Where to live
Where to live in Panama
Expats in Panama mostly settle in nine regions. Panama City offers convenience and healthcare; the Pacific beaches around Coronado offer easy access to the city; Boquete and Volcán offer a cool mountain climate; the Azuero Peninsula offers authentic small-town life and surf; and Bocas del Toro offers Caribbean island living. The right choice depends mostly on climate, how close you want to be to a major hospital, and how much you want an established expat community.
The nine expat regions at a glance
| Region | Towns and areas | Climate | Suits people who want… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panama City | Casco Viejo, El Cangrejo, Costa del Este, Punta Pacifica, Clayton, Panama Pacifico | Hot and humid | Convenience, top hospitals, restaurants, an international airport |
| Pacific beaches | Coronado, Gorgona, San Carlos, Playa Blanca, Santa Clara, Farallon | Hot, one of the drier parts of the country | Beach life within reach of the city |
| Mountain towns near the city | El Valle de Antón, Altos del María | Cooler, green | Fresh air and quiet, a couple of hours from the city |
| Chiriquí highlands | Boquete, Volcán, Cerro Punta, Potrerillos | Spring-like, cool nights | Mild weather, gardens, a large established expat community |
| Chiriquí lowlands and coast | David, Boca Chica, Las Lajas, Puerto Armuelles | Hot | City services in David or a quiet Pacific coast |
| Azuero Peninsula | Pedasí, Los Destiladeros, Playa Venáo, Las Tablas, Chitré, Cambutal | Hot and relatively dry | Authentic Panamanian culture, surf, a slower pace |
| Veraguas coast | Santa Catalina, Torio, Mariato | Hot and humid | Remote, nature-first living, surfing and diving |
| Caribbean | Bocas del Toro, Portobelo | Hot, wetter | Island life and the water |
| Islands near the city | Taboga, Contadora | Hot | Island quiet with Panama City close by |
How to choose
- Climate first. If you dislike heat, start with Boquete, Volcán or El Valle.
- Healthcare distance. Map the drive to the nearest hospital you'd actually use.
- Community. Boquete, Coronado and Panama City have large expat communities; much of Azuero and Veraguas does not, and Spanish matters more there.
- Season. Visit in the rainy season (roughly May to November in most of the country) as well as the dry season.
Detailed guides to each region, written by people who live there, are on the way. Join the free checklist list to hear when they're published.
Common questions
Where do most expats live in Panama?
The largest expat communities are in Panama City, the Pacific beach towns around Coronado and the Chiriquí highlands around Boquete. Smaller communities live on the Azuero Peninsula, in Bocas del Toro and in El Valle de Antón.
Where is the coolest climate in Panama?
The Chiriquí highlands, including Boquete, Volcán and Cerro Punta, have spring-like days and cool nights. El Valle de Antón is also noticeably cooler than the coast.
What is the best beach town in Panama for expats?
Coronado is the most established, with easy access to Panama City. Pedasí and the Azuero coast suit people who want a quieter, more traditional town, and Bocas del Toro suits those who want Caribbean island life.
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