On a quest to find the world-class Panamanian cocoa I'd heard so much about, I took a leisurely drive to the small mountain town of El Cacao in the Panama Oeste province. But the town was dry. An old man at a small market limped over to the counter and handed me the can of soda I bought. He smiled when I asked in remedial Spanish, where is the cocoa? Even with our language barrier, he understood the irony.
Come down for a visit and talk to some expats who've been here a while, and you'll hear a lot of anecdotes about Panamanian people. Great stories about how friendly, helpful, fun-loving, or welcoming they are. These are things you'll learn through your own interactions, too.
All of Panama is eager to get back to "regular business" as soon as possible... Some economic areas, however, have not been slowed by the virus situation—thereby shoring up Panama's overall economy.
Currently, this is more of a buyer's than a seller's market. If you're test-driving life in Panama, I recommend renting before you buy. Countless expats have moved to the beach, only to find that they prefer a mountain community in another part of the country—and vice-versa.
Panama has a long history of welcoming immigrants to its shores. Not long after the first conquistadors arrived in 1501, it became apparent that Panama was the narrowest point between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The isthmus quickly became part of an infamous trade route that transported precious metals from Peru to Europe.
Hello from a Panama in the midst of "cuarentena absoluta"—our highest level of quarantine here. Wherever in the world you are, I hope you're healthy and keeping your spirits up.
Most expats-to-be worry about how they'll fill their days. They get a little nervous when they think about leaving behind jobs and co-workers…the family circle…a long-established network of friends. It's only natural to have concerns.
So, what do you do with your days while you are living your retirement dream? How do you remain active? How do you stay engaged with your new community? One answer is to volunteer.
Here in Panama we've been easing into our "dry" or summer season. Though we really do get sunny weather all year, January through March are particularly glorious on the Pacific Coast and in the mountains. It's a wonderful time to explore the great outdoors in Panama, whether you're living here or just down for a visit.
Summer weather in Panama occurs during the months of December through mid-May. During this season, days are sunny, with only a few clouds, and rain is rare. These months coincide with winter in North America. So, the population of Boquete and other areas in Chiriquí swells as tourists and snowbirds visit to get away from the cold.