Where is Panama?

I wrote this article in 2014. I still get asked, “Where is Panama?” so I added additional information, which will be a real eye-opener about the many benefits of living in Panama.

A few weeks ago, I returned to the United States for the first time since I moved to Panama. It was a weird experience. Within 12 hours, I was completely homesick FOR PANAMA. I attended a 3-day conference and then returned to Panama as quickly as possible. Surprisingly, many seminar attendees asked, “Where is Panama?”

Traveling from the US to Panama takes approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes. The distance covered is 2074.8 miles or 1801.7 nautical miles if you travel from the US capital, Washington, D.C., to Panama City. Panama is situated in Central America, making it a convenient destination for U.S. tourists, expatriates, and retirees.

Panama borders two countries, Costa Rica and Colombia, and two bodies of water, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Panama has attracted many retirees worldwide because of its booming economy, natural beauty, and low cost of living.

Panama is considered one of the best places to live in the world.

Panama is a country where you can literally pick your ideal temperature based on the elevation. At the coast (1500 miles of coastline), it is 90°F (32°C). For every 1000-foot increase in elevation, the temperature drops 4 degrees. I live in the highlands (mountains), where it’s Spring weather all year, and you never need an air conditioner or a heater. Where is Panama? Paradise!

Where is Panama? Looking at a world map, you will see that Panama is exactly between 7 and 10 degrees north latitude, and between 77 and 83 degrees west longitude. It is right on the Isthmus of Panama, an S-shaped isthmus that connects North America and South America. People living in Panama often travel to Costa Rica because it is located to the west of Panama. Columbia, on the other hand, is a neighboring country to the southeast.

Since Panama is bordered to the north by the Caribbean Sea and to the south by the Pacific Ocean, the Panama Canal was created to facilitate international maritime trade and business. The canal connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean via the Caribbean Sea. This famous canal contributes significantly to Panama’s positive growth and development.

It would be interesting to note that people nowadays have varied responses to the question, “Where is Panama?” While most would reply to the country’s geographical location, some would say, “Panama is where many American and European expats find happiness and good health.”

Tourism in Panama is growing rapidly as the country has opened its doors to the world. The country offers a pensioner’s visa that allows expats worldwide to retire in Panama. With valid proof of a monthly pension of at least $ 1,000 USD per month from a reputable source, a foreigner is eligible to retire in Panama and reside there permanently.

Panama is the country with the best retirement benefits. The discounts and advantages of the pensioner’s visa are quite numerous. Here they are in a nutshell:

50% off on recreation and entertainment, including movies, theaters, sports, and more.
50% off hotels Monday through Thursday (30% off on weekends)
50% off passports
30% off public transportation like buses, trains, and boats
25% off airfare
20% off restaurants (15% off fast food)
25% off electrical, telephone, and water service
20% off doctors and specialists
20% off prosthetics and other personal assistance devices
15% off hospitals and private clinics
15% off dental and optometry services
10% off prescription medications
tax-free importation of household goods, up to $10,000

Another interesting response to the question, “Where is Panama?” would be, “It’s a place where you can get quality medical treatment at a low cost. Unknown to many, Panama is quite famous for its medical tourism. Many US citizens travel to Panama for high-quality, state-of-the-art medical and dental treatments, as the standards are comparable to those in the US or Canada. Most Panamanian doctors are US-trained specialists who can give you the best medical treatments available. You can receive top-quality medical treatments at a far lesser cost than what you’d have to spend in America.

Panama offers affordable healthcare and health insurance for everyone. Panama is a destination where you can see a doctor for less than $20, even without insurance. If you visit a public hospital, the cost of a doctor’s visit is only $2. In Panama, doctors still make house calls!

Panama is much safer than other Latin American countries!

Lastly, a growing response to the question, “Where is Panama?” would be, “It’s a place where one can truly LIVE BETTER for LESS!” A couple with retirement funds of $2000 – $2500 a month can live a comfortable, enjoyable life in Panama. Panama uses the US dollar. It’s a country where the basic necessities are very cheap, allowing you to have extra money for savings or fun adventures.

To answer the question, “Where is Panama?” It is also home to many foreigners and Panamanians who lead fun and happy lives.

Panama is diverse. You can live at the beach, in the mountains, or a large metropolitan Panama City.

Panama is one of the best places to live in the world!