Looking for Real Estate in Boquete Panama?
Here’s One of the Country’s Hidden Gems
Despite being an up-and-coming real estate market in Panama, especially for foreigners, the Boquete Panama real estate market is surprisingly affordable. For a reasonable sum, around $200,000-$300,000, one can find a multitude of real estate options in Boquete. Houses in this price range will typically feature at least 2 bedrooms/bathrooms. Location and other factors will obviously impact price, but regardless, one can get a high-quality home, in a beautiful location, for significantly less than they would be able to in the United States, Canada or Europe.
Panama is one of the most popular destinations for North American expatriates. In fact, it is arguably the country that is generating the most interest among North Americans. Currently, there are already 50,000 Americans who have taken up permanent residence in Panama. And it certainly seems that the interest is continuing to grow. There are many benefits to life in Panama, especially for North Americans.
One major benefit to living in Panama is the lower cost of living. It’s very possible to live a comfortable life in Panama on as little as $2,000 USD per month. One can even get by on $1,500 per month if they are good at managing their money. But despite costing significantly less than life in North America, Panama actually does have a very modern infrastructure. Quality roads, high speed, reliable internet, everything that North Americans come to expect they can find in Panama. And of course, Panama is close. A flight from Panama City to Houston is usually only 4 hours. All across Panama, North Americans can find high quality infrastructure and real estate, at a significantly lower cost than they are used to, and all this only a short plane ride away. No wonder so many are buying real estate in Panama.
There are several areas of the country that are drawing particular interest for North Americans. One in particular, Boquete, is especially drawing in big crowds of expats, and with good reason.
Boquete is a region located in the northwestern Panama, fairly close to the Costa Rican border. It is a 45-minute car trip from the town of David, and a 7-hour car trip from Panama City.
Located in the mountains, Boquete is an especially scenic part of Panama. The views are absolutely stunning, but it doesn’t stop there. The high elevation of Boquete gives it a naturally agreeable temperature, usually averaging around 75°F (24°C). Many expats say that the temperature is so agreeable that they “don’t even need air conditioning or heating.”
The district itself is lightly populated, with a population of approximately 20,000.
The large and active expat community in Boquete, as well as its proximity to another thriving expat town, David, make Boquete a particularly appealing place to purchase real estate, either for lifestyle or investment.
Besides its large and active expat community, as well as its natural beauty, one final quality that Boquete is known for is the healthy lifestyle that its residents live. Being a non-urban environment, many of the residents of Boquete enjoy engaging in various activities that take them out into the secenic natural environment that surround them. Hiking is very popular, and in fact many residents of Boquete will hire a guide and hike up the Barú Volcano, Panama’s only volcano and highest point. Horseback riding, birdwatching, ziplining through the forest canopy and coffee plantation tours are other activities boqueteños, the term for residents of Boquete, enjoy.
Probably the most exciting activities is rafting and kayaking. The Chiriqui province of Panama, in which Boquete is located, is known as one of the best kayaking and rafting destinations in the entire world. The rafting and kayaking experiences range in difficulty, so a rafting or kayaking experience will be available for family trips or for well-seasoned kayakers and rafters. All in all, this adds up to residents of Boquete being incredibly active, and leading very healthy lifestyles.
Boquete is known as a health-haven not only for its active residents, but also for its healthy cuisine, which incorporates locally grown foods. Finally, the many spas in Boquete make the healthy lifestyle complete. Besides messages, facials and the like, classes in Pilates, tai-chi, Zumba and Yoga are available, and actively attended by Boquete’s residents.
Boquete is an excellent community for those expats looking to “get off the beaten path” a bit, while enjoying an active, healthy lifestyle. The community is strong, which means making new friends will not be difficult. The climate of the region is nearly perfect on a continuous basis. The culture of the town is full of activities and ways for residents, new and old, to bond and form strong friendships. Boquete is a nice, quaint community of healthy, active, adventurous expats in western Panama, and one that would certainly be appealing to you if you share any of these qualities.
If you would like more information on the Boquete Panama real estate market please contact our Panama real estate buyer’s agent for Boquete.
And please look over our Panama real estate listings.
