Panama | Panama Relocation Tours

April 11, 2017 By Debbie Leave a Comment

Move Over, Kona Coffee

I may have just tasted the nectar of the Gods!

On a recent trip to Boquete, I asked a realtor friend where I could get a sample of the Geisha coffee that is grown in the area. I read that this particular coffee is so good that it sold at auction in 2010 for a record price of $170.20 per pound. The variety sold was from the plantation “Finca La Esmeralda” and was purchased by the Saza Coffee Company, who picked up all 20 available lots at that astronomical price. I just had to find out for myself what all the hype was about!

I was directed to the nearby Ruiz Coffee House, and on the way there I thought of my favorite Peaberry Kona coffee from Hawaii with its smooth and positively unbeatable taste. Growing up in Hawaii may have made me a bit biased going into this endeavor. I was sure the Geisha would be alright, but nothing could beat my long time favorite, and everyone knows Kona coffee is the best….right?

So, we pull up to this quaint little coffee shop and walk inside. Then came my first pleasant surprise – they offered me a “flight” of coffee. That’s right, just like you might get when sampling wines or beers. How cool is that? I chose a selection of 3 different flavors, including what they called the Gesha, and went out to the comfy little outdoor patio to prepare for the test. The coffee was brewed when ordered and served on a tray in 2 oz porcelain cups with a description of each coffee on a card under its cup.

I started with the boldest flavor. Dark and tasty, but it was nothing to write home about. The next flavor was equally nice but not anything special in my book. Then, I drank a bit of water to clear my palate, took a deep breath, and tasted the Gesha. It was absolutely smooth and mellow; not the least bit bitter. I personally like low acid and rather light coffees. I was taken aback for a moment. This was the BEST coffee I had ever tasted and it is grown right here in Panama. Why had I never heard of it? This coffee was so good that I was happy to pay $40 a pound to bring some home with me!

If you like a good cup of coffee, you must stop in Boquete on your next trip to Panama. There are many coffee-tasting tours available with experts that can educate you on the complexities of aroma and body. Or, just stop by Ruiz and order your own ‘flight’. I’d love to hear how you think Gesha stacks up with your current favorite cup o’ Joe.

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March 1, 2017 By Debbie Leave a Comment

Fruit Trees in Panama – Marañón de Curacao

As I walked underneath a large tree in my back yard yesterday, a bright fuchsia colored fluff caught my eye. I looked up to see dozens of these beautiful blossoms spread throughout the inside branches of my Mountain Apple tree. Growing up in Hawaii, we would often go hiking to find these delicious fruits that we called Mountain Apple. They grow all over the world in warm tropical climates and have a different name wherever they are found.

In Panama, this fruit is known as Marañon de Curacao.

The scientific name is actually Syzygium Malaccense. The origin is considered to be Malaysia. It is believed that the Portuguese were responsible for its introduction into Brazil, Surinam and Panama in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s. Dr. David Fairchild, a well-known botanist in the day, sent seeds from Panama to the United States Department of Agriculture in 1921. I have heard a few Panamanians refer to the Marañon de Curacau fruit by the nickname ‘Rose Apple’ also. There is a different fruit called simply ‘marañon’, which is a cashew that we will discover in a future article.

The flowering season is 2 months and I just started to see them, which means we should be seeing the blossoms throughout January and February. The blossoms are hidden by leaves on the inside branches of the tree so not readily visible. When the blossoms drop, there is a carpet of bright pink or red on the ground under the trees. Fruit takes 60 days to ripen, putting harvest season around March and April. When I first moved into my house last April, there were a few fruits still on the tree. In some places the trees will produce a second crop, as they did on my tree in the fall. The tree is loaded with fruit that’s ready to harvest again in October/November. Good thing it has plenty to share with the birds & bees 🙂

The fruits are about 2 to 4 inches long and sort of bell shaped. They are white and pinkish-red on the outside with white flesh on the inside. The texture is soft, similar to a pear but not gritty. Most Water Apples have a mild and slightly sweet flavor and are very juicy when ripe. I like to eat them raw or made into something like an apple sauce. There are also recipes for making jams and cutting the fruit up and adding to stews. I’ll be experimenting with some recipes from my harvest this season!

In Asia, people eat the new growth leaves either raw or stir-fried. It is always nice to have another variety of greens to include in our tropical diets. The colorful flowers can also be added to salads and eaten raw. There are numerous medicinal uses as well, including as an antiseptic and antibiotic, using the fruits, seeds, bark, and leaves of the tree.

Marañon de Curacau trees can easily be grown from seeds and are fast growing. They reach a height of about 40 to 60 feet (12-18 m) and are an attractive evergreen tree, giving good shade. One tree will produce between 45 and 175 pounds of fruit so you really only need one, unless you plan to share with friends and neighbors. If you’d like to plant a Maranon de Curacao tree in your yard in Panama, watch for the fruits to appear in March and April. Eat the fruit, plant the seed, and watch your little tree grow.

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February 15, 2017 By Debbie 1 Comment

Top 10 Beaches in Panama

With a coast running along two sides of the country, the Caribbean and the Pacific, there are no shortages of amazing beaches in Panama. They are as varied as the people who visit them.

Which beach would YOU like to spend the day at?

Boca del Drago – Located in the northwest of Isla Colón, the main island in Bocas del Toro, is one of the best beaches on the island. There are a couple of restaurants where you can get delicious fresh seafood and a cold beer and cabins where you can spend the night. Clear water makes for good visibility and coral growths just offshore offer world-class snorkeling here. Starfish beach is about a 15 minute walk and is known for its abundance of stars!

Cayos Zapatillas – These are actually two small islands that are part of the National Marine Park of Isla Bastimentos. The beaches have beautiful white sand and the water is perfect for snorkeling and viewing large varieties of underwater life. Hawksbill sea turtles are also known to nest here.

San Blas – On the other end of Panama’s Caribbean coast is an island chain that is inhabited by the indigenous Kuna Yala Indians. Perfect for exploring native cultures or just relaxing and swimming in the clear water. These islands are also popular among sailors and ecotourism fans.

Isla Coiba – Located off the Pacific coast of Panama in the Gulf of Chiriqui. Coiba is part of the National Marine Preserve and is best known for the abundance of large fish and sea mammals that are seen here regularly. Read more about the history of Coiba HERE.

Santa Catalina – Once a secret surf spot but not today. Some of the best surf in Panama has attracted people from around the globe for international surf meets. There are even surf camps where they give lessons for those who are new to the sport. You can also enjoy the peace while sunbathing, reading, and watching the waves.

Isla Contadora – Part of the Pearl Islands and best known as the place where pirates and merchants stopped to count their pearls before heading back to Europe to trade. A popular tourist destination, Contadora has a small regional/domestic airport and has regular flights to and from Panama City.

Playa Venao – Another popular surf spot on the Pacific side of Panama, located Southwest of Pedasi on the Azuero Peninsula. Waves break in both directions and there is a soft sandy bottom which makes this spot popular for all skill levels. It’s a bit off the beaten track and the vibe here is relaxed.

Red Frog Beach – Located on Isla Bastimentos in Bocas del Toro. Monkeys and sloths are common in the jungle here, as well as the poison red dart frog that the beach is named after. Great for surfing, swimming and sunbathing.

Taboga – The island is known as the “island of flowers” and is only an hour from Panama City, making it a popular weekend getaway for the locals. Get there by ferry from the Amador Causeway. The beaches are beautiful on the island. Boat tours for fishing, whale watching, snorkeling, and sightseeing are available, as well as walking and nature tours.

Isla Grande – In spite of its name, it is actually a small island in the province of Portobelo on the Caribbean side, near Colon. Local water taxi service is available to reach the island. There are no cars on the island, only walking paths. You can enjoy a wonderful meal at an island restaurant, a walk along the beach, or snorkel all day.

Although we have 10 beaches listed here, each is number 1 on someone’s list,

so we’ll let YOU decide the order!