The Visitor, the first and only tourist newspaper of the Republic of Panama, is visiting Costa Rica, Panama’s neighbor to the west, to greet participants of the "EXPOTUR" trade fair, taking place in San José May 29-June3.

Many tourism experts consider Panama the most fascinating destination in Central America, and there is no doubt it is. Best known around the world for its commercial attributes and the Panama Canal, the country is not only starting to receive larger numbers of visitors. It is also becoming a mangent for retirees and second-home seekers from many parts of the world, mainly North America, but also Europe. We invite you to discover what is causing this phenomenon with this special issue. Enjoy!

What is a bubbly, talkative, yet politically conservative Harvard-educated attorney and psychologist doing in Panama? The answer may be found tuning to Radio Mia (96.7FM) every Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m.

Dr. Jerry Hall is one of the hundreds of northern expats who have come to plant his roots in Isthmian soil in every sense of the word. Arriving in Panama from his native Houston three years ago, Dr. Hall soon met Panamanian producer Salomón Andión and launched what is thought to be the only English-language radio program in Panama: American Night, an hour-long guest show devoted to travel, culture and events.

Although he speaks very little Spanish, struggles to comprehend Panamanian-style street addresses and has little time to spare (he’s legal mediator for ADR Services International, Inc.), Dr. Hall’s restless persona has led him to discover virtually the entire country in a short period of time. He has managed to purchase property near the mountain resort community of El Valle de Antón, in western Panama., where he’s currently building his country house.

He said: "Where else can you build for as cheap as $20-$40 per square meter? Back in the States, no one can do so for less than $140. Construction materials here are also more durable than up north".

Dr. Hall is also happy with Panama’s real estate legislation "Things will be even more secure –he explained—with the new insurance policies offered by U.S. companies which protect foreign land owners in the event that any problem arises".

Dr. Hall recommends fellow expats to consider purchasing land in the western provinces of Panama. "There are nearby beaches, mountains, waterfalls. I’m definitely in love with it!"

A Christian-rock enthusiast, Dr. Hall lives in Panama City with his wife and his five-year-old son.

View of Isla Contadora, Las Perlas Archipielago, Panama's constitution prohibits the private ownership by foreigners of islands and beaches.

Panama definitely welcomes foreigners who seek to acquire their "corner of tropical paradise" on the Isthmus, but beware. Just as in other booming real estate areas, misinformed foreigners could run into bogus realtors, lawyers, advisors and even illegal owners who could transform their search for paradise into a trip in the opposite destination.

A growing, free-market economy with strong legal institutions, Panama acknowledges and respects a foreigner’s right to own property in the Republic, although there are a few exceptions. According to Rodolfo Aguilera Franceshi, a Panamanian real estate attorney, Article 286 of Panama’s Constitution states that foreigners are not entitled to:

1. Properties located within 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the country’s international borders.
2. Islands (unless the foreign-owned property is considered beneficial for the development of the country, is not reserved for government programs and has been declared a "special development area" by law)
3. Archaeological sites (Prohibited to Panamanians and foreigners).
4. National Parks. However, owners of properties located within a National Park (either Panamanians or foreigners who own property titles issued prior to the establishment of the park) are free to sell said properties providing the new owner complies with the laws regulating the park (i.e., deforestation, etc.)
5. Maritime beaches or river banks shall not be owned by private parties, except in those cases in which the ownership title predates the establishment of this constitutional statute. An example of this is seen in the privately-owned beach of La Barqueta, in the province of Chiriquí, the ownership title of which was issued in 1917, long before the constitutional limitation was issued.

For further legal advice, call: 263-1126.

Attention e-navigators! The Visitor, Panama’s tourism newspaper is now on the web, in the same style and format as the printed version. The on-line version of each issue will be available by logging on to www.focuspanama.com or by logging to www.focuspublicationsint.com

Launched by Focus Publications (Int), S.A. in October, 1994, The Visitor offers the latest information on cultural and entertainment events, tourist destinations, restaurants and business information for visitors and foreign expats. Published in English and Spanish bi-monthly, the newspaper’s 12,000 copies are distributed at hotels, resorts, airports, restaurants, tour operators, travel agencies, car rentals and at international tourism fairs in Panama and abroad.

The introduction of The Visitor on www.focuspanama.com and on www.focuspublicationsint.com is a significan addition to the site, which offers comprehensive information about the Republic. It includes colonfreezone.com, the successful site of FOB Zona Libre de Colón, the catalogue and directory of the Free Zone. The "marketplace" segment of this site attracts buyers from around the world.

The tourist guide "Focus" is also featured on the site, together with www.travel-to-panama,com, and www.panama-canal-cruise.com

A country home in western Panama.

You arrive in Panama looking for a warm place to escape from those harsh, cold winters and bustling cities. A few weeks later you discover paradise: a picturesque mountain slope in Boquete (or elsewhere) with a view of the Pacific Ocean, or maybe a beach front lot in an archipelago, say in Bocas Del Toro, offering clear blue waters, lots of sun and silent nights. Suddenly a question continues to appear in your mind: "How can I purchase my well-deserved piece of paradise without legal risks?" Let me give you a few pieces of advice. Before we get there (be patient), let me spend a few seconds explaining something about the Panamanian Public Registry, which accounts for one of the world’s largest open registries of merchant vessels and offshore companies.

Both the country’s maritime industry and the international business community, along with Panama’s legal system, have created one of the most efficient and secure Public Registries in the Americas. Therefore, let me tell you that foreign real estate investors can obtain tremendous benefits in such a stable business environment.

Now, back to the real estate legal advice. The first thing you need to do when purchasing property in Panama is to:

1-Get a title report. Ask the owner of the property or your broker for the property’s number, then go to the Public Registry (www.registro-publico.gob.pa) and apply for an Abstract of Title (historia de la finca, in Spanish), which is a written report on the history of the property’s ownership, as well as its area, borders, and any claim against it, such as liens, mortgages, seizures, or court rulings.

Panama's legislation offers great benefits to foreign investors and home buyers.

2-Pay for what you get. Sometimes, due to fraudulent practices or the lack of cadastral expertise, the measurement that appears on the plans –and hence at the Public Registry– is larger than the de facto measurement you are actually getting and paying for, so it is highly advisable to hire an expert in order to measure the property on site and then compare the figures with those of the Public Registry and/or recent official plans.

3- No conveyance, no payment. Once the bill of sale is duly signed before the Public Notary and registered at the Public Registry, the buyer officially becomes the land owner, hence, any payment can be made. If the seller requires the buyer to secure the amount due, the buyer can deposit the total amount in a bank, which in turn issues a letter of payment, whereby the bank guarantees the payment to the seller against proof of the transfer of the title. Bank Letters to secure payments are common place in the Panamanian legal system. If the seller asks for a partial payment in advance in order to close the bill of sale, the buyer might agree with a partial instalment following the rest of the advice herein mentioned, in order to reduce legal risks.

4- Watch for easements. An easement is the right, attached to a real estate, to use the real property of another person for a specific benefit. An example of this could be an entry-exit easement in favor of a land-locked lot; the right to use a body of water, or a ban against building in a place where the view could obstructed. Title reports and title abstracts will usually describe all existing easements upon a property, but, in some cases, depending on the structure, location and nature of the land, some neighbors or other parties holding easements could exercise the right to remain anonymous at the Public Registry.

5- Latent Defects. Be sure that the bill of sale includes a "latent defect clause" by which the buyer is entitled to nullify the contract and claim damages if a latent defect – i.e. a hidden flaw or a legal weakness of the title– entails significant loss of property to the buyer.

Title insurance is a policy against loss arising from problems connected to the title to your property.

Before you purchase a lot, farm, condominium or house, it may have had several previous owners. There may be a legal flaw in any previous transaction that could emerge causing loss of property, eviction and so on. For example, a previous owner may have forged a signature in transferring title. Or there may be unpaid mortgages or unpaid real estate taxes. The title insurance policy covers the insured party for some claims and legal fees that arise out of such problems.

Do I need Title Insurance?
There are no statistics as to the number of claims regarding real estate that are filed in Panama every year. Notwithstanding, in other jurisdictions, the poor selection of Public Notaries and the presence of several real estate registries, increases the risks of fraud and litigation connected to real estate. In Costa Rica, for instance, every lawyer has the right to become a Public Notary, as a consequence, Costa Rica has thousands of Public Notaries. This situation decreases the quality of the selection and supervision of Public Notaries and increases the risk of fraudulent property deeds exponentially. In Colombia, several entities are in charge of the registration of different deeds. In Panama, there is a small number of Public Notaries, closely supervised by authorities. A Public Notary must be appointed by the Ministry of Government and there are only a dozen of Public Notaries in Panama City and, in addition, one or two per province. On the other hand, the Public Registry handles the registration of property deeds in an exclusive fashion. All these measures reduce errors and fraud. Panama offers a safe environment in which to do real estate transactions.

However, having said that, it is common place to see plaintiffs appear before local courts to challenge the real property title of owners or lenders. Not infrequently, we, as attorneys, handle cases where the title cannot be registered due to previous encumbrances placed upon the property. In some other cases, we have handled claims where the claimant argues that is entitled to an entry-exit easement not registered but recognized by the civil code. It is also possible to close the bill of sale to find out later that the real property owes real estate taxes that were not paid by the previous owner. In some cases, the signature of a previous seller was forged and the chain of transfers may be challenged in court. In general terms, it is advisable to purchase title insurance, it will give you at a low cost a certain level of comfort. To determine the level of risk attached to a specific piece of real estate, on a case by case basis, a title research must be carried out by a certified attorney at law.

Can I purchase title insurance from a foreign insurer when the real property is located in Panama?
In principle, under Panamanian law, the insurer must obtain an authorization from the Insurance and Reinsurance Superintendency, the regulator of the insurance sector, to operate as an insurer. The title insurance policy should also be approved by the regulator. If an insurer with no license to operate in Panama sells insurance of any kind, it might entail the loss of cover. If the policy has not been approved by the regulator, someone could challenge the legality of the insurance. Therefore, it is advisable to look for duly authorized insurers and policies. If you have any doubts whether your foreign insurer has been granted an authorization to sell a title insurance policy in Panama, a written request to the Insurance Superintendent will provide you with the relevant information.

As far as we know, Aseguradora Mundial, S.A., ASSA Compañía de Seguros, S.A. and Compañía Nacional de Seguros, S.A. have been granted authorization to offer title insurance policies.

Covers
Purchasing title insurance is not obligatory. In fact, buyers and lenders in Panama usually do not require title insurance policies when a title or a mortgage is closed and registered.

The policies that are currently on the market cover against losses arising from, one or more, of the following events:

1- If the title is issued in a manner different from what the parties agreed.
2- When there are defects or encumbrances over the title.
3- If property is not transferred due to the fact that the title cannot be put into the official records of the Public Registry.
4- If there is no access to or exit from the real property or if there is litigation concerning entry-exit easements. If the buyer is expelled from the land by a claim of superior title to the property or if the mortgagee cannot foreclose on the mortgage to force a sale of the real property to obtain payment from the proceeds, due to the fact that a third party has a superior title to the property.
5- Real Estate Taxes pending upon the real property.
6- Latent Defects of the Title, due to forgery of the deed or insufficient powers of attorney.
7- When the title is successfully challenged due to the fact that in a previous transfer of the title the rules of inheritance of a dead person's estate were not followed.

Some risks are included in the standard coverage other risks require an addendum and an additional premium. The policy must be examined by a licensed insurance broker to determine which insurance product suits you best.

Make sure to protect your property before you close the deal.

Does title insurance cover the mortgagee and the owner?
The policy protects the financial entity that financed the transaction up to the amount of the mortgage, but, if expressly agreed, it will also protect the interest of the owner in the property.

Protection Time Line
Generally speaking, title insurance only covers losses derived from events that occurred before the date of the policy. Unlike most types of insurances, title insurance coverage extends backward from the date the policy is issued to the date the real property was first registered with the Panamanian Public Registry. In contrast, car or health insurance protect against losses resulting from events that occur after the risk was assumed by the insurer, and for an agreed period of time. If the insured person transfers its interest in the property to another person, the protection offered by the title insurance policy will cease.

Does title insurance guarantee me that I will be able to sell my property if an unforeseen claim arises?
If someone challenges your title, your property will immediately lose marketability. No one buys real estate if dark clouds are found on the property, unless the claim is settled by the title insurer. Title insurance does not protect against loss of marketability due to title claims. In some cases, there might be a conflict of interest between the owner and the insurer, the former usually wants to settle with the plaintiff quickly, whereas the latter prefers to take time to obtain a favourable court ruling or a reasonable settlement.

In case of an adverse court ruling will the insurance company pay the value of the property plus legal fees and costs?
As a requirement to issue title insurance, the insurance company, through title experts, must search public records for matters affecting that title. The chain of deeds is examined to get a title report. This search increases the premium costs, but reduces the risks for both the owner and the insurer.

In spite of an exhaustive title search, latent perils can emerge after closing. Things such as mistakes in the Public Registry; outstanding judgments; or forged deeds could cloud the title. Title insurance offers protection against these hazards by paying for legal fees and costs if a dispute arises. The insurance company also negotiates with third-parties, and, under the terms of the insurance policy, pays claims, as well as settlements and court rulings.

This article was written by Rodolfo Aguilera Franceschi
Aguilera Franceschi
Abogados -- Lawyers
www.aguileralex.com

There is a good chance that you have not realized you are visiting Panama in the rainy season, since most days, there is more sunshine than rain. But if you are experiencing extended umbrella time and seek to avoid the great outdoors, here is a list of ‘weather-proof’ places that can be visited during this time of year:

Old Panama Visitors Center
The museum exhibits all the findings uncovered during the archaeological excavations conducted at the Old Panama ruins (the first European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas) since 1996. It is divided into four exhibits, the first of which is "De la Aldea a la Urbe" ("From the village to the city), which explains to visitors the changes that have taken place at the site, since it was a tiny Indian village circa 500 BC until the present.

Located on Vía Cincuentenario, near the Old Panama ruins, the museum opens Monday through Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admittance is $1.50 for adults and $0.50 for children. Call tel.: 224-6031 e-mail: patronato@panamaviejo.org.

Handicraft-hunting
A minute’s drive down the road will lead visitors directly to the Old Panama ruins, and its Handicraft Market, which offers wares representing all of Panama’s native cultures: molas from the San Blas Islands, the sturdy, vegetable-fiber baskets of the Emberá Indians of Darién; pottery form the Central Provinces and chaquiras (plastic-bead bracelets) from the province of Chiriquí.

This two-story facility opens seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Call 221-8221.

Miraflores Visitors’ Center
One of the newest attractions in town is the Miraflores Visitos’ Center, which compliments the adjacent Miraflores Panama Canal locks. The new center includes a gourmet restaurant, Restaurante Miraflores, as well as a museum dedicated to Canal history. The facility currently has the following exhibits:

Exhibit 1: "History of the Canal": A voyage through time, from the first idea to build a waterway through the Isthmus and the ill-fated French attempt, to the successful American entreprise.
Exhibit 2 : "Water, the source of life". An exhibit devoted to the rich eco-systems of the Panama Canal watershed.
Exhibit 3: One of the most popular exhibits of the museum, this section includes a virtual Panama Canal transit through the locks
Exhibit 4: All about commercial routes, vessel types and types of cargo that pass through the Canal each year.

The Miraflores Visitors’ Center opens daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Panama’s temples
Being this the ‘Crossroads of the World’, visitors will find temples, some of them considered regional historic and architectural gems.

One of them is the Bahai Temple, which gleams white on a hill near Las Cumbres, on the Trans-Isthmian Highway. This structure, featuring an egg-shaped dome, was inaugurated in 1972 and is the only temple of the Bahai faith in the Western Hemisphere.

Another temple worthy of visiting is the Hindu Temple, also on a hill a few meters off Avenida Ricardo J. Alfaro (Tumba Muerto road). With its deity images, portraits and altars, the temple invites visitors to learn more about the Hindu culture, which has been on the Isthmus since the late 19th century.

Panamanian museums, such as the Old Panama Museum, display many Pre-Columbian artifacts.

The number of visitors to Panama who decide to trade suitcases for homes on the Isthmus --a group encompassing business executives, entire families and retirees is increasing significantly. This phenomenon, however, has led many an immigrant to ask at least one of these questions: What happens when a person decides to live in another country? Are there any psychological implications to consider? How should one prepare for such a change?

According to Panamanian psychologist Ileana Machado, culture shock is a reality that should not be ignored, although its intensity is directly related to the conditions that motivate a person to move to another country in the first place. For example, those who voluntarily leave their country by themselves will experience different “symptoms” from those that don’t necessarily decide to migrate, such as children.

The intensity of culture shock is also related to the motives behind the decision, which may also vary from person to person. Some, for example, leave to pursue an education in another country, while others move away seeking a safer environment after a natural disaster. While many leave to marry foreigners, others do so seeking better opportunities to improve their quality of life.

More and more relocating families are moing to the cool mountains of western Panama.

Accepting your new reality
According to Machado, the acceptance of the new reality depends on what the immigrant expects to find in the new country of residence.

Therefore, those seeking residence abroad should take some time to learn about their new country long before saying “adios” to their nation of origin.

The learning process can include spending some time on the internet as well as actual visits to the country’s nearest embassy, consulate or commercial office. This will help migrants prepare various lists of local professionals (i.e. doctors, lawyers, realtors, etc.) that could provide assistance during the relocation process.

Culture shock therapy
There are various therapies that could help immigrants go through the adaptation process with ease. According to Machado, such therapies are necessary in cases such as an emotionally difficult or traumatic departure; the lack of a firmly-established, emotional support network in the new country, lack of fluency in the new language, or in the case of families, the lack of motivation of any of the members to move to a foreign country (a common occurrence in relocating families with school-age children).

During culture-shock therapy sessions, emotional-health professionals evaluate the various factors surrounding the relocation process, as well as the family’s struggle to adapt to the new country. Some of the topics discussed are the feelings of loneliness and inability to fit in, the establishment of new social support networks, the levels of information needed to carry on day-to-day activities in the new home and family bonds with the country of origin.

By Ken Jones

Americans are becoming increasingly aware that their homeland, while it is still the home of the brave, is no longer the land of the free.

I spoke recently to a an articulate couple from Montana, Lawrence Burnham Dodge and Honey Sue Lanham, who have chosen Panama as their new home in their retirement because Panama offers them personal freedoms which are being rapidly eroded in the U.S.A.

Larry and Honey have bought several acres in Altos del Maria, the residential community being developed by the Melo group around Sora in the mountains to the west of Panama City. Over lunch at Willy Diggelmans Restaurant 85 on the day that the couple flew in to continue their Panama adventure, they told me the reasons why they and many like-minded people from the U.S. and other countries are seeking a haven.

Larry and Honey are perhaps unusual because they have spent much of their life crusading against the government infringement of consitutionally guaranteed rights. Honey was national director of the Libertarian Party to which they both belong. They also share membership in the International Society for Individual Liberties. Some years ago Larry founded FIJA, (Fully Informed Jury Association) concerned with the rights of jurors.

Nevertheless, the reasons for their move from the US are shared by most of the new wave of immigrants which seems likely to outnumber the gringos of the former Canal Zone. "We think we are just the tip of the iceberg", commented Honey.

Personal freedoms in the US have been seriously eroded since 9-11 and the advent of the Patriot Act as a weapon in the so-called "War on Terrorism" which has negated much of the cherished Bill of Rights. But according to Larry, government interference in the lives of citizens began a great deal earlier and will increase its grip in the internet age.

He told me: "I love to fish. In the US I have to have a licence which is tied to my Social Security number. In Panama I can take my fishing pole anywhere and not have to worry about losing my privacy when I fish.

"In the US there are regulations and restrictions for everything. In Panama things are more flexible. I needed to put an antenna a for an internet connection close to my house but I didn't want to put a pole in my garden. A Panamanian neighbor told me to put it on a nearby light pole. If I had done that in the U.S. I would be heading for the pokey".

He added. "I think I am rapidly becoming a Panamanian. I love the fact that it is so easy to cut through the ‘red tape’--- and lets not talk about corruption. The US is far more corrupt"

He added as a joke (I think): "Even the corruption in Panama is free of restrictions and available to ordinary people. All you need is a smile and a ten or twenty dollar bill. In the US you have to be a lobbyist or the head of Enron".

It was no accident that Larry and Honey found Panama. They could not afford to visit all the countries which might have suited them. So, being academics, he a sociologist, she a geneaologist, they began their search for a country by a process with the numbing title of "Multiple regression analysis using crucial independent variables". This indicated the levels of economic, social and personal freedoms of each country. The data, which included everything from prison population ratio (the US leads the world in prison occupancy per capita) to racial tolerance was collected by Honey on the internet and when it was fed into the analysis equation, Panama came in the top five countries listed according to their "coefficient of freedom".

So they came to Panama and added practical benefits to their research, such as easy access to the U.S. so friends and relatives will visit them, use of the dollar, low cost of living, good communications...... the list goes on and on. They were also happy to find three members of the International Society for Individual Liberties on the isthmus.

"We just feel good here" said Honey. "We don’t feel we stand out as we have in other countries. We're just another couple of gringos. Panamanians are used to that"

They explored Chiriquí and all the interior provinces and chose Altos del Maria for a number of reasons. It is not far from Panama City-- a 90 minute drive. There are very few rules and regulations or restrictive covenants on development. It is however a gated community with security; and the whole area, while preserving its wilderness character is very well maintained. An added attraction is that a lot of Panamanians have purchased lots in addition to a cosmopolitan foreign ownership.

The lots they bought have a splendid view. They were lucky that a previous owner had not only planted fruit trees and vegetables but had built a small cabin which provides them with a base while they build their house. Their home will also be a b&b and restaurant "to meet people". They get 20 years tax free under Panama's incentive laws.

Honey a bubbly blond, who is originally from Texas, ran a successful consignment furniture business, and includes waitressing and cooking among her skills. Larry, a professor, and landscape photographer "will come in handy" she laughs.

It was pleasant to welcome them to Panama an we wish them good luck and good health in their new life.

By: Milagro Vallecillos

A couple of years ago, The Visitor published an article on Panama’s silent growth as a destination for foreign retirees and relocating families. What was then a mere perception and forecast, was confirmed later by major international magazines.

In this issue, we hereby launch another forecast: Panama could become an important longevity/alternative medicine center in the near future.

According to Michael Pierce, a U.S.-born attorney and long-time Panama resident, very few countries in the world present a similar combination of conditions required by all those who want to expand their time on this earth or improve their quality of life.

Some of these conditions are:
Security and safety. Compared to other Latin American countries, Panama has high marks in security. Whereas robbery and theft are widespread and prevalent in most other Latin capitals, in Panama City one generally has to go to the ‘right’ places to find real danger –a reality that says a lot about the quality of life in Panama. Those seeking a healthier lifestyle will also have less stress-related problems since the country is out of the hurricane track, there are virtually no major earthquakes and the country has no foreign enemies.

What are you waiting for? Get up and come to Panama!

An abundance of fresh food and water: Mr. Pierce, a strong alternative medicine advocate, believes many older Latin Americans are often healthier than their first-world counterparts, since food supplies in Latin America are generally less likely to be heavily processed. "Such a reality reduces the risk of cancer and heart problems in older folks in this part of the world", he said. In Panama, water is not only abundant, but is also regarded as among the best in the world, and it can be drunk directly from the tap.

Fresh air. According to experts, compared to cities such as Mexico, Los Angeles and Caracas, Panama City exhibits good air quality levels. This is due to the narrowness of the Isthmus (50 miles at its narrowest point) which allows air to constantly flow from ocean to ocean without massive smog formation.

A progressive, multi-ethnic community. Panama is an ethnic melting pot in which cultures from around the world thrive and live together in complete harmony. Panama’s Chinese community, which has been avant-garde in alternative medicine (acupuncture, etc.) is strong, representing approximately 5% of the population. There are many, well-reputed Chinese-owned herbal centers, as well as acupuncture clinics and natural health centers in Panama City and other major towns. On the other hand, the millenary knowledge of Panama’s Native American tribes is finally gaining the attention of the general public. One particular tribe, the Emberá-Wounaan of eastern Panama, is slowly, but surely starting to share its ancient medicine with the growing numbers of tourists and Panamanians that visit their towns each year.

It is said that cool, mountain climates, like that of the town of Boquete, are highly beneficial for human beings.

Panamanian traditional doctors are also considered among the best in the region, and are often educated in North America and the U.S., thus being constantly exposed to new trends in traditional and alternative me-dical techniques.

And last, but not least is great weather. Panama’s main cities enjoy a warm, tropical climate year round, but the country’s fresh-climate, mountain retreats are never too far away. According to scientists, temperatures between 20 and 22 ºc (18-72 ºF) are the best for humans, and there is no shortage of that in Panama. Mountain communities like Cerro Azul and El Valle are within a two-hours drive from Panama City. The town of Boquete, in western Panama, has become a Mecca for foreign retirees, many of whom have purchased properties at Valle Escondido –the most ambitious project for retirees in Central America.

In the not-so-distant past, health care professionals and people in general thought nothing could be done to stop the aging process. Today, many experts believe that, although it is impossible to turn back the aging clock, it is possible to prevent many problems associated with this normal process of life. The best news however, is that many resources needed to curtail the negative effects of getting old and to improve our quality of life are at hand.

Aging produces a number of effects, such as diminished strength and stamina, a weakened immune system, wrinkling, and loss of body tissue, and decreased elasticity, symptoms which increase as years go by.

Health care experts are currently emphasizing prevention. In other words, a healthy lifestyle as youths and adults will lead us to a healthier old age.

This principle is shared by Panamanian geriatric expert Dr. Luz Visuette, who believes that people should get medical check-ups from an early age, since the human body starts to experience important changes after the age of 30.

Medical examinations should always include an analysis of factors that could affect health in the long run, genetic factors that could pre-dispose people to certain diseases, nutritional habits and lifestyle.

"A healthy lifestyle starts with good nutrition habits, low stress levels and a regular pattern of physical activity. If we take this into account at an early age, we will have high possibilities of enjoying a high quality of life in our golden years", said Dr. Visuette.

Medical examinations
The main reasons older adults in Panama visit a geriatric center, according to Dr. Visuette, are for problems related to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and loss of memory.

These problems are often the byproducts of a lifestyle that neglected health care in its early years.

The responsibility of taking care of ourselves
According to Dr. Visuette, each of us has the responsibility of taking simple actions such as quitting smoking and stopping drinking excessively. Such decisions are personal, since every individual knows his or her resources and interests.

Other decisions in this regard are engaging in more excersise, reducing the intake of fats, the inclusion of fat-free dairy products (thus improving the intake of calcium) and vitamin-rich foods in our diets, which are greatly beneficial for improving our immune systems.

Our immune system protects our bodies from both internal and external enemies: bacteria, viruses and even cancer. If an individual lacks a healthy immune system, he or she will have to spend his or her entire life in a plastic bubble, since the slightest exposure to the natural environment will cause a deadly infection immediately.

Nourishment
“If our nourishment is deficient”, says Dr. Visuette, “our defense system is sure to lose its ability to protect us with the passing of time”. The incorporation of the right nutrients in our diet will help us to improve our natural defenses For example, vitamins A, C and E stimulate the immune system and block the development of cancer cells in the presence of harmful chemical substances. With the advice of a medical professional, each person needs to discover the best way to incorporate vitamins into his or her diet in the right quantities.

The wonders of Vitamin C
This powerful anti-oxydant works with other vitamins to prevent damage produced by free radicals. Vitamin C is necessary for the production of collagen, a substance that helps to keep body cells united, an essential element in the renewal of cells and tissues. Vitamin C also protects the body from premature aging signs and fights the development of various forms of cancer (lungs, uterus, pancreas, esophagus, colon and stomach). Some of the best sources of vitamin C are: kiwi, mango, red peppers and citrus fruits.

Exercise
Ever since humans appeared on earth, they have sought to discover the ‘fountain of youth’ or a magic pill or potion that can revert the aging process. According to Dr. Visuette, this quest is almost over, since one of the factors that contributes to a youthful body –exercise-- is within everybody’s reach, either in our homes or at the nearest gym.

All health care experts agree that exercise is one of the best ways to reduce the signs of aging in our bodies. A moderate, and continuous exercise program is enough to make people feel and stay younger and stronger well into the golden years.

As years pass, a number of changes take place in our bodies, affecting both our strength and appearance. In most cases, after age 45, people start to experience a reduction in muscle tissue and an increase in fat cells –a typical characteristic of a sedentary lifestyle. There is also a reduction in bone density and as well as in breathing capacity, which translates into exhaustion upon the exertion of physical activity. This in turn produces a reduction of body flexibility.

Aging, however, does not necessarily have to entail a reduction in physical activity, as many of the symptoms of aging diminish with exercise. Physical activity also helps to prevent many diseases that consequently affect the quality of life of older adults.

Looking good and staying healthy
A dry, wrinkled skin makes us look older. Skin is one of the body’s largest organs, as well as one of the hardest-working.

It carries out many essential tasks, such as the regulation of body temperature and bodily fluids. The skin also acts as the body’s first line of defense against viruses, bacteria and foreign bodies. As time passes, skin undergoes a normal aging process. Fine lines and wrinkles appear due to the reduction of collagen, which provides elasticity. Gravity also exerts its force on the skin, often making it flacid. The rest of the body also produces fewer fat cells, often resulting in dryness and irritation.

As we age, cell regeneration take place at a slower rate, which affects our appearance. Nevertheless, the worst damage caused to the skin is caused by prolonged exposure to the sun, which destroys skin cells, accelerates the aging process and causes skin cancer.

The following is a list of natural substances which included in our diets, could help us reduce the negative effects of aging and improve our quality of life:

Alpha-hydro-acids
Natural substances found in curd, citrus fruits and apples.

For decades, derma-thologists have used high concentrations of these acids when performing facial peelings and scar elimination procedures. Today, softer versions of these substances are available in the market in the form of skin moisturizing products.

Alphahydroacids are excellent for the treatment of dry, flaky skins, the elimination of spots and fine wrinkles and the improvement of the skin’s tone and texture.

Bulbous vegetables
Garlic, onions and other members of this family of vegetables can prevent numerous infections. They are rich in kercetine and selenium, two anti-oxydants known to prevent cancers.

Recent studies have proven the positive effects of garlic with blood lipids.

A chemical element found in garlic, ajoene, helps to prevent blood clots that increase the risk of heart attacks

Red and yellow onions have the greatest amounts of flavonoids, which are known to precent cancer.

Karotenoids
Karotenoids include approximetly 600 natural compounds present in dark, green and yellow/orange vegetables and fruits. They are potent anti-oxydants, the list of which includes betacarotenes.

Calcium
An essential mineral to strengthen bones, to keep normal blood pressure and to foster cell rejuvenation. Calcium prevents osteoporosis, a condition caused by fragile bones which increases the risk of fractures especially in post-menopausal women. Two daily glasses of calcium-fortified slim milk and two cups of yogurt a day will cover the basic requirement. Calcium, combined with Vitamin D, also reduces the risk of colon cancer.