Central American Travel Guides
American Expats in Central America;
Our Trip Reports, Travel Tips & Expat Life Insights
Our life as American Expats in Central American began in Panama and Costa Rica, where we spent three months as budget-conscious slow travelers. Our two year plan was to spend months in each destination to really get a feel for what it’s like to live there, beyond just the tourist spots. We’re excited to share our experiences, travel tips, and insights into expat life with you.
From navigating Panama City’s busy streets to escaping to the peaceful mountains of Boquete, and from exploring the lively streets of San José to experiencing the laid-back vibes of Puerto Viejo, on this page you’ll find a collection of our most exciting stories and practical advice for anyone considering a similar path.
While Bocas del Toro wasn’t quite our vibe, every destination has taught us something new. Join us as we continue exploring, reflecting, and sharing the highs, the lows, and everything in between on our adventure through Central America.
We had a lot of feedback from reader’s about why our blog posts from our time in Mexico wasn’t on this page, so we added that!
Is There a “Best” Central American Country for Expats?
If you’ve spent any time researching expat life in Central America, you’ve probably seen countless articles touting the “best” country or city to move to. While guides and rankings can be helpful starting points, the reality is that the best place for you depends on your unique lifestyle, needs, and preferences.
Like many future expats, we once dreamed of retiring to a tropical beach – until we actually tried it. We quickly realized that what looks like paradise in photos or travel blogs may not feel like home in real life. Sometimes, the only way to know what fits is to experience it firsthand.
Social media and “bucket list” articles can create a sense of FOMO, making it seem like you’re missing out if you don’t follow the crowd. But the truth is, every country – and every town – has its own rhythm, community, and quirks. What’s perfect for one expat might not work for another.
Our advice? Use guides like this one to narrow your options, but if possible, spend time exploring a few places before making a decision. Rent for a few months, talk to locals and expats, and see how each location feels day-to-day. You might be surprised by what you discover about yourself—and about Central America.
Our Experiences as American Expats in Mexico City
- 3 Days in Mexico City: A Budget-Friendly Itinerary
- Mexico City Travel Guide
- Mexico City 5-Day Itinerary: Culture, Cuisine & Local Charm on a Budget
- Exploring Teotihuacán: Our Day Trip to the Pyramids from Mexico City
- Exploring Palacio de Bellas Artes – Mexico City, Mexico
- Budget-Friendly Adventures in Mexico City: 9 Free or Nearly Free Museums, Parks and Public Spaces
- From Chile to Guanajuato: Why Mexico City Was the Perfect Stop for Nomads Like Us
Our Experiences as American Expats living in Guanajuato City, Mexico
- An Itinerary for One Day in Guanajuato
- Guanajuato Travel Guide
- Where to Stay in Guanajuato City
- Why We Chose Guanajuato: 5 Compelling Reasons to Visit
- How to Get to Guanajuato By Bus & What to Expect at the Bus Station
- Top 10+ Places to Visit & Things to Do in Guanajuato
- A Budget-Foodie’s Guide to Guanajuato: Local Dishes You Can’t Miss
- From Chile to Guanajuato: Why Mexico City Was the Perfect Stop for Nomads Like Us
Our experiences, travel tips, and insights from our time in Costa Rica as Nomadic American Expats
- Costa Rica on a Budget
- Our Short-list of Budget-Friendly Places to Stay in San Jose, Costa Rica
- Our post about San Jose, Costa Rica Sightseeing
- Our National Theater of Costa Rica review
- Our post about the hidden gem we found in San Jose Costa Rica
- Our Puerto Viejo Accommodation Review: Brisas del Caribe
- A 3-Day Itinerary for San Jose, Costa Rica
Our Experiences as American Expats in Panama
- 7 Things We Did, or at least tried to do, in Boquete Panama
- Our Visit to a Coffee Farm Tour in Boquete
- If it’s not one thing…..
- Our Studio Coliving Hotel Review – Panama City, Panama
- Our Take on the Biomuseo in Panama City
- We Wander around Panama City’s Old Town – Casco Viejo
- Our Visit to the Punta Culebra Nature Center – a Wildlife Experience
- Our Tour of Panama Viejo
- Rain, Tacos, and Humidity: Our First Weeks in Panama City
Videos for our first few months as American Expat and nomad in Panama
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Videos from our time in Costa Rica
Please Note: We’re real people, just like you, and we’re still out here living the full-time travel life. Sometimes that means it takes us a bit longer to share all our stories and insights from each place we visit. But don’t worry, we’re working on it! Stay tuned for more as we continue our journey and bring you the inside scoop from every corner of the world.
Videos from our time as American Expats in Mexico City
Videos from our time as American Expats in Guanajuato City Mexico
Fun things to do in Central America
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