Welcome to the Panama Weekly News Roundup! Here’s the latest.
Kraków hosts organizers of 2019 World Youth Days in Panama
Members of the organizing team of the 2019 World Youth Days in Panama are in the Polish city of Kraków, the venue of the event last year. They want to make use of the experience gained by Poles in organizing a gathering of over one million people from around the world.
The group from Panama, led by Archbishop Jose Domingo Ulloa, are holding a series of meetings with the people who were responsible for logistics, the work of volunteers, the registration of pilgrims and the organization of Masses in Kraków.
World Youth Days with Pope Francis were held in Kraków in July 2016. On 9 April, Palm Sunday, during a Mass celebrated by the pope in the Vatican, representatives of the Kraków organizing team will hand over the symbols of the World Youth Days to a delegation from Panama.
Source: Radio Poland
How To Properly Do Carnaval In Panama
Panama’s legendary carnavales are approaching, and it’s one of the most looked forward to times of the year for Panamanians. There’s 1000’s of people, earsplitting music, grand parades, elaborately dressed “Carnaval Queens”, and complete chaos.
As soon as the year’s carnaval celebrations end it’s time for Panamanians to begin planning the next year’s festivities, which means that rooms fill up quickly. Hotels also charge a premium for rooms during carnavales so book as far in advance as possible. If you happen to go to the carnaval in Penonome, I recommend staying at Dos Continentes. They were the only hotel I could find at the last minute with space available the week before and weren’t charging ridiculous prices. Also check booking.com for great hotel deals throughout Panama.
Source: PTY Life
Panama Canal Sets New Monthly Tonnage Record
In January 2017, the Panama Canal set a new monthly tonnage record of 36.1 million Panama Canal tons (PC/UMS), with the transit of 1,260 ships through both the Expanded and original locks.
The previous record was established the month prior, in December 2016, when 1,166 ships transited the waterway for a total of 35.4 million PC/UMS.
“This increase reiterates the importance of the Expanded Canal, and it’s further proof of the maritime industry’s continued confidence in the Panama Canal and the impact it will have on the future of global trade,” said the Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano. Prior to the inauguration of the Expanded Canal on June 26, 2016, the monthly tonnage record was 30.4 million PC/UMS, which was set in October 2014.
Seven months after the beginning of operations, the Expanded Canal has already transited more than 750 Neopanamax vessels – more than 50 percent of which were container ships. In addition, the Expanded Canal has accommodated liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels, as well as bulk carriers, tankers and vehicle carriers.
Source: American Journal of Transportation
Retiring in Panama: Five places that are ideal for relocating retirees
Have you considered retiring in Panama? Have you already made your decision, but not sure exactly where in Panama you should retire to? With so many great communities here for retirees, you’ve got lots to look over and consider before you make the move. We fully recommend that before making any big decisions about moving, you come visit these places for yourself. That being said, here are five of our favorite places that we think are ideal for retires in Panama.
1. Boquete:
This quiet, picturesque mountain town is high in the Chiriqui mountains, nestled alongside the Baru Volcano, and the perfect fit for a retiree. The town has a huge expat retiree community, and many resources that allow people to stay active, get what they need, and meet others that share the same interests. Properties are diverse in price and location, and you can live fairly well off a limited budget if you plan right.
Source: International Relocation Firm Blog
