First of all, there are many similarities. Both properties Panama and Costa Rica have mountains, oceans, beaches, volcanoes, tropical forests, Zip Line Tours, hot springs and exotic animals. The two countries have more people who speak English in major cities, while very little English spoken in remote areas. Both countries have similar climates, and both are very nice. Honestly, I can not be a good thing about Costa Rica, which are not found in Panama.
Now we’re talking about and the differences are considerable:
Roads: Costa Rica is known and famous for its bad roads are terrible. Every time I went to Costa Rica can not believe how bad the roads, while the main roads in the country of Panama are all paved and relatively free of pits. Why Costa Rican roads are so bad? I have no idea, but believe me they are terrible.
Cost of Goods: Panama is a big winner here. Thank you to the Panama Canal and the main port, industrial products are much cheaper in Panama. Household appliances, electronics, building materials, almost everything is expensive in Costa Rica the country. I do not have much experience in purchasing a car, but I heard from reliable sources that Costa Rica has a big car taxes, I’m not that white Panama. Apparently, a car in Panama U.S. $ 20,000 would cost over $ 35,000 in Costa Rica.
Currency: Once again, Panama wins. The official currency of Panama is the Balboa, which is directly linked to the dollar. Paper money (a bill of U.S. dollars and more), the U.S. dollar, and there is no exchange. The currency in Costa Rica is the colon and exchange rates fluctuate regularly. It is necessary to constantly take their money from American changing in colones, with a calculator everywhere to take back and use by local people always try to be aware. The financial transactions of any kind much easier for real estate in Panama.
Power: If you fly to San Jose, Costa Rica, it feels like you’ve landed in a third world ghetto, but if you travel to Panama City is considered to have a modern and cosmopolitan city. In reality, it is simple – the difference between the two cities is impressive. San Jose is a dirty and dangerous, with about four street signs in town. Panama City has dozens of skyscrapers is clearly brand new progressive phase of expansion. The reason is that Panama City is light years ahead of San Jose because the United States participated actively in the canal until 1999, so that the infrastructure is surprisingly modern. It is no coincidence that the Trump Tower in Panama City, but not in San Jose.
On a side note, I noticed that people in the city of Panama to more friendly and more useful than San Jose.
Crime: No contest here in Costa Rica has a greater number of crimes. Armed robberies, kidnappings and other violent crimes, often in Costa Rica. In 2007, the U. S. Department of State of Costa Rica, known as the “high crime country” for tourists. Although these crimes in Panama, the incidence is much lower and it is especially in the Canal Zone, between Panama City and Colon. I lived in Santiago time (three hours west of Panama City) for over a year, and I heard someone talking about a murder, theft armed robbery, assault. I left the tools and boots in front of my house for a week in time, and I never stole anything. This would be in Costa Rica, where theft is widespread everyday and extraordinary.
Properties: Saving the best for last, you can buy land in Panama for a fraction of what it would cost you in Costa Rica. The same six plots of one hectare overlooking the sea and the river banks in Panama that I sell for about $ 150,000, I’d at least $ 500,000 in costs of Costa Rica. Land in Costa Rica is about five times more expensive than comparable land in Panama.
Another important difference between the countries concerned prisoners. In Costa Rica, if you buy land and relocate the squatters, it takes three months time to really have a right to his property and lengthy court proceedings, they must be false. Unbelievable but true. To occupants of property in Panama have no legal right. If you have a home in Panama to retire to buy, let alone for ten years, and in return the people who live there, they should immediately.