Living in Costa Rica retirement relocation tours.

One Americans thoughts on Panama and Costa Rica

I just came back last night from a week in Panama. Yes, I saved about $1.50 on a tank of gas in Panama. But most other things were comparable in price. When I spoke to my Panamanian friends about electric and phone costs in Costa Rica they were jealous because theirs are higher. They have more and cheaper electrical devices, but how many TV’s can anyone watch?

In Cerro Punta and Volcán, which are really the breadbasket of Panama, I could not believe the few vegetables and poor quality of them that I found. They don’t have weekly ferias, and most good quality fruits and vegetables are shipped to Panama City. I went to five supermarkets in Volcán, and three vegetable sellers, and only found a small portion of what I have come to expect in vegetables here in Costa Rica. And in such poor condition that I ended up without tomatoes and lettuce. I couldn’t even find cauliflower, broccoli and leeks. Things were much better there 25 years ago!

I would agree that compared to Escazú, prices are lower in most all of Panama except Boquete which has become the playground of a lot of Hollywood stars. But compared to where I live in Paraiso, housing is really on a par with Panama.

There may be less problems with thievery in Panama, though having had my house broken into twice in Panama, I wouldn’t say it was that much better. You simply need to protect yourself as with anywhere in the world these days.

I was amazed to see the changes in Panama City. They have constructed or have in construction over 120 skyscrapers over 40 floors high. 17 are over 50 floors and several will be over 100 stories tall. A large number of these are being constructed on Punta Pacifica which was a landfill when I lived in Panama 25 years ago.

Panama is geologically active, also. I remember living on the top (fifth ) floor of a building in Einstein Circle during a quake that was centered in the Darien, and waking up as I was literally tossed out of my bed, and I’m no light weight. Looking thru my windows I saw buildings swaying in the quake which was much stronger than any I’ve felt here. I can’t imagine living in one of those high risers build on a landfill and I wouldn’t have faith in their having “earthquake resistant” buildings like in California.

I have friends in both countries, but to me, the Ticos win hands down. I have never seen such open friendliness as here. Perhaps it is because I don’t live in the city, but for whatever reason, I am constantly amazed by them. My daughter and granddaughter have come down and are renting here, also. While I was in Panama, her Tico neighbors got together and brought over a Christmas tree and decorations knowing that she didn’t have a car to go find one. They shared the lights and decorations that they had and helped her set up the tree and decorate it,. They have all made them feel welcome and have set up a date to make tamales and gingerbread cookies.

In the 15 years I lived in Panama, I never saw a neighborhood pull together to make virtual strangers feel welcome as I have here.

We love both countries, but we live in Costa Rica.