Where in Central America should a single woman retire to and why?

Chris Jones hadn’t planned on becoming a croupier, but he was living in Las Vegas and needed a job, so he ended up working in the casinos.

Nestled in Panama’s mountain highlands about 60 miles from Costa Rica and known for its natural beauty, Boquete has a sleepy small-town feel with a cosmopolitan slant—it’s a favorite destination for American expats (it’s been dubbed “Gringolandia”) and is home to the annual Boquete Jazz & Blues Festival.

The town appealed to Chris, and at age 65 he made the move to a lush, green place with lots of rainbows and a glorious view of the mountains—a far cry from the desert he was leaving behind. I remember times when things were more democratic, not controlled by party politics.

Crime rates are low; the infrastructure and healthcare facilities are modern, and established expat populations offer newcomers abundant opportunities for building a social network and getting involved with the community.

The area is also rich in culture and history, with a distinct Maya influence, and recreational opportunities are practically limitless.