Essentials
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA)
- SIM Card
- Tigo or Más Móvil; prepaid 7-day unlimited data approx $5 USD
- Banking for Expats
- Banco General, Banistmo; Multi-currency cards like Revolut/Wise highly recommended
- Accommodation
- Mountain villas, eco-lodges, and downtown apartments
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate; major restaurants/supermarkets accept cards, local 'fondas' and taxis need cash
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO; roughly $1,200 - $1,800/month for central 1BR
- Budget Accommodation
- Selina Boquete (approx $25/dorm, $80/private), Bambu Hostel ($18/dorm)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Bajo Boquete (Downtown) for walkability to restaurants and shops
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Jaramillo or Alto Boquete for better views and quiet, while still having fiber access
- City
- Boquete, Chiriquí Province, Panama
- Population
- Approximately 23,000
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic available, avg 150-300 Mbps (Tigo/Mas Movil)
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD) and Panamanian Balboa (PAB) at 1:1 parity
- Tap Water
- Drinkable in most central areas, though many nomads use filters
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Selina Boquete Cowork (Daily pass $15, Monthly $150)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Perfect Pair (Excellent Wi-Fi and local coffee) and Kotowa Chocolate Victoria
- Networking Events
- Tuesday Morning Market at the BCP (Boquete Community Players) events
- Social Events for Expats
- Boquete Community Group (Facebook), trivia nights at Mike's Global Grill
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Bolt; use yellow taxis ($2-$5 within town) or 'Indrive' app
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Boquete Mountain Safari ($25/day for mountain bikes)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Las Lajas (1.5 hours away) or Boca Chica for island hopping
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Panama (Flying from David-EFD to Panama City-PAC)
- Top International Airline
- Copa Airlines (via Panama City PTY)
- Highway Access
- Via Interamericana (Route 1) connecting David to Panama City
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- David Bus Terminal (Terminal de Transporte David-Panamá)
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes; cash-only minibuses ('Colectivos') approx $1.75 David-Boquete
- Regional Travel
- Bus to David ($1.75), then bus to Bocas del Toro or San Jose, Costa Rica
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Centro Médico Paitilla (Boquete Branch) or Hospital Chiriquí in David (45 mins away)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Haven Spa & Wellness Center (Yoga classes $12-$15)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Boquete Health & Fitness (Alto Boquete, $45/month)
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Boquete (approx $6 per 10lb load wash/dry/fold)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa (limited selection) or local WhatsApp delivery services
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Sancocho (Panamanian chicken soup) and Patacones (fried plantains)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The Garden Boquete and Fresco (salads/bowls)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Sugar & Spice (famous muffins and artisan breads)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Público de Boquete for fresh fruits and vegetables
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (shipped via forwarders like Mail Boxes Etc. or Airbox Express)
- Grocery Delivery
- Super Baru or Romero (via PedidosYa)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Downtown Boquete, specifically around the main plaza
- Local Brewery
- Boquete Brewing Company (Craft beers $5-$7, live music)
- Wine Bars
- RetroGusto (High-end Italian with extensive wine list)
- Street Food Stalls
- Hot dog and hamburger carts near the Central Park ($3-$5)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Butcher House Boquete (Steakhouse) and Mezcla (Fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Volcán Barú (Highest point in Panama)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Boquete Art Gallery and the Honey & Butterfly Museum
- Historical Sites
- Cefati Visitor Center (Panoramic history of the valley)
- Religious Sites
- San Juan Bautista Church (Bajo Boquete)
- Annual Events
- Feria de las Flores y del Café (January)
- Cultural Districts
- The downtown promenade near the Caldera River
- Theater Venues
- BCP Theater (Boquete Community Players)
- Local Markets
- Tuesday Market at Tapout Events Center ($1 entry)
- Music Scene
- Jazz & Blues Festival (Annual February event)
- Street Art
- Murals along the side streets of Bajo Boquete near the library
- Cooking Classes
- Boquete Gourmet (Private farm-to-table workshops)
- Art Galleries
- Foundation Biblioteca de Boquete (Rotating art exhibits)
- Historic Buildings
- Old Train Station (David) and heritage coffee fincas
- Local Heritage
- Ngäbe-Buglé indigenous crafts and textiles (Molas)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- The Lost Waterfalls (Hiking trail, $10 entrance)
- National Parks Nearby
- Volcán Barú National Park and La Amistad International Park
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Bajo Mono Loop (Scenic 15km route for walking/cycling)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Explora Boquete Lookout (Jaramillo Mountain)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Pipeline Trail (Spot for Resplendent Quetzals)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Private campgrounds in Pianista or Caldera area
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Mail Boxes Etc. Boquete (Package forwarding from Miami)
- Tech Repair Services
- Quick Fix Boquete (Cell phone and laptop repair downtown)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Selina Boquete common area
- Language Classes
- Habla Ya Spanish School (Individual and group lessons)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca de Boquete (Public library with great views and Wi-Fi)
- Community Centers
- Boquete Community Players Center
- Gaming Lounges
- None; Selina is the primary tech-gather spot
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Fantastic Casino (David, 45 minutes away)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = $99,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = $81,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,100 per m² (e.g., 65 m² = $136,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,700 per m² (e.g., 65 m² = $110,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $180,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $144,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (On Panama-sourced income only)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for local profits, 5% for foreign profits
- Tax System
- Territorial Tax System (Foreign income is 0% taxed)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% (Only on income over $50,000 earned in Panama)
- VAT
- 7% ITBMS (Standard rate)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No CFC rules in Panama
- Property Tax
- Exemptions often apply for 10-20 years on new builds; otherwise 0.5% to 0.7%
- Property Transaction Tax
- 2% Transfer Tax + 3% Advance Capital Gains Tax paid by seller
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes, 0% tax on worldwide income; Short-term visa available via Short Stay Remote Worker Visa