Panama

In this Panama Special Report, we bring you the areas of Albrook and Clayton, Panama City.

Both Albrook and Clayton originated as part of the Panama Canal Zone. The infrastructure and neighborhoods were built by U.S. engineers to be used by the U.S. armed forces. When the U.S. government turned the Panama Canal over to the Panamanians 10 years ago, Clayton and Albrook came as part of the package. In the decade since, these two communities have developed into quiet, peaceful residential areas with parks, single-family homes, some of the best schools in Panama, and small retail areas. Perfect if you’re relocating with a family but very appealing, too, if you’re just looking for a more suburban experience.

The Caribbean Coast of Panama is notoriously underdeveloped—a pro or a con depending on what kind of lifestyle you’re looking for. This side of the country’s infrastructure is basic at best, and, as a result, fewer foreigners have settled on Panama’s northern side. English is less generally spoken than on the Pacific side, though the touristy Bocas del Toro is an exception— here the high volume of visitors means most working in the service industry speak English, and many businesses are American or Canadian owned.

Bocas del Toro is often regarded as Panama’s top tourist destination—and for good reason, too. This is one of the most pristine areas on Panama’s Caribbean coast, and tourists have taken note of its dense rain forests, clear and clean turquoise water, and white-sand beaches.

Bocas del Toro is a province in Panama consisting of a small portion of the mainland as well as an archipelago of nine islands. It borders the Caribbean Sea to the north, Chiriquí to the south, Costa Rica to the west, and the indigenous Ngäbe-Buglé comarca to the east.

Until recently, it has been regarded as little more than a slum. To be fair, some corners of the town could leave you with that impression, but things are changing here.

The government is beginning to take note of the tourism potential and is investing in infrastructure accordingly. As recently as a decade ago, paved roads, sewage treatment, and even slightly reliable electricity had yet to arrive to town. Today, Bocas is more attractive than ever before and continues to improve thanks to the locals, tourists, and foreign residents alike. Improvements in infrastructure are ongoing and at a steady pace. Even recycling has now been recognized as a necessity if they are to save their pristine sand and surf.

In this Panama Special Report, we bring you a closer look at the District of Chame and its most popular town, Punta Chame, which—in high season—draws beach-goers of all stripes, from surfers, kite-surfers, sport-fishermen, extreme sport-lovers, etc.

While it shares the same stretch of coastline as expat hot spot Coronado (which has seen major development over the past decade), Chame remains largely undiscovered, unpenetrated, and underrated.

Located in the Panamá Oeste Province, Chame comprises 11 small towns that sprawl out along the Panamerican Highway. On the hour-and-a-half drive it takes to reach the area from Panama City, you pass national parks, sleepy hamlets, mountains, and mangrove forests before finally arriving at the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean.

In this Panama Special Report, we bring you the city of Colón, which in many ways is the counterpoint to Panama City, which is located on the opposite end of the Panama Canal.

Aside from Panama City’s colonial old town, nowhere else in Panama has the same architectural charm—except for Colon.