Retirement & Lifestyle

Tierras Altas, a district in Chiriquí Province on the west side of Volcán Barú, is poised to become the next Boquete. Situated in the highlands of western Panama, it features comparable scenery—misty hillsides dense with greenery, gardens terraced into slopes, and abundant wildflowers. Its cool-weather climate and the outdoor lifestyle it affords are also similar…

But Tierras Altas is different to Boquete different in important ways. First, it’s still affordable. Everything from the cost of real estate to the cost of a burger costs less here, while costs in Boquete are closer to those of a mid-size U.S. city. Second, Tierras Altas is relatively unknown, while Boquete is one of the most famous expat communities in the world. Third, Tierras Altas is authentic and down-to-earth, while some complain of the imported American culture that dominates Boquete.

In this Panama Special Report, Panama: Province by Province, we go all-in, covering the entire country of Panama, including each of it’s 10 provinces.

To help you traverse through this great country—be it for work, play, or relocation—we’ve put together this A-to-Z country issue to help you get to know each province in depth—its culture and history… its economy and current state of infrastructure… its personality… and everything in between.

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.