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.
Spain's capital — world-class healthcare, fast trains, and a huge English-speaking expat scene.
Beach meets big city — design, tech, and one of Europe's most walkable downtowns.
Spain's third-largest city — lower cost than Madrid or Barcelona, with a real beach and a historic center.
Costa del Sol's capital — 320 sunny days, a major airport, and a fast-growing remote-worker scene.
Portugal's capital — the country's main hub for visas, startups and English-speaking services.
Portugal's second city — half the cost of Lisbon, compact, and surrounded by wine country.
The Algarve's administrative capital — a quieter year-round city with an airport and easy beach access.
Upscale coastal town 30 minutes from Lisbon — beaches, international schools, and a large expat family community.
Greece's capital — ancient history, a busy port, and the center of Golden Visa and tax-advisory services.
Greece's second city — lower cost than Athens, youthful energy, and a major northern port.
Crete's most beautiful harbor city — Venetian old town, beaches, and a slower island lifestyle.
Southeast Asia's most connected city — world-class healthcare, co-working, and a huge expat workforce.
The original digital-nomad capital — low cost, mountain scenery, and a tight-knit expat community.
Thailand's largest island — beaches, an international airport, and a well-developed expat infrastructure.
A quieter royal resort town on the Gulf — golf, weekend markets, and a growing retiree community.
29 cities · updated for 2026