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Cerro Azul: Mountain Living Less Than an Hour from Panama City
Cerro Azul offers a unique lifestyle hard to find in Panama: peaceful mountain living surrounded by nature, yet less than an hour from Panama City.
For many years, Cerro Azul has been a popular getaway for Panamanians who want to escape the heat, noise, and traffic of the city. Today, it attracts both weekend homeowners and full-time residents who enjoy the fresh air, lush forests, scenic views, and quieter pace of life.
This picturesque mountain community is popular among those seeking a calm, close-knit environment. However, with its convenient location, you’re not far from everything you need in the capital city, or major shopping is available less than 20 minutes away
If you’re a nature lover looking for a place to live in Panama, Cerro Azul should top your list of places to experience. While many decide to use this serene community as a weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of Panama City, many choose to move to Cerro Azul full-time.
Cerro Azul is home to Panamanians and foreigners from many different countries.
Cerro Azul’s prices are significantly lower than in other highland towns like Boquete or El Valle de Anton.
Watch this video about Cerro Azul
Are you intrigued by the idea of waking up to rolling hills, chirping birds, and perfect weather? Well then, let’s take a closer look at this one-of-a-kind mountain community.
Nature in Cerro Azul
When considering what to do when you move to Cerro Azul, remember that it’s a fairly remote mountain community. It’s about 15-20 minutes from amenities such as shopping, restaurants, and doctors. So, your activities, when living in Cerro Azul will center around the great outdoors within the community or in its vicinity.
But the good news is that there are private drivers and a concierge service to get you anywhere you need to go. So, it’s possible to live in Cerro Azul without owning a car.
The Hacienda Country Club, offers golf, tennis, swimming, and horseback riding.
Cerro Azul is located within the Chagres National Park, established in 1985. It covers about 129,000 hectares and is just 40 kilometers (about 25 miles) from Panama City. This area contains tropical rainforests, mountainous terrain, lakes, and rivers. It also has a few notable mountain peaks, including Cerro Azul. However, the highest peak in the park is Cerro Jefe, which reaches 3,300 feet (1,000 meters).
While the mountains are spectacular, the area is also well known for the Chagres River and Lake Alajuela, which are fed by countless waterfalls and streams throughout the park. And, there are over 900 plant species.
Cerro Azul is a birdwatcher’s paradise, as there are nearly 400 bird species in the area. There’s plenty of other wildlife to enjoy as well, with over 100 mammal species and over 50 species of freshwater fish among the lakes and rivers.
Avid hikers will fall in love with the area. There are plenty of trails to choose from. If you’re in good shape ( or want to get in good shape) and looking for an adventure, consider taking on the highest peak: Cerro Jefe. When reaching the summit, you’ll have an incredible view from up in the clouds.
Camino Real is probably one of Latin America’s best-known and most adventurous hikes. About 30 miles of Camino Real runs through Chagres National Park. You could opt for a bike tour or plan a hike! You won’t want to miss it, as National Geographic has deemed Camino Real one of the “best experiences in South America.”
Costs of Living in Cerro Azul
If you’re interested in making this majestic mountain community your home, then you’re probably wondering what it actually costs to live there. As with any place in Panama, your cost of living will depend largely on your lifestyle and budget. There are options to make any budget work, as Panama offers a lower cost of living than the U.S., Canada, and many parts of Europe.
That being said, Cerro Azul is extremely affordable. It’s not the most popular area for expats, which has kept rental and housing prices relatively low. You can still buy and rent at an affordable price–and when you see the surroundings, it will feel like a steal!
There are many different styles and prices of homes in Cerro Azul. See these samples:
These furnished three and four-bedroom homes rent for $1200 to $1500 near the Hacienda Country Club:
Rental and sales prices in Cerro Azul are much lower than in Boquete, Panama, a popular town with expats.
The most popular area is Altos de Cerro Azul. This is a gated community at a higher elevation, so it has cooler weather. No air conditioner is needed! You are living in the cloud forest. The community also offers certain benefits such as 24-hour security, a country club with a pool, tennis courts, and restaurants. You can access hiking trails from within the community.
House rentals in Altos de Cerro Azul are usually between $700 and $ 1,800 a month.
In addition to rentals, there are homes for sale and lots for building your ideal home. Inside the Online Panama Relocation Guide, we have recommendations for real estate agents who live in Cerro Azul and can assist you in finding the perfect home. As always, we recommend renting for at least a year before making a decision to buy or build.
What’s Close By?
Healthcare is at the forefront of many people’s minds when relocating to another country, especially retirees. However, affordable, high-quality healthcare availability is among the top motivating factors for many expats making the bold decision to relocate to Panama.
Of course, deciding to live in a small mountain community will limit your nearby options. There is a medical clinic within the Cerro Azul community. You’re 20 minutes away from a large public hospital or a 45-minute drive to Panama City, where you’ll have your pick of the best hospitals. Ambulance service is available in Cerro Azul.
There are a few restaurants or stores in Cerro Azul, and a new microbrewery!
Plaza Las Américas is a short 15-20 minute drive away. It has large modern grocery stores, pharmacies, and anything you’d need. And the MEGAMall is nearby too.
If you have school-aged children, it’s good to know the Thomas Jefferson International School is in Cerro Azul.
Public transportation is scarce in this small community, so having a car is necessary. Getting there is easy, as it’s just off a major highway. The Tocumen International Airport is also just a 30-minute drive from Cerro Azul.
Live the serene mountain life in Cerro Azul
Altos de Cerro Azul is a great place to settle down. You’ll find a close-knit expat community as well as friendly locals. Most people can bond over their love of nature and a slower pace of life.
If you’re interested in exploring Cerro Azul or moving to this beautiful location but would like some help, we offer Private Tours of the area. The tour guide has lived in Cerro Azul for 20 years and knows the entire area very well.
The Private Tour guide can help you find a rental in Cerro Azul.
The Online Panama Relocation Guide covers visa options, recommendations for immigration lawyers, obtaining a driver’s license, health insurance options, buying a car, bringing pets to Panama, and much more.
