International Living Community

Hi Brian,

For info on brokers who manage luxury rentals you can get in touch with Pangea, the IL preferred real estate advertising partner, email: info@pangearesearchgroup.com.

You can also find a wide range of rentals in the different regions of Panama on sites like www.tripadvisor.com, www.vrbo.com, www.viviun.com, www.encuentra24.com, www.compreoalquile.com or www.airbnb.com (many of the better-priced listings will be in Spanish).

Many expats also list great options on expat Facebook pages.

If you find a long-term rental that you like, don’t be afraid to ask if the owner will rent to you for a shorter term, and vice-versa.

If you're planning on renting in a specific town for 1-2 months, I highly recommend booking something with great reviews for your first few days and then going to see places in person before committing to a month or more in one apartment or house.

Have a great stay.

Best,

IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

Googdness gracious, Panama City has everything... a sparkling skyline filled with oceanview condos... green neighborhoods filled with families and nice houses that feel 100 miles away but are a 15-minute drive from the city center's Johns Hopkins International affiliated hospital... and so, so much more. If you caught my article six months ago, in the Dec 2024 issue (https://magazine.internationalliving.com/internationalliving/library/item/december_2024/4235809/), you know what I'm talking about (and if you're curious, head on over and give it a quick read)

On my most recent extended stay in Panama City, here's what things cost $$$

Here's some of the great stuff I did in Panama City, and what it cost me:

$0 Phenomenal walks on the Cinta Costera into Casco Viejo
$0 Rollerblading on the Amador Causeway
$0 Hiking up Ancon Hill with friends
$0 multiple visits to the gym and pool in my building
$0 live jazz/salsa at Villa Ana, the best speakeasy I’ve ever been to (sorry NYC)
$0 live classic rock at Tres Gatos Brewery
$3.25 coffee at Café Unido
$5.35 coffee and tour of the art-filled Sofitel Hotel in Casco Viejo
$8 coffee and snacks at Misawa Japanese Bakery
$10 coffee and pastries at Maru Korean Dessert Café
$20 cognac at Villa Ana
$20 flight of microbrews and snacks at Tres Gatos Brewery
$30 guided rainforest walk for three at Parque Metropolitano
$85 lavish dinner at Popino
$230 shopping at Express and Steve Madden (Multiplaza mall)
$52 cocktails and dinner at hip Fonda Lo Que Hay in Casco Viejo
$281 maintenance for my Hyundai Accent at the agency
$27 lunch and Soju at Soban Korean restaurant
$34 sparkling water and two Manhattans at the ritzy bar of Hotel La Compañía in Casco Viejo
$21 two coffees, sparkling water, and spanakopita for lunch at Meze
$17 pastry and mimosa at American Society luncheon at Petit Paris

I also took about ten Uber rides ranging in cost from $3.26 to $5.66

Other free events taking place in the city included two modern art exhibits, a full moon meditation, a National Symphony concert, and an alternative world film festival at the University of Panama. Paid events included Panama’s very own Comic Con (tickets from $15), Live salsa at Voodoo Lounge ($20), and a Sandeman Port tasting event ($20, which you could then use toward a purchase of the port.) These are activities I was interested in, but there were myriad others… if you’re into other things… golf, cigars, what have you… you can probably find it here!
*Retiree residents of Panama get 50% off event tickets.

You can read more at the above link... happy exploring!

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

Hi Lisa,
Sounds like you've yet to complete your application process but please do come back and post about the experience once you've gotten your residency and ID card.
Best of luck with all your Panama plans.
Regards,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

Thanks Doug, I'll add that Casco is romantic, beautiful, and fun, but it's also pricey by local standards and filled with tourists and revelers, so it's worth booking a longer stay to see how you feel... some expats adore it and don't mind the tourists while others prefer to visit often but live elsewhere. Happy exploring...

Hi Jonathan,

Though it's true that Coronado may not look like much on the surface, the below summary and below linked article can perhaps give you a better idea regarding why so many expats from the US, Canada, France, and beyond dug in and chose to stay.

That said, if it didn't grab your heart, we get it. There are plenty other places with nice beaches and happy expats, so keep reading and find the perfect one to suit your needs and wants... everyone is different, and what a wonderful world it is, with so many great options listed right here in the pages of International Living.

Summing Up Coronado:

There's pretty much nowhere else in the world you can find such affordable property in a place that's also convenient with excellent supermarkets/restaurants, home improvement shops, and pretty much every other service, plus golf, pickleball, etc., and:

• close to a true cosmopolitan world capital (Coronado is a 1.5 hour drive from Panama City, the only such city in Central America. The drive is along a stellar stretch of the recently expanded... again... PanAmerican Highway)

• close to the region's best and busiest airport hub (the Hub of the Americas in Panama City, aka Tocumen International Airport)

• close to more than a few of the region's best hospitals (including the John's Hopkins International affiliate, Pacífica Salud, with two locations in Panama City, and the prestigious JCI accredited San Fernando, with a hospital in Panama City and a satellite in Coronado)

• A 45-minute drive from 2 cool-weather mountain towns with hiking, hot springs, and more.

• On a warm, tropical ocean (the Tropical Pacific)

• But completely outside the hurricane zone

• Sunny all year

• But without extreme weather

• Friendly and welcoming locals

• Large (active, well-established) English-speaking expat community

• Pristine secluded beach (generally no hawkers/tourist groups, uncrowded, clean)

• Plus in a desirable country (relatively safe, politically stable, US dollar, diversified strong economy even without the canal), wealthiest in Latam (ranks among top for best infrastructure, internet, cell service, salaries), low taxes (from "big ones" like property taxes to the "they add up" ones like taxes and markups on luxury items like wine and fine imported foods... try buying a car or bottle of wine elsewhere in Central America and you'll understand), close to the US (3 hour flight from Miami), same time zone as much of the US and Canada...

First-time visitors may not be impressed with Coronado’s meandering lanes. Unlike the colonial towns that dot the countryside, Coronado doesn’t have a main plaza set in the center of an orderly grid. Not all of the roads are well-paved, and houses run the gamut. You’ll see humble little cottages, mansions on grand fincas (large plots of land), and everything in-between. There’s a security gate between the commercial and residential area, but most visitors’ cars are waved through with little ceremony.

But don’t be deceived by Coronado’s unassuming appearance. Many of Panama’s wealthy families have homes here, and the full-time expat community is extremely friendly and welcoming. Over the past decade, Coronado has grown into this region’s most convenient hub and arguably the most convenient "have it all" beach retirement destination in Central America.

https://magazine.internationalliving.com/internationalliving/library/item/june_2022/4063847/

I'll just repeat this here again, because it's worth re-reading:

If Coronado didn't grab your heart, we get it. Once you get all your nuts and bolts info, the decision if you're choosing between two or more equally appealing destinations will often simply be an emotional one (a connection that you simply feel when you get there).

There are plenty other places with nice beaches and happy expats, so keep reading and find the perfect one to suit your needs and wants... everyone is different, and what a wonderful world it is, with so many great options listed right here in the pages of International Living....

Thanks and happy exploring.

Best,

IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

Hi Doug, there's a rundown of neighborhoods in the Escape to Panama book (chapter four). If you don't have the book, the neighborhoods I mention as worth checking out include:

1- Ancón: Graced by Ancón Hill, this “Canal Zone” area includes the sectors of
Amador, Clayton, Albrook, and Balboa, to name a few. Filled with family-friendly
neighborhoods and private schools, this is one of Panama’s most expensive,
sought after districts.

2- Greater Bella Vista: Includes major arteries Calle 50, Balboa Avenue (and the
promenades and bike paths of the lovely Cinta Costera, which lead into Casco
Viejo), Via España, Via Argentina, and Federico Boyd. It also includes the sectors
of Bella Vista, El Carmen, Carrasquilla, Obarrio, and El Cangrejo; and perhaps the
most upscale: Paitilla, Punta Pacífica, and Marbella. Filled with restaurants, malls,
and more, this is a trendy, ultra-popular district.

3- San Francisco: Includes main arteries Via Porras, Calle 50, Via Israel (turns
into Balboa Avenue), Avenida Santa Elena; the Omar Park; and the San Francisco
and Coco del Mar sectors. Take the Corredor Sur highway to get from here to
the elite Costa del Este sector, the airport, and more. The bustling San Francisco
district can be loud but it continues to attract new residents with its big park and
many apartment buildings.

There's a lot more detail in the book but nonetheless this is a good list to get you started.

Tours/ground transportation: There are many providers offering road trips, tours (day tours, eco-tours, etc.), ground transportation, airport pickups, trip planning assistance, etc. Here are a few options, and you’ll find more on review websites like TripAdvisor:

• Ancon Expeditions anconexpeditions.com
• Roadrunner Panama panamaroadrunner.com
• Inside Panama transport@insidepma.com
• Namu Travel Group namutravel.com
• (Coronado beach region) Services Coronado servicescoronado.com

Have a great time!

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

Hi everyone,
How's your day going? I hope you're doing great!
Did you know... you can post photos here too! As you're getting out there and living the life international, don't forget to share & inspire your fellow ILers!
Here's one from me... a photo of the view from my balcony in Panama (I'm STILL pinching myself three years in) and a favorite quote from this month's issue of IL Magazine...truer words...!
How about you? Share a pic from your travels!
Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch

Hi LCURRYTALK2001,
While International Living covers destinations outside of the US and Canada perhaps some of our Canadian readers can weigh in on Vancouver which while lovely is indeed one of the most expensive cities in the world. If you're looking for somewhere beautiful with more affordable real estate and where English is the national language you may want to read our website section on Belize (https://internationalliving.com/countries/belize/).
Or if you're looking for somewhere with similarly seasonal weather you'll find plenty of info on Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Uruguay, and Argentina at the main website www.InternationalLiving.com.
Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch

Hi Michellene,

Indeed you posted to "new member introductions" instead of the General/Destinations thread so we've just discovered your post buried here... but don't worry at all!

The more you use your IL Community Site the more familiar you'll get with it all...glad you're starting the journey with us here!

As for your question, International Living is all about helping you find the "no cold weather" beach destination of your dreams.

The Annual Global Retirement Index can help you rule out countries that don't meet your criteria AND start to develop a short list of the countries that sound right to you.

I recommend starting with our article titled Discover The World’s Best Retirement Climates: Top 6 Countries For 2025, which you'll find here: https://internationalliving.com/the-best-climates-in-the-world/

In there you'll find great info and links to the index and further resources!

We aim to make the research exciting, fun, inspiring, and actionable, so please enjoy every step of the journey.

Happy exploring...

IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch

Hi Sal,

This is the attorney that's been speaking at International Living conferences for more than 15 years:

(Their firm handles residence/visas, real estate, business/corporations, estate planning, pet relocation assistance, and more)

Rainelda Mata-Kelly
Mata-Kelly & Partners
Local tel: +(507) 216-9299
From the US/Canada: (011 507) 216-9299
rmk@mata-kelly.com
www.mata-kelly.com

I don't have a list of attorneys to avoid but there are indeed bad lawyers in any country, so it's best to deal with someone who's well-established with a solid reputation.

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

Most banks will require that you be a legal resident for a short period of time before opening a local account so most expats do get their residency visa first, operating via home credit/debit cards in the interim until they can get a local account set up. Having a local account makes many things (like paying for local utility bills) easier. Though there are some expats who don't open a local account, it's recommendable to do so.

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

RE: Pacifica Salud (formerly Hospital Punta Pacífica):

Affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine International, this hospital first opened in Panama City's Paitilla-adjacent Punta Pacífica neighborhood and recently added a second branch in the posh suburb of Costa del Este. One of Latin America’s most technologically advanced hospitals, with state-of-the-art diagnostics and clinical care.

New: First hospital in Panama City to offer direct billing for Medicare Advantage patients.

Medical emergencies: Before travel contact your Medicare Advantage plan provider, confirm you have international emergency coverage and keep your Medicare Advantage card on you. Call SEMM Ambulances at +507 366-0122 and go to the nearest Pacifica Salud Hospital Urgent Care Unit. You can also message International Client Relations Manager Mike Kelly at +507-6614-1448.

Outside Panama City:

The Hospital Chiriquí in David (a 30-minute drive from Boquete) is frequented by most of the expats living in Boquete and other parts of the Chiriquí Province. The Mae Lewis Hospital in David is also modern and well-equipped.

New: you may be able to use your US insurance plan/Tricare at these hospitals (or Medicare Advantage—confirm you have international emergency coverage and keep your Medicare Advantage card on you). Visit the hospitals when you get to town to inquire and “pre-register” your insurance.

If there is a delay in verifying your benefits, a temporary deposit may be required and later refunded.

The thing that's important to bear in mind is that the cost of paying for care out of pocket in Panama or any other of the countries listed here may well be as low as a co-pay in the US.

Many expats in Panama find that paying out of pocket for healthcare in Panama, with no insurance to help them cover costs, is still far cheaper than living in and paying for insurance in the States.

Many US expat retirees living in Panama do keep some form of Medicare so they can return to the US if they need anything major insofar as healthcare is concerned, to avoid long-term major costs and to be near family, etc.

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

Hi Cori,

In Boquete and indeed in any mountain town in Panama it pays to study the microclimates over an extended stay. Talk to immediate neighbors for the latest intel. In the greater Boquete district some areas may be windier or rainier while others may get lighter showers. The area known as Volcancito, for example, is notoriously windy. Ask neighbors to share experiences not just from this year or last but, if possible, over a five-year period. Panama is always affected by the El Niño and La Niña weather patterns; the former brings us drier weather (or droughts in parts of the country) and can last a year or more while La Niña ushers in a year or more of wetter weather (or flooding in parts of the country, including mountain regions).

No matter where you live in Boquete, though, it's very lush with frequent misty rain referred to as bajareque which means humidity is always high. Homes tend to be built with this in mind. E.g. slatted closet and cabinet doors can help keep clothing and shoes from getting musty or moldy, and some homes have air conditioning units even though the springlike temperatures mean you don't really need a/c (or heating). Running the a/c regularly can help you keep your home dry.

In a typical year in Boquete (no El Niño/La Niña) you'll have scattered showers and bajareque throughout the year with Jan-March being fairly dry and the heaviest downpours falling from August through November. Regardless of time of year, Boquete tends to be very sunny (and yes, that constant mingling sun and rain means lots of rainbows).

For more info you may want to check out https://www.boqueteweather.com/stations.htm, a truly wonderful resource that allows you to see recorded temps etc at the local weather station (it was amazing for this region to get this) and which cites among many other useful observations:

"A more typical day during the wet season in the Boquete District is to wake up to generally clear skies and sunshine. As the day progresses, you see cumulous clouds developing in the south and then growing into towering cumulonimbus systems. By mid afternoon, the cloud systems move into the area and rain falls. The thunderstorm rains last for varying amounts of time, but usually not more than a couple of hours. Slow steady stratus cloud rains from the Caribbean are unusual but occasionally occur during the wet season.

"Because the Boquete District is a large area with a lot of variation in elevation and terrain, there seem to be many microclimates. While this makes sense and there is a lot of folklore discussion about these microclimates, there is not a lot of available data from which to draw solid conclusions. "

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

From your IL team:

Please note International Living has not vetted this rental. Always do your own due diligence.

As IL cannot vet or endorse member-owned properties in any way we encourage you to connect on Zoom (or FaceTime, Whatsapp, or similar) before entering into any type of rental, exchange, or sales agreement (rentals, home swapping, home/petsitting, etc).

Glad to see you using the forum to connect!

Hi Cyndy yes as a non-resident you must show proof of onward travel. You can stay up to six months at a time, so if you come and stay for 6 mos and then leave for a week and come back to Panama you could stay another 6 months. However note that people who do this incessantly can get flagged.
Best of luck with your Panama trip
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

Hi Elissa,

Just saw your email, sending the below via email and posting here:

Conveniently Harry Hunt who was one of the exhibitors at the event divides his time between Boquete and Puerto Armuelles, you might want to contact him and cc his associate Magda Crespo, their info is in the conference booklet but I have pasted it below for convenience. Best of luck with all your Panama plans.

HARRY HUNT
Own Boquete
Tel: +507 720-2506
Email: ownboquete@cwpanama.net
Website: www.ownboquete.com

MAGDA CRESPO
MC Panama Realty
Tel: +507 720-3240; Cell: +507 6671-8800
Email: magda@magdacrespo.com
Website: www.mcpanamarealty.com

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

Glad you've posted CLAUDETTELC 0 and it would be great if some of the other ILers on this forum are in Panama City to meet up. That said most of the folks on this forum are contemplating a move and may not be there yet. Luckily there are many ways to meet expats in Panama.

Networking apps and sites like LinkedIn (website: www.linkedin.com), Instagram (website www.Instagram.com), and Facebook (website: www.facebook.com) are extremely popular in Panama and are great ways to grow your network. You can create a profile for free and search Panama-related groups. You'll find expat groups specifically on Facebook for many areas of Panama, such as El Valle and Coronado.

Attending events, by the way, is also a great way to get involved and meet new people. There are many sites where you can find out about fun events, including Facebook (check expat groups in your city or town of interest and/or select the events section from the menu), Playa Community (Coronado region; website: www.playacommunity.com), and Internations (Panama City; website: www.Internations.org).

When traveling to specific destinations in Panama, make sure to hit the popular expat hotspots. You’re likely to make friends and glean important information. In Panama City, you might try the Balboa Yacht Club if you're already in the area (it's located not in Balboa but in Amador by the Radisson Hotel Panama Canal and a short drive from the Biomuseum), and in the city-center there are multiple options like The Londoner Pub, owned by fun-loving expat Piers Edgar, or Bdubs by the Waldorf Astoria, or Murphy's Bar on Via Argentina (check their facebook pages to see if they're having live music or other fun events as these are great networking opportunities). International networking platform Internations also holds networking events once a month—a different venue each time (sign up for the website at www.internations.org/panama-city-expats).

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

Glad you've posted CLAUDETTELC 0 and it would be great if some of the other ILers on this forum are in Panama City to meet up. That said most of the folks on this forum are contemplating a move and may not be there yet. Luckily there are many ways to meet expats in Panama.

Networking apps and sites like LinkedIn (website: www.linkedin.com), Instagram (website www.Instagram.com), and Facebook (website: www.facebook.com) are extremely popular in Panama and are great ways to grow your network. You can create a profile for free and search Panama-related groups. You'll find expat groups specifically on Facebook for many areas of Panama, such as El Valle and Coronado.

Attending events, by the way, is also a great way to get involved and meet new people. There are many sites where you can find out about fun events, including Facebook (check expat groups in your city or town of interest and/or select the events section from the menu), Playa Community (Coronado region; website: www.playacommunity.com), and Internations (Panama City; website: www.Internations.org).

When traveling to specific destinations in Panama, make sure to hit the popular expat hotspots. You’re likely to make friends and glean important information. In Panama City, you might try the Balboa Yacht Club if you're already in the area (it's located not in Balboa but in Amador by the Radisson Hotel Panama Canal and a short drive from the Biomuseum), and in the city-center there are multiple options like The Londoner Pub, owned by fun-loving expat Piers Edgar, or Bdubs by the Waldorf Astoria, or Murphy's Bar on Via Argentina (check their facebook pages to see if they're having live music or other fun events as these are great networking opportunities). International networking platform Internations also holds networking events once a month—a different venue each time (sign up for the website at www.internations.org/panama-city-expats).

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch