The No. 1 place in the world to retire abroad in 2026
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Back in 2000, Live And Invest Overseas’ Founding Publisher Kathleen Peddicord made her way to a small town in the mountains of Panama. There, she met with a developer who showed her the valley he intended to purchase to create the world’s first expat retiree community. That same day he closed on the deal.
Back then, the idea of moving overseas was far from mainstream, and even those ahead of the curve were following more familiar trails to Mexico or Costa Rica. Selling up in the U.S. to set up home in the highlands of Panama wasn’t on most retirees’ radars.
But Kathleen knew her readers weren’t your average retiree, and she knew that this developer was on to something big. Kathleen reported on the project in real time and named Boquete the world’s best place to retire overseas a year on from her first visit.
Once again the best place to retire abroad
The mainstream caught up in time with everyone from the AARP to Fortune magazine highlighting this little town’s big charms. More than two decades on from Kathleen’s recommendation, Boquete is perhaps the world’s best-known expat haven.
It’s home to some 25,000 people, over a fifth of whom are expats, so living here you’ll never want for English-speaking company.
The countryside is lush and green in this land of rainbows, and the cost of living is still a bargain … especially when you consider the lifestyle on offer.
Boquete boasts restaurants of nearly every nationality, nightlife, massage studios, beauty salons along with grocery stores stocking international brands and medical clinics with English-speaking staff.
It’s for all these reasons and more we’ve just crowned Boquete as the best place in the world for a retirement abroad this 2026 in our hot-off-the-presses Overseas Retirement Index.
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What to love about Boquete
Boquete is a nature lover’s dream and an outdoorsman’s playground. You could spend your days hiking the lush highlands, rafting on the river, spotting wildlife, fishing.
The climate is one of its biggest draws. Perched at an altitude of about 3,900 feet, the town enjoys mild, spring-like weather year-round.
Plus, you’re only around 45 minutes from David, Panama’s second-largest city, where you’ll find everything you’d expect to find in a large city back home. You’re also just 50 minutes from the Pacific coast and its beaches.
One of Boquete’s strongest selling points is its affordability. It’s true that it isn’t the bargain it used to be but compared to the rising cost of living in North America, Boquete offers retirees a chance to stretch their retirement dollars further without sacrificing quality of life.
Affordable living for English speakers
As with anywhere, your cost of living will depend on the lifestyle you choose. If you rent a casita, shop in local markets, and use public transport, you could get by on $1,500 a month.
If you’re looking for a long-term rental, around a 20-minute drive out of town, they can be found for as little as $500 a month, but as you get closer to the downtown area, the prices can rise considerably depending on the property — prices start around $800 a month for smaller units and rise from there.
Health care, another major concern for retirees, is both high-quality and affordable in Panama. Routine doctor visits often cost between $20 and $40, and many expats opt for private health insurance, which is cheaper than in the U.S.
Boquete is the only destination in Panama where you can thrive with no Spanish. Almost everyone working in the service industry — in hotels, restaurants, tour agencies, grocery stores, etc. — speaks English proficiently.
Plus, Boquete is also a great jumping-off point for adventures farther afield … the Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park, Bocas del Toro, and even Costa Rica are within easy reach.
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Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Live and Invest Overseas.
