Thinking of moving to Panama?

This clear, well-documented guide compares the main expat communities  climate, cost of living, healthcare, social life and who each place suits best.

1) Panama City , the international hub

What you’ll find: skyscrapers, international banks, private hospitals, international schools, busy restaurants and nightlife. Neighborhoods like Casco Viejo, El Cangrejo, Costa del Este and Punta Pacifica each have very different vibes — Casco is historic and nightlife-heavy, El Cangrejo is bohemian and central, Costa del Este is modern and family-friendly. If you need fast access to specialist healthcare, international banking, coworking spaces or a big international community, the city is the obvious choice.

Best for: professionals, families with school needs, people who want a cosmopolitan social life and reliable services.

2) Boquete , mountain calm & an active retiree scene

What you’ll find: a cooler climate in the highlands, hiking, coffee farms, a robust English-speaking expat network and many retiree-oriented services. Boquete is repeatedly recommended for retirees because of its pleasant weather, outdoor lifestyle and active community groups (hiking clubs, social meetups). Healthcare is accessible in nearby David and private clinics are available. 

Best for: retirees, nature lovers, people who prefer a small-town, active outdoor lifestyle.

Tradeoffs: fewer big-city services, some specialists may require travel to David or Panama City.

Tradeoffs: higher rents in premium neighborhoods, more traffic and faster pace than provincial towns.

3) Coronado , beach living with island comforts and conveniences

What you’ll find: Coronado is one of the most developed Pacific beach towns with supermarkets, gated communities, golf options and a growing expat population  plus it’s roughly an hour from Panama City by car, making it a good balance between beach life and city access. Many expats choose Coronado for its community life and relative affordability compared with Panama City coastal luxury. 

Best for: beach lovers who still want convenience (shops, medical centers nearby) and a friendly expat social scene.

Tradeoffs: hot, drier micro-climate; during high season it’s touristy.

4) Pedasí & Playa Venao ,surf, yoga and slow rhythms

What you’ll find: Pedasí is a small, welcoming town with a growing expat population and easy access to beaches. Playa Venao (about 30 minutes away) is the surf/boho magnet  yoga classes, surf camps and a younger, more transient crowd. These places are ideal if you want small-town life, beach culture and lots of outdoor activities. 

Best for: surfers, remote workers who don’t need daily big-city services, people seeking a tight community.

Tradeoffs: limited healthcare options locally; slower bureaucracy and fewer shopping choices.

5) Bocas del Toro , island life and eco-community

What you’ll find: a multi-island archipelago, heavy on tourism, with a strong water-sports culture (snorkel, paddle, boating).

Expats here are often involved in tourism, conservation, and community projects.

Expect a very relaxed pace and strong community networks, but also higher living costs for some goods due to transport. 

Best for: eco-minded expats, dive/surf enthusiasts, people who want an island lifestyle.

Tradeoffs: infrastructure can be limited compared to the mainland; ferry/flight access is necessary

Healthcare, cost of living & visas — the essentials

Healthcare: Panama offers high-quality private healthcare at prices often lower than in the U.S.; most expats use private insurance for comprehensive coverage.

Routine visits and meds are relatively affordable, but major procedures may still be costly without insurance. 

Cost of living: varies widely  Panama City and Costa del Este are most expensive; mountain towns and rural beach towns are usually cheaper. Expect to budget more for imported goods and private schooling. 

Which community is best for location vs social life?

Best location + services: Panama City (Costa del Este / Punta Pacifica)  closest to hospitals, banks, schools and international flights. 

Best social life / nightlife: Casco Viejo & El Cangrejo (Panama City)  restaurants, bars, cultural events. 

Best community / friendliness: Pedasí and Coronado small-town friendliness and active expat meetups.

Best for outdoors & health: Boquete  hiking, fresh air, a health-oriented expat scene.

Practical tips for choosing :

1 Prioritize healthcare & schools if you have medical needs or children.

2 Visit first — spend 2–4 weeks living like a local in the neighborhood you’re considering. (Short stays reveal weather, noise, commute, shops.)

3 Join local Facebook groups (e.g., “Expats in Panama”, neighborhood groups, live like a local in Panama on facebook ) to ask direct questions and see real experiences.

4 Consider seasons: Pacific coast has “dry” and “green” seasons; highlands are cooler year-round.

5 Budget for flights if you’ll travel often — island and remote towns require extra transport planning. 

Please feel free to contact me for more details and help in your new adventure Anne Marie Bergeron E-mail: [email protected] , whatsApp; 507 6570-3302