THE BLUE MARLIN

Panama, or the República de Panamá, is a beautiful country of tropical rainforests, small towns and villages, sandy white beaches, and the most cosmopolitan international city in Central America.

In 2016, the country’s population was estimated at 3,990,000, ranking it 132 in population among the 233 nations of the world and the smallest population in Central America. There are a substantial number of expats in Panama and even more buying property in Panama.

Panama’s modern infrastructure, proximity to North America, beautiful scenery and mild climate all contribute to its popularity. Unlike many Latin American countries, getting around the country is quite easy thanks to the Pan-American Highway and 21 airports. New infrastructure is always being built and maintained. And, due to its southern location, hurricanes are not a concern.

Panama City is the largest in Panama, and is home to nearly half of the country’s population. It is the only capital city in the world that has rainforest habitat within the city limits. A short car ride can put you smack in the middle of one of the most bio-diverse rainforests in the hemisphere, where you will find many of the country’s 10,000 plant species and 976 species of bird.

An equally unique feature of the city is the Panama Canal, which stretches 50 miles from Panama City on the Pacific coast to Colón on the Atlantic side. The canal, which was returned to Panamanian ownership on December 31, 1999, generates one-third of the country’s entire economy. Tolls collected from ships passing through the canal average $7 to $9 million per day.

The U.S. dollar is the official currency in Panama, which makes living and investment opportunities in Panama more desirable for Americans. Many U.S. credit cards don’t even charge extra fees in Panama, ATMs are easy to use, and international wire transfers are relatively straightforward. And the lower cost of living in Panama enables expats to stretch their money further.

Panama’s healthcare system is among the best in Latin America. Healthcare costs are significantly lower than North America, and the quality of care is generally good, particularly in the city. Panama City has top notch medical facilities and well-trained doctors in all areas of medicine. In fact, the Punta Pacifica hospital in Panama City is affiliated with Johns Hopkins International. The more remote areas have public and private local clinics with qualified doctors, many of whom speak English.

Good internet and cell phone service is available in most areas of Panama and the water that comes from your kitchen faucet is safe to drink. There are intermittent electricity outages, but this improves each year. Overall, Panama’s infrastructure is the best in Latin America.

Last, but not least, Panama is the only place in the world where you can see the sun rise on the Pacific and set on the Atlantic and, at its narrowest point, the Atlantic and Pacific are only 30 miles apart—the icing on the cake of expat living in Panama!

But, don’t just take our word for it…FORBES: Coronavirus Deals: 5 Cheapest Places To Buy Real Estate Now (And Make Money)