| Panama, which is already very popular as an eco and | | | | facilities, many of which are associated with major |
| adventure tourism destination, is now gaining | | | | hospitals in the U.S., are also available and are |
| reputation as one of the best places to settle down | | | | considered amongst the topmost in Central America. |
| in after retirement. According to Modern Maturity | | | | Additionally, potable water is available in most parts |
| Magazine, published by AARP (American Association | | | | of the country, while it can be drunk right from the |
| of Retired People), Boquete, a Panamanian town, has | | | | tap in the cities. |
| been ranked fourth among its list of the world's | | | | One of the main concerns retirees have is how to |
| fifteen best retirement destinations for Americans. | | | | make the most of their retirement money. Panama's |
| Panama's attractiveness as a retirement location is | | | | currency has always been the U.S. dollar. Panama also |
| not hard to define. Most people find it easy to settle | | | | boasts having the branches of most of the major |
| down here because of the country's easygoing | | | | international banks. Plus, the cost of living is |
| lifestyle, high quality living, incentives given to retirees, | | | | affordable and a good deal less than in the U.S. and |
| along with modern facilities and services. | | | | Europe. Also, retirees get generous discounts like 50 |
| Apart from all that, Panama also scores because the | | | | percent on cultural events and movies, 30 percent on |
| country is so incredibly lovely. Because the Isthmus is | | | | transportation, 25 percent on airline tickets, 25 |
| located at the juncture between northern and | | | | percent on utility bills, 20 percent on doctor's bills, 15 |
| southern America, the diverse plant and animal life | | | | percent on loans in your name, 10 percent on |
| found here is unique. The residential locations are | | | | medicines, and 1 percent on mortgages in your name. |
| equally diverse, ranging over mountain, city, | | | | Staying in touch with family, friends and the world is |
| beachfront and even island settings, so that people | | | | easy. Cellular telephone networks, high-speed Internet |
| can find a place according to their taste and choice. | | | | connection, and ADSL in-home telephone facilities are |
| Plus, although a foreigner, you have the same | | | | readily available, along with cable TV. As for |
| protections and rights to purchase and own property | | | | accessibility, the Tocumen International Airport is |
| as a Panamanian. | | | | serviced by most major airlines like Delta and |
| Also, because of various factors, such as the | | | | American. In addition, COPA, Panama's international |
| American military pulling out of the area, the real | | | | airline, has services to 29 cities in nineteen countries, |
| estate prices in Panama have not changed much | | | | and also has direct flights from Los Angeles, Houston, |
| since the 1990s, except for some places like the | | | | Miami, Orlando and Newark. |
| Bocas del Toro archipelago islands and Boquete, | | | | And to top it all, getting a retiree visa is an |
| which have become hot destinations. | | | | inexpensive and simple process. The only things you |
| As for safety, which is one of the most important | | | | require are a "clean" report by the police of the place |
| considerations of retirees, Panama has been rated | | | | you resided in before moving to Panama, a health |
| the highest for the safety of tourists by the | | | | certificate from a Panamanian physician, along with |
| reputable Pinkerton Intelligence Agency. Plus, Panama | | | | proof of $500 per month of personal income, plus |
| is a stable democracy and has a vibrant economy. | | | | $100 if you have any dependents. |
| Regarding standards of health care, Panama is ranked | | | | As is evident by all the above mentioned benefits, it |
| amongst the topmost in Latin American countries. | | | | is easy to understand why Panama is so popular as a |
| Many Panamanian physicians have had their training in | | | | retiree destination. |
| the U.S. and Europe and are bilingual. Private medical | | | | |