Santa Teresa vs Panama City
💰
Panama City saves you $1,000/month
📶
Panama City has 2x faster internet
💰 Cost of Living Breakdown
Monthly expenses comparison in USD
Expense
Santa Teresa
Panama City
Total Budget
$3,000/mo
$2,000/mo ✓
Rent (1BR)
$1,200/mo
$1,000/mo ✓
Coworking
$170/mo ✓
$180/mo
Meal Out
$10
$6 ✓
Coffee
$5
$3.5 ✓
Panama City is $1,000/mo cheaper (50% savings)
💻 Remote Work Essentials
Internet, timezone, and language comparison
🇨🇷 Santa Teresa
📶 Internet50-100 Mbps
🕐 TimezoneUTC-6
🗣️ Englishmedium
🛂 Nomad VisaAvailable
Working hours overlap:
🇺🇸 US West8h
🇺🇸 US East8h
🇬🇧 London5h
🇩🇪 Berlin4h
🇵🇦 Panama City
📶 Internet100 Mbps
🕐 TimezoneUTC-5
🗣️ Englishhigh
🛂 Nomad VisaAvailable
Working hours overlap:
🇺🇸 US West8h
🇺🇸 US East8h
🇬🇧 London6h
🇩🇪 Berlin5h
🌡️ Climate Comparison
Weather patterns and best times to visit
Santa Teresa
ClimateTropical Wet
Avg Temp26°C
Rainy Days265/year
Best months: February, January, March
Panama City
ClimateTropical Wet
Avg Temp27°C
Rainy Days272/year
Best months: February, January, March
Quarterly Temperatures
Jan
26°27°
Apr
27°28°
Jul
26°27°
Oct
25°26°
Santa TeresaPanama City
📊 Full Comparison
Category
🇨🇷Santa Teresa
🇵🇦Panama City
💰
Monthly Budget
$3,000
$2,000
Winner📶
Internet Speed
50 Mbps
100 Mbps
Winner🛡️
Safety
3.8/5
3.6/5
⭐
Nomad Score
4/10
3.9/10
🍽️
Food Scene
8/10
8/10
🎉
Nightlife
7/10
8/10
🚶
Walkability
4/10
6/10
Winner👥
Community
medium
medium
0
Santa Teresa wins
vs
3
Panama City wins
Which City is Right for You?
Recommendations based on your nomad style
💵Budget Nomad
Panama City
$1000/mo cheaper with similar quality of life
💻Developer
Panama City
100 Mbps is essential for video calls & uploads
🦋Social Butterfly
Either works
Similar social opportunities
🛡️Safety-First
Either works
Both cities are similarly safe
🍜Foodie
Either works
Both have great food scenes
🎉Party Person
Either works
Both have great nightlife
🇨🇷Santa Teresa
Pros
- +World-class surf breaks and consistent waves
- +Stunning sunsets and pristine beaches
- +Thriving yoga and wellness community
- +Growing digital nomad scene with coworking spaces
Cons
- −Very expensive compared to rest of Costa Rica
- −Frequent power outages especially in rainy season
- −Remote location - 5 hours from San Jose
- −Need ATV or rental car to get around
🇵🇦Panama City
Pros
- +Uses US Dollar - no currency exchange needed
- +Best internet infrastructure in Central America
- +Official Digital Nomad Visa up to 18 months
- +Modern skyline with excellent amenities
Cons
- −More expensive than other Latin American cities
- −Intense humidity and afternoon rain showers
- −Heavy traffic congestion outside metro areas
- −Limited activities beyond dining and nightlife