Tierras Altas is considered the “breadbasket of Panama” as it produces most of the country’s vegetables. Additionally, most of the flowers purchased throughout the country are grown in this region. With its year-round cool climate and high altitude, Tierras Altas is a paradise for countless expats.
Towns Surrounded by Nature and a Cool Climate
Located east of the famous Baru Volcano, a dormant volcano visited by thousands of tourists annually, Tierras Altas is located in Chiriqui Province. This region is made up of five municipalities: Volcan, Cerro Punta, Cuesta de Piedra, Nueva California, and Paso Ancho. Each has a dozen or more small mountain towns filled with unique natural beauty and authentic people.
This district offers its visitors and residents a cooler climate than the rest of the country thanks to its high altitude. However, these climatic factors vary from town to town in the Highlands District, allowing expats to select the ideal town based on their preferred microclimate.
Volcan and Guadalupe, Ideal Towns to Live in
Volcan is the largest urban center, with a population of 13,000. It is located one hour (56 kilometers) from David, the capital of Chiriqui, and seven hours (490 kilometers) from Panama City. It has the lowest elevation in Tierras Altas, at 1,400 meters above sea level. However, Guadalupe, a municipality with an elevation of 2,255 meters above sea level, is a favorite town in the region for many expats.
Region Full of Outdoor Activities to Enjoy
Tierras Altas offers a wide variety of options for enjoying nature, adventure, and culture. Whether visitors enjoy hiking, birdwatching, coffee tasting, or exploring agrotourism farms, Tierras Altas also offers an affordable, high-quality lifestyle for many expats looking to live surrounded by nature and in a climate that is both natural and cultural. It boasts mist-covered hillsides and dense vegetation, terraced gardens, abundant wildflowers, and many perks for short-term or lifetime living.
A Very Affordable Place to Live with Great Benefits
First of all, in Tierras Altas, everything from property prices to a hamburger is cheaper than in the rest of the country.
A small building in downtown Volcan offers furnished apartments for $400.00 a month, with washing machine, electricity, water, sewage, garbage, and Wi-Fi included.
Tierras Altas has an authentic and simple culture, where local traditions are shared with the foreigners who live here, making it more affordable.
Vegetables are much more affordable and of high quality because it is the largest center of agricultural production, which contributes to a much healthier and more balanced life.
In Tierras Altas, a couple can live well on a monthly food budget of between $400.00 and $500.00, shopping at Romero and other local supermarkets in Volcan.
For those who like to go out and relax, a local beer costs only $1.50. A glass of wine costs $2.50, and a large family pizza can cost as little as $9.95.
Choosing Tierras Altas as your new place to live means enjoying a healthier, more affordable lifestyle surrounded by mountain nature. Away from the tropical heat, yet close to all the amenities of modern life.
