Santa Fe
The Quaint Mountain Community Of Santa Fe
The Cost Of Living In Santa Fe, Panama
Panama uses the U.S. dollar.
Apartment Or House Ownership Budget (For A Couple)
| Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage | – | Not included here as too variable. |
| HOA Fees | – | No condos or housing developments here. |
| Property Taxes | – | |
| Transportation | US$100 | Fuel. Daily trips around town, and two trips to Santiago per month. |
| Gas | US$5 | 25 lbs. (lasts two months or more). |
| Electricity | US$50 | Air conditioner in bedrooms and TV. |
| Water | US$2 | Unlimited (IDAAN in town). |
| Cell Phone | US$40 | Unlimited minutes, unlimited data. |
| Internet | US$32.95 | Wi-Fi only. |
| Cable TV | US$80 | With all the bells and whistles. |
| Household Help | US$120 | US$10 to US$20 daily wage, about three times a week. |
| Entertainment | US$100 | This includes the couples’ cost for eating out twice a week at a mid-range, local restaurant (US$8.50 per plate); local drinks twice a week at a nearby watering hole (US$1 national beer/US$3.50 glass of wine); movie theatre trip twice a month (US$4.75 per ticket). |
| Groceries | US$250 | Basic items for a couple. |
| Gym Membership | – | Hiking is free here. |
| Medical Appointment | US$5 | Without insurance at a private clinic in Santiago. |
| TOTAL | US$784.95 | Doesn’t include mortgage fee. |
Apartment Or House Rental Budget (For A Couple)
| Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | US$400 | In a desirable area, furnished, two-bedroom, comfortable apartment. |
| Transportation | US$100 | Fuel. Daily trips around town, and two trips to Santiago per month. |
| Gas | US$5 | 25 lbs. (lasts two months or more). |
| Electricity | US$50 | Air conditioner in bedrooms and TV. |
| Water | US$2 | Unlimited (IDAAN in town). |
| Cell Phone | US$40 | Unlimited minutes, unlimited data. |
| Internet | US$32.95 | Wi-Fi only. |
| Cable TV | US$80 | With all the bells and whistles. |
| Household Help | US$120 | US$10 to US$20 daily wage, about three times a week. |
| Entertainment | US$100 | This includes the couples’ cost for eating out twice a week at a mid-range, local restaurant (US$8.50 per plate); local drinks twice a week at a nearby watering hole (US$1 national beer/US$3.50 glass of wine); movie theatre trip twice a month (US$4.75 per ticket). |
| Groceries | US$250 | Basic items for a couple. |
| Gym Membership | – | Hiking here is free. |
| Medical Appointment | US$5 | Without insurance at a private clinic in Santiago. |
| TOTAL | US$1,184.95 |
Penny-Pincher’s Budget (Bare Minimum Costs, For A Couple)
| Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | US$150 | Cheapest part of town (still desirable), most basic one-bedroom rental. |
| Transportation | US$20 | US$5 roundtrip by bus to Santiago, twice monthly. |
| Gas | US$5 | 25 lbs. (lasts 2 months or more). |
| Electricity | US$20 | TV, fridge, and fans. No air conditioner. |
| Water | US$2 | Unlimited (IDAAN in town). |
| Cell Phone | US$14 | Local minutes. No data. |
| Internet | US$15 | Pre-paid phone card. One month or 2G. Home Wi-Fi costs about US$32.95. |
| Cable TV | US$26 | Basic (4 or 5 English channels). |
| Entertainment | US$50 | Two lunches and two dinners at cheap local places. |
| Groceries | US$200 | All local-brand items only. Shopping markets and local vendors along with grocery stores. |
| TOTAL | US$502 |
Eating out:
Average cost of drink and a sandwich/burger:
A beer: In a local bar 50 cents. In a local restaurant US$1. High end restaurant US$2.50.
Rum & Coke (or other local drink): US$4.
A coffee: US$1.
A sandwich (or equivalent): Burger at Café Dorado is US$5.
Average cost of a meal out per person:
Lunch: US$3.50 typical plate.
Dinner: US$8.
Car/Motor Bike Ownership
If you are able to give costs of car/motor bike ownership please add here:
- Vehicle insurance (car): Full coverage, US$60 per month.
- Fuel: US$100.
- Upkeep: Oil changes and cumulative for tires US$500 per year.
- Monthly payments US$250.
- Parking: 0.
