Essentials
- City
- Pedasí, Los Santos Province, Panama
- Population
- Approximately 2,500
- Internet Speed
- Consistent 50-100 Mbps via fiber optic (Cable Onda/Tigo) in the town center
- Currency & Banking
- 1 PAB (Balboa) = 1 USD. US Dollars are used exclusively.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable in town, though many expats prefer filtered water or 5-gallon jugs ($2.50) for taste.
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets. Occasional outages occur during rainy season; surge protectors recommended.
- SIM Card
- Tigo or +Móvil. Prepaid 'Plan Ilimitado' costs approx. $5 for 7 days.
- Banking for Expats
- Banco Nacional and Caja de Ahorros have ATMs in town. Most businesses prefer cash; Banco General is best for local accounts.
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses, boutique hotels, and luxury villas ($800 - $2,500/month for long-term rentals).
- Cashless Friendly
- Limited. High-end hotels and supermarkets accept cards, but 70% of local shops/eateries are cash-only.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and VRBO. Average studio/house: $60-$120 per night.
- Budget Accommodation
- Selina Pedasí (Dorm beds from $15-$22, private rooms from $45).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Near the Town Square (Plaza) for convenience or Playa El Lagarto for beach access.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Pedasí Town Center for best fiber internet and proximity to cafes, or Venao (30 mins away) for surf vibes.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Selina Pedasí Cowork (Daily pass: $10, Weekly: $45) featuring dedicated desks and high-speed Wi-Fi.
- Best Cafe for Work
- The Bakery (El Pueblo) - Good Wi-Fi, excellent coffee, and fresh pastries ($3-$8).
- Networking Events
- Monthly 'Expats & Locals' mixers at Smiley's Restaurant.
- Social Events for Expats
- Pedasí Expats Facebook Group and weekly Friday night BBQ at Segovia's.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Bolt. Local taxis available via WhatsApp or at the Plaza ($2-$5 within town).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Pedasí Sports for cruiser bikes ($10/day) or Pedasí Wheels for scooters ($35/day).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Venao (30 km away) for surfing or Playa Arenal (3 km) for boat departures to Isla Iguana.
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Panama (Flights from Panama City to Pedasí twice weekly, approx. $120 one way).
- Top International Airline
- Copa Airlines (Operating into Tocumen International PTY).
- Highway Access
- Route 2 via Las Tablas. 5-hour drive from Panama City on well-maintained roads.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Pedasí Bus Terminal (Minibuses to Las Tablas $3.00, every 45 mins).
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes; cash paid directly to the driver on 'Chivitas' (minibuses).
- Regional Travel
- Direct shuttles to Playa Venao ($10) or buses to Chitré ($5) for major shopping.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Minsa-Capsi Pedasí for basic care; Hospital Joaquín Pablo Franco in Las Tablas (45 mins) for emergencies.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Shala at El Destino ($12 drop-in) or wellness retreats at Blue Venao.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Pedasí Fitness Center (Local gym near the main road, approx. $30/month).
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Pedasí ($5-$8 per load, wash and dry).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None. Most restaurants offer direct WhatsApp delivery.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Sancocho (Panamanian chicken soup) and Corvina (Sea Bass) ($8-$12).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Pachi's Kitchen (Great veggie bowls) and Coleos (Fusion with vegetarian options).
- Best Dessert Spots
- The Bakery for 'Tres Leches' cake or artisanal gelato at Sweet Pedasí.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Minisuper Wong or the local fruit stand near the Plaza.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Panama City vendors ship via Uno Express ($5-$7 per package for pickup).
- Grocery Delivery
- Local delivery by Super Pedasí for a small fee via WhatsApp.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Pedasí town bars (Smiley’s, Terry's) or the beach party scene at Playa Venao.
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería Legítima (available at local bars); closest taproom in Playa Venao.
- Wine Bars
- Segovia’s offers the best selection of imported wines from Chile and Argentina.
- Street Food Stalls
- Food trucks near the entrance of town serving 'Hojaldras' and 'Chuzos' ($1-$3).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Segovia’s (Steakhouse/International) and Pasta e Vino (Italian).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge (White sand beach, snorkeling, 20 min boat ride).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo de la Nacionalidad (Located nearby in Los Santos town).
- Historical Sites
- Church of Santa Catalina (Colonial architecture in the Plaza).
- Religious Sites
- Santa Catalina Laboure Parish.
- Annual Events
- Carnival (February/March) and the Tuna Festival.
- Cultural Districts
- The Main Plaza is the heart of all cultural activity.
- Theater Venues
- None. Local festivals feature outdoor dance stages ('Toldos').
- Local Markets
- Pedasí Farmer's Market (Occasional Saturdays at the Plaza).
- Music Scene
- Live blues/rock at Smiley's and traditional 'Tipico' music during festivals.
- Street Art
- Small murals depicting marine life on the walls toward Playa Arenal.
- Cooking Classes
- Available via private arrangement at Hostal Dona Maria for traditional Panamanian cooking.
- Art Galleries
- Local artisan shops surrounding the Plaza selling 'Polleras' and 'Diablico' masks.
- Historic Buildings
- The childhood home of Mireya Moscoso (Panama's first female president).
- Local Heritage
- Azuero Peninsula culture, famous for the 'Pollera' (national dress).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Isla Cañas (Sea turtle nesting site, approx. 45 mins away).
- National Parks Nearby
- Sarigua National Park (Panama’s only desert, approx 1.5 hours away).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 3km paved road from town to Playa Arenal is popular for morning runs/cycles.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The cliffs at Playa Toro overlooking the Pacific.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Isla Iguana (Frigate birds) and the Mangroves of Pedasí.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Allowed on Playa Venao with permission from beach clubs.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Uno Express (Pickup station near the town entrance).
- Tech Repair Services
- Small electronics shop in Las Tablas (45 mins away) for laptop/phone repair.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Selina Pedasí courtyard.
- Language Classes
- Private tutors available; ask at 'The Bakery' community board ($10-$15/hour).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- The Public Library near the Plaza (limited hours).
- Community Centers
- Municipio de Pedasí meeting hall.
- Gaming Lounges
- None available.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Closest grand casino is in Chitré (1.5 hours away).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,800/m² ($72,000 for 40m² studio).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,400/m² ($56,000 for 40m² studio).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,650/m² ($99,000 for 60m² unit).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,250/m² ($75,000 for 60m² unit).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,500/m² ($120,000 for 80m² unit).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,200/m² (Increases due to coastal/ocean view land value, e.g., $176,000).
- Corporate Tax
- 25% on net taxable income.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for local source income; 5% for foreign source.
- Tax System
- Territorial tax system (Only income earned within Panama is taxed).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% for income over $50,000; 0% for income under $11,000.
- VAT
- 7% ITBMS (Standard Sales Tax).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No strict CFC rules due to territorial system.
- Property Tax
- 0% for houses under $120,000; tiered rates from 0.5% to 0.7% above that.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 2% Property Transfer Tax + 3% Advance Capital Gains Tax paid by seller.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 0% tax on foreign-sourced income. Panama Short Stay Visa (Remote Worker) available for 9 months (renewable).