Thank you for the reply. We were in Costa Rica December and January and it is very nice once you get out of San Jose. We will be going to Panama this December. I'll let you know what I find. Stay in touch

Mike

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Comparing Costa Rica to Panama has been a much discussed topic in a group about moving to Panama. Many people for as many reasons have chosen Panama as a better place for retirement. Prices are lower, there are retiree discounts on services, less development (so far) than Costa Rica are just a few of the reasons. There are some good places to start for info. The website of the Panamanian Consulate in Houston has a FAQ section. You can find bits and pieces of info on commercial websites. Try a search using "living in Panana" and many will come up. Panama has been discovered and more people are moving here everyday.

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Although I have only "web" information on Panama I was in Costa Rica last year to where i was th i nking of taking early retirement. I thought it a beautiful country with friendly local people. However, there are disturbing signs. The government elected last year has experienced a chain of resignations from within weeks of taking power. Indeed there was a further resignation this week. (Sept) That is not too worrying but the collapse of the notorious "Brothers" investment scheme in which many US and Canadian citizens lost all or a substantial amount of their savings, many had no option but to leave and return home. This led to a fall in income on sales tax, of course.
Now that property taxes are being hiked and new taxes imposed on "pensionados" it wouldn't be surprising to see yet more leaving. This will mean an increased loss in revenues.
This week's "Nacion" reports that investment fell dramatically in the past financial year.
Resorting to the "easy" answer of taxation can be extremely dangerous - as history has shown. With its stricter administration of residency regulations - which could suggest "muscle-flexing" on the part of a new
government - and its patched-together fiscal policies I am concerned that CR may start losing its appeal as a place to live. It's not beyond belief that it might lose its established stability.
I am in touch with a handful of friends there, and at least two are leaving next year - one for Thailand where retirees are welcomed. I know of others who are making the move to neighbouring Nicaragua which offers retirees bettr financialincentives - a minimum income of $600 monthly, plus admitting their car tax-free with replacment every five years, and a one-time allowance of the importation of household goods to the value of $110,000.
If your income is generous, then CR's direction shouldn't concern you overmuch. But if your margins are narrow - just be cautious.

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