In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

The Tuesday Market

Boquete, Panama

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

Ever since we arrived in Boquete, we had been hearing of the Gringo Market that meets just across the river on Tuesday mornings. It's the place to go to catch up on news, hear a guest speaker, get fresh local honey, handmade jewelry, boutique coffee beans, and to find out what the local volunteer organizations are up to.

Bridge across the Caldera River

Our hotel is just to the left of this greenery in front of the bridge, and the market gathers where the red roofed building is. About a five minute walk from where we were staying, we decided to go on the first Tuesday after we checked in.

Rushing river

It had been raining steadily most days and the river was happily burbling over the stones as we crossed the bridge.

The beginning of the market

Turning right as the bridge ended, we walked down some steps and into the market. Local vendors and lots of Gringos set up shop here to sell their wares.

Jewelry, tapestries, belts, hats, bags and clothing all for sale

This was one of the beautiful mornings we had in Boquete and people were out to enjoy the sunshine. The market is in a tropical garden setting.

Fresh arepas for breakfast

Food stalls dotted the market and people eagerly stood in line to purchase some morning yummies. Here a woman makes some fresh arepas which are stuffed with meat and/or beans.

An indigenous Ngäbe woman offers fresh local honey, jams and nut spreads

Buying and enjoying local products is a Gringo pastime. Here a Ngäbe woman offers free sample tastings of honey collected on her land along with some nut spreads and jams. Travel agencies in town can take you on honey tours for about $35USD.

Fresh pancakes!

A Panamanian woman cooks up some breakfast pancakes on a griddle. Freshly brewed coffee is for sale at another stall.

Hand made products catch the eye of Expats

We noticed that the Expats were energized by the market and took the time to visit with each other and to catch up on the week's happenings. It's just as much a social outlet as it is a shopping stop. Organic foods were right inside the market on the right.

If you have an apartment for rent or if you are looking for one, this is the place to meet up and connect with people. If you need translation services or a ride to or from the airport, you will find people to help you here. Want to listen to a guest speaker? There is a theater inside and for $1USD you can find out about horticulture, coffee brewing, traveling through Panama and more. Buy freshly roasted coffee beans from a nearby finca that you grind at home. "Everyone" is a coffee expert here.

Freshly made designer chocolate is also available inside, as are newly picked herbs, hand made cheese, special water filters, medicinal herbs, hand carved items, embroidered blouses and more.

If you are in Boquete, don't miss the Gringo Tuesday market. Opens about 9:30 a.m.

For more stories and photos of Panama, click here

About the Authors

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli are recognized retirement experts and internationally published authors on topics of finance, medical tourism and world travel. With the wealth of information they share on their award winning website RetireEarlyLifestyle.com, they have been helping people achieve their own retirement dreams since 1991. They wrote the popular books, The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement and Your Retirement Dream IS Possible available on their website bookstore or on Amazon.com.

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