In much the same fashion as neighboring Costa Rica, Panama is emerging now as a prime destination for North American and European tourists including those seeking second homes or retirement alternatives. International tourism has more than doubled since 1994 to over 700,000 visits per year, increasing 15 percent between 2005 and 2006. Panama City is just 2.5 hours by plane from Miami and already receives more than 400 international flights each week.

Affluent North and South Americans are flocking to Panama not only for its easy access but also for its natural beauty that includes such diverse and pristine ecosystems as tropical rain forest, virgin beaches, and volcano high-altitude mountain environments, which rival any destination in Central America.
Visitors feel safe in Panama because of its low crime rate and entrenched constitutional democracy with minimal political risk. The country’s robust title laws grant foreign investors and property owners the same rights as Panamanian citizens. The American dollar is legal tender; the Panamanian Balboa is tied to the U.S. dollar at a one-to-one exchange rate, which provides further stability to the national economy.  The country’s economy has been growing at a strong and sustained rate in recent years, driven primarily by expansion of the Panama Canal and increased tourism.

Another attractive draw for international tourism is that Panama offers a modern healthcare system with American-trained, English-speaking doctors and several top hospitals and clinics that meet U.S. standards, yet the cost of health care services is a fraction of comparable costs in the U.S. Finally, Panama continues to enjoy a unique relationship with the U.S. characterized by a deep commitment to the preservation of its security situation and the rule of law, resulting from the Canal’s strategic importance and the scale and international significance of its banking system.

In summary, Panama is a phenomenally beautiful and diverse country with infrastructure that rivals many developed nations.  Its unique beauty and potential have begun to attract international recognition, showing that Panama is in fact the next resort frontier of the Americas.