Have you ever been to Panama or Costa Rica?

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Seryan

I have lived in both countries and currently I live in Panama.
Costa Rica is more beautiful, but the infrastructure is not good: horrible roads (the worst roads in this hemisphere) the power goes out a lot, I mean a lot and the bridges are very dangerous.

Costa Ricans, called 'Ticos' are nice people doing their best to live in a country with a very corrupt government. The more corrupt a government is, the more poor people there are.

Coast Rica is not as Gringo friendly as it once was. It is more difficult to live there now without having to leave every 90 days to 'reset' your tourist visa.

Panama is more Americanized. It has the best drinking water in the region (a lof of beer companies make beer there because the water is so good). The roads are excellent at the opposite end of the spectrum from Costa Rica.

They use American currency so you don't have to calculate an exchange rate. They call the currency Balboas, but it is the the U.S. dollar. Coins are different, but they are the same size and demonetization as American coins.

If you can prove an income of $500 a month, and you are 62 if a male and 55 if a female, you can get a 'pensionado' visa and life in Panama for the rest of your life.

With this visa comes a lot of discounts for pharmaceuticals, movie ticket, plane tickets and a lot of other things including moving your household goods and car into the country without paying duty.

The weather in Panama and Costa Rica is similar: hot on the coasts, cool up in the highlands.

Safety was my main concern. I left Costa Rica because of the crime aimed at Americans.

Here in Panama, I walk home at night, from my favorite bar, and don't have to worry about a knife in my ribs or a knock on the head.

Panamanians should hate us, but they don't. If you buy land out in the interior of the country, you can get a nice house for $50K. If you want to live in the city, it will cost you $150K.

You will have an easier time retiring in Panama than in Cost Rica and your life in Panama will be sweeter.

Vick

I have lived in Costa Rica for ten years now. It is a very wonderful palce to live in. The people, are very nice and friendly.

I live in Guanacaste. Right now, there are lots of different lots, houses and condos for sale at different beaches in the area. But, some of the prices are really outrageous, although you will find other places with more reasonable prices.

A couple of Web sites you should visit are: www.discovercostarica.com
In this Web site you will find different properties for sale and for rent as well as prices. And they feature lots and houses from some of the beaches. They have some spectacular pictures.

My recommenndation to you is that you should take a trip down to both Panama and Costa Rica and choose por yourself which country you like the most. I also recommend that you look in to the property that you are going to buy before acquiring it.

If you have any doubts on Costa Rica, please contact me via e-mail.

costaricense

Hi Cheryl ...my husband and I just retired to Costa Rica we just finish building our own house and we are loving it .
We live in the pacific coast I just starded working with Re/max since my husband loves fishing and just got a boat and I wanted to get to know people in the area.

Good luck but costa rica is the way to go lets keep in touch
efickett2005@yahoo.com

come to costa rica and check it by yourself. we don't hate amaricans. there is a lot here, last week mel gibson just bought a land here on the coast. but come and enjoy the ride.

Paco El Vago!

i been to both places to visit family. i dont really remember panama cuz the last time i been there i was little. the family i have in costa rica dont like americans that much. i dunno if all costa ricans are like that though

Michelle M

No I have never been to either one but definitely do a lot of research before you go because their laws and government are extremely different than ours.

kittkatt

I'm a "tica" and I would have to say it's a "love hate" relationship with americans. Nothing you'd have to worry about if you move here...unless you treat costaricans as an inferior race...which does happen more than you'd expect. If you're nice and respectful you have nothing to worry about and you'll definitely fall in love with the place. Buying land is expensive anywhere near the coast, Escazu, Santana and some other trendy upscale areas ... real estate prices have sky rocketed... but you can still find some good deals. Best if you take a trip and search around. Building a home here is a pain in the butt... trust me! If you can buy something built...you're better off than dealing with the endless problems and frustrations. But on a lighter note...this is a gorgeous country, perfect to retire and live the "pura vida" way... so much to do...so much to see... it's paradise!

Apart that the main language spoken in both is spanish. I don't know much about them. Also they are tropical places.

God BLESS America :)

Costa Rica is nice, and they like Americans especially if you speak their language..The worst thing we witnessed while traveling there last Christmas was the "Americana's, and other Breeds!"...treating the working class as they were their personal slaves.....Labor is cheap, and C.R are great workers but they are not slaves and they will hate you if you treat them as such....There is a lot of building going on, and so you can have the poor right next door to the middle class American or Rich American...They are building beautiful homes but the roads are not being fixed to accommodate the buildings....(in most places).....You really need to just go there and rent a place first! This is what most intelligent people do....Take lots of bug spray and money! Pura Vida and Vaya Con Dios

Tico Roots.

They dont hate americans, actually they love Americans and they see all the American movies and here alot of American music, youÂ´ll be surprised how many Americans live in CR and Panama, when it comes to buying land or a house be very carefull because there are alot of scammers out there, make sure you buy from a reputable company that you see in person not from telephone or internet sales and its also pretty easy to get ripped off when you buy in person so just be very picky and carefull on who you deal with when it comes to buying land in any of those 2 countries.

Julia E

Costa Rica is better to retire, because of climate and industry. There are lots of people living here with their pension, you get permissions and will like it as all others, of course you will be living another live, ticos are different and you will have to get used to it and try to fit in.

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