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      Whether you’re looking for fun and sun, a peaceful retirement, or the chance to earn some extra income, you’ve got a real world of opportunity open to you… In short, we’ve done our best to narrow down your best options, but only you can decide the right country for you.

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      Super Cheap

      • Chitré, Panama
      • Santa Marta, Colombia
      • Phuket, Thailand
      • Dumaguete, The Philippines

      Cheap

      • Medellin, Colombia
      • Boquete, Panama
      • Kyrenia, Cyprus
      • Hua Hin, Thailand
      • The Algarve, Portugal

      Affordable

      • Valencia, Spain
      • Cascais, Portugal
      • Las Terrenas, The DR
      • Pisa, Italy
      • La Rochelle, France
      • Mazatlán, Mexico

      Luxury

      • Ambergris Caye, Belize
      • Kotor, Montenegro
      • The Panama City Beaches
      • Paris, France
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      • Home
      • Countries

        Top Destinations:

        Whether you’re looking for fun and sun, a peaceful retirement, or the chance to earn some extra income, you’ve got a real world of opportunity open to you… In short, we’ve done our best to narrow down your best options, but only you can decide the right country for you.

        • Spain
        • Portugal
        • Panama
        • Belize
        • Colombia
        • Cyprus
        • Mexico
        • France
        • Montenegro
        • Browse All Countries

        Best For:

        • The Best Places To Retire
        • Health Care Abroad
        • Cost Of Living
        • Investing in Real Estate
        • Establishing Residency
        • Gun Laws In The World
        • English-Speaking Countries
        • Safest Places For Retirement
        • Best Places In Latin America
      • Budgets

        How Much Will It Cost You To Live Overseas?

        The only honest answer is, we have no idea. And neither does anyone else. The only one who can answer that question is you. Here’s the most important thing to understand about budgeting your new life overseas…

        Super Cheap

        • Chitré, Panama
        • Santa Marta, Colombia
        • Phuket, Thailand
        • Dumaguete, The Philippines

        Cheap

        • Medellin, Colombia
        • Boquete, Panama
        • Kyrenia, Cyprus
        • Hua Hin, Thailand
        • The Algarve, Portugal

        Affordable

        • Valencia, Spain
        • Cascais, Portugal
        • Las Terrenas, The DR
        • Pisa, Italy
        • La Rochelle, France
        • Mazatlán, Mexico

        Luxury

        • Ambergris Caye, Belize
        • Kotor, Montenegro
        • The Panama City Beaches
        • Paris, France
      • Resources

        Global Living

        • Living & Retiring Overseas
        • Raising A Family Abroad
        • Foreign Residency & Citizenship
        • Offshore & Diversification

        Making Money

        • International Real Estate
        • Banking
        • Employment
        • Investing

        Follow Us:

        • Meet Our Experts
      • Real Estate

        Join our Weekly Newsletter
        Overseas Property Alert

        Sign up for our weekly newsletter to receive expert insights on the best international real estate investment opportunities.






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          International Property Summit

          Caribbean Virtual Conference

          Live and Invest In Spain Conference

          PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

          June 18-20, 2025

          VIRTUAL

          July 17-19, 2025

          Valencia, Spain

          Sep. 17-19, 2025

          LEARN MORE
          VIRTUAL PASS
          LEARN MORE
          PRE-REGISTER
          LEARN MORE
          DISCOUNT
          • MORE EVENTS

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          Toll-Free U.S. and Canada:
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          overseas living letter offers affordable retirement guidance
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          Home Lifestyle

          Enjoy Easy Expat Living In This Mountain Town Haven

          by Gabrielle Wells
          Oct 25, 2023
          in Lifestyle
          0 0
          Garden in Boquete, Panama. expat living

          AdobeStock/Viktoriia

          If Panama is on your retire overseas radar then doubtless you’ve heard of the mountain town of Boquete. Home to one of the world’s biggest communities of expat retirees, here you can say goodbye to culture shock and enjoy a soft landing into expat life.

          Boquete is a district in Chiriquí Province, where you’ll find six townships or corregimientos: Bajo Boquete (Lower Boquete), Alto Boquete (Upper Boquete), Caldera, Jaramillo, Los Naranjos, and Palmira.

          The district has a population of just over 20,000 and about 5,000 are expats. From events and festivals to meet-ups and clubs, you’ll have no difficulty getting and staying connected with your fellow expats. Nearly everyone speaks English, making the transition to life abroad a breeze.

          Bajo Boquete sits at the lowest point in the valley and is the district’s center. When people refer to the town of Boquete, they’re really talking about Bajo Boquete.

          Boquete means “gap” in Spanish—a fitting name for the highland valley nestled within the skirts of the Cordillera Central (Central Mountain Range).

          The cordillera’s highest peak, Volcán Barú (Barú Volcano), towers over Boquete at an altitude of 11,401 feet (3,475 meters) and lies only 12 miles (20 kms) from the town center.

          Boquete offers spectacular views of the volcano on sunny days, the Caldera River flows through town, and the streets are draped with flowers of every species and color. Artisanal markets line the sidewalks, where locals sell their produce and crafts.

          In addition to natural beauty, most expats cite the weather as their motivation for moving to Boquete.

          Far from the heat and humidity of Panama City, temperatures in Bajo Boquete typically hover in the low- to mid-70s F (20s C) during the day.

          The climate and volcanic soil here are ideal for growing all kinds of produce, plants, and flowers. Chiriquí’s economy is built on agriculture, and in Boquete there’s a good selection of local fruits and vegetables available year-round.

          With such an established expat population you’ll find most all your needs met here. There’s eateries of every nationality, trendy bars and nightlife locales, medical clinics, massage studios, beauty salons, grocery stores, and every other necessity and convenience you could want nearby.

          You could thrive in Boquete without ever learning any Spanish. It’s the only destination in Panama where this is the case. The majority of the area’s expats are anglophones, and almost everyone working in the service industry—in hotels, restaurants, tour agencies, grocery stores, etc.—speaks English proficiently.

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            Though the cost of living is rising rapidly in Boquete, it’s still generally more affordable than the United States and Canada.

            A couple should be able to live comfortably here on a budget of US$1,300 a month, if they own their home.

            If you’re looking to rent, a two-bedroom, 80-square-meter apartment in Bajo Boquete typically runs about US$1,500 to US$2,000 a month. These are usually furnished spaces, as unfurnished apartments are uncommon here.

            Contracts run from six months to a year, and the lessee pays the first and last months and a security deposit upon signing.

            The real estate market is on the rise, and if your dream is to own a home here, you might have only a few years left to make your move as Boquete is undergoing a real estate boom.

            I spotted a one-bedroom, one-bathroom, rustic home with a courtyard on the market for US$198,000. Also listed was a 200-square-meter duplex in a gated community for US$270,000.

            When it comes to day-to-day costs, expect to spend about US$25 to US$30 on a meal for two with drinks at a mid-range restaurant. Take away the drinks and it comes to approximately US$18.

            At a local bar you’ll pay about US$2.50 for a domestic beer and US$4.50 to US$5 for a craft variety.

            If you buy your groceries at either of the two more affordable supermarket chains—Romero and Súper Barú—you’ll likely spend US$150 to US$200 a month.

            Orgánica is a Whole Foods-esque chain selling healthy, specialty foods like grass-fed beef. Shopping here will put a bigger dent in your wallet, but you’ll have access to a variety of nutritious products.

            On the flip side, you can reduce your grocery bill significantly by purchasing locally grown produce. Stopping by the Boquete Tuesday Market to stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables is a convenient way to do this.

            Household help is available here, and residents typically hire maids to deep clean their homes once or twice a week. This will set you back about US$25 a day, totaling US$200 monthly. You’ll pay about US$300 a month for full-time maid service.

            You’ll find a few public and private health clinics in town. The preferred choice among expats is the Clínica Especializada del Dr. Chen, which is private.

            When I had an allergic reaction to coffee fly bites I went to the Clínica Especializada. There was no wait at all, and they immediately took me to a private room and gave me an antihistamine through an IV. Within an hour, my symptoms were gone and I was on my way out the door.

            I was impressed with the high-quality care I received and the warm bedside manner of both Dr. Gomez and the nurse. Expats here say Clínica Especializada is the preferred health care facility in town.

            A general appointment at a private clinic costs between US$20 and US$50.

            When in Boquete, use the same precautions you would anywhere… don’t leave your house unlocked, keep valuables out of sight, don’t walk with your cell phone in your hand or back pocket, and stay alert and aware.

            That said, Boquete is a safe and peaceful town. Violent crime is essentially unheard of, and offenses are limited to random petty thefts.

            When hiking, choose trails that are clearly marked and don’t stray off them—it’s easy to get lost in the jungle and this poses a real danger. It’s best to always take another person with you.

            Bajo Boquete is the most walkable destination in Panama. It’s certainly more pedestrian-friendly than the city.

            Drivers here yield to pedestrians and drive slower and more courteously than in other areas.

            Sidewalks tend to be unreliable—in some parts of town they’re smooth and well-paved while in others they’re nonexistent or crumbling. It appears that the government is working to improve the walkways.

            Boquete is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, and anyone looking for an adventure-filled lifestyle with new activities to try each day.

            Gardeners and those interested in agriculture will find satisfaction in the climate and rich, nutrient-filled soil.

            The climate here is perfect for those who dislike extreme heat, cold, and humidity, and who enjoy mild weather.

            Digital nomads will be impressed with the Wi-Fi and infrastructure quality while the tourism industry here provides endless opportunities for the investor and entrepreneur.

            It’s also a safe, peaceful, healthy, and enriching place for those who appreciate the familiarity and support of a large expat community.

            Truly, there’s something for everyone and every interest in Boquete.

            Sincerely,

            Gabrielle Wells signature

            Gabrielle Wells

            Contributor, Panama Letter

            Tags: 'Boquete''Expats Overseas'
            Share89Tweet56
            Gabrielle Wells

            Gabrielle Wells

            Gabrielle Wells graduated from university in May 2021 and relocated to Panama in June. She has traveled extensively throughout Mexico, Ecuador, and Panama, and always planned to one day live abroad. Many of her travels have been solo, and this has given her the chance to fully immerse herself in each place she has visited. She visited Panama for the first time in 2018 and fell in love with its natural beauty and local culture. On the weekends she enjoys volunteering, spending time at the beach, exploring Panama’s old town, Casco Viejo, and hiking in the breathtaking natural parks outside the city.

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                  HOME

                  Top Countries

                  • Spain
                  • Portugal
                  • Panama
                  • Belize
                  • Colombia
                  • Cyprus
                  • Mexico
                  • France
                  • Montenegro

                  Best For:

                  • Health Care Abroad
                  • Retirement Living
                  • Cost Of Living
                  • Investing in Real Estate
                  • Establishing Residency
                  • Gun Ownership
                  • English Speakers
                  • Safety
                  BROWSE ALL COUNTRIES

                  Budgets

                  How Much Will It Cost
                  To Live Overseas?

                  Super Cheap

                  • Chitré, Panama
                  • Santa Marta, Colombia
                  • Phuket, Thailand
                  • Dumaguete, The Philippines

                  Cheap

                  • Medellin, Colombia
                  • Boquete, Panama
                  • Kyrenia, Cyprus
                  • Hua Hin, Thailand
                  • The Algarve, Portugal

                  Affordable

                  • Valencia, Spain
                  • Cascais, Portugal
                  • Las Terrenas, The DR
                  • Pisa, Italy
                  • La Rochelle, France
                  • Mazatlán, Mexico

                  Luxury

                  • Ambergris Caye, Belize
                  • Kotor, Montenegro
                  • The Panama City Beaches
                  • Paris, France

                  Resources

                  Global Living

                  • Living & Retiring Overseas
                  • Raising A Family Abroad
                  • Foreign Residency & Citizenship
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                  DISCOUNT
                  MORE EVENTS

                  Contact Our Events Team:

                  Toll-Free U.S. and Canada:
                  1 (888) 627 8834

                  From Outside North America:
                  1 (443) 599 1221

                  Working Hours
                  Monday – Friday 08:00 am – 17:00 pm EST.

                  Reach us with your questions by email at: events@liveandinvestoverseas.com

                  Store

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                  • Hours of coverage  from our latests conferences

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