Panama

Land area: 29,157 Sq Mi
Population: 3.405,000
Per Capita: $7,592

My wife and I recently traveled to what is known as one of America's top world retirement destinations, the country of Panama. We had a very pleasant visit, the people were friendly and the climate was very pleasant. We traveled from Panama City along the Pacific coast through Punta Chame, Chitre, Pedasi, Tonosi, to the tip of the Azuero Penninsula, then back through the interior mountains to the village of El Valle. El Valle is located just 2 hours from Panama City.

Highlights: At the tip of the Azuero peninsula between the towns of Pedasi and Tonosi is a Surfers Meca, the laid back style was evident and de-stressing. Our favorite place to stay was the Playita Resort http://www.playitaresort.com/la-playa.html The Chef Romolo personally makes your meal and we recommend eating here if you choose to stay here. If you’re lucky in the evening Romolo will break out his guitar and serenade you. Playita Resort also has Emu, Parrots, and Monkeys living on the grounds. The beach at this hotel is a cove with no surf, surfing is only a mile away. The cove has a huge shift in the tide, during low tide you can walk out to Islands, exploring tide pools along the way, the islands lay approx 200 yards away, leave with plenty of time to make shore since the water can be 20 feet deep when the tide is high. Playita Resort is a sort of Shangri-la. The moment you enter this resort you feel like you were transported to a private island. The staff is friendly, accommodating, and overall genuine. I cannot say enough about the experiences we had in this little paradise. I felt as though a part of me was left behind as I drove away from this little utopia. Time truly stands still in this little place.

El Valle, was affordable and had a quaint and artsy feel to it. The area is famous for it’s eco treks and volcanic bath . El Valle has a nearly perfect climate. It reminded us of a very small San Francisco with its cool, crisp breezes and artsy vibe. There were several quaint bistros, an outdoor market boasting wonderful fresh fruits and vegetables, crafts handmade from the locals and for those who need a spa like experience, there are plenty of massage therapist and day spas to be found. This part of Panama was nearly magical and everyone we encountered appeared to be full of life and health. El Valle is high up into the mountains and is actually nestled in the second largest volcanic crater in the world. The drive up to El Valle is magnificent and breathtaking. As you arrive into this picturesque town you see the most beautiful flowers of all types and hues. As you continue to venture further you encounter a small town that has every creature comfort. Hotels there are very reasonably priced and the cafe's are priced equivalent to some less expensive parts of Florida. For $1.00 USD, you can bathe in a hot thermal pool and for $2.00 you can experience a volcanic mud bath that is believed to have therapeutic benefits.

Lowlights: The beaches in general tended to be unkept and trashy. Punta Chame was a major disappointment litter was everywhere on the beach on both the bay and ocean facing sides. In front of many of the resorts and hotels, employees go out daily to pick up the garbage washing ashore. Apparently trash runs into the water from the rivers after heavy rains, also ships using the canal may be disposing trash illegally at sea.

Cost of Living: We understand the cost of living is relative to where you are from. If you live in NY City, you will think Panama is outrageously cheap, if you’re from Omaha you may find it pricey. Our reality is based on the cost of living on Florida’s Space Coast.

Real Estate: We found Panama to be over priced in many areas, especially the areas closer to Panama City or on the Beach. Beach condos and houses along the Pacific coast of Panama are on par with current prices in Florida. The area around Chitre, Pedsai, and El Valle and inland tended to have some housing deals. Las Tablas, Panama can be a real bargain, especially for a home rental. When we visited in late 2010, a 2 bedroom home with comfortable accommodations in a safe area could be rented for just $450/month.

Food: Grocery costs at the large grocery stores tended to be in line with those in Florida. Deals can be found at Farmers markets or fruit stands. The fruit and vegetable markets are considerably less expensive than the food we find in the US. This is one way a retiree could stretch their dollars.

Restaurants: Eating out at a decent restaurant will be slightly cheaper than a comparable place in Florida. Panama has some very unique and wonderful cuisine. One thing I feel I must comment on is the fact that we had ice in our drinks, drank water from the tap from two restaurants and had food from local diners and not once did we contract anything close to food poisoning. Panama is overall a very clean and beautiful country to visit.

To Receive the Panama Letter and advice on other locations around the globe view this link.

Live & Invest in Panama Home Conference Kit