Panama has some of the best expat beach towns anywhere in the world. Whatever you want, you can find it in Panama. From well-developed luxury living, to quiet and secluded, it’s all here. There are prices and lifestyles to suit everyone. Whether your goal is retiring in Panama, or moving here as a snowbird there is something for you.
When people think of relocating to the tropics, being close to the sea is usually pretty high on the agenda. The warm waters are perfect for swimming, sailing, surfing and fishing. The beaches are ideal for relaxing, either enjoying the shade of a palm tree or working basking in the sun.
Not so long ago Panama was something of a new frontier. Today, you can arrive at just about any seaside town and find a few expats. In some places, the expat community is large and well established.
So if you are looking for an expat beach town in Panama where you can find some fellow expats to help you integrate, and share some beers with. Read on.
Most Popular Expat Beach Town In Panama: Coronado
Close to Panama City, Coronado is the most popular beach town in the country. There is a big expat presence here, visit the bars and restaurants and you are just as likely to hear English being spoken as Spanish.
Coronado has built up an impressive infrastructure. There is a modern hospital, big supermarkets and a range of other stores from DIY to arts and crafts. At night, there are lots of bars including a few popular expat haunts. Quiz nights and live music provide a great opportunity for socializing.
Coronado has a big golf club, be sure to arrive early for your game of golf. As a result of the heat and humidity, playing in the midday sun of Panama is hard work.
The beaches in Coronado are distinctive. Part yellow sand, and part black sand. The black sand is volcanic sand from nearby (and dormant) Volcan. This black sand retains the heat of the sun amazingly well and seems to heat up the shallow water just a little bit higher than elsewhere on this coast.
The Tourist Favorite: Bocas Del Toro
Bocas Del Toro is Panama’s number one Caribbean beach town. The beaches are white sand, and the clear, green Caribbean waters are beautifully warm year-round. There is a big expat community who live here as well as a constant stream of tourist.
Most people come to Bocas for a relaxing life. It’s easy to find a secluded property, nestled away in the jungle and close to the sea. Bocas Del Toro town is lively and a bit of a party town. Most expats go there for nights out and for shopping but choose not to live there.
Infrastructure in Bocas is fine but not great. You can find the basics for everyday life, but there are limited options for restaurants and imported bars. If you want to live in Bocas, it will be to enjoy the outdoors.
The countryside is great for exploring on boat or on foot. The amount of wildlife is amazing. From turtles, dolphins and tropical fish, to owls, eagles and pelicans. The jungles are home to sloths, monkeys and lots of iguanas. Also, if you have green fingers, you will love how easy it is to grow tropical fruit in Bocas.
