Articles
Travel guides, hotel comparisons and insurance analysis for Panama. Independent content based on real data.
🗺️Travel Guides
Playa Caracol: The Definitive Guide for Panama City Locals
Consistent surf, beachfront apartments and 75 min from the capital. Everything you need to know before going: timing, potholes, tides and how to avoid Friday traffic.
Read more→Contadora Island: The Luxury Beach Day 90 Minutes from the Capital
9 beaches, snorkeling with nurse sharks, humpback whales June–October and golf carts to explore it all. Panama Pacific's best kept secret.
Read more→Pedasí and Playa Venao: The Pacific that Few Panama City Locals Know
Panama's best surf, humpback whales July–October, nesting turtles and the most authentic Azuero town. 5 hours from the capital — worth every kilometer.
Read more→El Valle de Antón: Panama City Locals' Favorite Escape
Inside a volcanic crater, 2.5h from Panama. Waterfalls, thermal springs, mountain coffee and the country's best craft market. Complete guide with real prices.
Read more→San Blas (Guna Yala): The Real Guide for Panamanians
No ATMs. No wifi. No hotel chains. 365 islands run by the Guna people. What it really costs, how to get there, what to bring and what nobody tells you before going.
Read more→Isla Taboga: The Perfect Escape 30 Minutes from the Capital
Ferry from Amador, the oldest Pacific-coast mainland church in the Americas, Canal views and calm beaches. No car, no stress — complete guide for Panama City locals.
Read more→Portobelo and Isla Grande: Caribbean 2 Hours from the Capital
Free UNESCO colonial forts, Panama's most famous Black Christ and the white-sand island Panama City locals keep as a secret. Don't enter Colón — honest guide to Panama's Caribbean.
Read more→Santa Catalina: Panama's Surf Mecca and Gateway to Coiba
World-class waves at La Punta, diving in Coiba National Park (UNESCO) and the country's most unpretentious town. 7 hours from the capital — worth the trip.
Read more→Casco Viejo: The Guide That's Not on TripAdvisor
La Bárbara speakeasy, Pedro Mandinga artisanal rum, Sisu Geisha coffee and Mercado San Felipe. The second visit that makes you understand why Casco is genuinely special.
Read more→What to See in Panama in 7 Days — Complete 2026 Itinerary
Panama City, Casco Viejo, Bocas del Toro and Boquete in one week. Hotels, transport and daily budget.
Read more→Bocas del Toro — Complete Travel Guide 2026
The best beaches, overwater hotels, where to eat and how to get there. Everything you need to plan your visit.
Read more→Boquete: Geisha Coffee, Quetzals and Volcán Barú — 2026 Guide
The town of flowers, the world's most expensive coffee and the quetzal in its natural habitat. Complete Boquete guide.
Read more→🏥Health Insurance
How to Choose the Best Health Insurance in Panama — Complete 2026 Guide
Everything you need to know: local vs. international plans, real prices, and how to choose based on your situation.
Read more→You Pay $200/Month and Can't Choose Your Doctor. There's Another Option.
The real problem with local insurance: closed networks, limited specialists, weeks of waiting. The alternative costs $50 less.
Read more→Your Child Has a Fever at 10pm. Does Your Insurance Let You Go to the Best Pediatrician?
Real scenario: a late-night emergency with your child. The difference between your insurer assigning a clinic and you choosing the best one.
Read more→The Red Card That Changes Everything: How PassportCard Works in Panama
Full breakdown of the red card system: a Visa Debit the insurer loads in real time. No reimbursements, no paperwork.
Read more→Over 55? ASSA Won't Accept You Anymore. But There Are Options.
Every local insurer caps enrollment at 55. PassportCard accepts up to 64. Cigna has no age limit.
Read more→Your Dental Crown Costs $800. Does Your Insurance Cover It? (Probably Not)
One crown nearly covers the entire price difference between ASSA and PassportCard for a full year. The numbers that matter.
Read more→ASSA vs MAPFRE vs SURA Panama — Which to Choose in 2026?
The only independent comparison of Panama's 3 major local insurers. Full table: prices, medical network, max age, maternity, and a clear verdict.
Read more→Retire in Panama — Which Health Insurance Do You Need in 2026?
Complete guide for retirees: Pensionado Visa, age limits, insurance combinations and what options remain when you're over 55.
Read more→