Thurs, September 8, 2016
A crowd of Portenos had assembled to hear him speak.
Puerto Armuelles will have an all new hospital. The new facility will include:
It will happen in 3 phases.
But while the new hospital project is a positive backdrop for President Varela’s visit, the crowd gathered were more interested in knowing:
“What are you going to do to boost our local economy here in Puerto Armuelles?”
Residents of Puerto Armuelles are somewhat skeptical of the promises of President Varela, as they were of previous presidents. After Chiquita Banana left Puerto Armuelles, now about 15 years ago, presidential administrations have all promised projects to bring economic vitality to Puerto Armuelles.
Today, President Varela explained that he is fulfilling his promises to Puerto Armuelles residents.
First of all, the current negotiations with Del Monte to take over the Chiquita Banana plantations are almost complete. (These negotiations have been in process for over a year.) The President has signed the final executive approval for Del Monte to begin work. All that remains is the final approval by the legislature. (Find out more about the Del Monte banana deal here).
President Varela anticipates that the deal will be passed by the legislature in the near future. He predicts that Del Monte will start operations in early 2017.
The Panama government has negotiated with a few other banana companies (including Chiquita) since Chiquita left Puerto. But none, have gotten as far into the process as Del Monte.
Del Monte will employ up to 3,000 workers in Puerto Armuelles.
I'm sure Del Monte taking over the banana plantations will contribute to the current upswing in prosperity in Puerto Armuelles. The renaissance of the “Green Gold” can only be good for Puerto. (Green Gold was the a name used for bananas during Chiquita's reign of Puerto Armuelles.)
In addition to President Varela’s announcement about the imminent arrival of Del Monte, the president also touched on the continued investment in the new, 4 lane highway into Puerto Armuelles.
Road out to Limones
Varela stated that he had approved the funds to continue this new highway all the way out to the fishing community of Limones. Limones is 12 kilometers past Puerto Armuelles, on the Punta Burica Peninsula.
Over the last decade, the road to Limones has been upgraded several times. But the work has always fallen short of a long lasting and paved road. All past work on the road, has been partial at best and it has always fallen into disrepair very quickly.
This time, President Varela said, the work is going to be done right.
The President stated that, with these and other positive investments, the Puerto Armuelles community will continue to reap the benefits of the higher quality of life so much of Panama is enjoying.
This map does not include all the neighborhoods in Puerto, but it show the ones of most interest to expats and retirees.
The map should help a visitor to more quickly get their bearings.
The 13 neighborhoods included on the map, going roughly from east to west:
Between downtown and Rio Mar is the Pueblo Nuevo neighborhood. It isn't shown on the map due to scale issues.
For information and photos of these neighborhood, click here.
The names of the rivers and creeks on the map are hard to read. So I am repeating them here.
Starting in the east, in the San Vicente neighborhood, and going west, the rivers are.
I will try to upload a higher resolution version of the map soon.
In the near future, I will have a map that includes the locations of restaurants, hotels, and other places of interest to people.
Want something shown on a Puerto Map?
Let us know.
If you want to know more about Puerto Armuelles, start here.
Puerto has a new waterfront restaurant, Cafe del Mar.
As the photo shows, it serves Italian, Thai, Indian and Mexican food, as well as hamburgers.
My family and I ate there after running into a couple who raved about it. They had been there 4 times in one week! And people have also told us they like the restaurant. Overwhelmingly people recommended ordering the dish Thai On On.
When we went the service was very courteous and prompt. We were served by the 2 owners Bernard and Ricardo. Bernard has lived in Puerto Armuelles for years. He is Iranian and speaks English well. Ricardo has had restaurants in both Bocas and David. He has minimal English. Both men are good hosts.
We ordered 2 dishes, the lasagne and, of course, the Thai dish, Thai One On. You can see what they looked like in the photos. Normally, the Thai dish is made with chicken or fish, but they were out of both and used ground beef instead. They asked us if that was okay first.
It was wonderful to have food with flavors you cannot get when eating out elsewhere in Puerto Armuelles. It was interesting that the Thai dish was in the form of a burrito, but it worked.
See their menu in the photos below.
We found our food greasier than we like, but that could be because of the substitution of ground beef for the usual chicken in our dish.
They emphasized that one of their specialities are liquado and batidos, similar to smoothies and milk shakes. But we didn't feel like having them a dinner.
Since then we have had their liquados (but not their batidos) many times. Ricardo makes them best. They only use natural fruit with no added sugar, which is wonderful. I have tried their mango, pineapple, and watermelon liquados. I like Mango the best. Others in my family favor watermelon. They don't always fruit in stock for all the flavors they offer. Some day soon we will have to try their chocolate batido.
The Cafe is open every day, except Tuesday. They usually open at 11, although occasionally not until 1pm. They are open for snacks, lunch, and dinner.
Cafe del Mar overlooks the water at Puerto Armuelles's downtown waterfront park. It is right next to the bus station. If you are at the park, looking at the water, the cafe is on your left.
We go to that park just to sit and watch the water a few times a week. So having a place to sip a liquado is a good plus. In fact, until about a year ago, there had been a small cafe that served liquado in the same location. It didn't offer much in the way of food and their liquados were very sweet. Cafe del Mar's liquados are far superior to those.
You can call Bernard to order take out or to pre-order - 6751-5028.
Business is good at Cafe del Mar. But both Ricardo and Bernard anticipate that their business will do even better once Del Monte comes to town. Del Monte will put more money in the pockets of everyone from banana pickers to management. That money will be spent all over town, including at Cafe del Mar.
If you haven't heard yet, Del Monte is nearing the end of a very long government process to allow Del Monte to produce bananas here. Del Monte will be taking over the old Chiquita Banana plantations. Read more about Del Monte growing bananas in Puerto Armuelles, Panama.
July 16, 2016
UPDATE: Del Monte now has full legislative approval to grow bananas in Puerto Armuelles & Baru.
A big crowd had gathered in ESPA's high school gymnasium to hear the news. The Panamanian Minister of the Presidency, Alvaro Aleman, and other officials signed documents.
There was a very long speech by the mayor of Puerto Armuelles, Franklin Valdez, followed by a not-quite-as-long speech by Alvaro Aleman. Nothing surprising was said. Alot of talk of jobs, economic recovery, and how hard they are working to get an agreement with Del Monte to revive the banana industry in the Baru district of the Chiriqui province.
Alvaro Aleman told the crowd that the first step towards reviving the banana industry in Baru was to sign an agreement with Del Monte. However, that agreement must be approved by the Council of Ministers and then ratified by the Panama National Assembly.
"I am confident that this bill, which will be presented in this legislative period, will be passed so that next summer Del Monte can begin its investments in the area," said Aleman.
The minister said that if approved, Del Monte could make up to $220 million in investments in the Baru plantations which will provide, "important sources of work."
He also explained that one of the outstanding issues is how and whether to allow Del Monte to buy the plantations since some of them are within 10 kilometers of the border. The Panama Constitution prohibits foreigners from owning land within 10 kilometers of the border.
Del Monte is interested in acquiring "approximately 2,572 hectares belonging to the State, 840 hectares owed by an agricultural association, and 1,771 hectares that are privately owned." said Aleman.
Varela visits in September & updates Del Monte progress
The atmosphere of the crowd was one of muted and wary optimism. While much was made of the signing of documents, it was only another step in the long process of getting a banana company in Puerto Armuelles. The current talks with Del Monte have been going on for more than a year so far.
Progress has been made. Del Monte has asked to be allowed to hire foreign labor, but it was agreed that they would follow Panama labor laws, which makes bringing in foreign labor very difficult.
There is another company that wants to take over banana production in the plantations in the District of Baru. About a year ago, Coobana, a worker's cooperative also expressed interest in taking over the banana plantations in the Puerto Armuelles area. That proposal was not mentioned during yesterday's meeting.
2 banana worker cooperatives started in the wake of Chiquita pulling out (in Puerto Armulles) and greatly scaling back (in Bocas del Toro). Puerto Armuelles's worker cooperative, Coosemupar, was a dismal failure for many reasons.
On the other hand, Bocas's cooperative, Coobana, continues to be a success. Their success is credited to the critical and successful overture Coobana made to supply bananas to Europe. Coobana has had to modify many of its labor and growing practices to comply with European standards.
Given that the Minister of President of Panama was here to announce further progress in negotiations with Del Monte, Coobana coming to Puerto seems unlikely. However, I think a company run by other Panamanian banana workers would be a good choice for Puerto. Especially a company that has improved both labor practices and safe growing methods.
I am not sure of all the details of the proposal of either Del Monte or Coobana though. I have heard some say that Coobana has already taken over some of the plantations in Baru. Perhaps those are the lands mentioned above that are owned by an "agricultural association". Accurate information can be hard to get in Panama.
For now we will have to wait and see what develops. I know that the owners of Puerto's newest restaurant, Cafe del Mar, are looking forward to a new banana company and the influx of money into the pockets of Portenos.
Enjoy the photo gallery of yesterday's Del Monte meeting. Click on any photo to start the slideshow.
UPDATE - The radio show is currently paused (June 2016)
Recent transplants to Puerto Armuelles, Michael Butler and Beverley McAleese, have undertaken a new adventure. They will be hosting a weekly program at our local radio station “Radio Mi Preferida” (located behind Romero’s).
It is fun that our town is small enough, and simple enough, that you can still make a proposal for a radio program, do the necessary research for the show, find a way to cover costs (I am sure contributions will be welcome. Betsy and I have already pledged to contribute), and get the program on the air.
What is amazing is that in our little town of Puerto Armuelles, one of the co-anchors of the new radio show, Michael Butler, has 45 years of broadcast journalism experience in the private sector and with the CBC in Toronto, Ontario.
Michael’s roles in radio have included research, writing, and reading the news live on the air nightly. He has also produced newscasts for television that have aired nationally in Canada. He has interviewed presidents and prime ministers, beauty pageant winners and punk rockers. He even covered the 1976 Montreal Winter Olympics.
Michael’s wife and co-anchor of the new show, Beverley McAleese has a diverse background indeed. However, professional social work, and being of service to others, are a thread that runs throughout her career. Among Beverley’s social service projects have been working with battered women and women and their infants recovering from addictions, and creating a program for prostituted and trafficked women. Beverley received a Toronto YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in recognition of her career of service to the public.
While we are not familiar with the details of the upcoming radio show, Michael and Beverley have indicated that their half hour show, which airs each Wednesday at 4:30 PM, will touch on matters of spiritual significance, but without being Christian-focused, or reflecting the views of any particular belief structure or organization.
The topic of our spirituality, while living in an apparently carefree place like Puerto Armuelles, Panama is, no doubt, of significance to all of the expats here. Some of us have gotten together to discuss, or at least we are highly aware of, the challenges that arise when one makes the big decision to pick up stakes and move to Panama, only to discover that, just because we live in “paradise”, doesn’t mean that our lives are paradisical.
Ultimately, we all have to confront the same basic challenges that we faced before, in our “old lives” wherever it was that we were living. In fact, a number of Puerto Armuelles ex-pat residents have lived in a tropical paradise before, in Costa Rica, or elsewhere in the tropics. What on earth could cause one to leave paradise and move to another paradise ?(other than taking a bite of that forbidden apple, or mango)? My guess is that if the first paradise didn’t solve the problem, then the second (or third, or fourth) paradise is not going to do it either.
If none of this applies to you, congratulations, (I would like to read your book). However, if you are like most of us, then you are a “work in progress”, and you can probably learn something useful from Michael’s and Beverley’s program. Or call in, or email in something useful to add to the conversation.
I wrote abit about spiritual life in Panama in this post.
You can listen online or on an old school radio.
The radio station is Radio Mi Preferida Estero at 105.3 FM or 930 AM
Visit the radio station's website to listen online.
It's a weekly show on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5pm.
Their first show is this coming Wednesday, May 4, 2016
I am sure they would appreciate you listening.
I don't know if you can contact them during the show, but if you can, the radio booth phone number is 770-7408.
Break a leg Beverley and Michael!
And thanks for taking on this new adventure.
March 26, 2016 by Skylar Vayda and Betsy Czark
The Rodeo, or Pista de Lasso (as it is called in Panama) consists of lasso teams competing to lasso a calf in the shortest time possible. And definitely under 20 seconds, which is the maximum amount of time a cowboy has to lasso a calf within an 80 meter long space.
The rodeo begins at 11 am and goes into the evening. Because of this time frame, as the day progresses, some teams perform more poorly than others because one or more of their riders is drunk.
The rodeo's atmosphere is lively and at time intense, as the supporters of each team shout their encouragements. There is also a fair amount of unofficial bets being placed, so that may be something to look out for.
My (Skylar's) past experiences at the rodeo have been wonderful. I loved horses when I was younger. Because of that I especially enjoyed seeing the pure breed horses outfitted in their colorful harnesses. I went often when I was younger. I even owned my own lasso so I could practice. But I watched much more lassoing than I practiced.
The rodeo season is a large part of the culture in Panama. While in Panama you should definitely experience it at least once.
Puerto's Rodeo Schedule
Rodeos occur on 8 consecutive Sundays. The first rodeo was on March 6th.
The Pista de Lasso technically start at 10am, but usually don't get going until 11ish. Food and drinks are sold at the events.
5 Remaining Competitions
March 27 - Location outside of Puerto Armuelles
April 3rd - Casa de Puma - located about 3 miles from downtown Puerto
April 10th - Location outside of Puerto Armuelles
April 17th - Romero Arena in Altos San Vicente neighborhood
April 24 - Location outside of Puerto Armuelles
There are a total of 10 teams competing in these rodeos. Four are from Puerto Armuelles. One of those teams is sponsored by 2 Puerto Armuelles expats & horse lovers: Veronica and Tony.
Do you want to be part of a team? You cannot just join, you must be invited. The teams are really clubs. To show your interest and prowess, you must go to the practice roping events that are held from November - February.
I will be updating this post soon. I want to impart the wealth of information about these events from Veronica and Tony.
I simply don’t have time to write it up now. But I wanted to get the rodeo schedule to folks in case they want to attend. Last Sunday, Skylar and I enjoyed ourselves at the rodeo in Altos San Vicente. The photos on this page are from that day.
Updated 3/3/20
(Need to get a US election absentee ballot fast? Check out this October 28, 2020 post)
Your vote could be the difference.
All U.S. citizens can receive their ballots electronically.
Depending on the state in which you are eligible to vote, you can get your ballot by email, fax, or online.
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This video ends with a pro-democratic party message. I am not suggesting that you vote Democratic. I used this video for its great message, "You can vote from abroad!"
My husband and I have voted in various U.S. Presidential and other elections from Panama.
It wasn't always easy to vote from overseas. Thankfully, it continues to get easier and the number of information sites on how to vote overseas keeps growing.
I have compiled 7 reliable websites on how to register to vote, and how to vote from overseas. Many of these sites also provide information about upcoming elections. Use whichever source you like best.
1) Overseas Vote Foundation is a non-partisan site for US citizens abroad and US military. You can register to vote and request your absentee ballot through this site.
It also offers a wealth of information on the State voting requirements, election dates and deadlines, and contact information. It even includes information on candidates running for election. One thing I like about this site is that it easily lets you vote overseas, even if you are only overseas for a few weeks. This means if you are only out of the country for election day, you will remain registered in your home state, so you don't have to re-register.
Best of all, it offers a Federal write-in absentee ballot. You can use that type of ballot if your requested absentee ballot is late.
2) Democrats Abroad is the official Democratic Party arm for Americans living outside the US.
Democrats Abroad is recognized as a "state" Party by the Democratic National Committee (DNC). It is represented on the DNC by 8 voting members, as well as at the quadrennial Democratic National Convention.
It is a vibrant organization with a presence all over the world, including Panama. During the last Presidential election, they had the first ever online presidential debate between Clinton and Sanders. It focused on issues of interest to US citizens abroad.
From March 3-10, 2020, Democrats can remotely vote in the Democratic Abroad 2020 Global Primary. There are also in-person voting locations on select dates within that time frame.
Find out how to vote in the 2020 Democratic Global Presidential Primary, here.
In 2016, almost 35,000 people in over 170 countries voted in the first Global Presidential Primary. The results of that primary awarded Sanders 9 pledged delegates and Clinton 4 delegates.
3) Republicans Overseas. Good news for Republicans. Until recently there was no website for Republicans overseas. But now there is one: RepublicansOverseas.com. The main goal of the organization is to repeal FATCA. I must say I am 100% behind that effort! Their website also provides some information about voting as a Republican from abroad.
There is also a Republican Overseas facebook page, which has been around for quite a few years.
(Note: Republicans do not allow US citizens to vote in the Republican Presidential primary election while overseas. That is, unless you register in time and subsequently vote via your home state's absentee ballot system. Otherwise, Republican expats can only cast their vote for President in the general election.)
4) Vote from Abroad is a site for US Citizens that allows you to both register and vote from abroad. It also has all sorts of information, such as
5) Federal Voting Assistance Program provides voting assistance to Service members, their families, and US Citizens overseas. It seems to have an easy 5 step process as well as quite a lot of information about upcoming elections.
6) US State Department has a wealth of voting information about voting abroad. It includes a link to an emergency last minute ballot.
7) US Embassy in Panama usually has a message to US citizens about voting abroad and in Panama specifically. For example it explains where and when to submit your US ballots to locations in Panama, or if you can mail them to your home state. To find out the US Embassy's latest advice on voting, click here.
If you have questions about voting in US elections from Panama, the US Embassy Panama Voting Assistance has more information at this link. You can also email them at [email protected].
Remember, your vote counts!"
Maybe because it was so very hot for the first couple of hours this year. But I think the bigger factor was the line up.
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Last year, on Sunday, there more blues performers and the performers were much higher energy. The crowd was higher energy. More people were wearing mardi-gras beads and crazy hats.
Of course, we were also missing Lil Ed and the Blue Imperials. Lil Ed brings his own very enthusiastic head-dress-wearing crowd. But there seemed to be more acts too.
(You can see photos of the 2015 Boquete Jazz & Blues festival here.)
Also missing was face painting and homemade gelato ice cream.
However, there was fabulous pizza baked in a portable wood-fired oven. The ice cream was good, but it wasn't as good as last year's. I loved this year's misters that lightly spayed water on you. They didn't have those last year, that I remember. Did I mention it was so very hot this year.
I enjoyed Tommy Castro very much. He is more R&B than Blues, but his is undoubtedly good. But Sunday's performers weren't the same level of energy and diversity of performers as last year.
Next year, I am will check out the line up more before shelling out the money. I go for the blues, not the jazz. So a good blues line up is critical for me.
Next year's festival will be from February 9 - 12, 2017.
So far the line up looks promising
According to the Boquete Jazz and Blues website, this is the line up.
Regular priced tickets go on sale on April 1, 2016.
I wish they would dedicate Sunday to Blues and Saturday to Jazz. I would sign up for next year right now, if I knew I could be listening to almost all Blues on the day I chose.
For a short time, 2017 Boquete Jazz & Blues Festival tickets are for sale online at a discount. But again, only for a short window of time.
From February 28th 2016, at 6pm until March 2, 2016 at midnight!
The discounted price is $117, which gets you admission for both Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately, this early out you cannot buy a ticket for Sat or Sunday. You must buy it for both.
To give you an idea of the savings. One day tickets for 2016 were $74. I think the 2 day tickets were $169.
I am not sure if I will buy them early or not. I would have to commit to going for both days. Which could be fun, but I think I would have to leave my kids at home. I don't think they would go for it, at least not happily.
Did you go this year? What did you think?
It set back and removed from the main road. Yet it is still close to neighbors.
And best of all, it is only 70 feet from the beach.
Check it out.
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To find out more about this property for sale click here.
You could build whatever you like here. It is level and fully accessible. As the video suggests, you could build 2-3 homes or a hotel. You could also keep the whole thing to yourself.
The property is in the Corazon de Jesus neighborhood of Puerto Armuelles. It is a friendly community right on the beach.
It is an area popular with expats. All the beachfront in the neighborhood has already been bought up by expats.
You can browse more property for sale in Puerto Armuelles here.
Puerto Armuelles is an increasing popular place for both expat retirees and investors. This is due, in part, to the near completion of the new 4 lane highway linking Puerto Armuelles to the Panama's InterAmericana main highway. The improved access has allowed many more people to discover the many charms of this wonderful beach town.
