This video shows you the top places in the world to retire overseas for cheap in 2026.

I am going to show you a video I took in my Top 15 Places in the Entire World to Retire Cheap in 2026.

My name is Dan.  I left the United States 18 years ago.  I have lived 73 countries.  I have spent a few hundred thousand dollars of my own money to put my feet on the ground in every single one of these places I share today.  

This video has no AI video.  Qiang and I took all of the images we share here with our camera in our hands.  I will start at 15 and work my way up to number 1.  

Boquete Panama Retire Cheap Report (15th): Boquete is a small town in the mountains of Panama with around 20,000 people living there. About 3500 of those people are expats from all over the world.  Because of its high elevation, the weather is so perfect that very few homes have heating or air conditioning.  Boquete is one of the most beautiful places in the world in terms of scenery. The lush green mountains surrounding the city have an unlimited supply of hiking trails.  There is lively art and live music, including the Boquete Jazz & Blues Festival, weekly arts and crafts, and delicious food markets.  The cost of living for typical expats ranges from about $1500 per month to $2500 per month, depending on whether you live more locally or like a typical expat.  But the sky is the limit for deep pockets, and frugal expats may be able to live on less than $1500 per month.  To qualify for a visa, the retiree must demonstrate a pension of $1,000.00 USD per month, plus $250.00 USD for each dependent.  But if you purchase residential property in Panama, the monthly pension requirement is only $750.  Immigration law changes periodically, so for Panama, and all of the following 14 favorite places, check with a local immigration attorney for updates before making any permanent decisions.  If you are more interested in the Caribbean side of Panama, check out the Bocas Del Toro Panama Retire Cheap Report at a higher cost of living.

Arequipa Peru Retire Cheap Report (14th): Arequipa is a gorgeous colonial-era city in the mountains of Southern Peru. Walk along the cobblestone streets and you will find a multitude of choices of foreign and domestic foods. Central Park is a gorgeous place to spend evenings as the sun goes down over the 500-year-old cathedral.  It is a beautiful, energetic college town with one of the highest per capita incomes in Peru.  In the middle of the day, you can walk around wearing only a single layer year-round, but carry a light jacket after 4 PM because of the elevation. The cost of living for typical expats ranges from about $1400 per month to $2400 per month, depending on whether you live more locally or like a typical expat.  But the sky is the limit for deep pockets, and a frugal expat may be able to live on less than $1400 per month.  To qualify for a visa, the retiree must have a pension or an equivalent of $1,000.00 USD per month.  Consider our Cajamarca, Peru Retire Cheap Report if you are looking for a more traditional Peruvian experience in a smaller, more quaint colonial-era setting at a lower cost of living.

Antigua Guatemala Retire Cheap Report (13th): Antigua Guatemala is the most well-preserved colonial-era city in all of Central America. With 500 years of history, art, and architecture, along with an amazing array of foods to delight your senses, Antigua is one of the best places in the world for the integration of colonial culture, indigenous culture, and international visitors. Because of Antigua’s elevation, it remains relatively cool throughout the year. There are also many hiking trails around the city.  The cost of living for typical expats ranges from about $1500 per month to $2500 per month, depending on whether you live more locally or like a typical expat.  But the sky is the limit for deep pockets, and a frugal expat may be able to live on less than $1500 per month.  To qualify for a visa, the retiree must have a pension or an equivalent of $1,250.00 USD per month, with an additional $300 per dependent.  If you are more of a mountain lake lover, check out our Lake Atitlan Guatemala Retire Cheap Report, at a slightly lower cost of living.  This beautiful lake a mile high in the sky is surrounded by seven villages of varying character that would provide a home for people of many different kinds of interest including a hippie spiritual natural healing artist village, an ex-pat party animal village, several indigenous culture villages, and a large ex-pat community village.  

Oaxaca, Mexico, Retire Cheap Report (12th):  Oaxaca City hosts the Guelaguetza festival, the largest annual indigenous festival in the world, celebrating their native culture of music, costumes, dances, and food.  Some of the most well-preserved ancient ruins in Mexico are nearby in Monte Alban and Mitla.  Oaxaca is at a perfect high elevation so it is not too warm in the summer or too cold in the winter.  The colonial-era center of the city is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved anywhere in the world.  The central park (Zocolo) is a joy to experience day and night with music, dance, and beautiful foods in restaurants and food carts.  The cost of living for typical expats ranges from about $1500 per month to $2500 per month, depending on whether you live more locally or like a typical expat.  But the sky is the limit for deep pockets, and a frugal expat may be able to live on less than $1500 per month.  To qualify for a visa, the retiree must have a sustainable pension or an equivalent of $4,000 USD per month, or proof of $70,000 in savings or investments.  Some consulates set higher or lower incomes or investment numbers.  Consider Puerto Morales Mexico Retire Cheap Report if you are more of a beach person with a slightly higher cost of living.

Roxas Philippines Retire Cheap Report: (11th) We have been on the lookout for the best safe beach town in the Philippines. A beach town with just enough expats to create a soft landing, but without white sand beaches, which causes a parade of arriving expats and higher prices.  Well that place is Roxas in the Philippines.  There is a friendly small community of expats who have lived in the area to help you get acquainted.  Plus, the locals are super friendly and willing to teach you about customs and traditions to help you integrate and live affordably; most expats can’t.  The cost of living for typical expats ranges from about $1000 per month to $2200 per month, depending on whether you live more locally or like a typical expat.  But the sky is the limit for deep pockets, and a frugal expat may be able to live on less than $1000 per month.  You can extend your tourist visa for up to 36 months without applying for a retirement visa.  After 36 months, you just do a visa run and start the process all over again.  For that reason, very few expats in the Philippines bother to get a retirement visa.  If you are looking for the comprehensive expat experience, consider Dumaguete Philippines Retire Cheap Report, with slightly higher prices.  

After I finish sharing the Top 15 Places, I will share the three countries that were pushed out of the Top 15 and why.  Plus, I will share a free video showing you all of the resources we have to help you achieve a soft landing overseas.  

Baguio City, Philippines Retire Cheap Report (10th) One of the first things you will notice about Baguio is that it is never too hot or too cold there. It is a mile high, so it has cooler highland temperatures. The next thing you will notice is the green and beautiful central area of Baguio.  There is a very large central park full of manicured grass and picnic tables with a lake full of paddle boats, where you can enjoy with your family and friends. It is also one of the most creative cities in the Philippines, with college students dressing up in Japanese Anime costumes and drawing chalk characters on Session Road on Sundays.  Plus, if you enjoy a hilly terrain, Baguio is one of the most walkable cities, so you won’t need a car.  The cost of living for typical expats ranges from about $1400 per month to $2200 per month, depending on whether you live more locally or like a typical expat.  But the sky is the limit for deep pockets, and a frugal expat may be able to live on less than $1300 per month.  The Philippines allows visa extensions for up to 36 months before requiring a visa run.  If you like the cooler weather but would like to be in a smaller town only an hour from the best shopping in the Philippines, check out the Tagaytay Philippines Retire Cheap Report.  

Boracay Philippines Retire Cheap Report (9th): Boracay Island is one of the most gorgeous white sand beach islands in the world. Boracay stands above other white-sand beach destinations in the Philippines because it offers a wide selection of excellent international restaurants within walking distance of anywhere on the island. Other white-sand beaches in the Philippines, like El Nido, Siquijor, or Puerto Galera, are typically in remote locations, which means limited international restaurant choices. Boracay also offers a wide range of nightlife entertainment, all within walking distance.  Boracay would easily make it into our top 5 destinations if it weren’t so small and full of tourists.  The cost of living for typical expats ranges from about $2000 to $3000 per month, depending on whether you live more locally or like a typical expat.  But the sky is the limit for deep pockets, and a frugal expat may be able to live on less than $1800 per month.  The Philippines allows visa extensions for up to 36 months before requiring a visa run.  If you like a cheaper, less touristy white sand beach accessible by a short ferry to Luzon, consider the Puerto Galera Philippines Retire Cheap Report.

Porto, Portugal, Retire Cheap Report (8th): Porto, Portugal, has a beautiful landscape and a romantic yet safe feeling to it. It is like living in a storybook. The central area of Porto is highly walkable. Porto feels like you are walking through a living museum with single-lane cobblestone pre-vehicle streets. There are beaches, wine tours, a symphony, many food choices, hiking, biking, great day trips, weekend getaways, sports stadiums, sailing, water sports, cruising, parks, nature, etc. Porto has an old-world charm that you usually only find in more expensive cities.  You will need to take the Porto Metro underground a little outside the city center to find cheaper rents, but isn’t it nice that you won’t need to buy a car? The cost of living for typical expats ranges from about $2000 to $3200 per month, depending on whether you live more locally or like a typical expat.  But the sky is the limit for deep pockets, but a frugal expat may be able to live on less than $2000 per month.  The D7 Visa requires proving a passive income amount not officially published.  But sources report $1000 USD per month for the applicant, $500 per month for a spouse, and $350 per month per dependent.  Consider reviewing our Coimbra Portugal Retire Cheap Report if you would prefer a smaller, less expensive college town.  

Siem Reap Cambodia Retire Cheap Report (7th):  Siem Reap is next door to Angkor Wat, the largest temple complex in the world, spanning 402 acres with 72 deserted temples to visit.  That makes Siem Reap feel peaceful and spiritual.  Siem Reap also has a fun, dynamic mix of East meets West lifestyle.  Siem Reap has a large assortment of restaurants, domestic and international, a beautiful walkway on the riverfront, many arts and crafts, a nearby lake, and a fairly diverse nightlife for a town this size.  The cost of living for typical expats ranges from about $1000 to $2000 per month, depending on whether you live more locally or like a typical expat.  But the sky is the limit for deep pockets, and a frugal expat may be able to live on less than $900 per month.  There is no official minimum pension requirement for the 1-year renewable visa, and many expats report obtaining the 1-year renewable visa with very little documentation and a $300 visa fee.  If you enjoy Cambodia but would prefer a quieter town with fewer expats, check out the smaller, cheaper town in Battambang, Cambodia, in the Retire Cheap Report.  If you would prefer to be in a slightly more expensive capital city, check out the Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Retire Cheap Report.  

Tirana Albania Retire Cheap Report: (6th) I have traveled all over Eastern Europe from Estonia down through Greece.  And Albania is the country that really sticks out in my mind for living an easy, affordable life.  There is a nice combination of old and new buildings in the city, with gorgeous tree-lined streets and beautiful parks, along with great, affordable international and local restaurants.  We walked everywhere and didn’t even need a car.  Americans can stay for 1 year upon entry without applying for a visa.  The cost of living for typical expats ranges from about $1200 to $2200 per month, depending on whether you live more locally or like a typical expat.  But the sky is the limit for deep pockets, and frugal expats may be able to live on less than $1200 per month.  Retiree visa applicants must supply a lease contract in Albania, proof of pension from their home country of about $1350 USD per month, or buy residential real estate in Albania.  If you enjoy Albania but would prefer a beach town with a similar cost of living, check out the Saranda Albania Retire Cheap Report.  

Top 5 Best Places in the Entire World to Retire Early Cheap in 2026

Bangkok, Thailand, Retire Cheap Report: (5th): Bangkok is one of the fascinating cities in the world, even before you adjust for its low cost of living. The food choices are unmatched with the integration of East and West cuisines. It has one of the most modern and clean transportation systems in the world, so you will not have to waste your money on a car. The Grab taxis are so cheap that you can get your groceries home for just a little more than public transportation. Riding the water taxis from Khao San to the King Taksin Bridge while stopping at the temples, the flower market, and the King’s Palace is probably the most interesting cultural experience you will find anywhere in the world.  Plus, you are just a $50 flight to some of the best white sand beaches in the World.  The cost of living for typical expats ranges from about $1300 to $2200 per month, depending on whether you live more locally or like a typical expat.  But the sky is the limit for deep pockets, and frugal expats may be able to live on less than $1300 per month.  The retirement visa requires proving about $2,000 USD per month or depositing about $25,000 USD into a Thai bank account.  But if you prefer a smaller mountain town with a lower cost of living, check out our Chiang Mai, Thailand, Retire Cheap Report.  Thailand has lost some of its appeal because it has started taxing any foreign money brought into the country by expats who spend 180 or more days per year in Thailand.

Jomtien Thailand Retire Cheap Report (4th):  Jomtien is a more relaxed, less noisy beach town with slightly cheaper food than Pattaya. Plus, you are only a 10 Baht Bus ride from Pattaya if you get in the mood for crazy.  Thailand is one of the easiest countries in the world for ex-pats to adjust to overseas living.  It has an easy cheap retirement visa, it has amazing cheap health care, and it has many possible apartments to rent for reasonable prices ranging from very basic to extravagant.  Jomtien has foods from all over the world along with delicious local Thai food.  The cost of living for typical expats ranges from about $1200 to $2200 per month depending on whether you live more local or like a typical expat.  But the sky is the limit for deep pockets and frugal expats may be able to live on less than $1200 per month.  The retirement visa requires proving $2,000 USD per month or depositing about $25,000 USD into a Thai bank.  If Jomptien is not your cup of tea, try going across the Gulf of Thailand and check out the Hua Hin Thailand Retire Cheap Report.    

Koh Samui Thailand Retire Cheap Report (3rd): You may have had the impression that the Island of Koh Samui was only a playground for the rich and famous looking for expensive white sand beach island vacation. But on our most recent visit to Koh Samui, we found perfectly respectable places to stay in safe neighborhoods where locals live for relatively cheap. We also found local markets and local family-owned restaurants with absolutely delicious foods that would not break the bank.  So after 18 years of coming to Thailand, I now know that I could stay on budget in one of the most beautiful places in the world.  The cost of living for typical expats ranges from about $1500 to $2500 per month, depending on whether you live more locally or like a typical expat.  But the sky is the limit for deep pockets, and frugal expats may be able to live on less than $1500 per month.  The retirement visa requires showing $2,000 USD per month or $25,000 USD in a Thai bank.  If you are looking for a cheaper hippie island vibe, take the 20-minute ferry over to Koh Phangan Thailand Retire Cheap Report.

Da Nang Vietnam Retire Cheap Report (2nd): Da Nang is now my second favorite place to retire cheap in paradise for pennies.  Qiang Hui and I both fell in love with a little community called An Thuong, about 15 minutes south of central Da Nang on the beach.  I would love to live here.  Everything you need, like restaurants, expensive and cheap, foreign and domestic foods, wet markets, and a gorgeous beach, would be extremely walkable.  We didn’t even rent a scooter.  If we ate all three meals per day in the local restaurants, we could easily stay under $5 per day, per person. There was even a great gym just a few blocks from our house for $20 per month, no contract.  The cost of living for expats ranges from about $1000 to $2000 per month, depending on whether you live more locally or like a typical expat.  But the sky is the limit for deep pockets, and frugal expats may be able to live on less than $1000 per month.  There is no retirement visa, so expats must do a visa run to a nearby country every 90 days.  Some people say Vietnam will offer a retirement visa someday, but I will believe it when I see it.  The good news is that Vietnam is not taxing you as a retiree resident, unlike Thailand. 

Nha Trang Vietnam Retire Cheap Report: (1st)  Nha Trang is the most cosmopolitan city in Vietnam if you consider international food choices, clean parks and beaches, neighborhoods that still feel like Vietnam (despite international tourism), and less visible pollution in the air (it is a city on the ocean). It doesn’t have the breadth of historical culture you will see in Hanoi or Hue, but it makes up for that with modern cultural amenities that cultural explorers expect. You will read that some people do not like Nha Trang because it has a large tourist industry near the beach. But I wouldn’t live in tourist areas. I found a beautiful neighborhood that I showcase in my retire cheap report. What surprised me the most about Nha Trang, was how cheap it was to live there once you get to know where the locals shop and eat.  The cost of living for typical expats ranges from about $1000 to $2000 per month depending on whether you live more local or like a typical expat.  But the sky is the limit for deep pockets and frugal expats may be able to live on less than $1000 per month.  There is no retirement visa so expats do a visa run to nearby countries every 90 days.  But the good news is Vietnam is not taxing you as a resident like they do in Thailand.  Check out our Dalat Vietnam Retire Cheap Report, if you would prefer a hill station with cooler year-round weather.

Dropped from the Top 15

Now I will explain 3 countries that dropped out of the Top 15.  Then I will give you a free video that explains all of the resources we have to help you achieve a soft landing overseas.  

Malaysia is still one of my favorite places in the world, with a very reasonable cost of living.  But the financial requirement for a retirement visa is no longer feasible for the overwhelming majority of people.

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, is still one of my favorite places in the world.  But the roads are so congested now, it would likely take hours to get to the hospital.  That presents an unnecessary risk for all but the healthiest expats.  

Ecuador was historically safe, but has experienced an increase in crime over the last few years.  That said, many expats living in my favorite town in Ecuador, called Cuenca, report feeling relatively safe compared to other parts of the country.  

The free video explaining all of the resources we have to help you achieve a soft landing overseas is at this QR Code.  A video explaining why some people need more money overseas is here.  And a free eBook explaining everything I did before moving overseas, is here, “How I Fired My Boss and Traveled the World for 18 Years.”