What's retirement in Coronado, Panama like?
Roy Cannon - Gestoria Cocle - main office in Penoneme
Coronado, Panama has become very popular with the Ex-Pat and especially retired crowd. It is located just 1 hour from the noisy city, but has an ever increasing infrastructure to serve residents and tourists alike. There are several "watering holes" and places with "Happy Hours" where you will be sure to meet other English-speaking people, long-time residents who are a source of information, recent arrivals and tourists....always a new face at the next...
Coronado, Panama has become very popular with the Ex-Pat and especially retired crowd. It is located just 1 hour from the noisy city, but has an ever increasing infrastructure to serve residents and tourists alike. There are several "watering holes" and places with "Happy Hours" where you will be sure to meet other English-speaking people, long-time residents who are a source of information, recent arrivals and tourists....always a new face at the next table.
There are several micro-climates in this part of Panama. Coronado is somewhat drier than other areas just a few miles away, so the lower humidity makes the higher beach temperatures less uncomfortable. The other extreme would be El Valle de Anton, some 40 minutes away; more rain but higher and cooler.....pay your money and take your choice.
Coronado has "up market" activities for those who are golfers or belong to the "horse set", so there is a variety of activities, in many languages, not just English or Spanish; we see Europeans and other Latin nationalities too. You can live on a budget, or eat high on the hog; all options and life styles are catered for.
If you are coming to Panama "to look around" Coronado should be on your list - the place IS different from many other locations in Panama. Hint: rent before you buy, and get to know the area before making your commitment.
Posted June 25, 2013
Daryl Ries - Keller Williams Panama, associate
Some retirees in Coronado, Panama are just keeping it that way; keeping life easy, no schedule, and enjoying the surroundings they have made come true. Many others get the itch to get involved with investments, new businesses or with charity work, teaching, donating skills to the community, entertaining, and the list goes on.
Coronado, Panama is not a retirement community; there are none really in Panama per say. And there...
Some retirees in Coronado, Panama are just keeping it that way; keeping life easy, no schedule, and enjoying the surroundings they have made come true. Many others get the itch to get involved with investments, new businesses or with charity work, teaching, donating skills to the community, entertaining, and the list goes on.
Coronado, Panama is not a retirement community; there are none really in Panama per say. And there are no assisted living places, yet. But, there are local caretakers, gardeners, and maids that are so very affordable, which is a reason in itself for being here, not least the healthcare benefits, a 24 hour hospital on premises, dental clinics and more. Living in the tropics by the sea is a recipe for longevity, and Coronado, Panama adds all the necessities of convenience, that (excuse me) others up north would die for.
Posted December 9, 2013
Marla Diaz
While I really want to be retired, I’m not. But, I can tell you what I can observe about what its like to retire in Coronado, Panama.
The options for retirees in Coronado Panama include (in no particular order):
The options for retirees in Coronado Panama include (in no particular order):
- Golfing.
- Beach activities such as kayaking, surfing, walking on the beach, running on the beach, swimming, sunbathing or just enjoying the beach.
- Participation in lots of clubs including coffee clubs, book clubs, and game...
While I really want to be retired, I’m not. But, I can tell you what I can observe about what its like to retire in Coronado, Panama.
The options for retirees in Coronado Panama include (in no particular order):
The options for retirees in Coronado Panama include (in no particular order):
- Golfing.
- Beach activities such as kayaking, surfing, walking on the beach, running on the beach, swimming, sunbathing or just enjoying the beach.
- Participation in lots of clubs including coffee clubs, book clubs, and game clubs that include bridge and other games.
- If you like gardening, Coronado, Panama is a gardener’s paradise, because things grow so well here and labor is inexpensive, so you can have a really nice garden and have it maintained easily very inexpensively.
- Fishing.
- Hiking trails up in the mountains (which are close by).
- Shopping.
- Horseback riding.
- Great bird watching (Panama has more species of birds than all of Canada, the US, and Mexico combined).
Pretty much anything you would do in North American or Europe, you can do in Coronado, Panama. In retirement you would have no problem filling your days with fun social or physical activities.
Posted July 29, 2014
Sarah Booth - Panama Holiday Homes & Buyer's Consultant with My Panama Real Estate
I am one of many people who came to Coronado to relax and take it easy but after a while, it gets boring. So I found myself wanting to do something more. We all want to give something to the community, but aside from that, there are also so many opportunities to have a sense of purpose here in Coronado or even to earn a little extra pocket money. Many expats in Coronado work because they want to have a purpose and make a difference. I know a lot of folks, even in their later years,...
I am one of many people who came to Coronado to relax and take it easy but after a while, it gets boring. So I found myself wanting to do something more. We all want to give something to the community, but aside from that, there are also so many opportunities to have a sense of purpose here in Coronado or even to earn a little extra pocket money. Many expats in Coronado work because they want to have a purpose and make a difference. I know a lot of folks, even in their later years, who are coming here with the intention of retiring but because there are so many opportunities, they end up either consulting, working on online businesses, or setting up any kind of business for that matter.
In the beginning, retirees tend to be hesitant to work here in Coronado but once they realize that people need their services, they start offering their services on a part-time basis and then later on, it evolves into a little business. The nice thing about Coronado is that there are a lot of options here. There are loads of business opportunities. There are tons of niches that still need to be filled. It’s all about managing your time so that you achieve a work-life balance.
Posted September 15, 2014
RICH Novak - RE/MAX Beaches & City! INC.
My typical day here in Coronado is selling real estate. I do not have a hobby, but that is something to consider because when a person retires and does not stay active, such as getting involved in a charity, or have a little business, your next step is the Grim Reaper.
Many of the people who retired here in Coronado belong to the country club and they golf almost every single day. Where we live, there is a pool, a children’s pool, and on the rooftop...
My typical day here in Coronado is selling real estate. I do not have a hobby, but that is something to consider because when a person retires and does not stay active, such as getting involved in a charity, or have a little business, your next step is the Grim Reaper.
Many of the people who retired here in Coronado belong to the country club and they golf almost every single day. Where we live, there is a pool, a children’s pool, and on the rooftop there is a pool and a Jacuzzi. The slogan here is, “It’s time to settle for everything.” In Coronado Golf, there are stables, there is an equestrian area, there is a country club, and of course, the beach. Therefore, you have everything you could ever want except for winter sports. The monthly dues for the Coronado Golf and Country Club is US $250. People take advantage of almost everything available in the country club because it is not cheap.
Posted October 27, 2014
Corrin Skubin - TRY PANAMA Real Estate
Retirement life in Coronado has got to be pretty darn good, and I am working towards that. There is nothing to be really stressed about here. You have the beaches right there, you have the ocean, golf courses, tennis courts, and lots of retirees around you. So there has to be lots to do and it’s easy to hop in your car and go to the mountains. Retirement here is ideal.
For your family and friends who want to visit you, the airport is just an hour and a half away...
For your family and friends who want to visit you, the airport is just an hour and a half away...
Retirement life in Coronado has got to be pretty darn good, and I am working towards that. There is nothing to be really stressed about here. You have the beaches right there, you have the ocean, golf courses, tennis courts, and lots of retirees around you. So there has to be lots to do and it’s easy to hop in your car and go to the mountains. Retirement here is ideal.
For your family and friends who want to visit you, the airport is just an hour and a half away from Coronado. There are so many direct flights to Panama now so if you want to see your grandkids or you want to have them come and visit you, it’s so nice because Coronado is a vacation spot.
Having your family come to Coronado is incredible. My family loves to come and visit me because it is a vacation for them with the beach here and the Pacific Ocean. The weather is warm all the time.
There are also expat gatherings here in Coronado. There are volunteer opportunities so it would be hard to get bored, but if you are bored, you can sit in your condo in a pool with a drink in your hand or reading a magazine. You can also join the book club.
If there is something missing, you can easily start it. You can put out a message board and you start your own little club of whatever it is that you want to do. I think being retired in Panama is lovely but it is also about the lower cost of living. You can get by if you are on a budget, and you can easily make up that budget. It is just up to what lifestyle you need to have and what things are requirements for you to feel fulfilled and to live happily.
Also, Panama uses the US dollar so you don’t get confused or overspend on things because you are accustomed to it if you are an American. Having the English language in Coronado is extremely helpful. I can’t imagine being 50 or 60 years old and having to learn another language so that’s ideal, as well.
Feeling safe is important for everyone who comes here in Coronado. I am 36 years old and I came here when I was 24. I did think about safety because you are in foreign country and they use a different language but I have never felt unsafe here in Coronado. That is really, really important.
As we get older, our bodies change and we do need to go and see doctors who are competent, who can speak our language, and who can make us feel better. They have all that here in Panama. Healthcare here in Panama is better than in the US because you can call your doctor any time of the day or any time of the night and they will pick up and help you. You can even send a WhatsApp message to a doctor and ask him what you need to do, if you have some symptoms. You can call your doctor and make an appointment for that same day. Those kinds of things are huge for someone who is retired.
Once you get to the age of being retired, you deserve to be treated special and you can receive that special treatment here in Panama. Whether it’s going out to a restaurant (because Panamanians respect their elders) or going to see a doctor, it is a really nice lifestyle for retirees, and I can’t wait to be one.
For your family and friends who want to visit you, the airport is just an hour and a half away from Coronado. There are so many direct flights to Panama now so if you want to see your grandkids or you want to have them come and visit you, it’s so nice because Coronado is a vacation spot.
Having your family come to Coronado is incredible. My family loves to come and visit me because it is a vacation for them with the beach here and the Pacific Ocean. The weather is warm all the time.
There are also expat gatherings here in Coronado. There are volunteer opportunities so it would be hard to get bored, but if you are bored, you can sit in your condo in a pool with a drink in your hand or reading a magazine. You can also join the book club.
If there is something missing, you can easily start it. You can put out a message board and you start your own little club of whatever it is that you want to do. I think being retired in Panama is lovely but it is also about the lower cost of living. You can get by if you are on a budget, and you can easily make up that budget. It is just up to what lifestyle you need to have and what things are requirements for you to feel fulfilled and to live happily.
Also, Panama uses the US dollar so you don’t get confused or overspend on things because you are accustomed to it if you are an American. Having the English language in Coronado is extremely helpful. I can’t imagine being 50 or 60 years old and having to learn another language so that’s ideal, as well.
Feeling safe is important for everyone who comes here in Coronado. I am 36 years old and I came here when I was 24. I did think about safety because you are in foreign country and they use a different language but I have never felt unsafe here in Coronado. That is really, really important.
As we get older, our bodies change and we do need to go and see doctors who are competent, who can speak our language, and who can make us feel better. They have all that here in Panama. Healthcare here in Panama is better than in the US because you can call your doctor any time of the day or any time of the night and they will pick up and help you. You can even send a WhatsApp message to a doctor and ask him what you need to do, if you have some symptoms. You can call your doctor and make an appointment for that same day. Those kinds of things are huge for someone who is retired.
Once you get to the age of being retired, you deserve to be treated special and you can receive that special treatment here in Panama. Whether it’s going out to a restaurant (because Panamanians respect their elders) or going to see a doctor, it is a really nice lifestyle for retirees, and I can’t wait to be one.
(Native Panamanian sleeping style, hammocks on the beach, pictured.)
Posted April 20, 2015
Evie Brooks - Panama Vacation Realty
Retirement in Coronado, Panama means lots of free time, a lot of volunteering, a lot of golf, outdoor activities, a lot of eating, and a lot of socializing. There are a lot of groups that like different things such as book clubs, exercise groups, martial arts groups, those that go horseback riding, triathlon enthusiasts, and bikers. Coronado has a very active community. Retirees in Coronado are more outgoing because we have more outdoor activities and...
Retirement in Coronado, Panama means lots of free time, a lot of volunteering, a lot of golf, outdoor activities, a lot of eating, and a lot of socializing. There are a lot of groups that like different things such as book clubs, exercise groups, martial arts groups, those that go horseback riding, triathlon enthusiasts, and bikers. Coronado has a very active community. Retirees in Coronado are more outgoing because we have more outdoor activities and people here are much more active than most places in the US. The reason includes the mindset of the people who they are looking for the next adventure and not their golden years. People here in Coronado are looking to experience and enjoy life to the fullest by being totally active.
(Istmo Yoga retreat in San Carlos, near Coronado, Panama, pictured.)
Posted November 21, 2015
Linda Jensen
Vintage golf, anyone? The Coronado Golf Club offers 18 holes of the original Donald Ross design. Challenging greens, some well-placed bunkers, and thank God, shade trees! It gets very warm in Coronado. This golf community and resort include five pools, a fitness center, group activities, and the Beach Club has a shaded dining room, pool with a view of the ocean, access to the beach and showers, plus it is easy to get in and out of. An important feature for people with limited... Vintage golf, anyone? The Coronado Golf Club offers 18 holes of the original Donald Ross design. Challenging greens, some well-placed bunkers, and thank God, shade trees! It gets very warm in Coronado. This golf community and resort include five pools, a fitness center, group activities, and the Beach Club has a shaded dining room, pool with a view of the ocean, access to the beach and showers, plus it is easy to get in and out of. An important feature for people with limited mobility. 
Retirees can choose from a number of gleaming, elegant high rise condo communities with floor plans to suit the average person or as upscale as your want it to be. The Coronado community is in a state of building! New shopping centers, new stores, and businesses of all kinds are either started or almost finished. Construction is everywhere. Wealthy Panamanians have been flocking to this location for decades. Mansions and estates line the coastline rivaling the dazzling high rises still popping up.
Walking trails, bicycling, water sports, sports fishing, bird watching are some of the basic interests of the people in Coronado. Nightlife is found everywhere in town, in the condos and hotels, along the main streets and back streets, too. Food, dancing, cocktails, music and people watching is easy enough to find.
A word of caution: it is hot in Coronado. It can feel rather like a steam sauna, depending on the time of day.
Night time beckons because it is cool, breezes blow and the Pacific looks dazzling and romantic as the moonlight glistens over the sea. The sound of the surf breaking onto shore is a lullaby. This is what retired people do; hold hands, hug, and take pictures from the patio or balcony, make friends and RELAX! Do not take anyone's word for it, try them all. Eat drink and be merry in Coronado.
Posted December 7, 2015