Comments on: Costa Rica vs. Panama, round 1: Retirement Benefits http://www.latinworld.com/2009/mexico-vs-panama-retirement-benefits.htm Latin America Information Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:38:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: John http://www.latinworld.com/2009/mexico-vs-panama-retirement-benefits.htm/comment-page-1#comment-141388 John Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:30:22 +0000 http://www.latinworld.com/?p=712#comment-141388 I am a retired teacher in the USA and am planning to move to either Costa Rica or Panama hopefully withing the next six months. My question is this; I took a trip to Panama several years ago and spoke to someone who lives in Panama about the benefits of the pensionado visa. He told me it is NOT as good as it sounds, that some of those discounts are very limited, such as only certain movie theaters or restaurants, etc. Does anybody know anything about this? I'm not looking for a free ride, but being on a fixed income, this might make a difference. I am a retired teacher in the USA and am planning to move to either Costa Rica or Panama hopefully withing the next six months.
My question is this; I took a trip to Panama several years ago and spoke to someone who lives in Panama about the benefits of the pensionado visa. He told me it is NOT as good as it sounds, that some of those discounts are very limited, such as only certain movie theaters or restaurants, etc. Does anybody know anything about this? I’m not looking for a free ride, but being on a fixed income, this might make a difference.

]]> By: Gustavo http://www.latinworld.com/2009/mexico-vs-panama-retirement-benefits.htm/comment-page-1#comment-112897 Gustavo Sun, 09 Jan 2011 16:53:04 +0000 http://www.latinworld.com/?p=712#comment-112897 @Jen & Sread: More crime in CR than in Panama?! Please write the facts, not your own senseless bantering. Costa Rica: 7.68 murders for every 100 000 ppl. Panama: 11.3 murders for every 100 000 ppl. That probably has to do with the 30% poberty rate in Panama (vs. 16% in CR), as more poberty usually equals more violence. @Jen & Sread:

More crime in CR than in Panama?! Please write the facts, not your own senseless bantering.

Costa Rica: 7.68 murders for every 100 000 ppl.
Panama: 11.3 murders for every 100 000 ppl.

That probably has to do with the 30% poberty rate in Panama (vs. 16% in CR), as more poberty usually equals more violence.

]]> By: Jan Boccasini http://www.latinworld.com/2009/mexico-vs-panama-retirement-benefits.htm/comment-page-1#comment-106579 Jan Boccasini Sat, 01 Jan 2011 20:38:31 +0000 http://www.latinworld.com/?p=712#comment-106579 Panama has surpassed Costa Rica as a retirement haven. Due to Costa Rica's popularity over the past fifteen years it has lost many of the perks that made it so attractive. I love Costa Rica and should have purchased property or land twenty years ago. But, with that said everything happens for a reason. I will be very happy retiring to Panama with my husband. The other plus to consider is that there is no need for an exhange rate as the US dollar is accepted everywhere and is interchangeable with the balboa. Panama has surpassed Costa Rica as a retirement haven. Due to Costa Rica’s popularity over the past fifteen years it has lost many of the perks that made it so attractive. I love Costa Rica and should have purchased property or land twenty years ago. But, with that said everything happens for a reason. I will be very happy retiring to Panama with my husband. The other plus to consider is that there is no need for an exhange rate as the US dollar is accepted everywhere and is interchangeable with the balboa.

]]> By: sread http://www.latinworld.com/2009/mexico-vs-panama-retirement-benefits.htm/comment-page-1#comment-8356 sread Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:09:26 +0000 http://www.latinworld.com/?p=712#comment-8356 Jen is spot on! Panama is way ahead of CR in many facets. San Jose is a pueblito compared to Panama City, there is so much more to do and the overall infrastructure is superior and continually growing. People think CR is some safe haven for foreigners when in reality, crime and prices are much higher in CR than Panama. Jen is spot on! Panama is way ahead of CR in many facets. San Jose is a pueblito compared to Panama City, there is so much more to do and the overall infrastructure is superior and continually growing. People think CR is some safe haven for foreigners when in reality, crime and prices are much higher in CR than Panama.

]]> By: Jen http://www.latinworld.com/2009/mexico-vs-panama-retirement-benefits.htm/comment-page-1#comment-7351 Jen Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:26:41 +0000 http://www.latinworld.com/?p=712#comment-7351 This article is deceiving. It deliberately omits a lot of information. For instance, the article forgot to mention that Panama has no army either. It was abolished long time ago. The people of both countries are friendly to Americans but Panamanians are even closer to Americans than Costa Ricans. Moreover, the article does not mention the obvious: Panama is much more modern. Hospitals, roads, services and overall infrastructure are far superior in Panama. Panama also has lower crime, lesser bureaucracy, better security and better police force. I believe the article has an agenda to bring back interest to Costa Rica, which is a beautiful country and still is an attractive real estate market and definitely a tourist destination. However, for the past recent years, most American retirees and every foreign developer who do their homework have been deciding for Panama over Costa Rica. And the trend keeps growing. This article is deceiving. It deliberately omits a lot of information. For instance, the article forgot to mention that Panama has no army either. It was abolished long time ago. The people of both countries are friendly to Americans but Panamanians are even closer to Americans than Costa Ricans. Moreover, the article does not mention the obvious: Panama is much more modern. Hospitals, roads, services and overall infrastructure are far superior in Panama. Panama also has lower crime, lesser bureaucracy, better security and better police force. I believe the article has an agenda to bring back interest to Costa Rica, which is a beautiful country and still is an attractive real estate market and definitely a tourist destination. However, for the past recent years, most American retirees and every foreign developer who do their homework have been deciding for Panama over Costa Rica. And the trend keeps growing.

]]> By: Isaac http://www.latinworld.com/2009/mexico-vs-panama-retirement-benefits.htm/comment-page-1#comment-566 Isaac Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:44:26 +0000 http://www.latinworld.com/?p=712#comment-566 undeveloped I have read all your articles what are you tico?? undeveloped I have read all your articles what are you tico??

]]> By: Costa Rica vs. Panama, round 4: Things To Do | LatinWorld http://www.latinworld.com/2009/mexico-vs-panama-retirement-benefits.htm/comment-page-1#comment-154 Costa Rica vs. Panama, round 4: Things To Do | LatinWorld Mon, 04 May 2009 22:51:50 +0000 http://www.latinworld.com/?p=712#comment-154 [...] Click here for Round 1: Retirement Benefits [...] [...] Click here for Round 1: Retirement Benefits [...]

]]> By: Costa Rica vs. Panama, round 3: People and Culture | LatinWorld http://www.latinworld.com/2009/mexico-vs-panama-retirement-benefits.htm/comment-page-1#comment-91 Costa Rica vs. Panama, round 3: People and Culture | LatinWorld Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:55:29 +0000 http://www.latinworld.com/?p=712#comment-91 [...] Click here for Round 1: Retirement Benefits [...] [...] Click here for Round 1: Retirement Benefits [...]

]]> By: Costa Rica vs. Panama: Climate | LatinWorld http://www.latinworld.com/2009/mexico-vs-panama-retirement-benefits.htm/comment-page-1#comment-75 Costa Rica vs. Panama: Climate | LatinWorld Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:49:13 +0000 http://www.latinworld.com/?p=712#comment-75 [...] Click here for Round 1: Retirement Benefits [...] [...] Click here for Round 1: Retirement Benefits [...]

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