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My wife and I have lived in a rural part of western Panama, up in the mountains, for about eight years. We live in a house we had built our small thirteen acre farm. The weather is great, so are the people and we love it here.

That said, many have come to Panama, lured by stuff in various promotional sources that I would hardly classify as objective because they tend to promote places advertising there. For example, the Red Frog development in Bocas del Toro was heavily promoted and many folks thought they had found their dream retirement place; Red Frog croaked and many lost the investments they had made in property there. Other heavily promoted developments have turned out well and many are happy with what they got. Many buy property, move here and then, within a year or so, decide they made a big mistake and go back home. The round trip from living in the States, coming here to live and then going back costs lots of money. The process can also be quite upsetting.

Anyone seriously considering retiring in Panama -- or anywhere else -- should go for several months during each of the seasons and experience the place. A week or so is simply inadequate. Furnished rentals are available, cheaply, many because of those who came, bought, didn't like it and left.

We have two seasons, wet and dry. They are different. In some areas, reasonable if modest fluency in Spanish is necessary. Many customs are different. The extended family is a big part of life here.

Nearly everything is different. Many things are less expensive, many things are more expensive. If one enjoys or even tolerates different cultures, it's a great place. If not, not.