Hola, amigos! I've been reading "How to Retire Overseas" by Kathleen Peddicord, published 2010. She is/was the publisher and editor of "International Living," has written about living/retiring overseas for 25 years, and after a string of relocations now lives in Panama. In her book, she gives short shrift to Costa Rica, arguing that tax breaks and special perks <?> have been discontinued On page 109, she says she does not recommend CR as a retirement location because it is too costly. She goes on, "Panama has picked up where CR left off. Its pensioner program offers some of the d deepest retiree discounts available anywhere. Seniors...get up to alf off on nearly everything <long its of things> If you are over 18 and receive a regular pension from Social Security etc. you qualify." If you are a "pensionado" you get, she writes, 25% off airline tickets. Peddicord herself lives in Panama.
I do not yet have an image of Panama to form an opinion. Are there virtues enough making it worth looking into? Panama City looks like it has high rises....not to my taste. It kinda looks like California, not that I have anything against California. But the wildlife? The natural parks, hills, ocean, Tico/a culture, Pura Vida? (We are not looking to duplicate a US lifestyle with supermarkets, Walmart, and fast food restaurants.)
Que pasa?