Famous French Architect Transforms Forgotten Tropical Peninsula into World’s Most Exclusive Retreat But you have a small window of opportunity to get in on this chic dream today for as little as $30,000! Dear International Living Reader, The airstrip’s been laid. And the stars are already descending. Not since the 17th century has this spectacular (yet peculiar) piece of paradise seen such a rush of new colonists. But this time it’s not conquistadors or capitalists arriving, it’s a brand-new band of super-chic artists, designers, and adventurers in search of a simpler, gentler, slower way of life. Experts have begun comparing this region to Costa Rica’s most prized coastline - but in the ‘80s – before the development, before the tourists came, and before property prices started to soar… New York Magazine has hailed it as: “the latest eco-playground with panache.” And now a torrent of big-name Hollywood stars have begun to descend on the area including Mick Jagger, Tom Cruise, Bruce Willis, Mel Gibson, Eddie Murphy, Brad Pitt and Arnold Schwarzenegger. And among those who are setting up shop here, you can feel that there’s a genuine sense of excitement in the air…that these New Age settlers are all part of something very new and special…and that they’re proud to be among the first foreigners to discover the wonders and delights of this unique playground. And they couldn’t have found a more perfect and spellbinding setting: a forgotten peninsula trapped in time, where the ways of life and the rhythms of nature have carried on undisturbed for centuries…even millennia… In many ways this place is an anomaly. Coastal roads wind around beautiful cliffs. Gentle rolling green Tuscan-like hills (uncharacteristic of the region) are dotted with ancient perfectly preserved 17th century Spanish Colonial towns. Yet the area is bordered by a tropical coastal paradise that supports a unique and undiscovered eco-wonderland. For example, it boasts one of the planet’s greatest virgin fishing spots. The waters are literally teaming with fish: big eye and yellow fin tuna, black marlin, wahoo, amberjack, sierra mackerel, orcas, snapper…yet global anglers don’t even know of it yet… It also boasts one of the western hemisphere’s best-preserved coral reefs which supports hundreds of species of colorful marine life – yet it is also virtually unknown to the diver… Iguanas, colorful crabs, red-breasted frigates roam unperturbed on a nearby island… Dolphins, porpoises, and humpback whales still swim freely and fearlessly in its crystal clear unpolluted waters…for millennia they’ve been coming to this marine haven to give birth, and to train their young in the ways of the deep blue sea… Thousands of turtles still migrate en masse each year to its stunning white sand shores to lay their eggs… So are the ebbs and tides of this natural tropical wonderland… But now the secret’s out. Going Fast: $30,000 Homes in Paradise! It’s only a matter of time now before this lost paradise leaps onto the radars of travelers and retirees, and before property prices begin their giant march upwards. But right now you have a unique window of opportunity to get in on this extraordinarily untapped wonderland before the crowd. The region is still home to some of the most outrageous property bargains left on the planet. And the cost of living is still mercifully low…   For example, right now you can: Buy a 3 bedroom house in an old Colonial village for as little as $30,000…or a home right on the beach with a veranda overlooking the glorious Pacific ocean for as little as $95,000! Rent a 3-bedroom house for $175 a month! Enjoy a pizza for $2. Half a pound of coffee for $1.65. A beer for less than a dollar. In fact, so excited are we by the opportunities we see exploding in this quiet little paradise that we’ve just completed an urgent retirement and investment opportunity alert on the region, called Central America’s Next Great Riviera: How to Get Your Piece of Paradise for as Little as $30,000. And we want to send you a copy of it FREE just for agreeing to take a no-risk look at our newly and extensively updated 2008 edition of Panama – The Owner’s Manual. Central America’s Latest Playground for the Rich and Famous Enjoy Tax-FREE Hurricane-FREE Tropical Living! At International Living we’ve been heralding the undiscovered delights of Panama for many years now. But we believe the country is reaching an important inflection point… We’ve watched it grow. We’ve watched property prices skyrocket in Panama City and along its Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, and in a number of its idyllic lush highland areas. And many of our readers have moved their now, and have taken advantage of Panama’s extraordinary retirement, business, and investment programs. These programs have granted them benefits and opportunities they could never dream of getting at home right now like: 20-year moratoriums on their real estate taxes (which could amount to a $200,000 saving or more on a $500,000 home in America.) First-World medical care at half the cost. Tax-free profits on any tourism related business. Bargain real estate opportunities, including beachfront lots as low as $16,000 and homes in lush highland paradises for as little as $50,000. Up to 50% off everything of from public transport to prescription drugs…hotels to restaurants…communication costs to legal fees (all you need is this one little magic card, and it could be your passport to deep discounts for the rest of your life!!! I’ll tell you how easy it is to get one in just a moment!) Minimal government regulations…a rich and unique culture…warm weather…friendly people…and hurricane-free Caribbean living…  Readers who’ve taken advantage of these programs have transformed their lives, dramatically slashed the cost of their retirements, saved a fortune in taxes, built thriving businesses (bed and breakfasts, charter dive operations, eco-resorts, import/export companies), and watched their property prices double, triple, quadruple (and more). But there are still many parts of Panama that are undiscovered and undervalued. And considering its extraordinary delights, untapped adventure playgrounds, virgin coastlines, stunning vistas, and untamed jungles we don’t believe this haven is going to go undiscovered for too much longer. China-like Growth in the World’s Next Great Retirement and Investment Haven A number of things are working together right now to really put Panama on the map, and this might be your last chance to become a pioneer in this top retirement destination - before property prices skyrocket and it’s visa programs end.  According to the UN, Panama’s GDP is growing faster than any other country in Latin America. Two top consulting firms, Indesa and the award-winning Deloite’s have estimated that Panama’s growth last year came in at 10 and 11%, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in the world (up their with China). Panama is also enjoying its biggest real estate construction boom ever. At the moment there are over 10,000 homes, 60 master planned communities and over a hundred high-rise buildings in construction or approved for construction. Plus with ambitious new deca-billion dollar energy projects and its grand $5.25 billion dollar expansion plan of the Panama Canal (the 8th wonder of the world), Panama is definitely poised for rapid growth for many years ahead. Panama also has a strong education system, which has resulted in a 91.9% literacy rate. Most people are bilingual (and speak both Spanish and English). The U.S dollar is the official currency (and while the dollar is losing purchasing power the globe over, Panama is one of the last great havens where it still goes the extra mile.) It has first-class infrastructure that rivals that of the US, including highways, great roads broadband internet, cable TV, world-class hospitals, efficient public transport system… No wonder Panama has received so many accolades. For example: The IMF hailed Panama as Latin America’s star economy. The Tripartite Committee ranked it Number One in the region for low cost of living. And Canada's Fraser Institute put it at the top of the list of the world's freest economies, ranked eighth with Australia, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. On top of all this, the Panamanian government has started a program to promote Panama as a top tourist destination… And now the stars have begun to move in, it won’t be long before the rest of the world starts to discover Panama’s secret delights. Bizarre Forests…Steamy Jungles…Secret Shangri-las… For a small country, Panama has an incredible amount to offer. And in Panama – The Owner’s Manual, you’ll get to go where few tourists have ever gone before… You’ll get to explore Panama’s expansive rainforests, which are among the richest and most complex on the planet. It’s the only country where jaguars and pumas prowl only a short drive from the capital. Plus its vast roadless jungles are home to over 940 recorded bird species and 105 endangered species, including the spectacled bear, the Central American tapir, scarlet macaws and several eagle species. Panama also offers some of the finest diving, bird watching and deep-sea fishing in all of the Americas - yet only the most avid of adventurers would know this. It boasts scores of deserted palm-lined beaches…miles of lush rain forests…great national parks…mysterious mangroves (where you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to a time to when dinosaurs walked the Earth)…steamy cloud forests… mountains… waterfalls…raging rivers…abandoned forts…and even a desert… Yet tourists are almost as scarce as harpy eagles! In Panama you can spend the morning diving in the Caribbean and the afternoon swimming in the Pacific. At Isla de Coiba you can enjoy the best snorkeling and scuba diving in Central America…at Chiriqui Viejo you can plunge down some of the world’s best white-water rafting rivers…off Panama’s coast you can explore over 1500 lush tropical islands…at Playa Santa Catalina you can ride 5-meter high waves…   You can visit Taboga “the Island of Flowers” that has no cars…you can swim, surf, jet-ski, and boat along the beautiful shores of Coronado, Gorgona, Corona, and Santa Clara...or go and see the howler monkeys on Monkey Island… You can explore historic ruins of the colonial era…dive for Sir Francis Drake’s lead coffin (supposedly buried at sea near Portobello Bay)…ride a dug-out canoe to a native Indian Village…discover the remote and mysterious forests of the Darien region right on the border of Colombia (where the roads just stop about a half hour before the border like you’ve reached the end of civilization)…come nose to nose with a red-naped tamarin monkey or a trio of colorful toucans… No wonder the Boston Globe called it “…an undiscovered tourist paradise" and Harper's Bazaar hailed it as: "the most beautiful retreat in the world.”  The Central American Aristocracy’s Best-Kept Retirement Secret In Panama - The Owner’s Manual we’ll also take you to another one of our favorite retirement spots and adventure wonderlands… It’s an ancient volcanic crater of astonishing beauty, which lies up in Panama’s verdant hills just half an hour from the glorious Pacific Ocean. Mythical waterfalls flow down its flower and tree-laden walls. Mysterious legends are carved into its rocky cliff faces, and buried in its haunted lagoons.  And along its valley floor, tucked amongst its sweeping forests, lie the luxurious mansions and secluded retreats of the Central American Aristocracy. These sanctuaries, many of which back onto crystal clear meandering rivers, boast acres of rolling land. Some have their own artesian wells. Others boast natural hot springs and even waterfalls! But most importantly - some are for sale! And the prices? A steal! Right now, in this valley, you can buy a quarter–of-an-acre lot for as little as $22,100, or a fully furnished 1,600-square-foot country home for as little as $100,000. Get in now, and you’ll watch your investment appreciate wildly for many years to come! And it’s not just outrageous property bargains this crater harbors, but it also hides a world of exotic creatures, ancient myths, and untold adventures! For example, you can: Ride on horseback through its dreamy cloud forests, over its serene lush hills, and on up to its tree-and-flower-laden peaks. (Horse rental costs just $5 an hour!) Take the canopy adventure of a lifetime. Sweep over some of the world’s most pristine jungle. Pass a stunning 200-foot waterfall that feeds a beautiful lagoon far below (believed by many of the locals to be enchanted!).    Enjoy perfect spring-like weather year round. Stroll through bizarre forests of square-trunk trees and tiny golden frogs! Take a relaxing dip in the therapeutic waters of the valley’s hot springs.  Visit the iguanas, the Harpy Eagles, and the unusual amphibians found nowhere else on Earth - in the valley’s local zoo. (Admission is just $2) Browse through a museum of ancient pre-Columbian art dating back to 8,000BC! For decades this crater has been kept secret, known only by the Central American Aristocracy - and a few savvy travelers, but you’ll get to explore it in Panama – The Owner’s Manual! Little-Known Programs that Could Transform Your Twilight Years. Panama also offers one of the best – if not the best retirement program in the world today. For the tiny price the benefits are incomparable. Now, you may be thinking: "Pensioner? Retiree? That leaves me out." Think again. Because the rules for becoming a "pensioner" and qualifying for this visa program in Panama are probably not what you expect. In fact, you don’t even have to be of retirement age to qualify as a pensionado in Panama. In some cases, you can even be as young as 18! The main requirement is a guaranteed pension income of only $500 per month ($600 per month for a couple). It must be a pension from a government agency (e.g. social security, disability, armed forces etc.) or from a company. As a qualified pensionado or retiree, you will be entitled to significant discounts off the already mercifully low costs of living in Panama, including: 50% off entertainment anywhere in the country; 30% off bus, boat, and train fares; 25% off airline tickets; 50% off hotel stays (Monday through Thursday); 25% off restaurants; 10% off prescription medicines; 20% off doctor's consultations; 15% off dental and eye exams; 20% off professional and technical services; 50% off closing costs for home loans and more... What’s more, the visa process is also simple. It’s a onetime application. There are no renewals and no extra fees. Other residency programs require you to file a renewal each year. This involves time, hassle, and additional fees. In Panama you can apply today for no more than a few thousand dollars and have residency for life. Your permit only takes a month. It’s fast. It’s affordable. It’s easy. But if you want to take advantage of it, you’d better be quick. We believe this program won’t last much longer. Nothing like it exists anywhere else on the planet. In fact, it’s another of the great reasons we’ve voted Panama one of the top five retirement destinations for eight years running. And this is just one of the unrivaled residency programs they have on offer here. In the new 2008 Panama - The Owner’s Manual you’ll learn about many more, including the business and investment visas that can grant you a passport with as little as a $40,000 investment! Island Hideaways…Money Secrets…and $35 Luxury Train Rides In the new 2008 Panama - The Owner’s Manual you’ll also discover: The Secret Valleys of Beautiful Boquete: Panama’s lush highland region where spring reigns eternal. Lucrative World Heritage Property and Investment Opportunities. Find out about the enormous investment incentives you’ll get if you buy property in Panama City’s Casco Viejo. This forgotten treasure of a neighborhood was once the cultural and political center of Panama City. UNESCO has recently declared it a World Heritage Site. It sits out on the bay and is currently undergoing a great new renaissance…We’ll show you ways to profit from this neighborhood poised to boom. It’s an urban investor’s dream! President Jimmy Carter’s Favorite Island Hideaway! Offshore Money Secrets. How to open a truly private bank account…set up an offshore corporation, trust or private foundation and take advantage of privacy, tax and asset protection benefits…You’ll get the names and full contact details of banks, advisers, lawyers… How to Rake in Tax-Free Profits in one of the World’s Greatest Business Zones. Panama’s Colon Free Zone is one of the best places in the world from which to export – due to its strategic position as a telecommunications and transportation hub. You’ll find out why this economic miracle is the second largest free zone in the world – next only to Hong Kong. However, it’s mostly used by big business. Few realize that all the powerful benefits of the zone can just as easily be enjoyed by small businesses as well…we’ll show you how…You’ll learn the easiest and most economical way top set up shop in the free zone…We’ll show you how to profit from the incredible tax incentives. You won’t have to put a cent toward capital investment costs or overheads…and it can all be done with very few hassles… The Next Best Beachfront Property Bargains. Find out the best and most affordable places to buy beachfront property right now in Panama. On some coastal areas of Panama where big tourist developments have begun property prices have already skyrocketed. Lots that once could be bought for $50,000 are now multimillion-dollar properties with palatial mansions on them. But don’t worry there are plenty of areas still yet to boom. Dozens of beaches waiting to be discovered. We’ll show you where… The Galapagos of Central America: It’s a small archipelago of islands that’s a breeding ground for endangered species of all kinds of birds, plants, monkeys, sea-life, including bizarre creatures that exist nowhere else on Earth! Panama City Property Bargains…including the best areas to buy right now. How to Take an Old Orient-Express Like Train Ride Across Rolling Countryside and Through Pristine Rainforest for just $35! International Living’s Top 10 List of Must-See Sites! Plus you’ll meet other readers who fell in love with Panama – its beaches – its highlands. You’ll hear how Panama – a country they never even considered retiring or moving too – quickly seduced them. How they moved from other great retirement havens like Costa Rica, Roatan, Costa del Sol, Provence, Mexico to live here, and they’ve never looked back… Your Last Chance: Paradise is Going Fast! By taking advantage of Panama’s unrivaled retirement and business programs, you can save a fortune in taxes, get in on the ground floor of some of the world’s greatest property opportunities, dramatically slash your costs of living and transform your retirement days. But you’d better be quick. These programs and these opportunities won’t last much longer. We’ve had offices in Panama for many years now, and we’ve been monitoring first hand the development that’s going on…and we believe this might be your last chance to get in on Panama before it really starts to boom, and before it really leaps onto the tourists’ radars. That’s why we’ve just completed our biggest edition ever of Panama - The Owner’s Manual. And why we’re going to give you a unique opportunity today to review it risk-free. You can buy Panama – The Owner’s Manual for just $69. But for one week only--this week, until midnight, Friday, June 27--you can try Panama—The Owner’s Manual for just one dollar…a single buck…one measly greenback…a solitary George Washington! Buy it for one dollar, read it, and if you don't like it simply let us know within 30 days and that's it. You have spent only $1. If you do decide to keep the manual, we will then charge you the remaining $68 after 30 days. You really have nothing to lose, with our special Try it For a Buck offer. This new edition for 2008 has been written by a team of professional and personal contacts in Panama, including top immigration attorneys, offshore trust and banking experts, real estate agents and developers…plus many expatriates who have left America and choice retirement spots from around the world to come and settle in Panama. It combines the painstaking and experience of this unrivaled Panamanian team of experts and expatriates. You won’t find information like this anywhere else in print. But know that your purchase of the Owner’s Manual is just the beginning of the adventure and the benefits you’ll receive. You’ll also get the assistance and the friendship of fellow expatriates who’ve already chosen Panama as their retirement and business haven. Our staff in Panama are there to be your full-time guides, and are available to help you long after you’ve purchased and got the most out of your Owner’s Manual. Any question, any request you might have, just get on the phone and give International Living Panama a call. They’ve been helping readers move and set up in Panama for five years now. They can organize your travel…introduce you to real estate agents…fax you the latest property listings… Our International Living staff in Panama love to introduce readers to their newly adopted country. If you need a late night pharmacy…an emergency prescription… Spanish lessons…restaurant recommendations…hotel recommendations – they’re there to give them to you. Plus we’ll also rush you your FREE copy of the retirement and investment opportunity alert on Panama’s forgotten peninsula called Central America’s Next Great Riviera: How to Get Your Piece of Paradise for as Little as $30,000. What’s more, we’re so confident that you’ll be shocked and seduced by all Panama has to offer that we are giving you a special lifetime guarantee on Panama – The Owner’s Manual. Read the manual. Explore all Panama has to offer. If after exploring her delights you decide that Panama is not the place for you then return the manual and we’ll give you your money back – no questions asked. I hope I’ve convinced you now – that you ought to give Panama a closer look. And remember you’re buying much more than a guide – you’re buying a team of valuable contacts and friends who can help make your exploration of Panama personal, unique – and maybe even life changing. Sincerely, Martina Dunphy Executive Director International Living P.S. Now that a torrent of big-name Hollywood stars have begun to descend on this retirement paradise it won’t be long now before the world discovers this region’s long-kept secret delights…its square-trunk trees…its golden frogs…its bizarre forests…its secret Shangri-la’s…and its forgotten peninsula. But right now, you have a short window of opportunity to get in, while it’s still deeply undervalued, and while it still harbors some of the world’s last great coastal and highland property bargains.