Miami, Florida January 23, 2007 --  Hunting with century-old indian tribes, spelunking through mysterious jungle caves, and exploring secluded Caribbean islands isn’t just reserved for Hollywood anymore.

With its teeming rainforests, hidden beaches, and rich history and culture, the tiny isthmus that was once only known for a Canal, is now making sound waves as perhaps the most authentic travel destination in Central America. Features in the New York Times and Miami Herald, as well as recent articles in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, have spurred more and more visitors to Panama, the crossroads of the Americas. In the midst of this tourism and real estate boom, bona fide websites like www.thepanamareport.com are revealing the good, the bad, and the ugly sides a Panama vacation.

Panama’s high safety rating, tropical climate, and retirement incentives are drawing more and more baby boomers from the States everyday. Condos in cosmopolitan Panama City overlooking the Pacific Ocean for $200,000? Beach houses within walking distance from white sand beaches, $110,000? Giant tracts of oceanfront land selling at $0.25 per square meter? They sound too good to be true, but thanks to Panama’s low cost of living and still relatively young real estate sector, anyone can get a piece of the action. Pair the amazing Panama investment with the Costa Rica allure of secret waterfalls, uninhabited beaches, and spectacular wildlife to see why the growth in Panama in 2006 was bigger than any country in the region.                      

“You have to visit Panama to believe it” says Matt Landau, Founder of The Panama Report. “By the time your vacation is up, you’ll feel like you’re on the inside of a travel secret”. With experience in Costa Rica, Landau has consulted for some of the top vacation and real estate companies in the isthmus and believes Panama is destined for greatness, if not having achieved it already. He’s quick to point out though, that things aren’t always as good as they seem. “As always for a developing or emerging country, you’re going to hit a lot of snags, among them corruption, scams, and crime. Specifically, when you look at real estate in Panama, immoral practices are like snowballs in that once they start rolling, they become hard to stop, so you need to address them at inception. I love Panama and by exposing the good, the bad, and the ugly, the vacation or investor will make his/her own educated decision.”

The nation’s deeply-rooted history can be seen in the ruins of Panama Viejo just outside the City’s metropolitan skyline. Walk through the telling streets of Casco Viejo, the old city, where pirates like Henry Morgan stomped and trudged many years ago. The Kuna Indians, a tribe who’ve fought off colonials for nearly 500 years, offer eco-resorts within their own private 360-island Caribbean archipelago including snorkeling tours and lessons on making renowned ‘mola’ handicrafts. And of course, how could we forget Panama’s biggest treasure and undoubtedly its greatest shortcut, the Panama Canal. For a country that’s long been a melting pot of culture, it appears that the world’s vacation and real estate trend-setters are now eyeing Panama as a hotbed of development.

Still partially considered a travel secret, the Caribbean and Pacific shores of Panama lie hushed, awaiting what will presumably be the fastest and most powerful tourism growth in Central America. The country’s capital, Panama City boasts Miami-esque nightlife. The restaurant scene is innovative and constantly reinventing itself. The ocean-front banking skyline conjures up images of a young Argentina, primed for distinction. And the cobblestone streets of Casco Viejo evoke a breezy afternoon Cuban charm. “Panama real estate today is hotter than it’s ever been” Landau says, “and by making educated and calculated decisions, a lot of people will live very happy remainders of their lives.”

The real truth about the Panama real estate and tourism boom is only a few clicks away for trendsetting vacationers and retirees. To join the hordes of visitors uncovering the secret that is Panama, go online to www.thepanamareport.com and decide whether it’s really all it’s cracked up to be TODAY!