Real expat data on the top cities in Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, and Colombia.
The financial capital of Central America — skyline, USD currency, best hospitals, hub airport.
Mountain town at 3,900 ft — spring-like climate, coffee country, one of the largest US retiree communities in Central America.
Beach town 90 min from Panama City — the classic Pacific retirement community, malls, hospital, established expat scene.
The capital and healthcare hub — best hospitals, biggest expat services network, easy domestic flights.
Guanacaste's most established beach town — walkable, English everywhere, direct flights via LIR.
Small town frequently cited as having 'the world's best climate' — 45 min from SJO airport.
Blue Zone yoga and surf town — Nicoya Peninsula, dirt roads, wellness-focused expat community.
The 'City of Eternal Spring' — walkable expat neighborhoods, low costs, huge nomad scene.
Colombia's business and cultural capital at 8,600 ft — cool climate, best healthcare, most job opportunities.
UNESCO colonial walled city on the Caribbean — hot, historic, tourism-driven.
One of the world's great cities — museums, food, walkable neighborhoods, top-tier private healthcare.
Caribbean beach town on the Riviera Maya — walkable, English everywhere, biggest nomad scene in Mexico.
Colonial jewel in Mexico's Bajío — cobblestone streets, art scene, one of the oldest US retiree communities abroad.
Colonial capital of the Yucatán — safe, hot, growing fast with expats leaving Playa del Carmen for a slower pace.
14 cities · updated for 2026