Introduction to Panama Expat Community

My sincere personal experience living there in David and Boquete; Panama is unsafe, expensive compared with developed countries like Europe, authorities (including police) are corrupt and most of locals are xenophobic, they particularly hate Americans, Canadians and British (don’t diferénciate one of others…). DONT GO THERE!

What did you experience that made you feel this way? Just asking because so many others on this site have quite opposite views and opinions about these two areas in particular.

Living there 3 years with my family, not as retired but active executive of one the most important companies in Panama… I will not do again

I'd have to agree with manper.

The locations he mentioned used to be amazing 35 years ago. Not now.

Decades ago people would come to Panama and retire for life. Now the average is 2.5 years before people want out.

In Panama as with any country you're considering for something as important as retirement use due diligence and don't listen to people who will be making money off of you (attorneys, relocation services, real estate agents, etc).

In spite of what the government says (they'll say anything) the economy is in rapid decline. They just layed off hundreds of workers from the national brewery due to declining sales. The economy is tanking everywhere and in a country with no social safety nets the results are horrible.

Hi Jemonne, welcome! 😊

My wife and I have been living in Panama for more than 15 years, and we still live here today in the highlands near Boquete.

One thing I would definitely recommend is not deciding on a particular area too early.

Panama may look small on the map, but the climate, lifestyle and surroundings can be surprisingly different from one region to another.

When you visit, take your time and experience a few different places.

Life at the beach can be completely different from life here in the mountains around Boquete, where the climate is cooler and nature is all around you.

Before settling here, we spent many years traveling through different countries ourselves. What we learned is that choosing the right country is only half the decision. Finding the place where you actually feel at home is much more important.

If you and your friend come to the Boquete area in 2026 or 2027, feel free to get in touch. We’re still here, and we’d be happy to sit down over a coffee and share what everyday life in Panama is really like after more than 15 years. 😊