Panama is a beach and island lover’s paradise, with its two long coastlines and more than a thousand islands. Where else on earth can you surf in the Pacific Ocean in the morning and take an evening dip in the Caribbean Sea, all in the same day?
We’ve scoured the best beaches Panama has to offer. Here are our top 12, in no particular order. Since each beach has its own charm and unique characteristics, it would be almost impossible not to be able to find the tropical beach atmosphere you seek somewhere along the coast of Panama.
Ceclia Beth
1. Santa Clara & Farallón, Pacific Coast: These two are the most appealing beaches along the Pacific Coast, and the best for swimming. Best of all, they lie within a 2-hour drive of Panama City. Here the water is bluer and the sand is whiter than what you’ll find in many neighboring beaches closer to the city.
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2. Isla Bastimentos National Park, Bocas del Toro: Cayos Zapatillas, or the “Slippers Islands” (so-called because they resemble footprints), not only fulfill the beach lover’s fantasy with their soft sand backed by a tangle of jungle. They are also surrounded by a rich display of coral that attracts hordes of fish, which makes for some excellent snorkeling.
VivaTropical
3. Boca Chica, Chiriquí: We are a bit partial to Boca Chica, which offers pristine ocean views of tropical blue seas, lush vegetation, and remote islands with white sand beaches and swaying palms. Not to mention, this area also offers world-class fishing, diving, and snorkeling.
Michael McKenzie
4. Santa Catalina, Veraguas: Originally a highly coveted secret surf spot, Santa Catalina probably has the most consistently great waves in Panama. It is the closest access point to Isla Coiba with its world class diving, pristine beaches, and nature reserve.
César Duarte
5. Contadora Isand, Panama: The beaches here are sandy brown, with warm waters suited for snorkeling and swimming. Contadora Island is one of Panama’s more affordable beach destinations.
Haakon S.Krohn
6. San Blas Islands, Guna Yala: This is by far Panama’s premier beach destination with with powdery white sand, extensive coral reefs, piercing turquoise water, and clusters of enticing palm trees. The indigenous and colorful Kuna population administers this province, and their unique culture is one of the best reasons to visit the region.
Gaspar Serrano
7. Las Perlas Archipelago, Panama: The Pearl Islands are a relatively unsung beach destination, despite the fact that this Pacific archipelago is close to Panama City, has some of the country’s best snorkeling, and boasts white sand beaches and calm waters. Outside of holidays and the hard-core summer, you won’t find crowds here, even during weekends. It’s well worth a short boat ride to enjoy solitude at one of Panama’s best beaches.
Chuck Holton
8. Isla Coiba National Park, Veraguas: This island is Panama’s number one diving site. It’s rather remote, but its incredible beaches and the Isla Coiba National Park make it worth the excursion. If the main island is too crowded, try venturing to Granito de Oro where the beaches are so idyllic that midsize cruise ships make stops here.
Andy B.
9. Las Lajas, Chiriquí: One of the lesser known beaches in Panama, Las Lajas is worth a visit, with its swaying palm trees and perfect water temperature. This beach is known for having just the right amount of waves for bodysurfing. Given that the beach stretches for more than 8 miles, it is also the perfect walking beach as well.
Manuele Zunelli
10. La Barqueta, Chiriquí: Strong currents at this black sand beach mean the water is not ideal for swimming. However, like Las Lajas, it is lengthy and good for walking. It’s also home to an impressive nature reserve.
Roman Königshofer
11. Playa Los Destiladores & Playa Venao, Azuero Peninsula: There are a multitude of beaches lining the coast of this peninsula, but these two are the best. Located within a 20-minute drive from one another, you can surf both in one day. Not into surfing? Try the protected cove at Playa Venao, where it is calm enough for a swim, or travel a bit farther east for the best beach surfing hotspot.
Emerging Terrains
12. Burica, Chiriquí: Looking for an underpopulated stretch of some of Panama’s best beaches? Burica, apart from a few small towns and one accommodation, is absolutely desolate. So what is its attraction? Lots and lots of isolated beaches, rows of palm trees, and at times surfable waves. The beach is formed with gray sand and striated rocks that stretch all the way out into the sea.
Which of these Panama beaches is your favorite? Are there any others you think we should have included? Comment and let us know!
Finding good medical care in a new country is an area of concern for many potential expats. Fortunately, thanks to the quality Panama health care system, those considering this tropical destination won’t need to lose any sleep over that issue.
With state-of-the-art facilities–including one partnered with the prestigious Johns Hopkins Hospital–and English-speaking, U.S.-trained doctors, it’s no wonder many expats claim the health care in Panama is one of the biggest perks of living here.
However, like anything else, the Panama health care system is only as good as you make it. So, here are a few tips from seasoned expats on how to really get the most from the health care in Panama.
World Bank Photo Collection
1. Evaluate your need for health insurance.
There are a number of options for those seeking health insurance in Panama. They’re also pleasantly more affordable than the plans available to most North Americans, Obamacare notwithstanding.
Within Panama, there are HMO plans that reimburse services from in-network providers. There are also international plans that will cover you outside the country’s borders.
A few U.S. plans are even accepted in Panama, but that’s something you need to carefully look into BEFORE you find yourself needing treatment. Also know that Medicare does NOT cover medical costs outside the U.S. (including repatriation of remains), although Hospital Nacional in Panama City does provide services for active and retired members of the U.S. military (through TRICARE).
Many private hospitals have membership programs that offer sizeable discounts on medical procedures performed at that facility. Since Panama health care is already affordable (often ¼ to ½ the cost for the same services in the U.S.) some expats choose this option and then self-insure their medical expenses.
2. Understand the Panama health care system.
You may have heard that Panama health care is affordable or even “free,” and that’s true to an extent. However, that doesn’t mean that all facilities and providers are created equal. Here’s an explanation of the three types of clinics you’ll find in Panama and what you can expect from each.
National Health Care Clinics – These clinics, run by the Ministry of Health, are easily recognizable by the signs bearing the word “salud” and a green and yellow Staff of Asclepius (the rod entwined with a serpent, an icon of the field of medicine).
While they’re designed to treat Panama’s poorest citizens, often in remote areas, they provide care to anyone. Charges are as low as 50 cents for a doctor visit, but the quality of care is often equally low and inefficient.
Social Security Clinics – Most of Panama’s working class pays into the country’s social security system, or Caja de Seguro Social (CSS). As such, they have access to health services, emergency care, and maternity care at public clinics.
While these facilities are often plagued by understaffing, and overcrowding, there are also many that provide excellent care and specialized attention. Your best bet is to learn what’s available in your area so you’ll be prepared with the knowledge of where to go when the need for medical treatment arises.
Private Hospitals and Clinics – While Panama’s private hospitals are very modern and well-equipped, they’re also few and far between, with most being concentrated in the nation’s capital. However, new private clinics are popping up often, particularly in areas popular among foreigners.
Private facilities are also considerably more expensive than the public clinics (although still significantly less than a U.S. hospital). As a result, they’re generally only used by wealthy Panamanians and expats.
It’s also important to note that doctors generally expect payment up front, even for emergencies, and insurance plans usually only work on a reimbursement basis.
Orbis
3. Look past the paint job.
Even the nicest Panama health care facilities don’t necessarily have the sleek, modern appearance you normally see in North American clinics. Paint may be peeling. Fabrics may be faded. The bathroom may not even have hot water, much like some Panamanian homes.
Don’t let those aesthetic differences affect how you feel about the quality of a clinic’s care. The fact that Panamanian hospitals aren’t competing to have the cushiest doctors’ offices or flat screen TVs in every room is one of the reasons they’re able to keep the cost of Panama health care low.
Instead of judging a book by its cover, ask for recommendations from other expats. Factors such as whether a facility treats your particular condition or whether the presiding doctor gives out her cell phone number easily are much more important than some tired-looking upholstery in the waiting room.
4. Take advantage of the low cost of Panama health care.
Because Panama health care is so affordable, yet also first-world quality, it’s becoming a hotspot for medical tourism. People from all over the globe come to Panama for procedures that are prohibitively expensive, including elective procedures like plastic surgery and cosmetic dentistry.
The increased interest in medical tourism has only helped improve the affordability and quality of Panama health care. As a result, many expats are also taking advantage of the low cost care.
Because so many people are traveling to the tropics to enjoy the affordable, quality Panama health care, there are even spas and resorts that cater to those recovering from medical procedures. So, while Panama has long been a great place to go for medical care, it’s becoming an increasingly fantastic place to recuperate.
Take a cue from the pros, and make sure you’re getting the most out of your Panama health care!
If you’re thinking about retiring in Costa Rica, then the business of buying Costa Rica real estate is likely a major topic of concern as you work through the planning stages. You may have questions about where you should buy, how much you can afford, and how some of the most popular areas compare price-wise.
And if you’ve already started searching for properties or trying to learn about the Costa Rica real estate market, then you’ve probably seen how difficult it is to find reliable information. There just isn’t a whole lot of real estate data out there to help potential expats retiring in Costa Rica.
Marc Ambros
That problem frustrated us too, since we have our sights set on several potential developments in Costa Rica. In fact, 10 of the 57 slots in our recent list of the top places to live and invest in the tropics are occupied by Costa Rica destinations.
So, since we think retiring in Costa Rica is such an incredible proposition, we decided to make it a little (OK, a LOT) easier to get the information you need to make an informed decision about Costa Rica real estate.
Our comprehensive Costa Rica Real Estate Report is an in-depth guide for evaluating and understanding the local market. It answers most of the questions you probably have about what to expect when buying a home in Costa Rica, including…
David White
What Can I Expect to Pay for a House in Costa Rica? A Condo? Land?
Once we had data on thousands of property listings in Costa Rica, we grouped them by property type to see how those prices fell based on the kind of dwelling they offered (or didn’t, in the case of vacant lots). Here you can see the median listing price for each type of property.
By median, we mean that each of these prices shown in the graph is the one in the middle of the entire range. So, if you like the idea of retiring in Costa Rica and living on your very own farm, just know that there are hundreds of ranches listed below $450,000 and hundreds listed for more. In many cases way more.
What’s the Cheapest Option for Retiring in Costa Rica at the Beach?
This is a question we get asked a lot. And it’s no surprise. Costa Rica’s beautiful beaches are one of the biggest perks of retiring in Costa Rica. Here are the median home prices for some of the areas that are most popular with expats and retirees.
Again, since these are median prices, think of them in more general than absolute terms. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to shell out $750k to live in Playa Flamingo. But it does mean that you might expect to pay twice as much there as in, say, Matapalo or Playa Hermosa.
What Size Home Can I Afford to Buy in Costa Rica?
It’s one thing to compare prices between different destinations in Costa Rica, but that still doesn’t tell you exactly what you’re getting for your money. Does that $249,500 in Puerto Viejo buy you a 1 bedroom shack or a 3 bedroom family home?
We’ve drilled down into the price per bedroom for a number of cities in our full Costa Rica Real Estate Report, but here’s an example of the average breakdown for Dominical, Costa Rica.
There are a number of other factors that contribute to home prices, such as location and condition, but that’s a good example of how to estimate what you’ll spend based on the size of the home you desire.
How Much Does Land Cost in Costa Rica?
If your idea of retiring in Costa Rica involves some very distinct specifications and you won’t settle for anything less, then buying a lot to build your dream home is a great alternative to purchasing an outdated home that doesn’t check all your boxes.
You can see here that it’s entirely possible to score a parcel of land in one of Costa Rica’s most desirable beach communities for well under $100k per acre.
The availability of affordable land, combined with material and labor costs that are lower than ever, makes the possibility of building your own tropical paradise a very real option. You can likely even do so for less than the cost of buying an existing home.
Where Do I Start My Search for Costa Rica Real Estate?
You may have your mind made up on retiring in Costa Rica, but there are still plenty of decisions to make before your dream can become a reality. Check out our Top 57 Places to Live and Invest in the Tropics eBook for more information about some of the top cities in Costa Rica.
Once you’ve homed in on a particular city or region, check out some of the current listings on our Costa Rica real estate page. You can also download our entire Costa Rica Real Estate Report to aid you in your search and help you objectively evaluate the properties you’re considering.
What are you waiting for? Start your search today!
When planning a scouting trip to determine if a tropical destination is right for your family, it’s pretty important to check out what there is to eat in the area. And I don’t just mean the fancy places where you might eat if you were on vacation.
In order to get the full experience of life in Nosara, Costa Rica, you need to try out some of the top local restaurants. Sure some are upscale and maybe even a little pricey. But there are also some really great Mom and Pop type joints (known to the locals as “sodas”) that serve up great local fare at a fraction of the cost.
Here, in no particular order, are a few of the places we recommend.
Beach Dog Café
Located along the road near the Harbor Reef, the Beach Dog Cafe looks like any other beachy hangout. But one look at the menu will reveal that there’s much more to it than that.
Chef Mike Streda got tired of working in other people’s restaurants, where he wasn’t allowed to make changes or suggestions, so he decided to open his own place. And, since he also loves to surf and he couldn’t do a lot of that in his native Canada, that place was in Nosara, Costa Rica.
He describes his approach as “fresh, healthy, simple, all the flavors on the palate.” Even though those last two almost seem to contradict one another, they marry beautifully in dishes like coconut buffalo wings, Cajun crusted fresh catch, and chili lime mango fajitas. He also serves a concoction called Picklemole, which is guacamole made with…you guessed it…pickles.
There’s live music a few nights a week and a creative cocktail menu that includes what’s labeled as the best mojito in town. It’s open all day every day, except Sunday when it closes at 3:30, and menu items run anywhere from $6 to $16.
La Luna
One of the most amazing things about this restaurant is its location. Situated right in front of Playa Pelada, it’s one of the few restaurants in Nosara that’s actually directly on the beach. The other amazing thing is that it serves arguably the best food in town.
Even though it’s on the beach, the feel is very private. The vibe is very laid-back and comfortable. And the cuisine is influenced by owner Angelina’s Greek and British heritage.
The menu at La Luna is extensive and varied, with everything from grilled Mediterranean kebabs, falafel and hummus platters, brick-fired pizzas, and a full English breakfast. One star is a gigantic antipasto platter (as big as an extra-large pizza) for $30 that includes an assortment of Greek olives, marinated vegetables, cheeses, tzatziki, salami, spreads, homemade bread, and more.
Prices range from $8 to $30.
Rosi’s Soda Tica
One of the best values in Nosara, Rosi’s Soda Tica also serves up some of the town’s best authentic local cuisine. While not the most variety you’ll find on a menu, the quality of the food is excellent and consistent, as is the service of the friendly waitstaff.
For breakfast you’ll find omelettes full of fresh veggies, huevos rancheros, and the signature banana pancakes. A lunch favorite is the casado, a meal containing rice, black beans, plantains, salad, and your choice of meat. Each evening there’s a “fish special” that’s well-seasoned and cooked to perfection.
There are two locations, one in the middle of town, and one on the south end of town near the super grocery store. That one is also next to a liquor store. So if you want a beer with dinner, they’ll let you walk over and get one to bring back and enjoy.
Burgers and Beers
Speaking of beer, local entrepreneur Victor Garita is a Tico who noticed something interesting about all the North American visitors who had begun frequenting his little Costa Rican town. They loved to eat hamburgers. And they loved to drink beer with them.
The problem was that there just weren’t many places to get a burger in town. So the most aptly named restaurant in Nosara, Burgers and Beers, was born. The menu is as simple as the concept, but the flavors are about as complex as they come.
There are six burgers on the menu: The Classic, the French, the Fish, the Blue Cheese, the Barbeque Mushroom, and the Vegetarian. Each was inspired by a famous dish (e.g. the French is chateaubriand), based on Victor’s correct assumption that “if it tastes good on a plate, it will taste good as a hamburger.” With the right quality ingredients, that is.
He seeks the same quality in the craft beers he serves, usually offering double digit options on tap and as many as a dozen or more in bottles. And they run the gamut in terms of variety.
Tibidabo
Tibidabo is another product of the observation of one individual (in this case a Spanish foodie) that resulted in the development of a niche restaurant that has thrived in Nosara, Costa Rica. Luis Velasco moved to Costa Rica in 2008 after his corporate job suffered from the global economic crisis. He met a Tica named Laura and, noticing that there were no Spanish restaurants in Nosara, opened Tibidabo.
There’s an interesting story behind the name. Tibidabo is a mountain that overlooks Barcelona, Velasco’s hometown. His mother always told him that if ever got lost, he could always walk towards Tibidabo to find his way home. It seemed like a fitting name, the landmark that for Velasco always represented “home.”
The restaurant itself is an elegant tapas place that’s not only one of the most delicious, but also one of the most elegant in town, with its upscale decor and immaculate gardens. And the menu is nothing short of extraordinary. It contains 37 tapas consisting of everything from tuna tartare to strawberries to anchovies to sauteed shrimp. And then there’s the favorite — paella, which has to be ordered in advance.
El Chivo Cantina
If you’re looking for something a little bit more familiar, up to and including U.S. football on the TVs, then look no further than El Chivo Cantina, which is Spanish for “The Goat.” A fusion of Costa Rican, Mexican, and American food, it offers dishes you’re used to with a bit of a local flair.
There’s everything from burritos to chicken wings, served up in a laid-back atmosphere with plenty of activity. It’s a great place to watch sports, let the kids run around, or even watch a Disney movie with the family.
Come on Taco Tuesday for a lively experience. Wash it down with a margarita or a shot of one of the many tequilas or mezcals on the cocktail menu. The listed menu prices range from $6 to $20.
Il Basilico
Looking for a little Italian cuisine in the Latin Tropics? Check out Il Basilico, which is Italian for basil, a favorite herb of proprietors Alexander Cabalceta and Jens Castrillo. This hotspot is popular among locals and tourists alike, and often features live musicians. There’s a pizza party every Saturday night where all pies are $10.
Rather than specializing in a few signature dishes, Il Basilico serves up a wide variety of pizzas, pastas, salads, and seafood dishes. When one tasty pasta dish with bacon, mushrooms, and truffle oil wasn’t selling well, they changed the name to Penne Surfo. Now it’s one of the more frequently ordered items on the menu.
Like most restaurants in Nosara, Il Basilico caters to the health conscious. There are plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options on their extensive menu.
Le Bistrot
There isn’t much to say about the menu at Le Bistrot. Mainly because, well, there’s no menu. Instead a simple blackboard displays the specials of the day, which changes based on whatever’s freshest and in season.
While the star ingredients often vary, the techniques are tried and true. Owners Fabien Piguet and Alex Juvet, both from the French part of Switzerland, specialize in Mediterranean and French-style food. They serve up sauces loaded with lots of wine, sweet cream, butter, olive oil, and fresh olives. And since Juvet’s wife is from Peru, there are often Peruvian-inspired dishes.
Whatever it is you crave, there’s a good chance you can find it in Nosara, Costa Rica. The long-standing expat presence has done much to benefit the town, as the growing community continued to demand more and varied nuances of flavor. The result is a culinary explosion that’s taken place in recent years.
Come and taste it for yourself!
When we ask other expats what was their biggest motivating factor for leaving the U.S., the answer is almost always the same. Freedom.
Many feel that life in the U.S. isn’t as unhindered as it once was. That there are too many restrictions, too much oversight…and don’t even get them started on the taxes.
Given those ever-tightening constraints, it’s easy to see how many U.S. citizens would finally throw up their hands and say “Enough is enough!” Many do so peaceably by moving to the Latin tropics.
The rest? Well, I’ll get to them in a minute.
Moyan Brenn
The unencumbered expat life.
Any given day in the U.S. might find you working in a cubicle a few feet away from your boss, having income tax (and other compulsory fees) automatically deducted from your paycheck, avoiding speed traps on your commute, and opening a letter from your homeowners’ association telling you to move your garbage can.
Not so in the tropics.
Down here things are different. You want to paint your house purple? Paint it purple. Hell, paint it with rainbow stripes. Nobody cares. What’s that? You want to drive without a seatbelt? While pulling an unregistered boat? With 14 people riding in it? Knock yourself out.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that there aren’t laws against some of these things in Latin American countries (or that some of them aren’t dangerous). It’s just that they’re often more like suggestions than actual mandates, usually because the government doesn’t have enough funds to enforce them.
Don’t try this at home.
Don’t take this to mean that you have to move to Latin America if you want to be able to live your life however you want to, not subject to anyone else’s rules. You totally can.
But there’s an unfortunate thing that happens when you tell a government official that the laws don’t apply to you.
Your name goes on the FBI’s list of top domestic terror threats. I’m not kidding.
You may think that sounds absurd. That your mere opposition to paying taxes or obeying traffic laws might make the government consider you a threat to public safety. But it’s true.
For many North Americans, what began as a mild case of “Just leave me the heck alone” has morphed into full-blown bout of “I am above the law.”
Moyan Brenn
What the 14th Amendment doesn’t say.
The sovereign citizen movement stems from the teachings of William P. Gale, who attempted to establish a distinction between U.S. citizens and the “original citizens of the states.” His claim (loosely derived from the 14th Amendment) is that, by not accepting any benefits from the federal government, U.S. residents are not contractually obligated to it.
“Sovereign citizens” (which, ironically, is an oxymoron) therefore claim to have a common law right to declare themselves as a nation unto themselves, not subject to the law of the land where they live, save perhaps their local county sheriff.
As a result, many voluntarily revoke their Social Security number, birth certificate, driver’s license, voter registration, etc. Some have even gone so far as to file a legal document (albeit invalid) with their local county clerk’s office, indicating they’ve renounced their citizenship.
It’s all fun and games until somebody breaks out the AK-47.
At the most basic level, sovereign citizens are people who believe the government has moved away from the fundamental principles it was built on and want to reassert those limits. Sounds harmless enough, right? Wrong.
For every garden variety sovereign citizen trying to get out of some parking tickets or a drug charge, there’s one causing some real trouble. Because, as it turns out, the same people who have little appreciation for the country’s laws have an equally low view of the people who interpret and enforce them (i.e. judges and law enforcement officers).
As a result, many so-called sovereign citizens have unfortunately resorted to violence. Some famous examples include Terry Nichols, one of the Oklahoma bombing conspirators; Joseph Kane, who shot and killed two police officers during a routine traffic stop; and Samuel Lynn Davis, who was charged with 31 counts of money laundering.
Many sovereigns who don’t resort to violence or crime employ another retribution tactic that’s referred to as “paper terrorism.” When they have an unfavorable run-in with the law, they simply file a lien against the personal assets of the political figure involved. They don’t benefit from the claim, but the judge or officer can have their credit destroyed.
Steve Maraspin
The sunnier alternative
If you too are a disgruntled U.S. citizen, learn what it really means to live a sovereign, boundless existence. Pledge your allegiance to your own ideals, and stop wasting time worrying about the things that don’t matter.
Experience the freedom of the Latin tropics! Where taxes are low and quality of life is high.
Foreign citizens are met with plenty of visa options, and no citizenship is required. Just make sure you haven’t surrendered your passport!