Boquete, Panama

Capital City

Boquete is touted as a tranquil mountain town, but the reality is a bit more complex. Around 14% of its 19,000 residents are foreign retirees, drawn by the "comfortable climate, excellent potable water, and clean air." However, the town's popularity has also brought a persistent bureaucratic headache, as the influx of ex-pats has "stimulated the growth of new industries and business, owned both by locals and foreigners." Despite its natural beauty, Boquete may not be the idyllic escape some retirees envision.