Boquete: the vibe
Videos from people who went, played right here, with what viewers said underneath. Not part of the score.
The verdict
Mixed · 60Boquete draws affection for its climate, walkability and restaurants, but comments warn of rising prices, heavy expat concentration, thin groceries, rain and tax confusion.
- climate
- walkability
- restaurants
- nature and hikes
- friendly community
- amenities like golf and clubs
- rising prices
- heavy expat concentration
- limited groceries
- rain
- limited transport without a car
- boredom for some
- tax confusion
- Former residents miss it and found it lovely for years
- Some find it too expat-heavy to blend into local culture
- Prices have climbed noticeably as foreign interest grew
- Limited groceries mean buying online or driving to David
- Good fit for retirees wanting a walkable mountain town
Read from 8 videos, 40 comments and 0 posts on 2026-11-07; the summary is written by a language model and can misread sarcasm.
ExPats in Panama - We Moved To BOQUETE PANAMA
The Nomadic Movement · 258K views · 2019
What viewers said
“and in the U.S. even when your house is paid off... .YOU STILL GET TO RENT IT FROM THE GOVT..(property taxes)”
♥ 124 likes
“Prices in Boquete have gone up dramatically since I first moved to Panama. The influx of "urban hippies" has really raised prices on everything, like the $5 meal you got. Five years ago what would have been maybe $2. The reason for the chec”
♥ 125 likes
“As US citizens, you still must file tax returns, but as an expat, you are eligible for an exclusion on a certain amount of your income. For many, the result is to pay no US taxes. You may still be required to pay social security.”
♥ 20 likes
“Well but you still have to pay taxes at home no Matter what country you go if you’re a US citizen you still have to report/ pay your taxes to the IRS. That’s the reason why you don’t have to pay taxes there in panama because you still have ”
♥ 7 likes
“I don't think you understand the complexities of expat taxes. First, the Foreign Tax Credit is a credit you get on your US return for taxes you pay to a foreign country (the taxes are paid just not to the US). Second, there is a Foreign Ear”
♥ 4 likes
“Perhaps you don’t pay income tax but what about Social Security and Medicare taxes? You want to pay Social Security and Medicare these are social programs that are very popular here in the States. If you don’t pay into Social Security or Me”
♥ 5 likes
“If you remain US citizens, you will still have to pay taxes to the US. You may not have to pay in Panama, but the US will still want a cut of whatever you make, in Panama.”
♥ 4 likes
“Go get a job. Both of you Having a great time off of other people.”
♥ 4 likes
“5 dollars for a meal, and only 12 to see a doctor? That sounds slightly worrisome. I don't like high doctor costs, but idk.”
♥ 4 likes
“Got engaged in Boquete a few years ago. Loved it. Went on a hike up the mountain that had three waterfalls, proposed on the second one. We can’t wait to go back someday.”
♥ 12 likes
Found with a YouTube search for the city and “digital nomad”, fetched 2026-11-07; titles, descriptions and comments belong to their authors and link to the originals.