3 Panama Towns for a Fit and Fabulous Expat Life

Brimming with geographical diversity, stunning wildlife, a deep sense of culture and a rich history, Panama is an expat destination extraordinaire.

And on the southern tip of the Azuero Peninsula along Panama's picturesque Pacific Coast, expats enjoy rural living at its finest. Lush hillsides tumble down to the ocean's edge, horses and cattle graze in rolling fields, and beautiful beaches beckon, creating a rich and diverse bucolic tapestry.

Three towns in particular, Pedasi, Playa Venao, and Canas, have been attracting nature-loving expats seeking a peaceful yet active lifestyle in an unsurpassed setting. These expats seek to nourish both the body and mind.

Located in a region known as the Arco Seco (Dry Arc), these towns enjoy some of the best weather in Panama, offering endless opportunities to explore and experience the great outdoors and participate in community activities and local celebrations year-round.

Pedasi

People enjoy coming together to help each other in the small coastal town of Pedasi, Panama.|©iStock/MarcPo

Approximately five hours driving time from Panama City, Pedasi is a charming, close-knit coastal town of about 5,000 residents, which includes a growing expat population from around the world.

A mix of families and retirees make this is a warm and welcoming pueblo(town) where expats participate in many projects and volunteer efforts, creating a personal and rewarding sense of accomplishment in helping others.

Popular causes include Hombres De Accion (helping local families in need), SpayPanama-Pedasi (providing spay and neuter clinics for the many cats and dogs in the area) and Pro-Animales Santenos (fostering and adoption of animals).

Expats here also love to connect with nature and embrace the outdoors with endless enthusiasm. Jogging, walking, biking and swimming at Pedasi's three spectacular and undiscovered beaches all promote a fit and fabulous lifestyle!

Gorgeous Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge, a quick 20-minute boat ride from Pedasi's Playa Arenal, is a popular day trip for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving in turquoise blue waters. And known as the Tuna Coast, Pedasi anglers catch giant yellowfin tuna within 15 minutes from leaving shore.

On shore, retirees head to inspiring Mandala Dot Painting classes, taste-tempting Panamanian cooking get-togethers, wine and painting gatherings, calorie-shedding Zumba and Aerial Yoga classes, and, of course, the all-important Spanish lessons.

Playa Venao

The bohemian beach town of Playa Venao is starting to make waves among Panama expats.|©Gabriele Walkow

Pedasi expats also like heading 30 minutes down the road to picture-perfect Playa Venao, which is quickly emerging as one of Panama's top surf and beach destinations.

With its bohemian buzz, this idyllic beach town is home to a colorful cluster of restaurants, cafes, and beach bars; laidback resorts and charming hostels; and busy surf shops stretching along the gently curving beach.

Once a well-kept secret, Playa Venao is growing in leaps and bounds, attracting international expats of all ages, including couples, families, remote workers, travelers, pre-retirees, and retirees.

About 800 full-time residents call this relatively young community home. This number swells on weekends and during national holidays as visitors and locals come to soak up the Venao vibe and have some seaside fun.

With a strong surf culture and home to world-class waves and warm waters, Playa Venao beckons to surfing enthusiasts of every skill level, including retired expats who come here to ride the waves on surfboards and boogie boards.

While surfing is the biggest attraction, you don't have to be a surfer to enjoy the many activities offered in this outdoor paradise. Deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving are also popular with residents and visitors.

The fun continues on land with waterfall hikes, horseback riding adventures on the beach and in the surrounding hillsides, island tours and e-bike, scooter, golf cart and quad rentals. This vibrant landscape can be explored in a growing number of ways and the expats are loving all the options.

Playa Venao also has an active wellness community offering a range of yoga classes and retreats, massages, meditation, fitness classes of every level and martial arts opportunities. Salsa dancing classes are particularly popular! Expats come here to stretch body and mind.

Canas

Gabriele geared up to go ziplining with a visiting guest.|©Gabriele Walkow

Nearby, Canas is home to the breathtaking beauty of Isla Canas Wildlife Refuge National Park. The stand-up paddle board and kayak eco-tours offered here are stunning and a must-do repeat experience for many people.

And the young-at-heart retirees find their thrill in ziplining down the slopes of Canas through the verdant jungle canopy alive with monkeys and birds. Many of us do this exhilarating zipline course annually when we are hosting our visitors from the north!

This small but busy community is also home to the area's only pickleball court, always a popular expat hangout, with open play every morning at 8 a.m.

Nestled along a special stretch of the Azuero Peninsula, this is where sun, sand, surf, and sea blend with rolling ranchlands, lush jungle landscapes, and stunning rocky vistas to create a paradise found for the lucky expats who lead a fit, fabulous, and rewarding lifestyle here.