“Lazy” isn’t quite the right word to describe the village of Santa Fe de Veraguas, located in Panama’s Veraguas province. Other words come to mind: “bohemian,” “quirky,” and “effortless.” A town of about 3,000 people, Santa Fe has no traffic. Even on the main road cars pass infrequently. And everyone—every single person—says hello or buenas as they pass.
There’s a highland village in Panama you probably haven’t heard of yet—a handful of North Americans are only beginning to establish a bohemian community. Pines and flowering shrubs, beautifully paved roads and neatly painted houses, where no-one locks their doors and everyone has reliable Internet.
Marvin and Joanne Riddle don’t just enjoy “the best of both worlds”…they enjoy the best the whole world has to offer them. The couple spend part of every year in Florida, part of the year living on La Barqueta beach, in Panama’s Chiriquí province, and—when the mood takes them—they travel the world, too.
This month, International Living released its Annual Global Retirement Index 2011. To rank our winners this year, we analyzed 37 critical data points for each of our top 23 retirement havens. As usual, Panama is a heavy hitter, taking one of the top 3 spots.
“I had no idea it was like this,” my wife Suzan said. “This part of the coast is like Pirates of the Caribbean!” We were standing on the dock of Seagull Cove Lodge, a tidy little boutique hotel just outside the village of Boca Chica in Panama’s Chiriquí Province.
I was sitting across from a young go-getter at a trendy sushi spot in the cool part of town. Let’s call him Bob. “I’ve been looking for a condo—as an investment and to live in for a while,” said Bob. “I think I may have finally found the right one.”
In early 2001 we were on our first visit to Panama, our first research visit of any kind, in fact, on our journey to relocation outside the U.S. Our guide that day was Sam Taliaferro. A former Coloradoan married to a Panamanian, he had picked the little mountain town of Boquete in Panama’s Chiriquí province in which to build his version of paradise. And what a pick it was…
In this video, IL editors Dan Prescher and Suzan Haskins explore the inlets, bays, and islands of Boca Chica in Panama’s Chiriqui Province—a wonderland best explored by boat.
Chiriqui is Panama’s western-most province. It’s well known as the location of two of Panama’s favorite expat destinations – Boquete and Volcan. But an easy drive from Chiriqui’s capital of David is a beautiful stretch of Pacific Coast, and along this coast is a spot called Boca Chica.
Retiree Al Fine is originally from Orlando but now lives in Panama City. Al is 85 and, frankly, the way he’s treated in Panama means he could never be happy anyplace else. Every time he steps in to a restaurant, hospital, or bank, he has people falling over themselves to help him.
If you’re looking for a beach home near Panama City, expect real estate agents to steer you toward Coronado—where property on the beach costs $250,000 or more. Buyers in the know seek out homes or condos in towns like Gorgona (less than 15 minutes by car from Coronado).
Building a home overseas is one of the greatest challenges you can take on. But ask Doug Mannell, 66, and his wife Linda, 63, and they say: “Sure, we’d do it again.”
It’s not for everyone, but building your own home can be immensely rewarding.
Dan Prescher reports from Cotacachi, Ecuador with your weekly wrap-up of International Living postcards for the week ending April 23. Read on for all the benefits of living in Panama.
If you’ve an interest in Panama (or as my husband Dan Prescher says, you just want to be able to cross it off your list with impunity), you need access to the information being shared over these three jam-packed days in Panama.
Retirees Stephen Johnson and Linda Murdock had some very specific location and lifestyle requirements…not least of which was Linda’s surf habit.
I’ve been visiting Panama for over a decade now. And every year the city amps up its “wow” quotient…more cosmopolitan, more manageable, more beautiful, more impressive… a city that’s left the rest of Latin America behind in its climb to First-World status symbol of shiny, glittering growth and economic prosperity.
If you plan to move to Panama for clear blue waters and long stretches of sandy beach, you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of places to choose from. After all, most of Panama consists of coastal areas. Below is my top pick for the cheapest beach destination in Panama.
In this video, Dan Prescher reports from Cotacachi, Ecuador with your weekly wrap-up of International Living postcards for the week ending March 26.
It’s likely prices will begin to rise here soon. Panama’s President Ricardo Martinelli recently announced the site of Panama’s new international airport will be Rio Hato. The government has long been studying the viability of a new international airport in the Pacific coast region. The idea is to make it easier for travelers to head straight to the beach.
If health care is at the top of your priority list, a visit to Panama may well ease your mind. Just ask the many expats who are moving here. The personalized attention… inexpensive procedures…and quality care in Panama presents a winning package.
Panama has what some call the “world’s best retirement program.” If you qualify (and it’s not difficult…you just need prove you have the means to support yourself—$1,000 a month), you are eligible to retire in Panama under the pensionado visa program.
We’re gearing up to host hundreds of IL readers in Panama next month, who plan to review and pursue every opportunity this country has for starting a business, retiring, living, relaxing, banking, having fun, and making money.
In this video, Dan Prescher reports from sunny Ecuador with your weekly wrap-up of International Living postcards for the week ending March 12.
You may think Panama City is just another megalopolis of steel and concrete. But don’t be so quick to judge. Yes, it’s bustling. And yes, it’s booming.
One of the main reasons most expats enjoy Panama so much is that they can live better for less here. This applies to real estate more than anything else. You can have out-and-out luxury…or modest living…and everything in-between.
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