Panama is fast becoming one of the world's top retirement destinations and also a world class tourist location - particularly for adventure and ecotourism. Long overshadowed by its neighbors such as Mexico and Costa Rica where mass tourism is now the norm, Panama has been relatively unknown except to travelers with special interests such as world record deep sea fishing, birding, river rafting and rain forest experiences. All these exciting opportunities together with gorgeous beaches and great surfing, kayaking and diving, ensure Panama has something for everyone. It has an interesting cultural background, from stone age indigenous peoples (still in evidence) to the history of conquistadors and now a modern society with infrastructure that is first world. Panama is still a country where you can see a myriad of birds including a quetzal while sitting alone in a rainforest, rather than having to join many tourists viewing one quetzal. From the Caribbean to the Pacific, imagine these choices on your doorstep! In addition Panamanians are some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. All this makes Panama and ideal location for retirement or a second home.
Little surprise then in the May/June issue of Modern Maturity magazine (the AARP magazine with the largest circulation of any consumer magazine in the world, upwards of 20 million subscribers) rated Boquete , Panama , the fourth best retirement destination in the world. International Living rates Panama even higher on their list at No.1. As well as the picture perfect highlands of Boquete , Panama has a perfect location for every taste; from a cosmopolitan capital city to palm fringed beaches, cool mountain climates and tropical resorts, however the best fact is that it is affordable! There are many financial incentives for retirement. If you are looking for a second home or a retirement option , then Panama should be at the top of your list. A smart choice indeed!
With an US style infrastructure, Panama offers an easy transition particularly for US retirees. 75-80 million Baby Boomers will reach retirement age in the next 10 years in the US alone. US Government statistics show that most of them will not be able to sustain their current standard of living by relying on savings, assets or pensions. More than ever before, U.S. baby boomers are considering retirement outside the U.S.A. Having traveled far more extensively and being more active and adventurous than previous generations, they are also identifying the need to maximize their diminishing retirement incomes, so the idea of overseas retirement is appealing to many. Discovering a less stressful environment also has a definite allure! The families of the North Americans who lived in Canal Zone during the 90 years of North American presence look back at their “Paradise Lost” and very often return. Living and retiring overseas was once an option available only for the wealthy, it is now an affordable trend.
Copa Airlines, the national airline of Panama , in alliance with Continental Airlines is increasing its direct flights to an additional number of US cities so it is easy to visit with family and friends. Incidentally, in April 2004, Copa was named Best Airline in Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean by SkyTrax, an English market-survey company that conducts the World Airline Survey, the largest airline passenger survey in existence. Copa also has an impressive “on time” flight record!
Interest in Panama does not only come from the United States ; many Canadians are heading further south than Florida for their “snowbird” sojourns - and staying for retirement. The increasing cost of living, overcrowding and higher crime rates in Florida , encourages them to take a slightly longer flight south! A weekly charter flight from Toronto is now scheduled.
Despite the distance, Europeans are not unaware of the affordable opportunities that Panama has to offer. The Expatriate Telegraph (offshoot of a venerable British newspaper) suggests an alternative retirement destination to the usual venues of Spain , France and Portugal that retirees should consider, a “ warm, adventurous and inexpensive place to retire, Panama also offers an attractive incentive program for retirees ”. Again Panama compares most favorably with the more usual European choice of retirement destinations with its lower cost of living and great climate, not to mention the financial incentives.
