With the ramping increase in oil prices, transportation is becoming more expensive. Still, in Panama it is possible to take a taxi for as low as $1.35, depending of course, on where you are going. As much as users in Panama might take a while to adjust to the new prices, because of the subsidized oil it is still cheap. Find out the new chart here...

Santo Domingo Beach is the closest beach in Panama City and Casco Viejo´s best kept secret. While everybody in the city was trapped at home, in Casco you can walk out to the beach and enjoy!

Panama has been growing very fast for the last 8 years. A "miracle" made by a curious mix of tourism, investment and other countries misfortunes (Alias Venezuela and Chavez or Colombia and the FARC). Although on the short term there´s been a great impulse by the construction sector, consider Panama´s big three big long term fundamental investments: the Panama Canal Expansion project (which has already started), the relocation of the regional office of very important companies such as Caterpillar, Maersk, Dell, Procter and Gamble, Aventis and finally the oil refinary project in Puerto Armuelles

I´ve never seen a marathon in Casco Viejo... this promises to be quite interesting!

A few days ago I got an email from a journalist at The Guardian, as they´ve found somehow my postings on La Casona in Casco Viejo. It was quite exciting, this is my first collaboration with international press! Here is the article:

Casco Viejo will host a very special event in September. The United Nation´s agency for the Environment (known in Spanish as PNUMA) will present an art festival featuring artists from different disciplines, from poetry to street painting. Check out the event calendar here!

Travel like a local with The Guardian. Surfing the web as I usually do, I found this article on Panama´s nightlife at The Guardian, featuring Casco Viejo. And not only Casco Viejo, but my favorite spots: Baños Publicos and La Casona! Check it out here!

The Fish Market rocks. It is at the very entrance of Casco Viejo, just off Avenida Balboa. A white and light blue building with the Japanese flag and the Panamanian flag on the top of the building (the new fish market installations where a donation of the Japanese government). As you approach, the characteristic smell of fresh fish will hit you: don´t get discouraged.

I was at my office, trying to start my Monday as usual, when a huge crowd of kids came running and screaming... "Saladino! Saladino! Canguro! Canguro!". The crowd jumped away, singing and screaming. I suddenly realized...

Calle 4ta is getting artsy! Galería Vida is Casco Antiguo´s new kid on the block, next to Entre Pulgas and to Casa Gongora. With years of experience in working with indigenous communities you can get high quality stuff at great prices!