Panama is home to more than 185,000 immigrants. Those people choose to live, work, and enjoy this beautiful Central American country. Making offshore investments in Panama and choosing to live there can be extremely profitable, in more ways than one. You could not only make money on your investment but you could also get the chance to explore a beautiful new country.
Sport Fishing in Panama
While there are tons of activities that you can enjoy in Panama, there’s nothing quite like sport fishing.
Why Panama Is Ideal for Fishing
Panama is home to 1,550 miles of coastline and more than 1,000 islands, giving you tons of places to catch some fish.
What’s more, there are some incredible trophy fish swimming in Panama’s waters. That means you can catch some truly unique species when fishing in the area!
Another reason why Panama is the perfect place to go fishing is that currents converge in the area, bringing plankton to the water.
With lots of plankton, there are lots of baitfish. As such, many large fish lurk in Panama’s waters.
Species of Fish in Panama
Panama is home to several different species of fish, which will keep you entertained for weeks on end. The species you’ll most likely catch in Panama waters include:
- Almaco Jack
- Crevalle Jack
- Cubera Snapper
- Yellow Snapper
- Sierra Mackerel
- Roosterfish
- Bonito
- Asian Bonito
- Lane Snapper
- Yellowfin Tuna
- Blue Marlin
- Black Marlin
- Striped Marlin
- Blue Trevally
- Wahoo
There are even more species of fish if you head inland to the many lakes and rivers in Panama. Plus, you can always come during different seasons to experience the many types of fish out there.
Popular Types of Fishing
There are a couple of different types of fishing in Panama that you can enjoy. For instance, you can always go fly fishing off the beach or in the lakes.
However, the most popular type of fishing in Panama is sport fishing. That’s because you can catch some huge species such as the infamous Blue Marlin!
Where the Best Fishing Spots Are
If you’re going to go fishing in Panama you should make it worth your while. There are tons of great fishing spots all over the country. However, the places where you’ll catch the most fish include:
- Hannibal Bank
- Isla Montuosa
- Zane Grey Reef
- Isla Landrones
- Isla Secas
- Pinas Bay
- Isla Parida
These spots are feeding grounds for some of the larger species, which is what makes them well-worth visiting.
Best Fishing Lodges
Panama is home to the Tropic Star, one of the world’s best fishing lodges. The Tropic Star provides anglers with everything they could need on a trip.
For one thing, there’s a fleet of Bertrams at the lodge. All the boats are outfitted with baitwells, tuna tubes, and VHF radios.
The lodge also features tons of other handy fishing gear. You won’t have to lug your gear from home with this resort!
Finally, the rooms are top-notch. When you come home from a long day on the water, you’ll be able to rest up and relax in comfort.
Where to Hire a Boat (Or Put Your Own In)
Whether you’re planning to rent a boat or put your own in the water, you’ll need to know where to go. A few places where you can hire a boat include:
- Bocas Marina
- Red Frog Marina
- Shelter Bay Marina
- Flamenco Yacht Club and Marina
Now, if you’re staying at the Tropic Star, you can also go fishing from the lodge itself. They have everything you need to get out on the water and start exploring!
Best Time to Fish in Panama
January is a great time to fish in Panama because the weather is warm and dry and Yellowfin Tuna abound. If you’re more interested in catching Marlins, however, you’ll want to head to the country between February and March.
In April and May, you can start to catch Cubera. June is a slower month, although you’ll still find Yellowfin Tuna and Marlins.
The season wraps up in August when Dorado teems through Panama’s waters.
Local Laws and Regulations
If you’re going to go sport fishing in Panama, you should note that you won’t need a fishing license yourself. However, you’ll need to make sure the boat you’re using has a fishing license.
If you’re renting this won’t be a problem, but make sure to get your boat’s fishing license if you plan to use your own vessel.
Aside from that, it’s important to note that you may need to get a Yellow Fever vaccine. Other vaccines that aren’t required but are recommended include Typhoid, Rabies, COVID-19, Hepatitis A, and Hepatitis B.
An Overview of Panama
Where Is Panama & How to Get There
Now that you know about sport fishing in Panama you’re probably dying to learn more about the country itself! Let’s take a look at a few things you need to know about this country.
Panama is a Central American country that’s located between Colombia and Costa Rica. It borders both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
You can get to Panama by land from Colombia or Costa Rica, although it’s not the usual way.
If you choose to fly to Panama, you’ll fly into Tocumen International Airport (PTY) which is located in Panama City.
Crime Rates
Crime rates in Panama are moderate, sitting at about 48.76 out of 100. You shouldn’t have any problems walking alone during the day, and most of the time it’s safe to be out alone at night too.
Politics
Panama has a representative democratic system of government. Much like the US, the country uses a multi-party system to choose the president.
Tax Rates/Currency
The name for the currency in Panama is the balboa, which is backed by the US dollar. In fact, the US dollar is another official currency of Panama.
Sports
The two most popular sports in Panama are soccer and baseball. You’ll find fanatics all around the country and live games playing in bars just about every night.
Local Activities
There are tons of local activities that you can participate in while visiting Panama. For one thing, you can always book a sports fishing trip and catch some fish.
There are also lots of museums scattered around Panama City for you to check out. There are even museums that talk about the many kinds of fish you can catch!
Finally, there are some great hikes and beautiful waterfalls to see. Be sure to check out Panama’s jungle to get a glimpse of the stunning scenery!
Panama Real Estate Options
Part of living in Panama means finding the right real estate option for your needs. Let’s take a look at the options.
Offshore Investments
The most common offshore investments that you can make in Panama include condos, timeshares, and vacation clubs.
With condos, you simply purchase a condominium in Panama. Then, you can stay there whenever you want to visit the country or can rent it out as supplemental income!
Timeshares are another option. These are homes or apartments for which you and other buyers share the home. As a reward, you get to use the home for a set amount of time throughout the year.
Finally, you can invest in vacation clubs. Vacation clubs require an upfront membership fee and then monthly or annual dues. As a reward, you’ll get hefty discounts at that company’s properties.
Benefits of Your Offshore Investments
There are multiple reasons why investing in Panama is a great idea, including:
- The US dollar is one of the national currencies in Panama
- Panama is situated in a strategic location
- You get access to the Panama Pacifico Economic Area and the Colon Free Zone
- Panama is an affordable country with high standards of living
- The majority of Panamanians are bilingual
Boat Real Estate Options & Berthing Marinas
One excellent way to invest in Panama is to purchase space at a berthing marina. This type of boat real estate gives you a place to dock your own boat when you want to visit.
Better yet, when you’re not spending time in Panama, you can rent out your dock space. This can be a great way to start making some cash back from your purchase.
Alternatively, you can join a boat club in Panama. Boat clubs are another great investment because they give you access to the club, gear, and vessels without you having to make any purchases yourself.
With this guide to offshore investments, we won’t be surprised if you’re racing out to buy property in Panama. It’s an incredible country full of fun fishing opportunities and so much more.
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