As the gateway to the Americas, Panama has long been a great destination for world class shopping and super diverse dining adventures.

In recent years, Panama’s shopping, dining, and entertainment infrastructure have taken on a decidedly American flair. Three of the region’s largest malls have opened here and more are planned. Many of the stores populating these new Mecca’s of consumerism bear familiar names from back home as well as a dizzying array of local shops and handicrafts.

Just outside of Panama’s new malls, you’ll find hundreds of quaint shops waiting to be discovered. On the shelves of these local treasures you’ll find an impossible to describe mix of goods from every corner of the country and the planet.

Panama is one of the most diverse countries on earth. When you walk down the street you will see faces reflecting hundreds of nationalities. Each community is well represented in the culinary offerings of this unique country. It is not unusual to find middle eastern, Latin, European, and Pacific Rim, and local cuisine within a few blocks of each other. If you find yourself getting a little homesick, you can always stroll into one of the many McDonald’s, Burger Kings, Subways, Pizza Huts, Bennigans, Wendy’s and such that dot the Panamanian urban landscape.

World class convenience and breathtaking natural beauty are just a couple of the benefits that retirement friendly Panama offers in abundance. When you make the decision to spend your golden years here, you will find a long list of benefits and incentives designed just for you.

Did you know that when you buy your retirement home in Panama, you may qualify for as much as a 20 year property tax exemption? Did you know that when you become a Panamanian resident, all of the income you earn outside of the country comes to you tax free? When you move to Panama, you can bring your furnishings and other valuables with you tax free and Panamanian law also allows you to invest and bank in absolute secrecy.

Panama’s Pensionado program provides qualified retirees with a long list of discounts like 50% off entertainment options (movies, theaters, sporting events, etc.), 50% off of the price of mid-week hotel stays, 50% off of the costs of closing your home mortgage, 30% off public transport costs, 25% off of domestic air tickets, 25% off at restaurants, 20% off of professional and home repair fees, 20% discount on already low Doctor bills, 1. 5% off of hospital bills if you are not insured, 15% off of the cost of dental and eye exams, 10% off of the local prescription prices… and more!