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.

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…

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.

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.

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.