Boquete, Panama

Boquete has been a favorite among expats for decades. Interest in this charming mountain town only grows with time, which has caused an increase in the area’s cost of living.

Boquete is no longer the budget-friendly retirement destination it was 20 years ago, but it’s probably still more affordable than your home country. It all comes down to the lifestyle you choose, which is true for all retirement destinations.

Let’s take a look at the six reasons retirees (and expats in general) keep choosing Boquete as their new home…

#1: Cost Of Living

Boquete isn’t as affordable as it used to be, but it’s still cheaper than the States, Canada, and much of Europe.

As a couple you can live comfortably on about US$2,000 or less per month, depending on the lifestyle you choose.

You can save money by buying locally grown veggies and fruits and by replacing imported goods with local brands. Decide which products from home you can live without and replace them with local equivalents.

In short, reducing your monthly costs this way will allow you to indulge more on the imported goods you don’t want to live without.

For groceries, head to PriceSmart in David. It’s like Panama’s version of Costco and you’ll save a lot by buying things like toilet paper, paper towels, olive oil, rice, beans, lentils, and anything else that won’t go bad in a month or two in bulk.

#2: Weather

The weather in Boquete is ideal.

Because the town is about 1,131 meters (3,710 feet) above sea level, temperatures are cooler. During the day, the temperature is about 20°C (68°F) and at night, temperatures drop to about 16°C (60°F).

In my opinion, it’s the perfect climate. You can wander around during the day with a T-shirt and jeans and put on a light jacket in the evenings.

You should always carry a raincoat or umbrella with you during the rainy season from May to October. Mornings are usually sunny but it’s almost guaranteed that it’ll start raining at about noon or 1 p.m.

#3: Language

Boquete is one of the few places in Panama where you can get by with little to no Spanish.

Thanks to its popularity among expats over the years, many locals have learned to speak English.

Speaking English has even become a requirement for most jobs. Restaurants, banks, retail stores, cafés, hostels, hotels, plantations, haciendas, etc., all require their workers to speak at least intermediate-level English.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t learn at least basic Spanish. You should learn at least enough of the language to get your point across. If you decide to hire a maid or gardener there’s a chance they won’t speak English and you’ll need to be able to tell them what work you need done.

#4: Community Activities

The BCP Tuesday Market, which takes place every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon, is a great chance to get to know your fellow retirees. You’ll find both locals and expats selling their goods. Some have taken up agriculture, some paint, some bake, and some have become craftsmen and craftswomen.

The Boquete Community Group on Facebook is the best way to stay up to date on activities going on during the week. Popular get-togethers include bingo nights every Wednesday and trivia nights every Monday at the new Selina hotel, veggies and wine every Sunday at Ngädri restaurant, and more.

#5: Large Expat Community

Boquete has an enormous expat community… It makes up 25% of the area’s population. Walking down the street, you’ll notice there are about the same number of foreigners as there are locals. You’ll hear more English on your stroll than Spanish.

Getting involved in the expat community couldn’t be easier. Before your move, you should join the Boquete Community Group on Facebook and introduce yourself. You’ll find your fellow retirees (and expats) are very welcoming. If you ever need help finding someone to do a certain job, have a question about something, or simply want to share an experience, this is the place to do so.

#6: Proximity To A Large City

Boquete doesn’t have any major hospitals. There are clinics, dentist’s offices, pharmacies, and a Centro de Salud (a type of mini hospital for basic needs).

Boquete is about 40 minutes from David, the capital of Chiriquí Province. This is where you’ll go for more specialized care and surgeries.

The main hospitals in David are Hospital Chiriquí and Hospital Centro Mae Lewis. Both facilities have English-speaking doctors and offer high-quality care at a reasonable price.

There are many other reasons to choose Boquete, but to discover them all you’d need to visit and see the town for yourself. Plan a trip, experience all that Boquete has to offer, and get a feel for what retirement here could be like for you.

As is true for anywhere, Boquete isn’t perfect, but it’s well-deserving of its position as Panama’s #1 retirement destination.