Would you trade a Rolex for a Casio?

Costa Rica versus Panamá

Shakira is a world-famous Latin American singer from Barranquilla, Colombia. Recently she broke up with her soccer star husband Gerard Piqué because he had an affair with a younger woman behind her back. Still recovering from the break-up, Shakira vented her feelings about Piqué and his new lover in a song whose lyrics say, “You Traded a Rolex for a Casio.” She is a Rolex and Piqué’s new girlfriend is a downgrade in comparison.

So, what does this have to do with Costa Rica and Panamá?

For several reasons, Costa Rica has always been the #1 time-tested choice in Latin America as a relocation and retirement destination. International Living listed the country as the #1 retirement haven according to the 2024 Annual Global Retirement Index https://apple.news/A4JohOpneTmajfkhAlhqQUg .

This was after taking in all the advice from its advisors, looking at the cost of living and housing, availability of visas, climate, and which also just so happens to be Travel + Leisure’s Destination of the Year. While the nation, of course, scored high marks for its fantastic climate, it also earned the No. 1 spot thanks to two healthcare systems within Costa Rica, one public and one private, both available to legal residents. in 2024.

By way the Panama was #4 on the list behind Portugal and Mexico.

Lately, there has been a lot of “hoopla” bombarding the media with convincing information about retirement in Panama. Often when looking for a place to relocate abroad, at first some come across the plethora of information in the media about Panamá. So, many potential expats become swayed by this omnipresent marketing of Panamá.

Don’t get me wrong. Some people will find Panama the perfect place to live. However, you get what you pay for. In Spanish we say, “lo que algo vale, algo cuesta.”

Believe me! I have lived in Latin America for the majority of my life and know every country south of the U.S. border. I consider myself a lifelong Hispanophile (a person who admires Spanish-speaking countries, people, or Spanish culture). So, in my opinion, Panama cannot hold a candle to Costa Rica for a variety of reasons. If I thought Panama was better than Costa Rica, I would be living there.

Costa Rica’s year-round weather in the Central Valley cannot be topped. The country offers more places from which to choose at the beach and in mountain and valley areas. In Panama, you can only choose from sweltering Panama City, nearby Coronado, Pedasi, or the Boquete area. That latter is isolated and you have to travel by plane or bus to either Panama City or San José, Costa Rica to travel internationally.

Another factor to consider is that in general Costa Rica’s people are more friendly than Panamanians. I have received a lot of feedback that substantiates this statement from Americans, Europeans, and Costa Ricans. A retired American woman friend, who has lived here for many years, told me the other day that after a week in Panama, she noticed the same difference between Costa Ricans and the Panamanians.

Indeed, the pura vida spirit that permeates everything and everywhere here is difficult to find in Panamá.