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 On crimson evenings, when you take a walk in the town...you'll find women in floral ghaghra choli, and men in gaudy turbans smoking hukkah. You'll hear 'khamma ghani' greetings wherever you go. You can take your spouse on a royal date and witness captivating sunsets from Mehrangarh Fort. A retirement in the middle of Thar will be peaceful, royal, and different indeed.
+====== Best Countries for Retirement #1: Panama - A People's Place ======
+Editor's Note: While most people resort to their native abode or a quiet place after retirement, some yearn to experience a different taste of life altogether. They want to explore unseen places, meet new people, build communities, and make their new life an adventure.
+Often such people also aim to live overseas. They like to do away with familiar surroundings and social and familial responsibilities and simply experience a new culture with new people... And that's what this series is about.
+When Wealth Builders Club India member Hormuzd Madan asked us to 'send us a list of places (in India and abroad) where one can retire well while ticking off the boxes on cost, environment, cultural and sports activities, security, health facilities, etc.' we began bringing you a series on Top Retirement Cities in India.
+Now, we are taking a step ahead, to bring to you the best countries to live, and explore, after retirement. Thoroughly researched and testified by people who have lived there, these places aren't just an escape to a new life; they provide the best amenities available for retirees.
+*****************************
+Imagine a retirement destination where you not only get respect but receive discounts on every movie ticket you buy, every flight you take, and every time you visit a hospital. Sounds like a dream, right?
+PANAMA: A Retirement Haven
+These are just some of the privileges that Panama, a small country in Central America, provides to retirees.
+The Isthmus of Panama boasts long stretches of both Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean coastlines. Both coats are home to a total 365 tropical islands - one for every day of the year.
+Panama was occupied by numerous indigenous tribes before it entered into a settlement with Spain in the 16th century. This treaty lasted until 1821. Panama then became a part of Gran Colombian and became free in 1903 with support from the US.
+Today, Panama is an independent country headed by Juan Carlos Varela, the president.
+The capital and largest city is Panama City, which inhabits nearly half of the country's 3.9 million people.
+A country making rapid progress
+Our nomadic editor David Sexton lived in Panama for a year. And so we asked him to tell us exactly what it's like and if it really is a livable and feasible option for retirees. David couldn't agree more. And the first aspect he praised was the country's infrastructure...
+The infrastructure is good and getting better. When I lived there, several regional airports were being built, and the first line of the Panama City metro opened. Traffic in the capital is still horrific, but this was the first metro in Central America. It is representative of the country's overall progress.
+Panama is experiencing a development and infrastructure boom comparable to what is happening in India or China. But this has disadvantages, too: I often felt that Panama was growing too fast for its own good. Foreigners, land owners, and financial institutions reap most of the benefits while the average Panamanian is left in the dust. Despite economic improvements, education languishes, though there are some good international schools.
+Panama desires to be the Singapore of Central America. It can achieve this, but I would prefer to see a more gradual, deliberate approach to growth, rather than the all-out, wild-west activity I witnessed a few years ago there.
+Adequate medical care for silvers
+David adds that retirees who have healthcare as their priority should not worry, as Panama does have world-class facilities. But what a retiree could consider is living closer to the capital...
+Panama City has a Johns-Hopkins affiliated hospital that offers world-class care. Regional facilities are acceptable, but if you have a serious condition, you will want to be closer to the capital in case of emergency. A trip to the doctor shouldn't cost more than US$30 (under Rs 2,000) out of pocket.
+Panama File-O-Facts
+Economy: The US Dollar is the national currency of Panama. Commerce, tourism and trading form the backbone of Panama's economy.
+One of the most complex and largest engineering projects, the Panama Canal started in 1914, and today it facilitates about 300 million tons of shipping every year.
+Climate: Panama is a hot and humid country. The temperature might not exceed 35 degrees but you'll always feel the humidity. The mountainous areas in the country are relatively cooler. Although Panama sees a dramatic monsoon and severe thunderstorms, it is located outside the hurricane belt.
+We suggest that you never believe the clear skies of Panama, and always step out with an umbrella.
+Delicacies: Rice and corn are the staples of Panamanian cuisine. Fortunately, in Panama City and popular retirement communities, you can find a variety of international offerings, including Indian. Panama has large Italian and Chinese communities, so you can get your pasta and noodle fix easily.
+The star of Panamanian cuisine is ceviche, a kind of Latin sushi. If you like seafood, check out the stalls along Panama City's fish market for the freshest ceviche.
+Language: While living in any foreign land, it is said that you must learn the local tongue. Same goes for Panama. Though it's feasible to get by with English, especially with the large international retirement community, to ensure flawless communication with the locals, in any corner of the country, you must learn Spanish. Fortunately, there are many good resources available online for learning Spanish. Also, because Spanish shares its roots and its script with English, picking up a basic level of functional Spanish is not difficult for many English speakers.
+Plenty of pastimes
+Panama is a small country where you can easily take weekend trips to the mountains or the Caribbean beaches. Panamanian folks love to party. The local pastime is hanging out with friends and family.
+When we asked David about his favourite getaways in Panama, he listed his top-three Panama destinations as:
+Santa Catalina in the Pacific Ocean for surfing, diving, snorkeling. It is laid back, quiet and 'off the grid'.
+Bocas del Toro in the Caribbean, with water taxis, parties, backpackers, intriguing locals, and international retirees.
+El Valle is an attractive peaceful little town nestled in the crater of an extinct volcano, surrounded by thick forests and mountains.
+Easy visas and great deals
+Often cited as the ideal country to retire by several websites and magazines, Panama opens its arms to you when you need it the most.
+Panama offers a pensionado visa to retired people from all over the world. Anyone over 18 years of age, receiving a minimum monthly amount of 1,000 USD (Rs 65,000) as a pension or annuity, is eligible for a pensionado visa. Both spouses can combine their pensions and/or annuities to reach this amount.
+The pensionado residents are offered the best programs and facilities by Panama's government. Some of the perks that you'd get as a pensionado resident are:
+-50% off entertainment anywhere in the country (movies, theaters, concerts, sporting events)
+-30% off bus, boat, and train fares
+-25% off airline tickets
+-25% off monthly energy bills
+-30% to 50% off hotel stays
+-15% off hospital bills
+Click here, for more details on visa.
+A 'Retire to Paradise' Dream
+It is helpful to learn about the society and local people before you move to Panama. Here's David:
+Panamanians are very laid back. What can be done today can always be done tomorrow...or next week...or simply forgotten about...
+This is fine if you're sipping a coconut from a hammock in San Blas. But it's frustrating when you're trying to take care of business in Panama City. Patience is a virtue always and everywhere, but particularly in Panama.
+No other country in the world is as welcoming to the foreign retiree.
+You'll meet many like-minded retirees. Most come from North America, but the whole world, it seems, is represented. The most popular retirement spots are Boquete and Bocas del Toro. These towns are built around the 'retire to paradise' dream, and the services, amenities, facilities, etc cater to it.
+Where pensionados are respected
+As for the income avenues, if you have skills, you will be in demand. It helps if you speak some Spanish. Unfortunately, pensionados aren't allowed to start businesses. But many foreign retirees in Panama do take on part-time work in real estate, or local shops and eateries.
+Note that foreign-earned income is not taxed in Panama.
+Panama promises you a life of luxury for much less than in developed countries. On the other hand, you could 'go off the grid', to smaller cities instead of the capital, and live on next to nothing.
+David lived a comfortable lifestyle in one of the capital city's most desirable neighbourhoods for less than $800 (approximately Rs 55,000) per month. You can live well for less than that in beach towns like Santa Catalina or mountain retreats like El Valle.
+Panamanians have a deep cultural respect for their elders, a trait similar to Indians. This respect extends to foreigners as well. If you choose to spend some time living in Panama, expect to be treated well not because your presence supports the local economy but out of genuine affection from its people.

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