Our lives in Pedasi, Panama, are pretty much paradise. It has all the perks of living in a small Pacific coast fishing village, with few drawbacks. We have friendly and helpful neighbors, pristine empty beaches, and most of the conveniences we had back in southwest Florida.
There’s a vast array of restaurants to choose from (Italian, French, Panamanian, ceviche, vegetarian, and sushi). There are beach bars, outstanding fishing, whale watching, three produce stands, three small and one large grocery store, a hardware store, and bakeries.
Pedasi has many entrepreneurs who bake cakes, pies, artisan breads, ice cream, cheesecakes, and all-natural dog treats. There’s also a salon and spa, clothing stores, and a vendor who sells takeaway food in the central park.
Approximately a 30-minute drive away is the larger town of Las Tablas, where we can find almost anything we want. The even larger town of Chitre, about one hour away, has everything we want. And then there’s Panama City about five hours away with shopping that rivals any upscale market in the United States.
But sometimes we want an Amazon retail therapy fix.
Three logistics companies have made this “need” easy to fill. You sign up for a drop box at one of their Miami locations. Amazon Prime ships your order free to Miami. These companies then fly the products to Panama City where they get disbursed to the local delivery people.
Shipping costs from Miami to your home usually are several dollars per pound. A reasonable cost considering you usually get your item within seven days. The logistics company we chose delivers to our home two or three days per week, depending on how much merchandise he needs to deliver in the area.
Still missing personal shopping? We have PriceSmart (Costco to North Americans). The closest store to Pedasi is two hours away. Get your friends in the car and make a shopping day of it. Or, go online and put your items into the cart. PriceSmart representatives gather your order and PriceSmart delivers to Pedasi once per week. The truck has a freezer, refrigeration and regular sections so your food arrives at the correct temperature. We often share the small delivery charge of $25 between two or three friends.
Another easy shopping experience is ordering choice beef, pork, and chicken cuts from Gaby-lia’s butcher shop in Chitre one hour away. Gaby-lia started selling her delicious cuts of meat at the Friday farmers market a few years ago.
When Covid closed the market, Gaby-lia could have just waited it out. But instead, she started delivering to Pedasi every week. Her ribeye steaks, beef tenderloins, New York strip steaks, and pork loins are as delicious as anything we used to buy in Florida.
Then there are the options that come straight to your door. Every Saturday, a vendor stops in front of my home with fresh jumbo camarones (shrimp). Prices are not North American $20 per pound but a very sensible $6 per pound. I’m cooking some on the BBQ tonight!
Life is convenient, and the joys of shopping are easily experienced in our beach village of Pedasi.
Get Your Free Panama Report Here:
Learn more about Panama and other countries in our daily postcard e-letter. Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you a FREE REPORT — Panama: Easy, First-World Living and the World's Best Retiree Program.
This special guide covers insider advice on real estate, retirement and more in Panama. It's yours free when you sign up for our IL postcards below.
Related Articles
Panama Itinerary: How to Spend 7 Days in Panama
Upcoming Conferences
The Only 2024 Fast Track Panama Conference
.png)
If your dream retirement involves stunning beaches… lush green mountains… a warm climate with no hurricanes… first-rate healthcare… incredible value for money (a couple can live well on $2,200 a month)… and the World’s #1 Retiree Discount Program…
Join our Panama experts and expats in February and discover why Panama could be your perfect paradise.
REGISTER NOW, SEATS LIMITED: EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT HERE
Popular Articles You May Also Like