Wherever we live, whatever lifestyle we choose, our lives typically fall into a rhythm. Here in David, Panama, where I live, the weather is a major factor in the rhythm of daily life, and the things we do depend on whether it's summer or winter. Winter in Panama? Yup, that's what we call it, el invierno in Spanish.
In much of Panama, sultry tropical days average 88F...but there are places where you can experience more temperate weather. Think mild and breezy—up to 10 degrees cooler (or more, when the sun's not out). Places where rain will be your biggest concern...where there's no hail, or snow, or hurricanes either. The most popular is the mountain town of Boquete, located in the Province of Chiriquí.
"You're starting a business where?" That's the question you'll get, over and over, when you tell your friends you've decided to pack your bags and move to Panama. They'll likely know that Panama is famous for its canal. But they may also think of Panama as a Central American "Banana Republic." Nothing could be further than the truth, of course. Thanks to the Panama Canal, this has long been a destination for international business. So Panama has always focused more on its business infrastructure than on luring vacationers.
My friend Ben lives in Panama City and wouldn't live anywhere else. He thrives on the metropolitan vibe, the non-stop activity and being in a major commercial and business center. If you love city life, Panama's capital has it all, with skyscrapers, huge shopping malls, live theater and music, and cuisine from all over the world. On a much smaller scale, the city of David, where I live, has the commercial and cultural advantages of a city, but in the countryside of western Panama.
As I sit here sweating in the middle of January it's hard to imagine that it's cold somewhere. Our friends back in the U.S. are still working, yet I'm only 53 years old and happily retired now for two years. The past two and a half years have gone by quickly as we've settled into our new life in Panama.
I have discovered my favorite way to view a property for sale. First, you get an hour-long massage costing just $45. Then you eat your fill of fresh-off-the-boat tuna for just $8. And finally, you take a five-minute walk through the streets of Pedasi, Panama and take a look at this house on the left. For sale for $80,000, it's a two-bedroom, 743-square-foot home currently renting for $600 a month unfurnished.
It's easy to see why Penny Barrett was so enamored with Boquete when she visited in 2003. Located in the highlands of Panama, near the border of Costa Rica, this town is a shock of color and natural growth: rich green mountains and valleys, bougainvillea and other flowers growing wild, and plantations and farms growing everything from coffee to bananas and pineapples.
Subscriber Login - Not A Member Yet? Click Here Email Address Password Remember Me Forgot Your Password?
Assorted bruises adorned my legs, exhaustion blanketed my body, and my arms were so sore that I questioned whether they could lift my evening mojito and fresh-from-the-ocean tuna sashimi to my lips. Yet, despite these discomforts, I was sporting an enormous grin that just wouldn’t go away. How did I end up in pain and sipping cocktails with a goofy smile plastered across my face?
People come to live in Panama for lots of reasons. It’s one of the world’s best destinations for retirees, and if you’re keen on running your own business, it’s got much to offer. But if your dream is to establish a winery, then most folks will tell you to look elsewhere. David Feinstein and Kersti Landeck are not most folks.