Retiring in Panama has become very popular in recent years, for people from all over the world. Panama is an attractive country to both live and invest in, and when it comes to retiring in Panama, it’s almost second to none. There are numerous amounts of benefits to retiring in Panama, and for each person, the reasons will be different. Plus, Panama retirement visas are easy to obtain. There are also a lot of great locations to retire to. With so many options, and so many benefits nationwide, we thought we’d narrow down your choices a little bit.
Here are 5 of the best places to retire in Panama, and why you should choose them as your retirement destination.
Boquete
The charming mountain town of Boquete has been on the map for North American and European retirees for a few years now, and with good reason. Boquete has a year-round cool climate (65-75 F), a low cost of living, and for a town its size, almost unmatched art, architecture and culture. Boquete has a vibrant retiree community where English is commonly spoken, and lots of natural excursions and outdoor activities. Many in Boquete live off of US social security, and there is a friendly, laid back vibe to nearly everyone you meet there. Boquete is located close to the Costa Rica border in the western Chiriqui province of Panama, 45 minutes from David’s regional and (limited) international airport.
El Valle
Much like Boquete, El Valle de Anton is in a lush, cool, and mountainous part of Panama. However, unlike Boquete, El Valle is much closer to the capital of Panama City. This makes it ideal for retirees who need to travel a lot internationally, or who enjoy regular trips to the capital. It’s a relatively small town with lots of local culture to absorb, and very reasonably priced real estate. El Valle is also about a 30 minute drive to the beach, which is another big added benefit to retirees who decide to live there.
Coronado
The white-sand beach town of Coronado has long been a favorite ocean retreat for Panamanians, tourists, and now retirees. This really is the quintessential Panama Pacific beach lifestyle. It’s also very developed, with much more amenities than neighboring towns along the coast. From big name grocery stores to high end shopping, this is more of a luxury retirement destination. And if you’re a golf lover, there’s pretty much no better spot on the Isthmus to get 18 holes in. In fact, many retirees choose to live on and around Coronado’s beautiful course.
Pedasi
The small town of Pedasi is also a beach-lover’s paradise with easy access to some of the most unspoiled coastline in Panama. It is very quaint, natural, and peaceful, and can offer more of an “off the beaten path” type of adventure, without giving up luxuries like good food, art, and local culture. It is surrounded by vast nature reserves, and is one of the most bio diverse areas in Panama, so nature lovers tend to flock here. Pedasi is a bit out of the way by car from the capital, but a regional airport makes it easy to travel back and forth, should you decide to.
Bocas del Toro
The archipelago of Bocas del Toro is Panama’s 2nd most popular tourist destination (behind the Panama Canal, Panama City), and now retirees are calling it home to. It is the epitome of the tropic, Caribbean lifestyle, and is a boat-lover’s paradise. If you’re looking for privacy, Bocas is a great choice to retire to. There are many people who even live on their own private island, at a fraction of the cost you might think. Island after island of unspoiled land, surrounded by turquoise waters and white sand beaches make this the ideal retirement spot for ocean lovers. There is also a vibrant local and expat community to keep you entertained, and socially active while living there.
