Essentials
- City
- David, Chiriquí, Panama
- Population
- Approximately 165,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 60-100 Mbps on Fiber; providers include Cable & Wireless and Tigo
- Currency & Banking
- USD (Official: Balboa PAB at 1:1). Local banks: Banco General, Banistmo
- Tap Water
- Generally safe to drink in David, though many nomads prefer bottled or filtered water
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (US Standard)
- SIM Card
- Tigo or Más Móvil; approx. $15 for 30 days of unlimited data
- Banking for Expats
- Banco General is most popular; Revolut/Wise work at most ATMs (Global Bank/Bac Credomatic)
- Accommodation
- Mix of modern apartments and colonial houses; Encuentra24 and Facebook Groups are primary sources
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly yes in supermarkets and malls; cash (USD) is required for small fondas and taxis
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb prices average $600-$1,100/month for central apartments
- Budget Accommodation
- Bambu Hostel ($12 dorms, $35 privates) located in Barrio El Peligro
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- The area around Parque Cervantes for proximity to city center commerce
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Urbanización La Hacienda or San Cristóbal for quieter, safer gated communities
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Hub David (Calle F Sur); daily rates approx. $15, monthly $150
- Best Cafe for Work
- Brew Coffee Company (Vía Porras); excellent Wi-Fi, AC, and specialty Chiriquí coffee
- Networking Events
- Chamber of Commerce (CAMCHI) business mixers; semi-regular expat meetups at St. Patrick's Pub
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats in Chiriqui Facebook Group organizes weekly lunches at Hotel Ciudad de David
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- InDrive (highly active in David); Uber is limited
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Ciclo Aventuras on Vía Boquete; approx. $20/day for mountain bikes
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa La Barqueta (30 mins south); wild Pacific surf beach
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Panama (flying from Enrique Malek International Airport - DAV)
- Top International Airline
- Copa Airlines (daily connections to Panama City PTY)
- Highway Access
- Direct access to the Inter-American Highway (Route 1) connecting to Costa Rica
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal de Transporte de David (The main bus hub for Chiriquí province)
- Public Transport Passes
- Cash-based; local buses (chivas) cost $0.35; long-distance to Boquete $1.75
- Regional Travel
- Small buses to Boquete (45 mins) or Volcán (1.5 hours) for $2-$4
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Chiriquí (Private); high-quality care, roughly $50 for specialist visits
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Centro Holístico Chiriquí; offering yoga sessions for approx. $10/class
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Smart Fit (Federal Mall); modern equipment, approx. $25/month
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería Myriam; approx. $5 for a medium wash/dry load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa is the dominant delivery service in David
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Mono en Bijao (Chiriquí style rice and beans wrapped in a leaf)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Mana (Healthy food shop inside Plaza Revilla); organic bowls and salads
- Best Dessert Spots
- Gelarti (Federal Mall) or local raspados (shaved ice) at Parque Cervantes
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Público de David for fresh produce at local prices
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Panafoto.com for electronics; Amazon shipping via Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE)
- Grocery Delivery
- Super Barú or Super 99 via PedidosYa app
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Calle F Sur or the 'Zona Viva' area for bars and late-night clubs
- Local Brewery
- Boquete Brewing Company (Available at local bars like St. Patrick’s)
- Wine Bars
- Felipe Motta Wine Store & Deli (Plaza Terronal)
- Street Food Stalls
- Empanada and Hojaidre stalls near the bus terminal; $0.50 - $1.00
- Popular International Cuisine
- Restaurante Ngadri for high-end Italian/Mediterranean at Hotel Ciudad de David
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Parque Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (The city's social heart)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo de Historia y Arte José de Obaldía (Calle 8va Este)
- Historical Sites
- Barrio Bolívar (The old colonial quarter of David)
- Religious Sites
- Catedral de San José de David
- Annual Events
- Feria Internacional de David (March); the largest trade and culture fair in the region
- Cultural Districts
- The historic center around Barrio Bolívar
- Theater Venues
- Auditorio de la UNACHI (University of Chiriquí)
- Local Markets
- Mercado de Artesanías in the city center
- Music Scene
- Live Typical (Pindín) music performances during fair seasons
- Street Art
- Murales in the vicinity of the University (UNACHI)
- Cooking Classes
- Ocú Chiriquí Culinary Workshops (usually home-based/private)
- Art Galleries
- Galería de Arte del Municipio de David
- Historic Buildings
- The old Telegraph building (Correos y Telégrafos)
- Local Heritage
- The Chiriquí Green and Red Flag representing provincial pride
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Cangilones de Gualaca (Natural river canyons, 45 mins away)
- National Parks Nearby
- Volcán Barú National Park (entrance via Boquete, 1 hour away)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Ciclovía on the David-Dolega road
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Loma Colorada for a panoramic view of the David cityscape
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mangroves of Pedregal (15 mins south of city center)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Las Olas Resort area (Playa La Barqueta)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE) in Plaza Terronal
- Tech Repair Services
- Multimax (Federal Mall) or small independent shops in Plaza Revilla
- Table Tennis Spots
- Chiriquí Table Tennis Club (Club de Tenis de Mesa)
- Language Classes
- CELI (Centro de Lenguas de Chiriquí)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Santiago Anguizola Delgado
- Community Centers
- Gimnasio Escolar de David
- Gaming Lounges
- Federal Mall Gaming Zone
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Fantastic Casino (Inter-American Highway)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,400 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $56,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $40,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,300 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $78,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $950 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $57,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,250 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $100,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $850 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $68,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% on net taxable income
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for local earnings; 5% for foreign-source earnings
- Tax System
- Territorial (Only income earned within Panama is taxed)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% (on income over $50,000)
- VAT
- 7% (called ITBMS)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No
- Property Tax
- Progressive, ranging from 0% (under $120k primary residence) to 0.7%
- Property Transaction Tax
- 2% Property Transfer Tax + 3% Advance Capital Gains Tax
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 0% tax on foreign-source income; Short-term Remote Work Visas available