Claire E. Says:
Hi I am traveling with my son to Panama in March. Obviously, it would be prudent of me to check it out for retirement—what do you suggest I could do while there?
IL Panama Correspondent Jessica Ramesch Says:
Hi Claire,
It’s a great idea to take advantage of your time here to scout out retirement destinations…and Panama has a lot to offer. You haven’t mentioned where in Panama you and your son plan to visit, but if you’re staying in Panama City, it’ll be easy to rent a car and visit Coronado.
The Coronado Beach region is one of the world’s most attractive retirement destinations on the planet because it is sunny, convenient, and hurricane-free. That’s why I chose to move here in March (you can read the article I wrote about the move for IL magazine here). I have a beautiful ocean view and I’ve become part of a wonderful community.
If you’ll be in western Panama, you may want to check out Bocas del Toro or Chiriquí. The main island in the Bocas del Toro archipelago is Isla Colón, home to Bocas del Toro town, usually referred to simply as Bocas Town. If you’ve been dreaming of Caribbean islands (and you don’t mind slightly lesser infrastructure), this is a beautiful, affordable destination you’ll definitely want to check out.
If, however, you find Panama’s sea level temperatures a bit warm for your taste, you may want to head for the highlands in the province of Chiriquí. Towns like Boquete and Volcán have attracted many active expats with springlike climates and wonderful outdoor activities.
And hey, if you don’t have flights booked yet and could come a little earlier, you can still catch me and the rest of our Panama experts at the International Living Fast Track Panama Conference in Panama City February 10 to 12. It would be great to meet you in person at the start of your visit!
No matter where you go, have a fabulous time exploring this great little country.
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