Why More Expats are Choosing the Azuero Peninsula

Farmer field in Azuero Peninsula
The Azuero Peninsula is a pastoral paradise—but there is so much more to it beneath the surface.|©iStock/MarcPo

My husband Dan and I were driving home from Panama City recently and it occurred to me that whenever we turn off the busy Pan-American Highway onto Ruta 2, which gently winds along the Azuero Peninsula, we both feel a sense of being "home" (even though home is still over two hours away).

As we passed fields of corn and rice and meadows dotted with grazing cows and horses, I realized something: the ultimate allure, the magic of the Azuero, lies in its pastoral contrasts.

Harvest season was in full swing. On one side of the road, fields were being harvested by machete, while on the other side, huge combines were doing the work. In another field, the land was being ploughed by oxen, and just across the road, a tractor was pulling the plough.

Ahead of us, a huge farm truck stacked high with fresh bales of hay was patiently being followed by a small car with just two bales tied onto the roof. A land of contrasts indeed!

Rounding a corner, the deep turquoise hues of the Pacific Ocean came into view, and far out on the horizon, a laden freighter was slowly making its way to the Panama Canal. In the foreground, simple Panamanian fishing pangas were hauled onto the sand.

Further on, we passed two men on horseback riding home from the fields with a pack of happy dogs cavorting alongside them. Coming the other way was the popular Pink Shuttle Bus bringing visitors from Panama City to play at Playa Venao.

And these contrasts extend into all aspects of life on the Azuero Peninsula. Food options range from traditional roadside fondas offering inexpensive Panamanian fare to world-class restaurants with an international flair.

If you have land, you can grow and harvest your own plantains, bananas, pineapples, coconuts, and more. We top up our produce and eggs with the twice-weekly veggie truck visits. But we can also head five minutes down the road to Super Venao and shop in air-conditioned comfort.

This is the Azuero Peninsula—where farming and fishing, family and friends, cowboys and combines co-exist seamlessly. Stunning mountain-top homes overlook quaint Pacific Coast fishing villages. Past and present blend to create an idyllic paradise of peace and plenty. This is where contrasts live in harmony and country living is at its best.

So, it got me thinking. What makes the Azuero Peninsula so special?

About a five-hour drive from Panama City along Panama's Pacific coastline, the Azuero Peninsula is a vast outdoor playground known for its warm weather, deep cultural roots, colorful festivals, friendly locals, excellent healthcare, low cost of living, and slower pace of life.

Home to many small, welcoming towns and villages, as well as the larger bustling centers of Las Tablas and Chitre, the Azuero offers plenty of services and amenities for expats, locals, and visitors alike.

Golden sands and turquoise waters—Azuero’s beaches offer beauty, serenity, and outdoor fun.
Golden sands and turquoise waters—Azuero’s beaches offer beauty, serenity, and outdoor fun.|©iStock/MarcPo

Dozens of expansive, sandy beaches; fine world-class fishing; and an abundance of activities such as surfing, hiking, biking, kayaking, horseback riding, snorkeling, and diving beckon invitingly. Active wellness and artistic communities add further opportunities for nourishing the body, mind, and soul.

But what is the quintessential allure of the Azuero Peninsula? Why do so many expats and visitors fall in love with the rolling ranchlands, lush jungle landscapes, stunning rocky vistas, and sweeping beaches? What draws people back to this picturesque peninsula time and time again?

I think the answer lies in the harmony of its contrasts—and the undeniable feeling of belonging it stirs in the soul.

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