Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = $157,500) for beachfront condos
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = $110,000) in Cañas/Hills
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = $224,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = $140,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 100 m² = $300,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 100 m² = $180,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% on Panama-sourced income only
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for local earnings; 5% for foreign/offshore
- Tax System
- Territorial tax system (Only income earned within Panama is taxed)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% for income over $50,000
- VAT
- 7% (ITBMS)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No; Panama does not have CFC rules
- Property Tax
- Exempt for first $120,000 of value (Primary residence)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 2% Transfer Tax + 3% Advance Income Tax paid by seller
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 0% tax on foreign-earned income; 'Short-term Remote Work' visa available
Essentials
- City
- Playa Venao, Los Santos, Panama
- Population
- Approximately 500 permanent residents, fluctuates with tourism
- Internet Speed
- 30-100 Mbps via Starlink and Fiber (Wipet), though power outages are frequent
- Currency & Banking
- 1 PAB = 1 USD; USD is the primary currency used
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; buy 5-gallon jugs ($4.00) or use filtered systems
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets; surges are common, use protectors
- SIM Card
- Tigo or Más Móvil; $15-20 for 15 days of unlimited data
- Banking for Expats
- Banco General is the standard; most venues take Visa/Mastercard but 5-10% fees apply at ATMs
- Accommodation
- Eco-lofts, surf hostels, and luxury beachfront villas via Venao Guide or Airbnb
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, but always keep $50-100 cash for local fruit stands or when the internet goes down
- Short Term Rentals
- Selina Playa Venao ($400-$1,200/month), Blue Venao ($1,500+/month)
- Budget Accommodation
- Selina River Venao or Beach Break Surf Camp (Dorms from $18/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Beachfront (The 'Strip') for immediate surf access and nightlife
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Cañas or the hills overlooking Venao (Higher elevation for breeze and quiet)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Selina CoWork; $15/day or $150/month with reliable backup power
- Best Cafe for Work
- Taco Beach Venao; fast Wi-Fi and plenty of shaded outdoor seating
- Networking Events
- Venao Digital Nomads WhatsApp group; Tuesday Night Trivia at Beach Break
- Social Events for Expats
- Sunday Beach Parties at El Sitio; local 'mercados' at Blue Venao
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; hire local drivers like 'Venao Tours' (WhatsApp based), approx $15-20 to Pedasí
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Eco Venao rentals; $25/day for mountain bikes or $45/day for electric scooters
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Ciruelo (6km away) for calmer waters and fewer crowds
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Panama (Flying into Pedasí/Chitré) or Fly Trip (Private charters directly to Venao)
- Top International Airline
- Copa Airlines (Arriving at Tocumen PTY, then a 5-hour drive)
- Highway Access
- Route 2 (Pan-American Highway) to Las Tablas, then the Venao-Pedasí coastal road
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Albrook Bus Terminal (Panama City); catch the bus to Las Tablas then a shuttle
- Public Transport Passes
- Cash only; 'Chiva' buses cost $2.50 to Pedasí
- Regional Travel
- Selina Shuttle ($40) or Beach Break Shuttle ($50) to Panama City daily
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Minsa-Capsi in Pedasí (30 mins) for basics; Hospital Gustavo Nelson Collado in Chitré (1.5 hrs) for emergencies
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Beach Break Yoga Deck; $15 drop-in classes, overlooking the surf break
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Beach Break Fitness; functional training and kettlebells ($10 day pass)
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Venao (near the main entrance); $1.00 per pound, wash and fold
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None; call restaurants directly for 'takeaway' or walk the beach
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Sancocho (Panamanian chicken soup) at Fonda El Ciruelo ($5.00)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- La Barca; fresh smoothie bowls and veggie wraps ($12-14)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Coleos; famous for Mediterranean-inspired sweets and coffee ($6-10)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mini Super Venao for basics; Super Kosher for specialty imports
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon via mail forwarding services like Airbox Express (Pickup in Pedasí)
- Grocery Delivery
- Venao Grocer (WhatsApp service); delivers fresh produce from the valley
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- El Sitio (Live music) and Wao Venao (Electronic music festivals)
- Local Brewery
- Panga (nearby in Tonosí) or craft beers served at La Forchetta
- Wine Bars
- La Barca has the best curated wine list on the beach
- Street Food Stalls
- The 'Empanada Lady' near the bridge; $1.50 for fresh corn empanadas
- Popular International Cuisine
- Pizzeria La Forchetta; authentic Italian wood-fired pizzas ($15-20)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Venao Bay 'Horseshoe' viewpoint from the Eco Venao trails
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo de la Pollera in Las Tablas (1 hour drive) celebrating national dress
- Historical Sites
- Pedasí Colonial Center; traditional Spanish-style plaza and architecture
- Religious Sites
- Church of Santa Catalina in Pedasí; a hub for local festivals
- Annual Events
- Carnavales (February) in Las Tablas; Radio Venao music festivals (irregular)
- Cultural Districts
- Tonosí Valley; the heart of Panamanian 'Campesino' (farmer) culture
- Theater Venues
- None; cultural storytelling events usually held at Eco Venao
- Local Markets
- Pedasí Artisan Market; held monthly with local crafts and honey
- Music Scene
- International DJ sets at Selina and local acoustic sets at La Barca
- Street Art
- Surf-inspired murals found along the walls of Selina and beachfront shops
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional ceviche workshops at El Sitio
- Art Galleries
- Micro-gallery at The Venao Guide office featuring local photographers
- Historic Buildings
- Finca El Caño; archaeological pre-Columbian site (2.5 hours away)
- Local Heritage
- The 'Puntilla'; the rocky point heritage of the original fishing families
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Eco Venao Reforestation Project; 140-acre nature reserve with hiking trails
- National Parks Nearby
- Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge; 20-minute boat ride from Pedasí ($40-60 boat hire)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 'Waterfall Trail' at Eco Venao; 1-hour hike to a hidden jungle waterfall
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Loma De Venao; 200m elevation with views of the entire Azuero coastline
- Birdwatching Locations
- Cañas Mangroves; home to herons, egrets, and migratory species
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Playa Venao shoreline (check seasonal turtle nesting restrictions)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Uno Express or Fletes Chavale in Pedasí
- Tech Repair Services
- None in Venao; must go to Chitré for official Apple/Samsung repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Selina Playa Venao social area
- Language Classes
- Private Spanish lessons via 'Spanish in Venao' ($20/hour)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Eco Venao Library (Small community exchange)
- Community Centers
- The Surf Shack; community hub for local kids' surf programs
- Gaming Lounges
- None; focus is on outdoor activities and social nightlife
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Available in Las Tablas or Chitré (1-1.5 hours away)