How much does it cost for a gardener in Boquete, Panama?
Paul McBride - Inside Panama Real Estate
A good gardener in Boquete will cost between $15 and $20 per day depending on the size of the property and the number of days you use them per month. Many people with small gardens or properties have their gardener come by twice a month. Some folks with larger properties employ staff full time to maintain their grounds.
The best way to find a good gardener (or a housekeeper) is to ask around and find out from friends or neighbors who...
A good gardener in Boquete will cost between $15 and $20 per day depending on the size of the property and the number of days you use them per month. Many people with small gardens or properties have their gardener come by twice a month. Some folks with larger properties employ staff full time to maintain their grounds.
The best way to find a good gardener (or a housekeeper) is to ask around and find out from friends or neighbors who they use or who they recommend.
Posted June 26, 2013
Frank Stegmeier - Rio Encantado
The cost of a gardener in the Boquete
area depends on the area. Local villages in the province have a lower cost per hour and by the day, whereas in Boquete proper, the cost of living is higher , so the pay also is more. The pay by type of work is also governed by law, which is a minimum of $12 a day.
area depends on the area. Local villages in the province have a lower cost per hour and by the day, whereas in Boquete proper, the cost of living is higher , so the pay also is more. The pay by type of work is also governed by law, which is a minimum of $12 a day. For example, the picture to the right is of my garden area and I pay $15 a day for each gardener.
The cost of a gardener in the Boquete area depends on the area. Local villages in the province have a lower cost per hour and by the day, whereas in Boquete proper, the cost of living is higher , so the pay also is more. The pay by type of work is also governed by law, which is a minimum of $12 a day.
area depends on the area. Local villages in the province have a lower cost per hour and by the day, whereas in Boquete proper, the cost of living is higher , so the pay also is more. The pay by type of work is also governed by law, which is a minimum of $12 a day. For example, the picture to the right is of my garden area and I pay $15 a day for each gardener.
Posted June 28, 2013
Ken E. Harper - Bella Vista Del Mundo
Gardeners in and around Boquete run 
about $15 a day. The price can vary depending on where you are. At the new resort community Bella Vista del Mundo 20 miles east of Boquete, gardeners will cost $12 a day.
about $15 a day. The price can vary depending on where you are. At the new resort community Bella Vista del Mundo 20 miles east of Boquete, gardeners will cost $12 a day. Gardeners in and around Boquete run about $15 a day. The price can vary depending on where you are. At the new resort community Bella Vista del Mundo 20 miles east of Boquete, gardeners will cost $12 a day.
about $15 a day. The price can vary depending on where you are. At the new resort community Bella Vista del Mundo 20 miles east of Boquete, gardeners will cost $12 a day. Posted August 9, 2013
David Hatton - Panama Connection Real Estate
The cost for a gardener in Boquete Panama really depends on who you know and how willing you are to reach out to locals to find quality gardeners. The average is anywhere between $12 -$15 per day and some choose to feed the gardener as well. I have heard some people pay as much as $20 - $22 per day. But to be honest there is no reason to pay that much. The key to finding someone good is getting involved with the local community and speaking to other expats for their referral.
The cost for a gardener in Boquete Panama really depends on who you know and how willing you are to reach out to locals to find quality gardeners. The average is anywhere between $12 -$15 per day and some choose to feed the gardener as well. I have heard some people pay as much as $20 - $22 per day. But to be honest there is no reason to pay that much. The key to finding someone good is getting involved with the local community and speaking to other expats for their referral.
Posted September 16, 2013
Albert Obbens - Albert Obbens
The cost of a gardener in Boquete is between $10 and $20 a day, depending if he lives on the property or comes once a week or month. It is logical that if he has to travel to his work and work for 8 hours he could be on the move for 10 hours, a higher income is then reasonable. Also because they bring often their own tools. Many with larger gardens employ indigenous people, sometimes a family, who help out in the gardens, sometimes the house, animals, the garbage etc. Then the reward...
The cost of a gardener in Boquete is between $10 and $20 a day, depending if he lives on the property or comes once a week or month. It is logical that if he has to travel to his work and work for 8 hours he could be on the move for 10 hours, a higher income is then reasonable. Also because they bring often their own tools. Many with larger gardens employ indigenous people, sometimes a family, who help out in the gardens, sometimes the house, animals, the garbage etc. Then the reward could be a mixture of cash, food and other types of payment. The better you treat your gardener or help, the longer they will stay with you and you be loyal to you, functioning as a guard as well.
Posted September 19, 2013
Philip McGuigan - Chiriqui United, an Association of the leading humanitarian organizations in the Chiriqui Province of Panama
I employ a man named Ramon here in Boquete. Under our contract Ramon works two days a week for me, two days a week for my next door neighbor, and one day a week for my other next door neighbor. He works slightly longer hours Monday through Friday so that he is free all weekend. He will often work on Saturday for one of his former clients.
Ramon not only takes care of our gardening needs but, most important, he is a highly skilled construction...
I employ a man named Ramon here in Boquete. Under our contract Ramon works two days a week for me, two days a week for my next door neighbor, and one day a week for my other next door neighbor. He works slightly longer hours Monday through Friday so that he is free all weekend. He will often work on Saturday for one of his former clients.
Ramon not only takes care of our gardening needs but, most important, he is a highly skilled construction worker. Ramon works with plumbing, electricity, gas, tile, concrete, etc. He maintains our water filtration systems, keeps our roof gutters clean, and he just fixed my garage door which saved me from having to pay for a service call by the company that installed it. To date, we have not found anything that Ramon cannot do well. We pay him accordingly.
It costs us US $40 a day, all in, for Ramon.
We pay Ramon his salary, a month vacation, a thirteenth month bonus, and the entire cost of his social security coverage.
Paying Ramon’s social security is key because if anything happens to him or his family they are covered. Otherwise they would have to go to a different government clinic that is not considered as good.
While Ramon owns his own house, he doesn’t own a car. I know that we pay about him what other expats pay their workers who they are happy with. We gave Ramon a raise this year and we will continue giving him raises. We look at the increase in the cost of living and add a bit more to recognize his excellent performance.
Posted July 6, 2014
Penny Barrett - Fundacion Bid 4 Bouquete
My gardener comes in three days a month and I pay him US $21 per day. He comes on Sundays and works for about five or six hours to take care of my property. Others have their gardeners come in three times a week.
My gardener comes in three days a month and I pay him US $21 per day. He comes on Sundays and works for about five or six hours to take care of my property. Others have their gardeners come in three times a week.
Posted October 13, 2014
Philip McGuigan - Chiriqui United, an Association of the leading humanitarian organizations in the Chiriqui Province of Panama
There is a gentleman who works as a gardener for me here in Boquete. The contract is full time for me but in effect, he also works two days a week for my next door neighbor. So he works one day a week for another neighbor and two days a week for me. Part of our contract is that I pay him a salary every week and we pay him a 13th month pay, a one month vacation, and we pay for both his side as the employee and our side as the employer of his security. We do that just because...
There is a gentleman who works as a gardener for me here in Boquete. The contract is full time for me but in effect, he also works two days a week for my next door neighbor. So he works one day a week for another neighbor and two days a week for me. Part of our contract is that I pay him a salary every week and we pay him a 13th month pay, a one month vacation, and we pay for both his side as the employee and our side as the employer of his security. We do that just because we want to make sure that he and his family are comfortable. That is the way most people do it here.
If you are running a coffee plantation, you cannot afford to do that, but in my case, this is a guy who is in my house all the time and he is someone I have already gotten to really know. I have lunch with him every single day he works for me so what we have is a different employee-employer relationship. I think if you are running a finca (farm), you may not want to get so close to your employees, whereas if you are having a guy who is helping you inside and outside your house, that is a different deal.
Posted December 19, 2014
Philip McGuigan - Chiriqui United, an Association of the leading humanitarian organizations in the Chiriqui Province of Panama
We have a gentleman who works as our gardener in our house in Boquete. The contract we have is full time for me, but in effect, he also works two days a week for my next door neighbor. So he works one day a week for my neighbor and two days a week for me. Part of our contract is that I pay him a salary every week and we pay him a 13th month pay and a one month vacation. For his Social Security, we pay for both his contribution and our contribution as employer. We do that just because...
We have a gentleman who works as our gardener in our house in Boquete. The contract we have is full time for me, but in effect, he also works two days a week for my next door neighbor. So he works one day a week for my neighbor and two days a week for me. Part of our contract is that I pay him a salary every week and we pay him a 13th month pay and a one month vacation. For his Social Security, we pay for both his contribution and our contribution as employer. We do that just because we want to make sure that he and his family are comfortable. That is the way most people do it here.
If you are running a coffee plantation, you cannot afford to do that but in my case, this is a guy who is in my house all the time and he is someone I have already gotten to really know. I have lunch with him every single day he works for me so what we have is a different employee-employer relationship. If you are running a finka, you may not want to get so close to your employees, whereas if you are having a guy who is helping you out inside and outside your house, that is a different deal.
Posted January 2, 2015
Georgina Chanapi - Lucero Homes Golf & Country Club
In Boquete, if you want to have a gardener or people who will clean your yards, the cost to get one is around US $15 a day. Here in Lucero, the cost to get a gardener is around $10 per day and they work from 8 AM to 5 PM. Most of the expats that I’ve met here in Boquete have their houses cleaned twice a week and they pay $15 each time they have someone come to clean.
For me, for example, I pay $20 to $25 because the...
In Boquete, if you want to have a gardener or people who will clean your yards, the cost to get one is around US $15 a day. Here in Lucero, the cost to get a gardener is around $10 per day and they work from 8 AM to 5 PM. Most of the expats that I’ve met here in Boquete have their houses cleaned twice a week and they pay $15 each time they have someone come to clean.
For me, for example, I pay $20 to $25 because the people who come to clean my yard use the machines and they cut the trees, too. The price to pay for a gardener will depend on what jobs you want done. If the gardeners are just going to pick up dried leaves, then it will cost you less – around $10, but if you need them to cut trees, then it will be around $20.
Posted March 24, 2015
Nica Dean
If you really need a gardener, maybe your health is not sufficient to live here, or your place is too large. Most retirees enjoy having some type of activity and gardening is high on the list for most healthy seniors. Do you really need someone to clean your house? This is another indication of poor health. Do something physical in your golden years, or consider assisted living....
If you really need a gardener, maybe your health is not sufficient to live here, or your place is too large. Most retirees enjoy having some type of activity and gardening is high on the list for most healthy seniors. Do you really need someone to clean your house? This is another indication of poor health. Do something physical in your golden years, or consider assisted living....
Posted March 24, 2015
Valerie Bennett
Considering that we live in the country and have close to 2 hectares (over 6 acres), we employ a gardener four days/week. We pay him $20/day but that is on the high side - I believe that $15/day as stated in other responses is closer to the average. By Panamanian law, if you employ someone more than 3 days/week (met with our attorney yesterday and confirmed this is still the law), you are required to pay into what is equivalent of the Social Security system. It...
Considering that we live in the country and have close to 2 hectares (over 6 acres), we employ a gardener four days/week. We pay him $20/day but that is on the high side - I believe that $15/day as stated in other responses is closer to the average. By Panamanian law, if you employ someone more than 3 days/week (met with our attorney yesterday and confirmed this is still the law), you are required to pay into what is equivalent of the Social Security system. It also includes health care which we are happy to do for his family of three children.
(Parade carts made of palm thatch, Macano, Panama, pictured.)
Posted December 15, 2015
Jackie Lange - Panama Relocation Tours
I pay my gardener $20 a day plus lunch. He has worked for me two days a week for 4 years. I also give him extra money for school clothes for his 7 children and doctor visits when needed. At least once a year I buy him new boots, socks and a hat. His takes care of a large property (and coffee) and does a great job without much instruction. Over the years he has helped me learn more Spanish and I have helped him learn more English.
...
I pay my gardener $20 a day plus lunch. He has worked for me two days a week for 4 years. I also give him extra money for school clothes for his 7 children and doctor visits when needed. At least once a year I buy him new boots, socks and a hat. His takes care of a large property (and coffee) and does a great job without much instruction. Over the years he has helped me learn more Spanish and I have helped him learn more English.
(House and garden, Boquete, Panama, pictured.)
Posted March 2, 2017
Jackie Lange - Panama Relocation Tours
UPDATE on my gardener costs and situation.
One day a few months ago, while I went to the grocery store to get a few things, the tenants next door witnessed my gardener carrying four large stalks of bananas up my driveway and then selling them to someone in a truck. The gardener knows he is not to take anything off my property without my permission. When I confronted him about it, of course he denied it. But I had witnesses with photos of the...
UPDATE on my gardener costs and situation.
One day a few months ago, while I went to the grocery store to get a few things, the tenants next door witnessed my gardener carrying four large stalks of bananas up my driveway and then selling them to someone in a truck. The gardener knows he is not to take anything off my property without my permission. When I confronted him about it, of course he denied it. But I had witnesses with photos of the theft.
I should have let him go then but I gave him one more chance.
Then about a month later, he just disappeared for a whole month. He did not call to tell me he was leaving. So, I assumed he was not coming back.
I hired a Panamanian garden service who sends two Panamanian guys to work on my yard two days a week. They work from 8 am to 5 pm with a 30 minute lunch break. The cost is $30 a day. But I am hiring a Panamanian company instead of a Ngobe worker. I don't have to fix lunch. Their boss drops them off at the property in the morning and then picks them up in the afternoon after inspecting their work to make sure they did a good job. They give me a written receipt for payment each time.
Then about a month later, he just disappeared for a whole month. He did not call to tell me he was leaving. So, I assumed he was not coming back.
I hired a Panamanian garden service who sends two Panamanian guys to work on my yard two days a week. They work from 8 am to 5 pm with a 30 minute lunch break. The cost is $30 a day. But I am hiring a Panamanian company instead of a Ngobe worker. I don't have to fix lunch. Their boss drops them off at the property in the morning and then picks them up in the afternoon after inspecting their work to make sure they did a good job. They give me a written receipt for payment each time.
Yes, it costs more money, but it is MUCH better quality work, too! They get more done in one day than my previous gardener got done in a whole month!
When the Ngobe gardener finally showed up after being gone a month, I told him that I hired someone else to do the yard work because I could not just let the yard go for a whole month in the rainy season.
A week later, the Ngobe worker served me notice to appear before the Labor Board demanding $4,900 severance pay. He lied and told them he had worked for me for 6 years and worked only for me 5-6 days a week.
Because I documented when he worked for me (Thursday and Saturday) and what I paid him and had him sign off on the pay each time, I did not have to pay anything.
No matter who you hire, document everything! It is better to have your worker sign for any money you give them.
No matter who you hire, document everything! It is better to have your worker sign for any money you give them.
Ngobe will often ask for loans. To them a loan is just free money. They have no plans to pay it back. It is better to never lend money because if you do it one time, they will ask for it again and again.
Posted January 7, 2018
Kjersten Van Horn - River Ranch Farms Panama
I enjoy gardening in my greenhouse and around my property, but I have too big of a property to maintain myself. Gardeners are a big help and I have a really good one that has been with my family for a long time and is like family.
The going rate in Panama for a gardener is $20/day. Some people pay $15/day but I think that is too low and some people pay over $20/day and that is too high. The right rate for a good...
I enjoy gardening in my greenhouse and around my property, but I have too big of a property to maintain myself. Gardeners are a big help and I have a really good one that has been with my family for a long time and is like family.
The going rate in Panama for a gardener is $20/day. Some people pay $15/day but I think that is too low and some people pay over $20/day and that is too high. The right rate for a good gardener is $20/day.
Remember also in Panama whether your gardener works part time or full time you must pay vacation pay and "decimo" (which is the 13th month paid quarterly).
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If you are planning to move here and hire domestic help PLEASE check with an accountant on what the workers should be paid on top of the daily, weekly, bi weekly or monthly salary. Photos, from top:
Avocados in my garden
Pineapples, bananas and platanos in my garden
Posted April 27, 2018