Chitre, Panama
Chitre: Crossroads In Panama
Lonely Planet says that Chitre, on the Azuero Peninsula, “is hardly geared toward travelers, but it’s an agreeable stop on the way to the peninsula.” Herein lies its very charm. Chitre is an honest, unpretentious regional capital town. Its preoccupations are based on agriculture and local provincial commerce.
Amenities And Accessibility
Located only 20 minutes south of the Pan-American Highway, Chitre is accessible to everything. A short trip down or across the Azuero Peninsula finds you at some of the best surf and fishing spots in Panama (and, therefore, the west coast of the Americas). After a comprehensive upgrade, Panama City can now be reached in around three-and-a-half hours by car and four hours by bus. David and the cool Boquete Highlands are equally accessible to Chitre, just over three hours to the west.
There is a small airport at Chitre, and the town is only 90 minutes from the new international airport at Rio Hato, which opened to commercial flights in 2014.
Apartment Or House Ownership Budget (For A Couple)
| Expenses | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HOA Fees | US$250 | This can range from US$0 to US$100 depending on the unit size and value as well as property amenities. |
| Transportation | US$60 | To own a vehicle; occasional bus trips instead of driving to Panama City ($13 to $18 roundtrip). (If you opt to not own a car, this cost would be around US$200 for two taxi rides per day, intercity bus trips, and one bus trip to the city.) |
| Gas | US$10 | For cooking. |
| Electricity | $125 | |
| Water | $5 | |
| Cell Phone | US$35 | Including 500 minutes, unlimited data, and flexible contract with Cable & Wireless. |
| Internet | US$85 | Includes telephone and cable. |
| Cable TV | – | Included in internet fee. |
| Household Help | US$80 | One day-long visit per week; US$20 per visit. |
| Entertainment | US$482 | Eating out twice a week at a mid-range, local restaurant: US$25 to US$65.
Local drinks twice a week at a nearby watering hole: US$104 (US$18 for a bottle of wine; US$2 for a beer). Movie theater trip twice a month: US$18 (US$4.50 per ticket. |
| Groceries | US$425 | Basic items for a couple. |
| Gym Membership | US$22 | US$275 for a year-long membership. |
| Medical Appointment | US$35 | For a specialist or a clinic visit; a basic checkup in a public hospital is just a few dollars. |
| TOTAL | US$1,614 |
Apartment Or House Rental Budget (For A Couple)
| Expenses | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | US$800 | A furnished, two-bedroom, comfortable apartment in a desirable area. |
| Transportation | US$60 | To own a vehicle; occasional bus trips instead of driving to Panama City ($13 to $18 roundtrip). (If you opt to not own a car, this cost would be around US$200 for two taxi rides per day, intercity bus trips, and one bus trip to the city.) |
| Gas | US$10 | For cooking. |
| Electricity | US$125 | |
| Water | US$5 | |
| Cell Phone | US$35 | Including 500 minutes, unlimited data, and flexible contract with Cable & Wireless. |
| Internet | US$85 | Includes telephone and cable. |
| Cable TV | – | Included in internet fee. |
| Household Help | US$80 | One day-long visit per week; US$20 per visit. |
| Entertainment | US$482 | Eating out twice a week at a mid-range, local restaurant: US$25 to US$65.
Local drinks twice a week at a nearby watering hole: US$104 (US$18 for a bottle of wine; US$2 for a beer). Movie theater trip twice a month: US$18 (US$4.50 per ticket. |
| Groceries | US$425 | Basic items for a couple. |
| Gym Membership | US$22 | US$275 for a year-long membership. |
| Medical Appointment | US$35 | For a specialist or a clinic visit; a basic checkup in a public hospital is just a few dollars. |
| TOTAL | US$2,164 |
Penny-Pincher’s Budget (Bare Minimum Costs, For A Couple)
| Expenses | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | US$100 | Cheapest part of town; basic one-bedroom rental. |
| Transportation | US$75 | Minimal use of taxis and buses. |
| Gas | US$5 | For cooking. |
| Electricity | US$12 | No use of air conditioning, fans only. |
| Water | US$5 | |
| Cell Phone | US$35 | Including 500 minutes, unlimited data, and flexible contract with Cable & Wireless. |
| Internet | – | Cell phone data use only. |
| Cable TV | US$30 | Basic plan with 194 channels. |
| Entertainment | US$250 | Eating out at fondas and drinking local beer. |
| Groceries | US$50 | Fresh fruits and veggies, local brands only; supplemented by eating out cheaply. |
| TOTAL | US$562 |
