Panama vs Costa Rica: Expats Are Ditching One in ‘25

Burocracia
La salud, El sistema de Salud de Costa rica es univversal. si un turista sufre algún accidente o cualquier problema de salud, puede ser atendido en cualquier hospital público y ouede ser que al final se le haga una factura que no debe paggar en forma inmediata. si bien muchas personas consideran que a veces se debe esperar por un tratamiento, cirugía, es relativo porque tanto las referencias a especialistas o cirugías indican si es de alta prioridad, prioridan media o a cupo, que son para personas que no tienen un problema muy grave y requieren una atención de emergencia. Hace unos años Costa rica reformó
Aloajamiento: Desde $
Comida: La comida como en todos los lugares del mundo o, al menos en la mayoría, hay restaurantes de lujo, otros con precios módicos y las SODAS que son lugares mucho más baratos pero también son muy limpios, comidas de varios tipos no solo comida típia como casados, gallo pinto, sopa de mpndongo, lengua en salsaa, café, etc. Los precios oscilan entre $6 a $20, a $1,500, $2,000 y más depende de su presupuesto.
La electricidad no varía dependiendo de la región como dicen en algunas revistas, se paga por consumo que es escalonado, Wi Fi



Las carreteras

I’m not retired but, I would like to know what my options are as I am interested in exploring both Panama and Costa Rica. I do feel more drawn to Panama however, I need to see them both in person.

Been in Panama City just 1 month ago, never paid $20+ for a burger in Costa Rica yes in beach towns where i live 100%. Not Panama city. Condos vary but a 2 bed 2 bath can be found easily under $1500 avoid Abnb and Vrbo use realtors, maybe that's what you used Abnb?

Hola soy cubano y quisiera saber vien cómo es la Curtura de costa rica y si es buena horcion mudarce a costa rica

The core reason many of these 'expats' leave isn't truly about Panama's issues—it's about their own arrogance and hypocrisy. They move purely for the financial incentives, yet they maintain a profound contempt for the local culture and language. If you leave the USA, you've admitted it's not the 'best country in the world' for your needs, but then you arrive in Panama and expect the entire nation to be a carbon copy of the life you chose to leave.
Expecting a sovereign country to accommodate your monolingualism and your desire for American comforts is the height of entitlement. If you hate the language, if you hate the culture, then the only logical and respectful choice is to go back to an environment that genuinely aligns with your expectations. The problem isn't that Panama is chasing them away; it's that they never truly arrived.

I would go to panama in a heartbeat but they won't recognize my marriage

PANAMÁ IS CHEAPER BUT THE PEOPLE ARE NOT VERY NICE!!
PEOPLE IN CR ARE VERY NICE!

Where the F are you eating in Panama City where your hamburger is $20-25?!?!?! Cmon bro...

I am currently in CR. I bought a small container of Haagen-Daz ice cream for 7,250 colones. That is $14.50 US. And then further to Canadian it ended up costing me $19. Lunch at a local taco place was 33,000 colones which translates to $66 US. Which further translates to $89 Canadian. I am leaving at the end of October.

It's always interesting to listen to Americans who travel to these destinations and give their opinions based on living a short time in those places. Although, in this case...I must agree with this young man. Panama IS in fact the better choice. I love it here and have no plans to ever move back to the USA.

I'm a naturalized Costa Rican citizen and travel frequently to Panama for work. For Americans looking for a more urban vibe (night life, shopping malls, fine dining) then its Panama. For those who want a slower pace of life in quiet rural areas to spend your retirement, then its Costa Rica. Key point is to live like the locals. Now, to comment about the naturalization process: I observed most foreigners tend to call or email the TSE (which grants citizenships in CR). That's not how it works! you need to get your feet on the ground, do the paperwork personally and not via calls, emails or lawyers. I got my citizenship after 1 year and 5 months. I knew people who got lawyers to do the legwork and ended up getting citizenship after more than 2 years.

I have been here 10 years and I have been robbed 4 times in good towns and neighbors. Friends have experienced armed robberies. The Caja health care is ok for out patient but the hospitals are HORRIFYING for the Caja system. They take away your phone, watch and all belongings.NO CALL BELLS, Sick food. They will not allow anyone to bring in food and check your bags before entering, There are no pillows or private or semi private rooms, just huge rooms filled with 30 or more, beds in all the hallways, men and women, no privacy screens. If you have to go to the toilet you have 2 options, diaper or bedpan. No bathrooms for patients. NONE. Each nurse has 14 patients when I was there. You can get in to a private hospital but you must pay $7,000 before they let you in Daily charges are 7,000$ plus $400 for Dr visit plus costs of xrays and meds. This was in Liberia Costa Rica 1 year ago. Many good things about it here but you better have money, And NEVER leave your home unattended or vacant,

Costa Rica all the way, Panama is growing more and more into a US puppet.

Panama City has far better healthcare than anywhere in CR. Panama also has a lower VAT tax, and they use the U.S. dollar.

Great video! We live in Boquete, Panama four years now and LOVE it. But cost of living is rising here tenfold. And it's not the quiet little town it was four years ago. And lack of bureaucracy?? Not a chance. EVERYTHING takes forever/months/years/manana here. Trust me.

Great video. Your observations are accurate! The words you used to describe Panama are exactly the reasons I find myself falling more in love with it every day. Messy, alive, dynamic.

If rent is $1,500 a month, then why / how would anyone "retire" in Panama? They should raise the standard to $3000 a month to qualify for a retirement Visa. You should make AT LEAST twice the amount of rent, minimum.

Panama all the way …. Costa Rica feels too 3rd world for me

No importa donde vayas. Si un lugar se populariza por cualquier razón, la popularidad termina transformandose en su propio enemigo. Mas popular significa que mas quieren el mismo recurso, no hay manera de que esto no termine en competencia agresiva. Los precios van a subir. Lo que se requiere es colonizar lugares similares: la ciudad de Volcan, en vez de Boquete; en vez de playa Venado, San Carlos o Boca Chica; y en la ciudad de Panamá.... bueno, hay que buscar, es la capital y la sede de la mitad de la población del pais... pero hay alternativas un poco alejados de los lugares populares

Panama all the way. Better roads, better banking and perhaps maybe a bit cheaper but not by much. If you want to get away from the humidity move to Boquete. If you want beach life move to Bocas del Toro.

This video is excellent and "spot on" from a Yank who has lived in both countries beginning in 2004. I still live in Costa Rica but am moving to Nicaragua in December to be with my fiancee.

do a video on corruption comparison of both countries. I lived in Panama for 15 years near Boquete

Costa Rica is racist to the bone.

There's a reason Panamanians don't migrate as much.

panama is the best option

Go to Panama!!!

CR and Panama are so different from each other that they attract/suit different types of people. But many foreigners move to these countries and then leave for somewhere else after a few years. It's a question of horses for courses.

Its gotta be Costa Rica. I've been there and i was not impressed. Mexico for the win. Also living somewhere for a year does't mean much. 18 ~ 24 months minimum, You're just bouncing around

live like locals is key to save money . can't keep the same style of living if you want to relax adaptation is key.

Stupid video, sorry to tell you but nobody in Costa Rica, Panama or any Latin country likes people from the USA. Get it through your thick head, you might visit a latin country, you might spend your $$$ and have people smile at you, but nobody likes you and latinos recent that outsiders come to their countries to buy up their land like candy at the $1 store.. Nobody wants you in CR or any other country, you need to understand this concept if you are going to mix it up with the locals.. Dont be a fool....

Listen, with all due respect i think americans are the only people who immigrate and call themselves expats. Its ridiculous and we personally truly dislike it, specially cuz many come and just establish their own rules without respecting our country.

Panama food and rent is much cheaper than Costa Rica.
Murder rates:
Panama= 12.5 per 100,000
Costa Rica= 17.5
I'm in CR right now visiting Family.( just left Panama).
CR had a huge Oligarchy graft problem... controlling Tariffs.
Add to that the 13% sales tax, income tax for the middle class and it's really hurting Ticos.
Then add the terrible infrastructure(energy, roads ,water) and under policed criminal activity and it's starting to look like Mexico.
CRs President is trying to fix Corruption but he's struggling against ab entrenched legislative/judicial beaurcrcy.
CR is collapsing due to negligence and has a hard recovery ahead.

Very interested in what are your opinions of the president. Since it can be implied you don’t approve of his work based off of how you portrait him in the video…

Medical tourism in Costa Rica goes to private hospitals like H. Cima or H. Clinica Bíblica…
I don’t think people really fly here to get treated by the services in caja .

You are so naive and irresponsible claiming that CR is not that dangerous and that their medical insurance "caja" is a good medical insurance system. This is the problem with ignorant Americans that make "Youtube" Videos without really knowing a country, how their corrupt political system is designed to make their people poorer and their elite politicians richer. You have no idea what you are talking about. CR is extremely dangerous. Caja is a medical insurance scam that provides a terrible service to citizens, plus walking around with an attitude that I am safer than in the USA or that it is the safest country in Central America will get you robbed and even killed. As for your medical procedures bs many fake doctors have been caught performing surgeries without a licence, they have even killed many ignorant people who probably saw a Youtube video from some dumb kid claiming that it was safe. People should not heed your advice, CR is not the paradise that it was 50 years ago, it is a Narco State, full of drugs and violent deaths on a daily basis, it is extremely dangerous with a corrupt government and police force that abuse their citizens. No wonder Americans and others are fleeing the country, Be smart, stay away..

Where in Panama city are you buying $25 cheeseburgers?

Bro you misspelled and mispronounced “Immigrant” stop sugar coating the word. Being a citizen from certain country does not erase the fact that those are immigrants. Whether they like it or not.