In this Panama Special Report, we bring you the areas of Albrook and Clayton, Panama City.

Both Albrook and Clayton originated as part of the Panama Canal Zone. The infrastructure and neighborhoods were built by U.S. engineers to be used by the U.S. armed forces. When the U.S. government turned the Panama Canal over to the Panamanians 10 years ago, Clayton and Albrook came as part of the package. In the decade since, these two communities have developed into quiet, peaceful residential areas with parks, single-family homes, some of the best schools in Panama, and small retail areas. Perfect if you’re relocating with a family but very appealing, too, if you’re just looking for a more suburban experience.

Our Best of Panama’s Caribbean Coast Special Report is your beginners guide to finding the best opportunities on this side of the isthmus.

The Caribbean Coast of Panama is notoriously underdeveloped—a pro or a con depending on what kind of lifestyle you’re looking for. This side of the country’s infrastructure is basic at best, and, as a result, fewer foreigners have settled on Panama’s northern side. English is less generally spoken than on the Pacific side, though the touristy Bocas del Toro is an exception—here the high volume of visitors means most working in the service industry speak English, and many businesses are American or Canadian owned.

From the rugged but expat-popular Bocas del Toro islands in the far west to the colonial cities of Colón and Portobelo, the Caribbean options are few but varied. This report details Panama’s best options on the Caribbean…

Boquete is unlike any other town in Panama. The combination of its stunning natural setting, perfect temperate climate, and large expat contingent makes it a natural choice for those contemplating a move to Panama. It is located in western Panama, about 37 miles from the Costa Rican border. It’s part of Chiriquí Province, the capital of which, David, lies 30 miles to its south.

The tropical heat that Panama is famous for is much less intense in Boquete, and thanks to all the rain, it’s less dry than lower-altitude areas.

Boquete has the highest density of expats in Panama, and it’s fascinating and heartwarming to watch them intermingle seamlessly with third-generation boqueteños, indigenous people, and everyone in between.

Boquete is one-of-a-kind and a beautiful place to call home, but it also has its foibles and isn’t necessarily for everyone… Keep reading and find out if it could be your new home overseas.

The tiny finger of land that pokes out from Panama City’s southeastern corner and into the Pacific Ocean is San Felipe—better known to most as Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo, or, simply, Casco.

Casco is laid out in grid format like a classic European city. Every few blocks, you’ll find a tree-lined plaza or the spire of a cathedral, all of which casts an Old World charm over the place. At only four avenues wide, the neighborhood is small and compact; a tiny treasure trove of historical structures best explored on foot. But despite all the visual reminders of the past, it’s also constantly evolving…

Most of Panama City’s cultural events are hosted in Casco Viejo. On any given day, you attend a gallery opening, watch a parade, listen to a concert, or stumble upon an impromptu event on the streets. There’s almost always something going on here… The best way to find out about events is to simply wander the streets.

Casco is sought out by tourists from around the world… If the prospect of living in the thick of all the action sounds appealing, Casco is probably for you.

In this Panama Special Report, we bring you the city of Chitré, located in Panama’s Herrera Province.

Chitré is not just any sleepy old rural town and, in recent years, it has overtaken all of its neighbors and Chiriquí in terms of growth. According to the United Nations Development Program, it’s also a great place to live, enjoying Panama’s highest quality of life based on factors such as the education level of its population and life expectancy, measured in the Human Development Index.

In this Panama Special Report, we offer a tour of Panama’s most famous and historically important churches.

Panama is home to hundreds of beautiful and significant religious structures, and a tour of the country through her churches reveals much about her history.  This report takes a look at some of these churches and the architectural, historical, and other interesting tidbits associated with them.

Panama’s doesn’t have many options for climate other than tropical… there are only a few places on this little isthmus that enjoy lower humidity and/or lower temperatures than their sea-level counterparts—and, yes, all of these cooler havens are above sea level. But there are a handful of appealing destinations that offer something close to springtime weather. In this report, we take a look at Panama’s top options for temperate-climate living.

Panama is surrounded by beaches, and Panamanians have a variety of weekend getaways to choose from, but Coronado, only about an hour’s drive outside the city, isn’t just any beach. It’s the most turn-key, expat-friendly beach community in Panama.

Coronado is a town where expats gather for drinks, dinner, and dancing at least twice a week. Three international schools are located either in the town or the surrounding Pacific beach areas.

You can also keep the kids (and yourself) busy with an equestrian school, a surfing school, and even golf classes, all available right in town. Panama correspondent Chris Powers describes Coronado as the “furnished home of the tropics.” Whether you are looking for an oceanside retirement retreat, a place to raise your kids, or a weekend getaway, you’ll have no problem adjusting to your new home away from home in Coronado.

In this Panama Special Report, we bring you one of the most fun and eccentric neighborhoods in Panama City; El Cangrejo.

El Cangrejo’s mix of people from all over the world offers an interesting mix of cultures. Many regard El Cangrejo as Panama City’s most lively and expat-friendly area. The neighborhood is walkable and offers an abundance of tree-lined streets under which to grab some shade and perhaps a bite to eat. If you are interested in living in Panama City, this is one of the first places we recommend you look.

El Valle has so many great things going for it. Because of its elevation (600 m above sea level), it has a year-round mild and mostly cool climate. Arguably best of all is that this is a great walking town. You don’t really need a car, although you may find yourself wishing for one in the rainy season.

In a sense, El Valle epitomizes Panamanian culture. It’s laid back, the national cuisine is very basic, and it’s a town that revels in the celebrations of the holiday season.

El Valle is a popular expat destination among retirees. Is it a great place to raise a family? In some respects, perhaps it is. However, local schools do not cater to international students, and the closest international school is about an hour away in Gorgona.

Getting to know your neighbors in El Valle is easy. Locals and expats are very friendly. Social activity is driven by church groups, volunteer activities, hiking, bird watching, expat happy hours, community fairs, and more…

El Valle de Antón is a lush valley of biodiversity. It is situated in a 3.7-miles-wide caldera of an inactive volcano. It’s without a doubt one of Panama’s biggest tourist and vacation destinations. Urban dwellers come here to relax, expats come here for the vida mas tranquila (quieter life), and tourists come for its many natural attractions.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city center lies the rolling green landscape of the Chiriquí highlands, downtown La Concepción. La Concepción is a sought-after place for expats seeking their own personal paradise…

Downtown La Concepción has long been an important commercial district in the “breadbasket of Panama,” the heart of agricultural production in the country. Today, the town is making a new name for itself as more and more expats discover all it has to offer. Although new subdivisions are hard to come by, plenty of new houses are being built. Not all are expat homes. The ethnic population of La Concepción is diverse, with Germans, English, Cubans, and Asians, just to name a few. This diversity is helping to lead La Concepción in a new direction.

The town has a reputation among expats as being safe. People watch out for one another, locals and expats alike. Even houses outside of town are secure, as neighbors know one another and are aware of their surroundings.

Many expats also enjoy the vibrant festival life of La Concepción. You can always find a parade, fair, or street party going on, celebrating one of Panama’s many holidays and traditions.

If you’re looking for a tropical climate without the heat of the beach, La Concepción delivers. If you want a lush garden with plants of every shape and color and maybe a horse farm for neighbors… La Concepción is your best bet in Panama.

In this Panama Special Report, we bring you the town of La Villa De Los Santos, located in the country’s Los Santos province.

This special report going into detail on the role that La Villa De Los Santos played in Panama’s path to independence. We have also included a section on the November holidays in Panama, of which there are many, including what, how, and where they are celebrated.

In this Panama Special Report, we bring you our top pick for beach living in Panama: Las Tablas.

Located on the Azuero Peninsula, Las Tablas is the first town of note along what is becoming this country’s Gold Coast. The charming city is well-known even beyond Panama for it’s yearly Carnival festival.

In this Panama Special Report, we bring you the thriving metropolis of Panama City, complete with an in-depth comparison of the city’s neighborhoods.

In this Panama City comparison guide, we give you a good idea about where you might want to base yourself, be it permanently or just for a little while. Note that some of the neighborhoods encompass smaller areas within them, while others are amalgamated with adjacent, similar areas. With dozens of subdivisions and even more neighborhoods within those subdivisions, we’ve arranged them in ways that make it easier to analyze and compare.

In this Panama Special Report, we give you the ins-and-outs of Panama’s most exciting business development, Panama Pacifico.

It depends on your point of view. If you feel at home surrounded by decaying grandeur and crumbling pastel facades, then Casco Viejo could be the perfect Panama City neighborhood to base yourself in for retirement.

El Cangrejo is home to a fast-growing community of expats and foreign retirees who recognize and appreciate the unique quality of life on offer on what is arguably the most comfortable, convenient, and affordable downtown Panama City experience.

Santiago is the bustling capital and the commercial and political center of the Veraguas province, as well as the transportation hub for Central Panama. It is also a university town renowned for training the future teachers of Panama.

If highlands living is what you’re after, take a look Santa Fe of Veraguas Province—an unassuming, unsung town of about 3,000 people—comparable to popular Boquete but at a fraction of the price. In fact, this is one of the most affordable parts of the country.

The province of David is famous for its agricultural production, particularly its cattle. This is a middle-class town built on farming, feels like a down to earth, straightforward kind of a place. If your interest includes any investment agenda, this part of the country should have your attention.

Come to Panama, explore the city, get a feel for the countryside and coastal areas.

What we love about Panama is the sheer diversity of lifestyle options the country has to offer… from First-World city living to absolutely off-grid ruggedness, from rustic country living to upscale beach communities… this country has something to suit just about everyone…

Here’s an overview of our top 14 destinations to consider retiring to in Panama.

Considered by many as the heartland of Panama, Azuero is home to more traditional Panamanian culture and folklore than any other area. The east coast of the Peninsula is dotted with quaint Panamanian villages steeped in vernacular history, pastoral folklore, and traditions, all held in the cradle of nature.

Getting around town is pretty easy. Bicycles are an important part of the transportation system. You see them everywhere. In Pedasí you could easily get by without a car. Sure, if you plan to head out of town often or want to shoot into the big city from time to time to pick up supplies, a car would be useful, but getting around the village can be done easily on foot or by bicycle. In fact, some locals still travel by horseback.

Farms, or fincas, make up a large part of the area around Pedasí. The road leading into and away from town is lined with farmland. Pedasí is home to a milk factory, and grows fruits and vegetable such as mangoes, rice, and corn. If you have an interest in farming your land, this is a great place to do it.

Pedasí is situated in the province of Los Santos, on the south-eastern tip of the Azuero Peninsula. The capital of the province is Las Tablas. The beaches surrounding Pedasí have become a lure to capital from around the world. People are buying tracts of land and lots, and are building and relocating to the equivalent of their vision of pristine paradise.

Puerto Armuelles, located in the province of Chiriquí and the capital of the district  of Barú, is a small town is on Panama’s Pacific coast—much closer to Costa Rica (bordering the country, in fact) than to Panama City at the other end of the country (about a seven-hour drive away).

The beach stretches for miles on end… Banana trees blow in the wind and people stroll down the street, stopping to chat with friends…

Many equate life in Puerto, as it’s informally called, as being lost in time.

In this Panama Special Report, we bring you one of the most modern and progressive neighborhoods in all of Panama City; San Fransisco.

San Francisco is Panama’s best option for living a quiet, residential, urban lifestyle.

If you want an urban experience in Panama City, but without the nuisances of persistent tourists, rowdy club-goers, nonstop casinos, solicitous women of the night, or any of the other seedier aspects of living in the city center, then San Francisco is the place to be.

In this Panama Special Report, we introduce you to Santa Catalina, Panama, on Veraguas province’s Pacific coast. What first brought outsiders here some 40 years ago is the same thing that draws them today: the surf.

Santa Catalina is off the beaten path, and as a result, disconnected from the realities of day-to-day life. It’s home to a small but diverse expat population who’ve brought with them vestiges of their home cultures. This is especially true when it comes to gastronomy: From authentic Italian pizza and gelato to Panamanian ceviche to Argentinian empanadas, the dining options in Santa Catalina run the gamut.

Santa Catalina’s proximity to Coiba National Park is another major reason people journey here. In the not-too-distant past, Isla Coiba was a penal colony synonymous with death. Today, the island and its surrounding waters are world-famous for the abundance of life they support—nature-lovers and adventurists won’t be disappointed. It’s not easy to get to, but whether you go to surf, scuba dive, or simply unwind, Santa Catalina is worth the trip.