </font> <font face="Verdana"> <span style="font-weight: 400"><font size="2">(deleted for load time, see framed site)</font></span></font></p> <h2><font face="Verdana"><font size="2">A 25% discount on your cost of living:  <span style="font-weight: 400">It</span></font><span style="font-weight: 400"><font size="2"> isn't a dirt-cheap destination...but it is certainly affordable. You can expect to spend about 25% to 75% less to live here than in the United States, depending whether you live in Panamá City or the interior (everything outside of Panamá City).  A nice rented 2000 square foot house will cost from $1000 per month in Panamá City to as little as $300 in the interior.  </font></span></font></h2> <h2><font face="Verdana"><font size="2">Word on Panamá is slowly getting out:  </font><span style="font-weight: 400"><font size="2">"Known mostly for its travel to Panama canal, Panamá is, in fact, an undiscovered tourist paradise," stated a recent travel article in the Boston Globe.   </font></span></font></h2> <strong> <p> Facts and Information</p> <p> <font size="2" face="Verdana">Population:</font></strong><font size="2" face="Verdana"> </font><strong><font size="2" face="Verdana">Size of country:</font></strong><font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font><strong><font size="2" face="Verdana">Capital city:</font></strong><font face="Verdana" size="2"> Panama City Panama (population 700,000)</font><strong><font size="2" face="Verdana"> </font> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Verdana">Location:</font></strong><font face="Verdana" size="2"> Bordered by: the Caribbean Sea to the north; the North Pacific Ocean to the south; Columbia to the east; and cósta ríca to the west. </font> </p> <p> <strong><font size="2" face="Verdana">International airport:</font></strong><font face="Verdana" size="2"> Tocumen, Panamá City (PTY)</font><strong><font size="2" face="Verdana"> </font> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Verdana">Climate: Tropical</font></strong><font face="Verdana"><font size="2">; the Rainy Season is from May to December and the Dry Season is from mid December to May. To see what the weather is like right now in Panamá City.  </font> <b> <a target="_blank" href="http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/PMXX0004_f.html"> <font size="2"><Current Weather></font></a></b></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"><strong><font size="2">Currency:</font></strong><font size="2"> The U.S. dollar, also referred to as balboas in Panamá. The native currency ...</font></font></p> <p><strong><font size="2" face="Verdana">Language:</font></strong><font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font><strong><font size="2" face="Verdana">System of government:</font></strong><font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font><strong><font size="2" face="Verdana">Telephone country code:</font></strong><font face="Verdana" size="2"> 507</font><strong><font size="2" face="Verdana"> Time zone:</font></strong><font size="2" face="Verdana"> Eastern Standard Time. <b> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.worldtimeserver.com/?locationid=PA"><Current Time></a></b> </font> <strong> <font size="2" face="Verdana">Electricity:</font></strong><font size="2" face="Verdana"> </font> <strong> <font size="2" face="Verdana">National holidays:</font></strong><font face="Verdana"><font size="2"> </font> </font> <font face="Verdana" size="2"><b>Government:</b> </font><strong><font size="2" face="Verdana">Religion:</font></strong><font size="2" face="Verdana"> </font> <b> <font size="2" face="Verdana">Life expectancy at birth:</font></b><font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font><b><font size="2" face="Verdana">Business hours:</font></b><font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font><b><font size="2" face="Verdana">Media: Education:</font></b><font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font><b><font size="2" face="Verdana">Economy:</font></b><font face="Verdana" size="2"> Based mainly on a well-developed services sector that accounts for 75% of GDP: the country of Panama Canal; banking; the Colon Free Trade Zone; insurance; container ports; flagship registry; and tourism.</font><b><font size="2" face="Verdana"> Exports:</font></b><font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font><b><font size="2" face="Verdana">Primary trade partners:</font></b><font size="2" face="Verdana"> USA, EU, Central America & Caribbean, Japan</font><b><font size="2" face="Verdana">Imports:</font></b><font face="Verdana" size="2"> $6.7 billion</font><b><font size="2" face="Verdana"> GDP: </font> </b> <font size="2" face="Verdana">US$8.8 billion</font><b><font size="2" face="Verdana">GDP per head: </font></b> <font size="2" face="Verdana">US$3200</font><b><font size="2" face="Verdana">Annual growth: </font></b> <font size="2" face="Verdana">4.1%</font><b><font size="2" face="Verdana">Inflation rate:</font></b><font size="2" face="Verdana"> 1.1%<b>Major industries:</b> Banking, construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling, shipping and agriculture.<b>Military:  </b>The military in Panamá is prohibited by the constitution, same as in cósta ríca.</font></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Verdana">Panamá or cósta ríca?</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2">cósta ríca, Panamá's well known cousin to the west, is the place most people think of when they think of vacationing, living or investing in Central America.  I lived in cósta ríca seven years and it has it's good points.  I've lived in Panamá three years now, and you couldn't get me to move back to cósta ríca.  What I was looking for in cósta ríca, I, like many others, have found here.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2">GIFT SHOP</font></p> <p> <b><font size="2" face="Verdana">MOLAS</font></b><font size="2" face="Verdana"><b>:  </b>Molas are hand stitched art made by the Kuna Indian women of San Blas Islands on the Caribbean side of Panamá.  Some molas take as long as a month to make.  All by hand.  Molas are often framed and hung.  </font></p> <p> <font size="2" face="Verdana"><b>PANAMA HATS:</b>  Panama hats are made by a braiding process, using a half-inch braid of palm fiber, usually of alternating or mixed white and black.  The finished braid of a Panama hat is wound around and around a wooden form and sewn together at the edges, producing a round-crowned, black-striped hat.</font></p> <p> <font size="2" face="Verdana"><b>POLLERAS:</b>  Polleras are a finely made beautiful national costumes/dresses consist of an intricately embroidered white off the shoulder flounced blouse, contrasting petticoats edged with lace, and many pairs of shimmering filigree ornaments worn in the hair with a large comb.  Prices for polleras vary from two hundred to two thousand dollars.</font></p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2">PLACES TO STAY AROUND TONOSI, Los Santos</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2">MY PLACE: </font></p> <p> <font face="Verdana" size="2"> BOAMY HOTEL Y RESTAURANT:  </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2">MAR Y SELVA HOTEL Y RESTAURANT:  </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2">HOME STAYS:</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2">so escapetopanama weather!!!</font></p> <table width="113" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" class="nav_bar_border" height="453"> <tr> <td class="nav_bar_bottom_line" width="156" align="center" height="50" bgcolor="#99CCFF"> <p align="center"><font face="Verdana" size="2"><b> <a class="menu_link" target="main" href="home.htm">Home</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="nav_bar_bottom_line" width="156" align="center" height="50" bgcolor="#99CCFF"> <font face="Verdana" size="2"> <b> <a class="menu_link" target="main" href="tours.htm">Tours</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="nav_bar_bottom_line" width="156" align="center" height="50" bgcolor="#99CCFF"> <font face="Verdana" size="2"> <b> <a target="main" href="buyingrealestate.htm">Buying Real Estate</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="nav_bar_bottom_line" width="156" align="center" height="50" bgcolor="#99CCFF"> <font face="Verdana" size="2"> <b><a href="properties.htm">Properties</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="nav_bar_bottom_line" width="156" align="center" height="50" bgcolor="#99CCFF"> <b><font face="Verdana" size="2"><a href="livinginpanama.htm">Living in Panama</a></font></b></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="nav_bar_bottom_line" width="156" align="center" height="25" bgcolor="#99CCFF"> <font face="Verdana" size="2"> <b> <a href="factsonpanama.htm">facts about Panama</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="nav_bar_bottom_line" width="156" align="center" height="50" bgcolor="#99CCFF"> <font face="Verdana" size="2"> <b><a href="panamaorcostarica.htm">Panamá or Costa Rica</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="nav_bar_bottom_line" width="132" align="center" height="50" bgcolor="#99CCFF"> <font face="Verdana" size="2"> <b> <a href="maps.htm">Máp</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="nav_bar_bottom_line" width="132" align="center" height="50" bgcolor="#99CCFF"> <font face="Verdana" size="2"> <b><a href="giftshop.htm">Gift Shop</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="nav_bar_bottom_line" width="132" align="center" height="50" bgcolor="#99CCFF"> <font face="Verdana" size="2"> <b><a target="main" href="placestostay.htm">Places to Stay</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="nav_bar_bottom_line" width="132" align="center" height="50" bgcolor="#99CCFF"> <font face="Verdana" size="2"> <b><a target="main" href="aboutus.htm"> About Us</a></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="nav_bar_bottom_line" width="132" align="center" height="50" bgcolor="#99CCFF"> <font face="Verdana" size="2"> <b><a class="menu_link" href="mailto:info@escaptetoPanamá.net">Contact Us</a></b></font></td> </tr> </table> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2"><br>  </font></p> <p> </p> </body>