Living in Boquete, Panama, for a month or longer

Chapter 5

Your first month: a week-by-week plan

A trial stay works best with a little structure. The aim is not to see every sight but to find out whether everyday life here suits you. Here is one way to use the first four weeks.

Week 1 · Arrive and slow down

  • Get a local SIM card and find out where the nearest supermarket, pharmacy and ATM are.
  • Walk around Bajo Boquete at different times of day: early morning, midday, evening, weekend.
  • Take the bus to David once, just to see how it works.
  • Find your favourite bakery, coffee shop and lunch spot.
  • Don't plan too much. Your body needs a few days to adjust to the altitude and the new rhythm.

Week 2 · Meet people and explore the valley

  • Go to the Tuesday market and to one or two community events.
  • Join the local Facebook groups and read them for a week. You will learn a lot about everyday concerns.
  • Book a few Spanish lessons, even if you already speak some.
  • Take a taxi or a rental car to Jaramillo, Palmira, Alto Quiel and Alto Boquete. Note where you like the light, the wind and the views.
  • Do a morning hike or a coffee farm tour.

Week 3 · Live like a resident

  • Cook at home most days and keep track of what you spend on food, transport and eating out. You will save and learn a lot.
  • Do the errands you would have at home: a haircut, a visit to a doctor or dentist for a check-up, a repair.
  • Spend a day in David: the hospitals, the big stores, the government offices you might need later.
  • If you work remotely, run a full normal work week and note any problems with internet or power.

Week 4 · Take stock

  • Talk to people who have lived here for several years. Ask what they wish they had known.
  • If you are thinking about buying, talk to a lawyer before you talk to sellers. Always use your own trusted lawyer, not one recommended by the seller or the broker. Ask several people for recommendations: lawyers who advertise a lot on social media may not have enough clients from genuine recommendations.
  • Look at your notes: costs, places you liked, what irritated you, what delighted you. Can you cope with the slower pace of life and a different attitude to reliability and time?
  • Decide what comes next: go home, extend your stay, or come back in the other season to see the valley's other face.

Keep a diary. First impressions fade fast. Notes on what surprised you, what things cost and how you felt on the rainy days will be worth more than any guide when you make your decision.

Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules and prices in Panama change; please check official sources before you act on anything here.