Pedasi, Panama

What It Is Like to Retire in Pedasi

Located on the on the south-eastern tip of the Azuero Peninsula on Panama's Pacific coast, Pedasi is both a popular vacation spot and retirement destination. The small town of about 4,000 residents which was once a quiet fishing village, is the capital of the Pedasi District in Los Santos Province, and boasts pristine beaches, world surfing championships, and great sport fishing.

Panama's first female President, Mireya Moscoso Rodríguez de Arias, who served from 1999 to 2004, brought better roads, lighting, cable, and internet to Pedasi, which has seen an increase in development in recent years, including housing developments and hotels. Picture of Playa El Arenal in the Early Morning courtesy of Wikipedia and Pedasi consultant, Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0/; picture of A view on Playa Venao in the district of Pedas

Where to Retire in Pedasi and Home Prices

Pedasi is made up of a central road, a town center and residential neighborhoods.  Luxury homes on the water can be priced in the $800's, with inland homes found for under $200,000.  Home buyers need to have Panamanian residency and due diligence is crucial. There are condo and housing communities being developed as the town is becoming popular with both retirees and those looking for vacation homes.

What Is Special about Pedasi

Pedasí is known for lively annual carnivals, pristine beaches, and activities such as sport fishing, diving and surfing; it is close to several of Panama’s national parks and preserves; the cost of living and health care costs are lower here than in the US.

What Is Not Special about Pedasi

Panamanians enjoy a laidback lifestyle which may take some getting use to. There are no golf courses here, with the nearest one about an hour away.

Who Will Like Retirement in Pedasi

Retirees who enjoy an active lifestyle with fishing, snorkeling, and hiking will find Pedasi a paradise of outdoor activity. Nature lovers wil love the beautiful beaches and nearby national parks and preserves that offer wildlife and coral reefs.  Pedasi is considered a very clean town with well laid-out neighborhoods.  The quaint town has a library, a hospital, a small airport, wi-fi, a few restaurants and grocery stores, and offers a low cost of living, and lower health care cost than in the US.

Local Economy Is Driven by

Many residents are fishermen, and sport fishing and charter boats are popular with visitors; tourism has become an important part of the economy.  The currency in Panama is the Balboa, which is equivalent to one US dollar.   The dollar has become the more popular currency.

Climate and Physical Environment

Pedasi enjoys warm weather all year long with an average temperature of about 80 degrees.  The rainy season occurs from May until November, and brings about 40 inches of rain.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Residents gather at the town plaza during the evening to socialize, and where there are a few restaurants.  The town celebrates fiestas with Carnival being the annual highlight and features music, parades, and fireworks. Pedasi also celebrates the fiesta of Santa Catalina each November. Surfing and diving are popular here along with sport fishing and outdoor recreaction.  Isla Iguana is a nearby wildlife refuge on an island surrounded by a coral reef and sandy beaches, and is home to many different bird species and migrating humpback whales.

Crime

The crime rate here is very low.

Medical facilities

Expats find that health care is less expensive here than in the States as the government provides basic health insurance.  The Minsa-Capsi hospital is new and modern and offers many medical services, but for major surgery you may choose to go to a state-of-the-art hospital affiliated with Johns Hopkins in Panama City.

Transportation

Panama City is about five hours away by car; there is small public airport here with flights to Panama City; Tocumen International Airport is about 225 miles from Pedasi.

Valuable Links

Pedasi on Wikipedia