Author: Sebastian Pieper

A new commercial concession set for the Villa Zaíta interchange will test how aggressively Panama Metro can monetize its growing network, even as the system already pulls in roughly $5 million each year from Panama Metro advertising revenue and other non-fare channels, company figures show. The deal, expected to be awarded before the end of 2026, bundles parking management with 600 square meters of retail space and all advertising assets at one of Line 1’s busiest transfer points. Panama Metro Advertising Revenue and Other Income Sources Not all of the metro’s income comes from ticket counters. Advertising plastered across station…

Panama’s tourism economic impact reached an estimated $3.5 billion during the second quarter of 2026, a surge driven by a sharp increase in visitor arrivals and strategic promotional partnerships. The figure represents the total direct spending, job creation, and service industry activity fueled by the travel sector between April and June, according to official data. It’s a number that signals far more than a seasonal bump, officials say, pointing instead to a structural shift in how the country attracts and monetizes international travelers. Gloria De León, administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), said the results confirm that a decade…

The future of Panama gas cylinders in corner stores and mini‑supermarkets hung in the balance this week after small retailers threatened to pull the 25‑pound tanks from their shelves. At the heart of the standoff was a wave of anxiety: shop owners feared they would be fined on the spot if government inspectors found a cylinder that was even slightly underweight. Panamanian consumer authority Acodeco moved quickly to douse the fire, insisting its operation was never designed to punish the retailers who sell the sealed containers. Retailers Sound the Alarm Over Possible Fines For several days, owners of minisúper and…

Panama’s tourism authority is drafting a new set of Panama tourism incentives that will not include tax credits, marking a sharp break from earlier programs that sparked fierce debate over state subsidies for private ventures. The legislation, still being reviewed by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, targets investors willing to build attractions well beyond traditional hotels, especially in the country’s interior regions. Tourism Administrator Gloria De León confirmed the direction just as Panama reported welcoming 1.75 million visitors during the first half of the year, a 17.4 percent jump that underscores the sector’s momentum. Shifting the Focus of Panama…

The 30th edition of the Best of Panama competition has once again proven why the country’s highland farms produce some of the most coveted beans on the planet, with a new slate of Geisha coffee champions earning top honors in a nail-biting finale decided by razor-thin margins. Lamastus Family Estate captured the highest individual score of the entire event, a stunning 96.25 points in the Geisha Washed category, edging out rival Finca Pergamino by just a quarter of a point. The celebration in Boquete, a misty mountain town that has become the epicenter of the specialty coffee world, marked three…

Outside the National Assembly, advocates carrying handmade signs and a clear message demanded what millions of shoppers still lack in Panama: nutritional transparency. The Movement for Healthy Food rallied peacefully at José Ramón Cantera Plaza, urging lawmakers to finally advance a bill that would slap bold warning seals on packaged products. The goal, they said, is straightforward , give people a chance to spot excessive sugar, sodium, and saturated fats in seconds, not minutes of squinting at cryptic fine print. The Push for Clear Warning Labels at the National Assembly A delegation of health activists pressed their case directly with…

Panama’s health system is facing urgent calls to deploy a long-acting monoclonal antibody RSV strategy after 13 deaths linked to respiratory syncytial virus were recorded in early 2026, with 12 of the victims under five years old. The stark toll, documented by the Ministry of Health’s epidemiology department, has pushed four major medical societies to issue a joint warning that the country can’t afford to wait another full season to shield its most vulnerable newborns and infants. The Alarming Toll of RSV on Panama’s Youngest Respiratory syncytial virus has long been a stealthy seasonal threat, but this year’s impact on…

A sharp rise in car insurance claims is wreaking havoc on Panama’s auto insurance market, with insurers now paying out 70 cents in claims for every dollar they collect in premiums. New data from the Panamanian Association of Insurers (Apadea) reveals that the sector’s loss ratio hit exactly that threshold during the first half of 2026, a level that industry leaders describe as unsustainable. The spike in car insurance claims, which jumped 14.6 percent compared to the same period last year, is forcing a painful conversation about why policies keep getting more expensive and what can be done to stem…

Residents of Arraiján will soon witness a key piece of the Panama Metro’s western expansion coming together as crews lift the first segment of a new pedestrian walkway into place at the future Burunga station. The Panama Line 3 pedestrian bridge is designed to give riders, particularly those with mobility challenges, barrier‑free access to train platforms, cementing a promise of inclusive transit as construction pushes ahead through the weekend. Panama Line 3 Pedestrian Bridge Segment Lifted Into Place Work on the Panama Line 3 pedestrian bridge began Saturday night at 9:00 p.m. and will continue through Sunday, August 2, right…

Protecting the Panama Canal, a waterway that handles roughly 5 percent of global maritime trade, demands more than just naval patrols and surveillance cameras. In the dense tropical forests of Colón province, 128 Panamanian security personnel are sharpening their ability to fight and survive in one of the world’s most unforgiving environments. They aren’t training alone. Alongside US troops, the force is taking part in an intensive US-Panama jungle warfare course known as Milla Verde, a program designed to blend tactical instruction with the raw, physical demands of the jungle. The exercises unfolded over the weekend at the National Aeronaval…