Picture this: You’re answering emails while sipping locally-grown coffee on your terrace, surrounded by mist-covered mountains and the kind of silence that actually lets you think.
No traffic.
No construction.
Just you, your laptop, and a view that stretches to both the Pacific and Caribbean on clear days.
This isn’t some remote work fantasy that requires sacrificing basic infrastructure. It’s daily life in Sorá, Panama, an area that’s been drawing people for over a millennium, though today’s residents are trading petroglyphs for high-speed internet.
Located about 60 miles west of Panama City, Sorá represents something increasingly rare in our hyperconnected world: a place where you can build a location-independent business without losing your connection to nature or community.
The Mountain Settlement that Time Forgot (In the Best Way)
Travel writer Jess Ramesch captures Sorá’s essence perfectly in her piece for International Living:
This is one of the quietest expat destinations in Panama — like in Cerro Azul, it’s generally up to you to entertain yourself — but for me, there’s magic in these hills.
That “magic” isn’t just poetic license. Sorá sits at altitudes ranging from 1,400 to 3,600 feet, which translates to temperatures roughly 10 degrees cooler than coastal Panama’s typical 88°F highs. When you’re used to cranking the AC, working in a naturally climate-controlled environment becomes a creative advantage.
The settlement’s crown jewel is Altos del Maria, a 6,000-acre gated community that houses approximately 1,600 homes. About 100 expat households have discovered what Panamanian weekend residents have known for years. Most of these properties sit empty during the week, creating a peaceful environment perfect for deep work.
The infrastructure basics check all the necessary boxes. Cell service and internet connectivity meet modern business standards. The water is safe to drink straight from the tap, and Ramesch notes it “tastes wonderful.” These might seem like small details, but anyone who’s tried to run a business from a location with unreliable utilities knows these foundations matter.
Smart Advantages Beyond the Scenery
Let’s talk about practical benefits. Sorá offers something you can’t get in most major cities: the ability to step away from your desk and onto hiking trails that zigzag through private mountain terrain. When your biggest challenge is a complex client problem or strategic decision, having access to mental space becomes invaluable.
The community center provides yoga classes and Spanish instruction, both taught by expats who understand the challenges of building a life in a new country. The Spanish instruction, in particular, isn’t just a social activity; it’s practical skill-building that enhances your ability to operate effectively in Panama.
Transportation connections also matter for business. A recently completed road connects Sorá to El Valle in about 30 minutes, expanding your access to additional services and social opportunities. Coronado, with its restaurants and activities, sits just 45 minutes away. Panama City — Central America’s only true First World capital — remains accessible at 90 minutes by car.
For health concerns, Sorá maintains a basic health center, with the San Fernando clinic in Coronado providing more comprehensive care. This isn’t rural isolation; it’s strategic positioning that gives you access to quality medical care when needed.
The Reality Check: What You’re Trading
Here’s what you won’t find in Sorá: fast-food chains, big-box stores, nightclubs, or the constant stimulation of urban life. The commercial infrastructure consists of banks, grocery store, hardware store, post office, veterinarian clinic, and agricultural supply stores. For dining, you have Mary’s Café and Luky Aja.
That’s it.
This constraint forces a different approach to work-life integration. Instead of grabbing dinner from the latest trendy restaurant, you’re stopping at the fruit stand for fresh pineapple to enjoy on your terrace with Panamanian coffee. Instead of unwinding at a bar after a difficult day, you’re wrapping yourself in a cardigan and looking up at the stars.
As Ramesch puts it: “Locals will often tell you there’s nothing in Sorá… nothing at all. And that’s precisely what’s to like about it.”
Making the Move
When it comes to Sorá, the question is if you’re ready to trade the conventional entrepreneurial environment for something more deliberately simple.
For professionals who’ve spent decades building careers in major metros, Sorá represents a fundamental shift in how you define productivity and success. You’re choosing focused work over busy work, genuine community over networking events, and natural beauty over architectural impressiveness.
The ancient petroglyphs that first drew settlers here over 1,000 years ago remain visible on gray rock outcroppings, including a five-foot-tall alligator whose meaning has been lost to time.
Perhaps it was meant to ward off danger or commemorate important rituals. Today, it serves as a reminder that some places have been drawing people seeking something different for far longer than we’ve had high-speed internet.
The Carib tribes who first settled these hills understood something about choosing a location strategically. In an age when your office can be anywhere, the question becomes: Where will you do your best work?
