Panama is a popular retirement destination thanks to its gorgeous weather, beautiful scenery and landscapes, affordable prices, and expat-friendly laws and tax system.

When retiring in Panama, there’s no shortage of options to choose from, whether you want a quiet retirement near the beach, or want to settle in a bustling city with access to all the amenities you’re used to. But of the many beautiful places across the country, where is the best place to retire in Panama?

This guide goes through 10 of the best options to consider and helps you learn more about them and why they’re solid choices for retirees.

The 10 Best Places to Retire in Panama

Here’s a closer look at where to retire in Panama, as well as some facts about the communities and what makes them good choices for retirees to consider.

Pedasi

Pedasi is a quiet and small fishing town located in the southeastern part of Panama. Around 2,000 people call the town home, and it offers remote and peaceful living, with some of the most stunning scenery in the country. Thanks to its location on the coast, it doesn’t get quite as hot as some other parts of Panama.

Things to Do/Places to Visit

Of course, one of the best things to do in Pedasi is to visit the beaches nearby. You can swim, go fishing (either on your own or hire a charter), surf, participate in water sports, and do so much more.

But in addition to the beach, Pedasi offers numerous other things to do and see. There are several restaurants worth checking out, and they offer various types of cuisine from all over the globe, thanks to the many international people who live in Pedasi.

The town also has bakeries, pastry shops, and supermarkets, and is relatively close to some of Panama’s beautiful natural parks. It also frequently has live music, festivals, night markets, and other cultural events that you’ll enjoy participating in or viewing. Pedasi also offers services like a hospital, a car rental agency, resorts, schools, and many other facilities.

Just off the coast from Pedasi is Isla Iguana, which is a wildlife refuge that’s certainly worth visiting. It’s home to many reefs, whales, sea turtles, dolphins, and a variety of other wildlife, birds, and plants.

Cost of Housing

Transportation

To get to Pedasi from Panama City, you’ll have several options to get there, including a bus, renting a car (or driving your own), taking a shuttle, or even chartering a flight.

If you drive the distance it’ll take around 5 hours, but if you fly, the trip should take less than an hour. Within Pedasi, you’re able to rent a bike or car (or use your own), take a taxi, or even walk around the town, as it’s relatively small.

Playa Venao

Playa Venao has about 800 permanent residents and is a tiny beachfront community located just southwest of Pedasi, near the southern tip of the country. Thanks to its beautiful weather, amazing water, and numerous surf schools and shops, it’s an amazing destination for people who love to surf and/or spend most of their time near the water.

Things to Do/Places to Visit

As mentioned briefly earlier, surfing is the name of the game in Playa Venao. The water is clear, the waves are solid, and there’s no shortage of surf schools and shops to visit. Many people travel from all over the world to surf here, too. In addition to surfing, you can also go swimming, fishing, snorkeling, and even horseback riding along the beach.

However, there’s plenty more to do and see when you’re away from the water, too. This includes hiking, biking, exploring the jungle, doing some yoga, taking fitness or martial arts classes, getting a massage, and even going ziplining.

The area is also full of restaurants, bars, cafes, and markets/shops, too. Due to many tourists coming here and there being many resorts and beach camps nearby, there are also plenty of opportunities to party, listen to music, and meet people from all over the world.

Despite becoming more popular over time, the area still maintains a remote vibe and there are plenty of investment opportunities for people looking to set roots in this growing and vibrant community.

Cost of Housing

Transportation

In order to get to Playa Venao from Panama City, the first step is to generally make the trip to Panama City to Pedasi, which we covered in the last section. Once in Pedasi, you’re able to use options like driving your car or a rental, taking a taxi, or riding on a shuttle to finish the journey.

Driving from Pedasi to Play Venao takes just over 30 minutes in most cases, which means the trip from Panama City to Playa Venao is about a 5-and-a-half-hour drive. 

When you’re there, you’re able to traverse the area with your own car or bike, but there are also opportunities to rent a bicycle, car, or even motorcycle. The community is also very compact, so walking is also an option, too.

Cañas

Canas is a quiet community of around 900 residents located near the southern point of Panama, and it’s perfect for those who love variety in their lives and want a versatile place to live in Panama. It’s near the water, mountains, jungles, hills, and open fields, which means there’s always something fun and exciting to do and see.

Things to Do/Places to Visit

Thanks to its central location near several types of different landscapes, there’s plenty to do in and around Canas. You can go hiking in the mountains, go for a swim or participate in water sports at the beach, explore the jungle, play pickleball, go ziplining, watch birds and other animals, or even visit the animal park just north of town.

The area is also home to many shops, markets, restaurants, cafes, bakeries, parks, a surf school, and a supermarket. You should also make an effort to visit Isla Canas, a nearby wildlife reserve where sea turtles nest. It’s also home to several other species of wildlife and plants, too.

Despite the many things to see and do nearby, the area remains fairly quiet and remote, perfect for those looking for a peaceful and calm retirement, while still being close to incredibly thrilling and fun things to do from time to time.

Cost of Housing

Transportation

To arrive in Canas from Panama City, you can easily drive there yourself (in your own car or a rental), take a taxi, rent a shuttle, take the bus, or fly. To make the drive, it generally takes just under 5 and a half hours.

If you fly, you’ll either fly into Pedasi (about a 45-minute flight) and then travel another 45 minutes to Canas, or fly into Chitre (about a half-hour flight) and then travel the remaining 2 hours to Canas.

Once there, you’re able to get around via car, taxi, bike, or even walking thanks to the small size of the community.

Boquete

Boquete is a town of 25,000 residents that sits on the western side of Panama, alongside many stunning mountains. It has a relatively cool climate, and is a quiet place to live. That being said, there’s also plenty to do and see, especially if you love the outdoors. It’s also often seen by many as the best retirement community in the country and is home to thousands of expats, so it’s certainly worth considering.

Things to Do/Places to Visit

Due to the relatively large size of Boquete compared to many other communities in Panama, it offers several modern amenities you’re likely used to, such as a variety of different restaurants to sample cuisine from around the globe, several shops, cafes, and markets, an abundance of beautiful parks, a library, and many other attractions.

It also provides easy access to several recreational activities like hiking, biking, birdwatching, ziplining, and whitewater rafting. In particular, you should make an effort to visit and hike around the Baru volcano and the surrounding park, just north of town. It’s the tallest mountain in the country, and visiting the summit offers some truly spectacular views of Panama.

There are also several other exciting places in the town, such as the Boquete Bees and Butterflies butterfly house and the Boqute Brewing Company brewery. If you’re in Boquete during mid-January, you should also check out the annual Flower & Coffee festival, too.

Cost of Housing

Transportation

To get to Boquete from Panama City, you’ve got several options. You can drive, rent a car, take the bus, board a shuttle, take a taxi, or fly. To drive the entire way, it’ll take just shy of 7 hours. If you decide to fly, you’ll fly into the nearby city of David (which takes around an hour and 15 minutes) and then travel north to Boquete (which takes about an hour).

To get around in Boquete, you’ve got numerous options to choose from. You can drive your car or bike, rent one, take the public bus, ride in a taxi, or walk.

Bocas del Toro

Bocas del Toro (which is also known as Bocas Town) is an island community of around 13,000 people that sits on the south side of an island located in northwestern Panama. It has an incredibly warm climate, and this weather along with the remote location make it a great choice for retirees who desire the laid-back island life.

Things to Do/Places to Visit

While the community is laid-back and peaceful, there are still plenty of things to do and see. This includes visiting stunning beaches, checking out local parks, going boating or fishing, and scuba diving. It’s also a good idea to visit some of the other nearby islands, such as Isla Cristobal, Isla Solarte, Isla Carenero, and the rest of Colon Island.

The water in this part of Panama is beautiful, clear, and calm, and there are many wildlife reserves and wetlands to visit, too. But even within Bocas Town itself, there are a variety of places to visit, too. This includes a selection of delicious restaurants, fun bars, cafes, shops, schools, a spa, and many others. It also has services like an airport, a hospital, and gyms.

Cost of Housing

Transportation

If you want to get to Bocas Del Toro from Panama City, you can either opt to fly there directly, or travel to Almirante and then take a water taxi or ferry across to the island community. If you fly directly from Panama City to Bocas Town, it’ll only take you a little over an hour to arrive. 

But if you travel on land the whole way, it’ll take you nearly 9 hours to drive from Panama City to Almirante, and you’ll still need to board a ferry to get across. Of course, you could also fly to somewhere like David and then drive the 3 and a half hours north to reach Almirante, as well.

Once you’re in Bocas Town, you’re able to get around with rental vehicles, your own car, bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, or taxis. You may also decide to walk, as the town is quite beautiful with Caribbean-inspired architecture and isn’t too large.

Coronado

Coronado is a beachfront community of around 10,000 people located in central Panama along the Pacific coast. It offers the best of both worlds for retirees as it provides a laid-back lifestyle with easy access to the beach and several great places to relax, but also gives you access to the amenities and comforts that you’re used to. This makes it another favorite among retirees who decide to move to Panama.

Things to Do/Places to Visit

As mentioned earlier, Coronado offers many of the amenities that many retirees have back in their home countries, such as great shopping options, a hospital, several restaurants featuring a range of global cuisines, supermarkets, spas, gyms, bars, a brewery, and many others.

The area is also a dream destination for those who love outdoor adventures, as there are hiking trails, forests to explore, a go-kart track to race on, and several tours to take to learn more about the area. It’s especially great for golfers, as the area features a beautiful golf course in the middle of town with stunning views.

Due to the great location of Coronado, it also makes taking trips to Panama City relatively easy, and there are several other nearby communities worth visiting, as well.

Cost of Housing

Transportation

To arrive in Coronado from Panama City, it’s as easy as driving southwest for a short period of time, either by driving your vehicle, renting a car, taking a taxi, riding a shuttle, or taking the bus. No matter which transportation method you choose, your journey should only take about an hour and 20 minutes.

Once you’ve arrived in Coronado, you can rent a car to get around, rent a bike, drive a golf cart, take a taxi, ride a public bus, or even walk. However, the town is sizable compared to some of the other tiny communities we mentioned, so walking may not be a convenient option if you need to get across town quickly.

Gorgona

Gorgona is a community that sits just north of Coronado and is another popular choice for retirees moving to Panama. It’s home to around 5,000 people and offers residents easy access to beaches, jungles, and parks. It’s very similar to Coronado but a little quieter and calmer, so it may be more suited to those who still want access to all the amenities they need but without as many people and crowds.

Things to Do/Places to Visit

Gorgona is a quiet community that offers several outdoor activities to partake in like hiking, swimming, biking, pickleball, boating, snorkeling, and fishing. There’s a beautiful golf course nearby in Coronado and several tours that highlight the stunning natural beauty of the area. This includes fishing tours, whale watching, boat tours, and hiking tours. There are also jet ski and UTV rentals to go on your own journey and have some fun.

While the town lacks as many amenities as the larger Coronado to the south, there are still plenty of restaurants, grocery stores, a shopping mall, a spa, schools, a mechanic, resorts, and more to check out. The convenient and central location of Gorgona also makes it possible to make day trips up to Panama City to enjoy all that the big city has to offer.

Cost of Housing

Transportation

To get to Gorgona from Panama City, you’ll either drive your vehicle, rent a car, take the bus, ride a shuttle, or take a taxi. Like going to Coronado, the journey from Panama City to Gorgona is only about an hour and 20-minute drive to the southwest.

Once you’re there, Gorgona offers several ways to get around the town including the bus, a taxi, shuttles, bikes, rental cars, scooters, and others. You may also walk, though it’s not the most convenient option for getting across town thanks to the size of the community.

El Valle

El Valle de Anton, also known as El Valle or Anton Valley, is a community of around 7,600 people that sits nestled amongst the mountains in central Panama. It has a cooler climate than many of the other communities in Panama and gives you some of the best views and sightseeing opportunities in the country.

Things to Do/Places to Visit

Of course, with a location near several mountains, the hiking, walking, and biking opportunities around El Valle are top-notch. You may opt to walk the popular Square Trees nature trail, or hike up the beautiful La India Dormida. There are several other natural parks, waterfalls, wildlife reserves, hiking areas, and forests to visit, as well.

El Valle is also home to a zoo, a botanical garden, a butterfly conservatory, plant nurseries, and several other destinations for lovers of the outdoors to visit. The area also has many amenities that retired expats may want, such as restaurants, gyms, grocery stores, spas, a museum, and more.

Despite the remote mountain living this community offers, it’s only a short drive from Panama City, meaning those who live and retire here also have easy access to the big city and all the amenities it offers.

Cost of Housing

Transportation

Getting to El Valle from Panama City is straightforward and you can get there via car, rental vehicle, bus, or taxi. The journey to the southwest should take you just under 2 hours. To get around in the community, you’re able to choose from options like walking, driving your car, renting a vehicle or bike, taking a taxi, or riding the bus.

Altos del Maria

Altos del Maria is a small and private gated community in the Sora Mountains that is home to around 5,000 people. It’s a peaceful and quiet community that offers mountain views, stunning valleys, and lush forests, and makes you feel like you’re living in a fairytale.

It offers the exclusive luxury living that many expats desire, without the sky-high prices of similar properties and destinations around the world. If you prefer a calm and serene community as opposed to the hustle and bustle of a city, this destination might be right for you.

Things to Do/Places to Visit

The community has various amenities like a swimming pool, a community center with a gym, tennis courts, a restaurant, 24/7 security, and several resorts. It also offers residents immediate access to outdoor activities like hiking and biking, and the weather is a little cooler and more moderate than most of the country, as well.

While the community is full of brilliant scenery and lovely landscapes to visit and view, one place you need to be sure to check out is Cascada Las Doncellas, which is a natural park that features a river and a gorgeous waterfall.

With Altos del Maria being a gated residential community, it doesn’t have shops or stores within its confines, but the good news is that you’re only a short trip away from other places like Coronado, El Valle, and Panama City, which will have everything you need.

Cost of Housing

Transportation

It’s generally very easy to get to Altos del Maria from Panama City, as the trip should only take you around 2 hours whether you drive yourself, ride the bus, or get a taxi. Once you’ve arrived, you can get around by car, taxi, private driver, or walking.

Panama City

Panama City is the capital and largest city in Panama, with over 1 million residents. It has a large community of foreign retirees and offers just about every amenity you could ever imagine. The city provides the beautiful weather that many people desire when moving to a tropical destination but also offers all of the services, luxuries, and real estate that many people are used to in their home countries like the USA.

Things to Do/Places to Visit

As you can imagine, Panama City provides nearly every amenity under the sun. It has world-class dining establishments, numerous shopping options, medical facilities, grocery stores, an airport, parks, museums, beaches, and several truly stunning and unique neighborhoods to visit.

Some places, in particular, you should ensure you check out include the Rod Carew National Stadium if you’re a baseball fan and the Amador Causeway if you like walking or biking with stunning panoramic views of the city and the ocean. Those who love nature walks and hikes through the rainforest should also visit the Metropolitan National Park.

You should also make an effort to visit the world-famous Panama Canal, which is a channel that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, drastically shortening the time it takes for ships to travel around the world.

Despite the many practical and important amenities and services offered in the city, there are still plenty of opportunities for people who love the outdoors and want to enjoy the beautiful climate and weather that Panama offers. This includes swimming, guided tours, snorkeling, and horseback riding, just to name a few.

Cost of Housing

Transportation

Because Panama City is the capital and largest city in the country, you have several options to get here from all over the world. You’re able to fly here from many destinations around the globe, and many smaller communities in Panama have shuttles, taxis, or buses that drive here.

Once you’re in Panama City, there are many options for getting around. You’re able to rent vehicles and scooters/bikes, drive your car, take public transportation, get a taxi, or take a trolley, just to name a few. Walking is possible in some areas, but the sheer size of this city means it’s not quite as walkable as some other smaller communities around Panama.

Cost of Housing Compared

We know that housing prices and the cost of living, in general, are one of the main factors people consider when deciding where to retire in Panama. While we included the pricing for each community in its section, we decided to also offer a comprehensive table to easily compare the cost of housing in one community vs. another.

Kale Havervold

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