Each Special Panama Report from Live and Invest Overseas includes an honest, current, and complete introduction to one of the places we’ve identified as offering tremendous advantages for the would-be retiree, investor, or part-timer in Panama.
Every comprehensive Special Panama Report addresses not only the pros, but also the cons of each destination featured. This is critical if you want to make a smart, informed choice. You’d be hard-pressed to find this information anywhere else in the world.
Our Panama Special Reports arm you with all the tips, tricks, and firsthand insider intelligence you’ll need to decide whether a place could be home for you or not. Every report includes broad budget comparisons, insights into the communities and how your life would be within them, and much, much more.
Panama Special Reports
Showing 1–20 of 69 results
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Panama Special Reports
10 Best Places To Retire In Panama
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…
Let’s take a tour, starting in the city and moving our way westward to Panama’s wild interior…
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Panama, Panama Special Reports
Aguadulce, Panama
Many people only know Aguadulce as that annoying little town along the Pan-American Highway where traffic becomes congested… And it’s true—but it’s a misconception that traffic is all there is to this town. The other misconception is that Aguadulce’s only attraction is the Spanish-colonial architecture. There’s so much more…
Aguadulce’s history is mysterious… It was known as “la tierra de la sal y el azúcar” (the land of salt and sugar) during the late 18th century and was baptized as San Juan Bautista de Aguadulce around the same time.
The Aguadulceña community takes great pride in their cultural history and its importance to the country. The small town preserves several cultural landmarks that the now Ministry of Culture proclaimed important to Panama’s national heritage in 2017…
One is the Museum of Salt and Sugar, with its colonial architecture and canary yellow façade. For a nominal fee, you can look at pre-Colombian artifacts, historical documents, photographs, as well as the origins of the sugar industry. Another iconic building is the Eduardo Pedreschi Municipal Palace. Built in 1925, it’s named after the Italian architect who designed many of the important buildings in the city.
Currently, Aguadulce is restoring, improving, and repairing important city structures, with many visible renovation projects like Parque 19 de Octubre, directly across the street from the historic San Juan Bautista Church.
If you enjoy fresh air and sunshine (with some rain mixed in), Aguadulce is a great place to live, with an abundance of outdoor activities to do here… limited only by your imagination and abilities.
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Panama Special Reports
Albrook and Clayton, Panama City, Panama
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.
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Panama Special Reports
Amador Causeway, Panama City, Panama
In this Panama Special Report, we tour Panama’s Causeway in Amador, a former U.S. military outpost and Canal Zone recreation area that is today enjoying a multi-million dollar makeover.
The Amador Causeway has a long and winding history tied to the construction of the Panama Canal and the nearly 100-year occupation of the Canal Zone by U.S. military forces. Used first as a military base, Amador was later repurposed as a sprawling recreation area for the exclusive use of U.S. military personnel and their families. Languishing in neglect since the 1999 handover dictated by the Torrijos-Carter Treaty that returned the land to Panama, the Causeway is today the focus of an ambitious plan to transform it into a five-star residential community whose key feature, a cruise-ship terminal, will rival ports of call throughout the Americas.
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Panama Special Reports
Balboa, La Boca, and Amador Causeway, Panama City, Panama
In this Panama Special Report, we bring you the areas of Balboa, La Boca, and Amador Causeway, all located within Panama City.
Only a few miles away from the hustle and bustle, the bright lights, and the hectic honking of cab horns, brings you to what used to be considered the Canal Zone. You know you’ve entered this area when on one side you see multicolored storage containers stacked one on top of the other, like a Lego village, while on the opposite side of the street you see boxy, tan-colored old military barracks and government buildings.
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Panama, Panama Special Reports
Banking In Panama – Where And How To Open Your Account
Panama is Central America’s preeminent banking destination. Its thriving banking sector has fueled the growth of the country’s economy and attracted dozens of international banks from around the globe. Of the 75 banks currently operating in the country, 2 are state-owned, 47 have general licenses, and 26 have international licenses.
Why Panama, you ask?
For starters, the country boasts strong regulatory oversight that maintains the stability of the banking system, and banks tend to stay afloat during periods of economic turmoil. Favorable tax incentives and high certificate of deposit (CD) rates draw in a constant flow of cash from foreign individuals and entities. On top of that, there are several laws in place that help ensure the privacy of clients. Together these factors contribute to Panama’s appeal as an offshore banking haven.
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Panama Special Reports
Best of Panama’s Caribbean
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…
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Panama, Panama Special Reports
Boca Chica, Panama
In this Panama Special Report, we bring you the tranquil town of Boca Chica, Panama.
The town of Boca Chica had for long been just a sleepy fishing port at the end of the road. Sitting at the end of the peninsula, the town overlooks the nearby island of Boca Brava, which protects the port and makes it a perfect place for a fishing expedition. If you’ve heard of this little town already, odds are you’re a sport fisherman—the waters off this coastal town are world-renowned as a sport fisherman’s paradise.
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Panama Special Reports
Bocas del Toro, Panama
Bocas del Toro is a province in Panama consisting of a small portion of the mainland as well as an archipelago of nine islands. It borders the Caribbean Sea to the north, Chiriquà to the south, Costa Rica to the west, and the indigenous Ngäbe-Buglé comarca to the east.
Until recently, it has been regarded as little more than a slum. To be fair, some corners of the town could leave you with that impression, but things are changing here.
The government is beginning to take note of the tourism potential and is investing in infrastructure accordingly. As recently as a decade ago, paved roads, sewage treatment, and even slightly reliable electricity had yet to arrive to town. Today, Bocas is more attractive than ever before and continues to improve thanks to the locals, tourists, and foreign residents alike. Improvements in infrastructure are ongoing and at a steady pace. Even recycling has now been recognized as a necessity if they are to save their pristine sand and surf.
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Panama Special Reports
Boquete, Panama
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 Chiriquà 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.
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Panama Special Reports
Casco Viejo, Panama City, Panama
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.
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Panama Special Reports
Cerro Azul, Panama
In this Panama Special Report, we bring you the peaceful town of Cerro Azul, Panama.
Cerro Azul is only 45 minutes outside Panama City, but its crisp, cool weather, abundance of wildlife, and peaceful tranquility make you feel as if you are on the far side of the country. Many expats and even many Panamanians have traveled far into the country’s interior to find the lifestyle that some have realized here in Cerro Azul, so close to the city.
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Panama Special Reports
Chame, Panama
In this Panama Special Report, we bring you a closer look at the District of Chame and its most popular town, Punta Chame, which—in high season—draws beach-goers of all stripes, from surfers, kite-surfers, sport-fishermen, extreme sport-lovers, etc.
While it shares the same stretch of coastline as expat hot spot Coronado (which has seen major development over the past decade), Chame remains largely undiscovered, unpenetrated, and underrated.
Located in the Panamá Oeste Province, Chame comprises 11 small towns that sprawl out along the Panamerican Highway. On the hour-and-a-half drive it takes to reach the area from Panama City, you pass national parks, sleepy hamlets, mountains, and mangrove forests before finally arriving at the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean.
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Panama Special Reports
Chitre, Panama
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 Chiriqui 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.
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Panama Special Reports
Churches of Panama
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. Â This report takes a look at some of these churches and the architectural, historical, and other interesting tidbits associated with them.
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Panama Special Reports
Colón, Panama
In this Panama Special Report, we bring you the city of Colón, which in many ways is the counterpoint to Panama City, which is located on the opposite end of the Panama Canal.
Aside from Panama City’s colonial old town, nowhere else in Panama has the same architectural charm—except for Colon.
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Panama Special Reports
Complete Guide To Buying Property In Panama
In this Panama Special Report, we cover the topic of buying real estate and property in Panama, including an exclusive on what you need to know beforehand in order to negotiate and have a smooth purchase process.
Panama is still a developing market—and a relatively unregulated one. This report will help you to navigate the quirks and details of Panama’s property market.
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Panama Special Reports
Cool Panama: Your Top Temperate Destinations…
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.
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Panama Special Reports
Coronado, Panama
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.
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Panama Special Reports
Costa del Este, Panama
It’s simply the best neighborhood in the city for young families…It’s clean, well maintained, safe…and close enough to the city for convenience but far enough removed for peace and quiet.
Costa del Este has excellent schools, parks, and daycare facilities…and all the shopping and services a family would need. Further, mom and dad might not even have to commute downtown everyday since Costa del Este has attracted numerous multinational and Panamanian corporations who’ve set up shop in the neighborhood’s commercial zones.
The cost of living is higher in Costa del Este than anywhere else in the city, but you’d be paying for a lifestyle that others dream about. And with more shops, hotels, restaurants, a new town center, and more corporate offices on the way, we don’t expect the appeal of Costa del Este, the Panamanian Dream, to diminish anytime soon.
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