I first recommended Panama as the world’s best place to live, retire, and invest overseas in 1997.
In the coming up on 30 years since, I have doubled down, doubled down, and doubled down again on that recommendation.
Today, I’m banging the drum louder than ever.
Because, in today’s world gone off the rails, Panama stands out more than ever as safe haven and peaceful harbor… for both you and your money.
I live in Panama part of the year myself. I’ve based my Live And Invest Overseas business here. This country is part of my longest-term plan.
I’ve invested in property in 24 countries… and I am more invested in property in Panama—rentals, commercial, productive land, land for banking, and at Los Islotes—than anywhere else. That’s not by accident.
Whatever your age, circumstance, budget, or agenda, I strongly recommend you take a close look at the opportunities on offer for you right now in Panama.
Specifically, why have I been so bullish for so long on this little isthmus?
Here are the top 10 reasons Panama should be part of your plan:
#1: The Weather—It’s Always Warm
Tired of feeling cold and having to scrape ice off your car for weeks or months of the year?
Panama’s a tropical country. It’s warm and sunny here all year-round.
Panama City can be too hot and sticky for some retirees’ tastes, but look beyond the capital and you find pockets of cooler climes including up in the mountains in places like El Valle, Santa Fe, and Boquete.
#2: The Affordability—Beach Living For $1,537 Per Month
When I first turned my readers onto the opportunities on offer in Panama, primary among them was the chance to retire even on a very modest budget… even in the capital city.
That’s no longer true. Panama City is no longer a top choice for bargain retirement living. Today, Panama City is one of the best places on earth to embrace a fully appointed, even luxury standard of living for far, far less than the cost of a comparable standard of living in, say, Miami… the city most often compared with Panama’s capital.
If you’re shopping the globe for a jet-set, penthouse life on the water, I’d say Panama City could for sure be the destination you seek.
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly retirement, much of the rest of this country still qualifies.
Pedasi, for example, on the east coast of Panama’s Azuero Peninsula, is home to one of Panama’s most established communities of expats and retirees.
The cost of a simple but comfortable, interesting, active, and safe lifestyle at home in Pedasi could be as little as $1,500 a month.
Rents are notably cheap. You can rent a small house near the beach for just a few hundred dollars per month.
#3: The Beaches—You’ll Never Be Able To Count Them All
“Panama” means “place of many fish.” Of course, where’s there’s plenty of fish there’s plenty of water…
This little country boasts not one but two long coasts, one Pacific, the other Caribbean.
You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to beaches.
White sands, golden shores, black pebbles… dramatic Pacific breakers and lazy Caribbean swells… coasts for partying it up and others for getting away from it all…
They’re all here for you in Panama, a beach-lover’s paradise.
#4: The Ease Of Settling In—Expats Galore
The retiree’s path in Panama is well-worn.
Two-and-a-half decades ago, this country took a page from Costa Rica’s book and launched a pensionado residency visa program that has helped tens of thousands of North American retirees reinvent their retirements in paradise. They’re living large even on Social Security income alone.
Also choosing Panama in big and growing numbers are entrepreneurs and expats. They come to work at the dozens of multinationals based here and to raise families. Panama boasts dozens of international schools.
#5: The Health Care—Johns Hopkins Is Here
Let’s start with the quality.
Health care in Panama is of an international standard, as good as and even better than, in my experience, health care in the United States.
Panama City is home to Hospital Punta Pacífica, the only hospital in Central America affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine International.
Small clinics handle everyday ailments, and every doctor my family and I have ever met has been friendly and helpful, caring and competent. Most of them speak English.
Regarding the cost of health care in this country, the best way to put it is to say that, if you’re an American, you’ll be blown away by how affordable it is. From a visit to a clinic to treat a sore throat to cosmetic procedures and hospital stays, everything is one-half or one-quarter the cost of comparable care in the United States or less.
#6: The Currency—It’s The U.S. Dollar
U.S. retirees don’t have to worry about exchange-rate risk or confusion.
#7: The Language—Loads Of Folks Speak English
I don’t recommend it, but in much of this country you can get by without learning Spanish if you don’t want to.
#8: The Infrastructure—It’s The Highest Standard In The Region
Panama is a place where things generally work. The internet, cable TV, phone service, etc., are all the most reliable in the region. And the road and highway infrastructure is more like what you’re used to in the States than what you’ll find elsewhere in Latin America. ATMs are on every corner, and Panama City shopping malls offer Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Channel, Tiffany’s, Jimmy Choo, et al., alongside H&M, Gap, and Zara.
#9: The Accessibility—You’re Just A Hop Away
Panama City is an international hub. From here you can get anywhere in the United States, across Latin America, in the Caribbean, or across the Continent. Florida can be just two-and-a-half hours away.
#10: The Beauty And The Adventure—This Is A Natural Wonderland
In addition to those two long coasts, Panama also offers rainforests and jungles, countless white sand-fringed islands, mountains for climbing, and a greater diversity of wildlife than any other country in Central America.
A natural land bridge connecting the two continents, Panama is home to both North and South American species of wildlife. About 29% of the country’s land area is protected in 14 national parks, more than a dozen forest reserves, and 10 wildlife refuges.
Panama is home to more than 940 species of birds as well as 220 mammals and 354 reptiles and amphibians… from howler monkeys to caimans, from tiger cats to turtles, from ocelots to crocodiles, and from pelicans and toucans to king crabs and iguanas…
Plus, I can tell you from experience because I’ve seen everyone one of these critters in this country with my own eyes, you’ll find the Central American tapir, the American crocodile, the scarlet macaw, many species of eagle, humpback whales, dolphins, and hammerhead sharks.
Those are the top 10 reasons I say Panama is a top choice for reinventing your life for the better no matter how much budget you’ve got to work with.
Here are three more reasons you should be looking at Panama right now, especially if you’re shopping for a place to place your capital…
#11: The Stable Politics And Economy—Virtually Guaranteed By The Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is critical to the world economy, and the United States is committed to keeping it operating safely.
This attracts investors of all kinds from across the region, North America, Europe, and beyond. The whole world recognizes the extraordinary thing on offer in this little country right now—stability.
#12: The Tax Benefits—Panama Is A True Tax Haven
It’s possible, depending on your circumstances, how and where you earn your income, and how you organize your financial situation, to live and do business in Panama tax-free.
#13: The Investment Opportunities—I’ve Put A Lot Of My Own Money Here
All the advantages I’ve just laid out for you add up to the world’s best place to spend time… and also to the world’s best place to spend money.
I can speak firsthand about the two best ways to invest in Panama: real estate and entrepreneurship.
I’ve told you about my property investments in Panama.
In addition, I’ve made a significant business investment in this country.
I don’t have a beach bar, hotel, or dive shop like many other expats. I have Live And Invest Overseas. Panama is the best place anywhere in the world today to run this kind of business. That’s why I moved here from my “retirement” in France.
From the home I’ve built at Los Islotes on Panama’s Pacific Veraguas coast, I see monkeys jumping from tree to tree and butterflies flittering amidst the gardens.
I hear the calls of tropical birds and, in the distance, the mighty Pacific Ocean crashing upon our shore.
I’ve found my paradise in Panama. Perhaps you could find yours here, too.
That’s why I’m delighted to be able to invite you to join me and my entire team in Panama in January for our 18th Annual Live And Invest In Panama Conference.
Over my decades in Panama, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet Panamanian presidents, politicians, and big-time businessmen who help run this country. Our circle of Panama friends, expats, and advisors is extensive.
They’ll all join us in the room for this event. Together, they offer the experienced, professional counsel you’ll need to pursue your own live and invest in Panama adventures.
You’ll meet experts in everything from taxes, health care, health insurance, and banking to residency, investor support, shipping, and all the other administrative functions associated with launching a new life in a new country from finding a place to live (whether you want to buy or rent) to getting a local driver’s license and choosing the best phone plan.
My rolodex includes trusted personal advisors, people you can count on to help you accomplish whatever you’re hoping to accomplish in this country safely and efficiently.
This is the biggest and most important event of its kind.
Please, leverage my decades of personal experience living, working, raising a family, and making money in the world’s top choice for living and investing overseas today.
Until next time,
Founding Publisher, Overseas Opportunity Letter
