Side-by-side numbers for the things that matter most when picking where to retire: monthly cost, healthcare, climate, visa rules, safety, and the strength of the expat community.
| Metric | Boquete | Panama City |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost (single) | $1,800 | $2,000 |
| Monthly cost (couple) | $2,500 | $2,800 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $800 | $1,200 |
| Healthcare / month | $180 | $200 |
| Healthcare quality | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Safety | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Expat community | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Overall rating | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Climate | mountain | tropical |
| Avg temperature | 68°F | 81°F |
| Primary language | Spanish | Spanish |
| English proficiency | high | moderate |
| Visa min income | $1,000 | $1,000 |
Panama's mountain escape offers cooler temperatures, stunning nature, and a tight-knit expat community. Coffee culture and outdoor activities define the lifestyle here.
Pensionado Visa: $1,000/mo pension income minimum. Permanent residency. Famous 50% discounts on healthcare, travel, dining. Path to citizenship in 5 years.
Panama offers the famous Pensionado program with extensive discounts for retirees, US dollar currency, and Johns Hopkins-affiliated healthcare at a fraction of US costs.
Pensionado Visa: $1,000/mo pension income minimum. Permanent residency. Famous 50% discounts on healthcare, travel, dining. Path to citizenship in 5 years.
Cost is only half the story. Use the International Retirement Tax Estimator to see how Panama and Panama would tax your retirement income.