More towards the Caribbean coast of Veraguas, you find Santa Fe, an up-and-coming ecotourism destination in the highlands. It’s known for having cool weather and being similar in appeal to Boquete—but for a fraction of the price. This is a sweet and simple small town with a lazy river and a handful of shops and restaurants, all surrounded by dense jungle.
Regardless of where in Veraguas you settle, you can take advantage of Panama’s practical attractions as an expat haven. It’s one of the most tax-friendly countries in the world, with no local tax burden for retirees whose income is sourced from outside Panama. It uses the U.S. dollar as its currency, and it offers the gold standard of retirement visas, the Pensionado Visa, with special perks and benefits.
You’ll need to speak Spanish to live in Veraguas Province. You might encounter the odd local who speaks a smattering of English, but for most day-to-day things, you’ll need to take the initiative language-wise. Veraguas offers a real-deal authentic Panamanian experience, which means that Spanish is a must.
There’s a rural, small-town feel here. Locals are friendly and look out for one another. Climate wise, generally, you can expect warm weather and high humidity year-round.
When it comes to health care, public health care is affordable, but facilities and equipment are basic, and wait times are often long. Private clinics provide care for everyday ailments and offer faster access to care, plus better facilities and a higher probability of English-speaking doctors.
Costs of living in Veraguas Province vary wildly depending on the size of your house and your lifestyle. The most common type of rental you’ll find is small, Panamanian-style homes, which rent for $500 to $1,000 per month. You won’t find apartments or condos here.
To cool your home using air conditioning (something you’ll definitely want), you’ll pay anywhere from $200 to $450 per month, depending on the size of your home and how often you run it.
For internet, you’ll pay $55 per month for Starlink, which recently arrived in the province and provides super-fast and reliable connections.
Entertainment options are limited to local and expat-run restaurants and bars, which helps keep this expense low… there’s not a lot to spend money on entertainment-wise.
Groceries can be expensive, depending on where you shop. At open-air markets, you can buy bags of fresh produce for next to nothing. At Costco-style superstores that sell imported products, your grocery bill could easily be $1,000 per month.
In Veraguas, you’ll find some of life’s expenses to be much lower than they were back home and others to be much higher. You can adjust your lifestyle and spending habits to the budget that suits you best.
Sincerely,
Sophia Titley
Editor, Overseas Living Letter
