Panama
Cost of Living in Boquete
The major cost advantage is no AC. Electricity runs $30-80/month versus $150-300 in Panama City. Trade-off is the 40-minute drive to David for serious medical care or major shopping. Weekly power outages are common but brief. The 8-month rainy season brings heavy precipitation but predictable patterns. Car ownership helpful but not essential for town living.
Monthly Total
$1,702
$29,785
Housing (1BR Mid-range)
$805
Daily Spend (ex. rent)
$30
Based on a typical expat lifestyle: 1BR furnished apartment, mix of cooking/eating out, rideshare transportation, moderate entertainment. Last updated: 1/14/2026.
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Housing (Rent)
1BR furnished apartment in mid-range neighborhood
$805
$14,088
Utilities
Electric, water, gas, and internet
$130
$2,275
Groceries
Groceries from supermarkets
$245
$4,288
Dining Out
Mix of casual restaurants, ~12 meals/month
$84
$1,470
Transportation
Rideshare (Uber/Didi), ~30 rides/month
$90
$1,575
Lifestyle & Entertainment
Entertainment, occasional cleaning service
$183
$3,203
Healthcare
Basic private health insurance
$120
$2,100
Phone & Subscriptions
Phone plan and streaming subscriptions
$45
$788
Monthly Total
$1,702
$29,785
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Living in Boquete
Boquete offers Panama's best value combined with its best climate. The eternal spring weather (70s-80s°F days, 60°F nights) eliminates air conditioning costs entirely—a savings of $150-250/month versus Panama City. Basic homes rent for $500-700, while North American-style 3BR properties run $1,200-1,500. The large expat community supports 50+ restaurants and active social scene at reasonable prices.
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