Live and Invest Overseas
FREE REPORT: THE BEST PLACES TO RETIRE IN 2025
We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
  • 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.






      We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

      Buying Real Estate For Cashflow

      • Discover tips and strategies used by global property investing veterans

      Explore Our Latest Posts

      • Learn how to invest and purchase property abroad…

      Go To The Overseas Property Alert Site

      • How To Become Independently Wealthy And Fund The Lifestyle Of Your Dreams
    • Conferences

      Upcoming Events

      • Explore Our Events Site

      Live and Invest In Spain Conference

      Offshore Wealth Summit

      Greece Workshop

      VALENCIA, SPAIN

      Sep. 17-19, 2025

      PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

      Oct. 15-17, 2025

      VIRTUAL

      Nov. 13, 2025

      LEARN MORE
      DISCOUNT
      LEARN MORE
      PRE-REGISTER
      LEARN MORE
      PRE-REGISTER
      • 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

      Unlock The World

      • Access Your Library

      Overseas Havens Reports

      • Expats' comprehensive destination guides

      Conference Kits

      • Hours of coverage  from our latests conferences

      Lahardan Books

      • Titles on living and investing around the world
      • Explore Our Store
      Your passport to a life well-lived abroad

      Services

      overseas living letter offers affordable retirement guidance
      The Simon Letter Wealth Protection Insights
      Global Property Advisor Global Investment Opportunities

      Our Customer Service team is here to assist with any questions or concerns CustomerService@LiveandInvestOverseas.com

    • My Library
    Live and Invest Overseas
    • 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.






        We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

        Buying Real Estate For Cashflow

        • Discover tips and strategies used by global property investing veterans

        Explore Our Latest Posts

        • Learn how to invest and purchase property abroad…

        Go To The Overseas Property Alert Site

        • How To Become Independently Wealthy And Fund The Lifestyle Of Your Dreams
      • Conferences

        Upcoming Events

        • Explore Our Events Site

        Live and Invest In Spain Conference

        Offshore Wealth Summit

        Greece Workshop

        VALENCIA, SPAIN

        Sep. 17-19, 2025

        PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

        Oct. 15-17, 2025

        VIRTUAL

        Nov. 13, 2025

        LEARN MORE
        DISCOUNT
        LEARN MORE
        PRE-REGISTER
        LEARN MORE
        PRE-REGISTER
        • 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

        Unlock The World

        • Access Your Library

        Overseas Havens Reports

        • Expats' comprehensive destination guides

        Conference Kits

        • Hours of coverage  from our latests conferences

        Lahardan Books

        • Titles on living and investing around the world
        • Explore Our Store
        Your passport to a life well-lived abroad

        Services

        overseas living letter offers affordable retirement guidance
        The Simon Letter Wealth Protection Insights
        Global Property Advisor Global Investment Opportunities

        Our Customer Service team is here to assist with any questions or concerns CustomerService@LiveandInvestOverseas.com

      • My Library
      Live and Invest Overseas
       Moving Out Of The U.S?

      THE 10 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE IN 2025

      the 10 best places to retire in 2025

      PLUS: A SPECIAL BONUS DESTINATION

      Simply sign up to receive the FREE daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we’ll immediately email you our editors’ latest research report… absolutely FREE






        We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

        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.

        Start Your New Life Overseas Today!
        Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we'll send you a FREE report on the 10 Best Places To Retire In 2025.
        We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
        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'
        Share83Tweet52
        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.

        Start Your New Life Overseas Today!
        Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we'll send you a FREE report on The 10 Best Places To Retire In 2025.

        We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
        Our Expertise Unlocks The World

        quick links

        • Best Places To Live
        • Best Places To Retire
        • Finding A Job Overseas
        • Real Estate

        LIOS Resources

        • New To LIOS
        • Ask An Expert
        • Media Center
        • Contact Us
        • FAQs
        the 10 best places to retire in 2025
        Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and get your FREE REPORT: The 10 Best Places To Retire Overseas In 2025






          We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

          As seen in

          US Media Logos

          © 2008 – Live and Invest Overseas™ – All Rights Reserved.

          About Us / Contact Us / Privacy Policy / Terms / Unsubscribe
          Facebook-f X-twitter Youtube Linkedin-in Instagram

          Welcome Back!

          Login to your account below

          Forgotten Password?

          Retrieve your password

          Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

          Log In
          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
          • Offshore & Diversification

          Making Money

          • International Real Estate
          • Banking
          • Employment
          • Investing
          Meet Our Experts

          Real Estate

          Overseas Property Alert 

           

          How To Become Independently Wealthy And Fund The Lifestyle Of Your Dreams

          VISIT SITE

          Buying Real Estate For Cashflow

           

          Discover tips and strategies used by global property investing veterans

          READ MORE

          Explore Our Latest Posts

           

          Learn how to invest and purchase property abroad…

          EXPLORE

          Conferences

          Live and Invest In Spain Conference

          VALENCIA, SPAIN Sep. 17-19, 2025
          LEARN MORE
          DISCOUNT

          Offshore Wealth Summit

          PANAMA CITY, PANAMA Oct. 15-17, 2025
          LEARN MORE
          PRE-REGISTER

          GREECE WORKSHOP

          VIRTUAL Nov. 13, 2025
          LEARN MORE
          PRE-REGISTER
          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

          Overseas Havens Reports

          • Expats' comprehensive destination guides

          Conference Kits

          • Hours of coverage  from our latests conferences

          Lahardan Books

          • Titles on living and investing around the world

          Services

          • Overseas Living Letter: Affordable Retirement Guidance
          • The Simon Letter: Wealth Protection Insights
          • Global Property Advisor: Global Investment Opportunitites
          VISIT OUR STORE

          Free Report

          THE 10 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE IN 2025

          FREE REPORT: The 10 Best Places To retire in 2025

          Sign up to receive the FREE daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter and we’ll immediately email you our editors’ latest research report…






            We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

            LIBRARY

            Follow Us:

            © 2008 - Live and Invest Overseas - All Rights Reserved.

            RETIRE OVERSEAS AND LIVE LIKE ROYALTY

            Sign up for FREE to learn how. Plus, check out our FREE report on THE 10 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE


            We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

            RETIRE OVERSEAS AND LIVE LIKE ROYALTY

            Sign up for FREE and learn how to live the good life on a modest budget, find bargain property, and more. Plus, check out our free report on the 10 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE.

            We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.