The secret is out: The town of Pedasi has been discovered by expats. Located on the tip of the Azuero Peninsula, Pedasi is in the province of Los Santos on the Pacific Ocean. It is a four-hour trip from Panama City. With a full-time population of around 2,500, Pedasi as a small sleepy town is a rural living at its best. This is where you will find yourself surrounded by green pastures and grazing cattle. The beauty of miles of unspoiled beach and little development leave you breathless after a 10-minute drive to the ocean.

Pedasi is relatively remote, and has all sorts of fun things to do. It is also famous for its ecological preservation, and a burgeoning coast for surfers and lovers of the beach in general.

Pedasi at a glance

Fishing is the main source of income for locals here. Considered Panama's "Tuna Coast", Pedasi's waters are filled with an abundance of fish. The popular pastime here is sport fishing. Guaranteeing you to have a great fishing day.

Pedasi is actually a district, not a town, and the center of the area is known as Pedasi Township, where most of the business and tourism take place. There are around 70 hectares of protected tropical forest, where researchers study the land and its wildlife.

Pedasi boasts some of the best beaches, and unlike many parts of the Pacific coast, has refrained from building large-scale resorts and developments. Due to their high conservation efforts, the scope of protected coastline and forests is expected to expand to almost duplicate, over the next few years. The main targets why tourists love Pedasi are the mesmerizing beaches and the coral reefs. Isla Iguana island is a local hotspot for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, beachcombing, and relaxing. El Arenal beach, which is only 5 minutes from town, is the starting off point for the 20-minute boat ride to the wildlife refuge.

Mireya Moscoso, Panama's first female president, was born in Pedasi and, made many contributions to improve the infrastructure of the town during her time in office. Her endeavors are recognized, cherished by the locals, and have given them a sense of pride in their town. The town is recognised as one of the cleanest, and the homes are in good maintenance and painted in bright colors. This will immediately strike your eyes.

The town of Pedasi is petite, but full of character. Expats from all around the world and of all ages come here to live together.

Why expats love Pedasi

When it comes to expats in Panama, many places are in competition to gain their attention and investment. However, Pedasi has recently surged in popularity. Most expats whom you talk to about living in Pedasi will tell you that the reasons for their choice of residence are both the simply lifestyle available and the low cost of living per quality of life.

Moreover, many young entrepreneurs are attracted to the town of Pedasi, as it is an ideal location to start small businesses, especially in the field of conservation, eco-tourism, and outdoor activities. Expats find that having a diverse community of residents and business people offer them a way to network. As well as, enabling them a smooth transition into living and working in Panama.

Lifestyle in Pedasi

How does a typical lazy day go here, is the question that pops up in your mind? A day in Pedasi might commence with a great cup of panamanian coffee (check out our article about Boquete - City of Coffee and Flowers) and a pastry at a local bakery, followed by a long walk and a bike ride to the beach, a siesta with cool breezes in the afternoon. A lively conversation with friends at one of the popular restaurants in town is always on the list.

Pedasi welcomes you with its laidback lifestyle with locals and expats frequently mixing to enjoy holidays and special events. These occasions are when expats try to get to know their Panama neighbors and establish new connections.

A variety of great restaurants opened year-round is another bonus. Many restaurants are the local hang-out spots for expats to congregate, socialize, and sometimes entertain themselves with a night of good wine and bingo.

If you are a generous spirit who likes to help out, there are lots of volunteering opportunities in Pedasi, with several volunteer organizations where you can use your skills and help the locals. The centers of shopping, Las Tablas and Chitre are just under an hour away, in case you want to indulge yourself in some enjoyable shopping.

Retire in Pedasi

The town has all the necessary day-to-day amenities – the Minsa-Capsi hospital in Pedasi offers most services with specialists in most fields. There is a public library, a few grocery stores, and gas station. Las Tablas is only 45 minutes away, being the nearest city, is where you can find anything else you might need.

The safety of Pedasi is another reason why retiring here is ideal. Locals and expats take care of each other, and maintain good relations among neighbors in the community.

Low cost of living for high quality of life

Despite being a popular expat hotspot, real estate costs less in Pedasi in comparison to many other similar locations across Panama. One of the reasons is its remoteness from Panama City (about 5-6 hours by car, and 40 minutes by plane) and the rural, tropical nature of the town. Pedasi offers the choice of living on a small budget. By enjoying its local fresh produce, freshly caught fish of the day, and eating out at typical Panama fondas (small restaurants), you can have a pretty decent life on less in Pedasi. A taxi ride to the beach is $2.50 to $3, while a local bus ride to Las Tables, for instance, costs you $2.45.

No matter where you are, you are bound to find something you love about Pedasi, given it is in town, on the beach, or at your own retreat in the forest.

Interested in knowing more? Contact us to find out about Pedasi real estate.