Retire in Panama & Bocas del Toro

Panama is a country with much to offer a variety of different people in many ways.  A current trend that has developed in recent years is people choosing to retire in Panama.  To retire in Panama is actually a relatively simple process.  Panama has a lot going within its borders.

In terms of committing to retire in Panama, people often doubt how realistic of a process moving to Panama is.  There are often concerns regarding the safety and security of the area.  In all actuality, Panama is quite safe, in addition to being very secure in terms of governmental affairs, and its image with the international community.  Panama, in being a neutral democratic republic, has no real enemies.  Panama, similar to Costa Rica in this regard, has no standing army, and has managed to remain in good standing with the rest of the world. 

There are many different areas to choose from in Panama in terms of places to retire, visit, or invest in.  The Pacific has a host of different cities that satisfy many foreigners who want to retire in Panama each year.  Other cities that have a large availability for investment or life abroad on the Pacific are cities like Panama City, the nation’s capital and largest city. 

On the Panama Caribbean, Bocas del Toro would have to take the proverbial cake for being one of the hot spots for investment, tourism, and as a place to retire in Panama.  Bocas is located directly across the Costa Rican border.  Bocas is an area entrenched with opportunities for many different people.  Some of the main happenings in Bocas include fishing, nature viewing, diving, sailing, surfing, and much more. 

Other attractions that Bocas boasts include tours in the Panama rainforest. There are two beach areas in Bocas; Bocas del Drago and Bluff Beach.  Bluff beach in Bocas is one of the most famous surfing locales that Panama has to offer.  The adventurous retirees that can’t lay off of good surf most definitely would consider bluff beach and Bocas in general a must see. 

Bocas, with its Caribbean location, retains a different cultural twist than other parts of Panama.  Those wishing to retire in Panama often choose Bocas because of the Afro-Caribbean influence that the area proudly emits.  Other areas on the Caribbean have similar flair, but Bocas has some unique characteristics that set it apart from the others.  Its proximity to Costa Rica makes Bocas a cultural melting pot where Ticos and Panamanians coalesce in an attempt to trade, and make revenue through tourism and foreign dollars. 

Whether you prefer a big or small city on the Pacific or the Caribbean side of Panama, there is a lot to see, and much to learn in Panama.  Caribbean cities like Bocas, as well as the larger cities like Panama City, each in their own way, offer unique qualities for those visiting, working, and those who choose these cities to retire in Panama.