1. Boquete, Panama
The No. 1 spot in the 2026 Live and Invest Overseas list of the best places in the world to retire abroad is Boquete, Panama—perhaps the world’s best-known expat haven. It’s home to some 25,000 people, over a fifth of whom are expats primarily from the U.S. and Canada, but a good number of Europeans, too. Living here you’ll never want for English-speaking company.
In addition, its location at an elevation of about 3,900 feet in the highlands offers eternally pleasant weather year-round compared to Panama’s hot and steamy temps at sea level. It is less than an hour from David, the country’s second-largest city, where you’ll find everything you’d expect to find in a large city back home. You’re also just 50 minutes from the Pacific coast and its beaches.
The town boasts restaurants of nearly every nationality, nightlife, massage studios, and beauty salons. Grocery stores stock international brands and the medical clinics have English-speaking staff.
The cost of living is still a bargain, as someone renting a casita, shopping in local markets and using public transport can get by on about $1,500 a month. Health care, another major concern for retirees, is both high-quality and affordable in Panama. Routine doctor visits often cost between $20 to $40, and many expats opt for private health insurance, which is cheaper than in the U.S.
“Boquete has everything you could want for your retirement lifestyle… and it’s for all those reasons and more it’s the place we’ve named the world’s best for an overseas retirement this 2026,” conclude editors Kathleen Peddicord and Victoria Harmer.
Check out the complete Live and Invest Overseas coverage of the best places to retire abroad in 2026 here.
SEE ALSO:
• Greece Tops 2026 Global Retirement Index for First Time
• Midwest Tops Charts in U.S. News 2026 ‘Best Places to Retire’
• 6 ‘Up-and-Coming’ Retirement Destinations for 2025
Veteran financial services industry journalist Brian Anderson joined 401(k) Specialist as Managing Editor in January 2019. He has led editorial content for a variety of well-known properties including Insurance Forums, Life Insurance Selling, National Underwriter Life & Health, and Senior Market Advisor. He has always maintained a focus on providing readers with timely, useful information intended to help them build their business.