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The wedding of a friend's daughter in Quepos, Costa Rica, set David and Diana Hoyt on a path of discovery to their future dream retirement home. With the celebrations over, the couple decided to extend their trip to check out the country's Southern Zone. There, they promptly fell in love with Ojochal "where the mountains meet the sea."
The secret is out. One more off-the-beaten-track pieces of paradise is emerging in Panama and, in my opinion, it boasts the most breathtaking scenery in all of this beautiful country.
Nestled along a secondary highway between Boquete and David in the province of Chiriquí lies a little-known gem called Potrerillos, meaning "Little Pastures."
The decision has been made. You have unequivocally decided to make Panama your new home. Hopefully you traversed the country, renting as you went, until finding the area you would like to call home.
For the last seven years, my husband Gary and I have been enjoying a snowbird lifestyle. For six months each year, we wave goodbye to family and friends in cold, snowy Canada and set out for our home in Panama’s Chiriquí province.
Seven years ago, hating the cold and dreary winters in British Columbia, Canada and worrying about the cost of living there when we would soon be living on our pensions, my husband, Gary, and I began researching where our next home would be.
Anyone who lives here in Panama knows that the Panamanian people are exceptionally kind, caring, and helpful…and that their healthcare system is inexpensive and efficient.
When my husband Gary and I retired, we were adamant that we’d kick back and enjoy our new life. No deadlines. No alarm clocks. No schedules. But we’ve discovered we’re not quite ready to go from full steam ahead to a full stop.
Bright beams of sunshine stream in the window... The sounds of a gurgling creek can be heard coming from just over the hill... Woodpeckers drum rhythmically, and the air is full of birdsong... This is what I wake up to every morning.
Each year, my husband and I spend six months of the year living in Panama’s Chiriqui province. One of the many reasons we decided to live our snowbird lifestyle here was the lower cost of living. And it’s something I often hear from expats…affordable and good-value cost of living was one of the main factors in their decision to live here.