By Michael Boase / Jun 09

Why Panama?

Few countries in the world today can match Panama in presenting opportunities for improved, stress reduced lifestyles, for relocation or investment and portfolio development. Few can match the environment, climate sheer range of biodiversity of its flora and fauna. Fewer still can match the comparative low cost of living and the attractiveness of its retirement Visa benefits and business investment incentives.

Already, tens of thousands of ‘baby boomers’ have settled to live in Panama whilst global marketing efforts continue to attract more and more people from the US, Canada, the UK, many of the other European countries and even from Russia and China.

Panama, albeit relatively small in physical size and stature, has a population of just over 3 million individuals of which very many are centered around the larger conurbations such as Panama City, David, Colon, etc. Much of the interior is untouched and unspoiled. Beachfront opportunities are still available, if you know where to look and with whom to speak. The physical size, orientation and topography of Panama, means that you are never very far away from the water, whether the Pacific Ocean or the Caribbean Sea.

Panama is now striving to match the aspirations of the broadest range of demographics from the wealthy to the retiree. Here, we find peoples from all walks of life having been attracted by such marketing magnates as Escape Artist and International Living to name but two. The expatriate lifestyle is a growing, booming industry the world over and of which Panama is still one of the leading lights and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.

As the world ‘leans and slumps on the ropes’ from the blows of the burgeoning current global financial malaise, few countries offer a haven whereby a sense of coping, of surviving, of recovery, of a future can be had. Panama is very much one of those special places.

In Panama there is an infrastructure which is improving all the time and in keeping with the needs of an expanding and stable economy.

One of Panama’s principle attractions also demands the provision of convenience for the travelers and tourists. The Tourism Industry in Panama is developing rapidly and key regions such as the world famous Bocas del Toro or Chiriqui or Veraguas, each need those vital lifelines which transportation infrastructure has to meet. IPAT, Panamas Governmental Department for Tourism, has recently launched its 10 year programme for Tourism Development and its Minister, Mr. Ruben Blades, is fully committed to seeing Panama elevate itself up the International Tourism Rankings. Having one of the worlds richest biodiversity in flora and fauna ever recorded, Panama Eco Tourism is shaping up to become a very important and crucial ‘piece of the jigsaw puzzle’ of this program

Bocas Del Toro already has its own Airport and is currently serviced from both Panama City and David. David is Chiriquí’s principle city and is soon to begin its metamorphosis from local airport to fully fledged International Airport handling carriers from all over the world. When this happens it will signal a boom time for these areas.

So, why Panama and where in Panama should you look?

Well, Panama City is already a thriving, growing metropolis which has had its fair share of Development and personnel influx. Of course there are still areas in and around Panama City which offer opportunities but it cannot match the exquisite nature and environments that the ‘outer reaches’ can provide. Let’s look at the three areas mentioned above.

Bocas del Toro

Bocas del Toro is a province of Panama which sits in the blue, blue Caribbean Sea, near the Costa Rica border. It hosts two national parks, one of which is a world heritage site and two protected cloud forests. The trans-boundary protected area consists of 1.4 million contiguous acres, extending from the Continental Divide to the Caribbean Sea, covering all five altitudinal zones known to the tropics. One park, Bastimentos National Marine Park, covers a large portion of the archipelago and is home to a variety of ecosystems which thrive at or around sea level. The other park, Palo Seco Nature Reserve, is on the mainland and reaches up through the Cloud Forests up to and beyond the Continental Divide. Isla Colon is its capital city where English is widely spoken.
While Bocas del Toro attracts more travellers every year, its ecosystem remains largely intact due to the unstinting efforts of conservationists. The biodiversity of the Bocas del Toro region is so exquisite, it’s internationally recognized as both a Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site.
It would take months to explore all of Bocas del Toro with its 9 major islands, 50 cays (low, coral-based islands), and 200-plus islets. Beach-lovers and surfers arrive here eager to begin their island-hopping as soon as their plane lands. However, Bocas Town itself has lots to offer, including the province’s best selection of dining, nightlife, and accommodations. It’s an archetypal Caribbean village of pastel rooftops, fresh seafood served in waterfront restaurants on stilts, fishing boats in bold, primary colors, and docks stretching over the patchwork waters.
Bocas del Toro is famous for very many reasons; Bastimentos Island with its stunning beaches and its National Marine Park, Zapatilas Cays, immaculate coral reefs and beaches, its unique tropical vegetation and wildlife to name but a very few.

While Bocas del Toro Province experiences a warm and rather wet climate year-round, the least rainy months to visit are between August and October, and between February and April.

Buses travel to Bocas del Toro Province from Costa Rica in the northwest and from David in the south. Water taxis offer swift rides from the Almirante port on the mainland to Bocas Town on Isla Colon, as well as between the islands. On the main island also, is a small airport from which travellers fly to Panama City, David and Costa Rica. Costa Rica’s “Nature Air” fly’s directly to Bocas from San Jose three times a week.

History is ingrained here and in 1502, Columbus stopped at several Bocas del Toro islands on his fourth and last trip to the New World. Columbus was so taken by the region’s splendour that he named Isla Colon and Isla Cristobal after himself.

So, Bocas del Toro, a place many literally call “Paradise”. There is simply no other place in the world that quite offers such an “all-in-one” package providing the natural beauty, living, relocation and investment opportunity that this area of Panama provides. For more information on what is available please check ~ http://www.bocasparadise.com/ ~ but also, as sourcing agents, ask us, tell us your dream and together we will endeavour to bring it to reality.

Chiriqui

Chiriqui is the far western region having a border with Costa Rica that stretches from the Caribbean Sea down to the Pacific Ocean. The Gulf of Chiriqui provides a stunning prelude to the Pacific Ocean in which many small and some uninhabited islands lie. The waters in this region are full of wildlife and opportunities for boating and finding those deserted beaches.

Off the coast of Chiriqui out on the Pacific Ocean, boasts some of the worlds finest deep sea game fishing along with nature watching of dolphin, porpoise, whales and sea turtles to name but a few. Scuba and snorkeling is extremely an popular sport on the many clean and beautiful coral reefs.

Chiriqui itself is a wonderland as it nestles beneath the majestic Volcan Baru, Panamas only and highest mountain volcano. Nestled on her sides you will find the meccas of Boquete and Volcan where expats from around the world have settled. David is Chiriquí’s principle city and where are situated the famous Hospitals of Chiriqui and The Mae Lewis. Also, you will find the soon to be David International Airport, the bus terminal and the very many shops, stores and service providers.

Boquete, approximately 35km from David, is both an ex-pat focal point and a tourist centre providing myriad of recreational activities from the world famous Paradise Gardens Wildlife Rescue Centre, the Quetzal Trail, River Rafting and Tree Canopy Zip-lining to name but a few.

Chiriqui also boasts one the worlds last pristine Cloud Forest reserves which sits up high on the Continental Divide near to Fortuna. Wildlife abounds here and if ever there was a region in which you could say ‘this is Panamas jewel in her crown’ then Chiriqui would surely be deserving of such a title.

Here in Chiriqui, you have the option of warm dry weather conditions down on the lower elevations or, the cooler environments of Boquete and Volcan. The many microclimates make this an interesting place to live, relax and just…. breathe.

Regarding development opportunities in Chiriqui, there really is the broadest range available.

Houses and homes of the widest variety and price ranges are available. New house developments such as the premier site of Montanas de Caldera provide affordable living, second home or even rental income. Unusual homes nearer to the water in Boca Chica; Eco Tourism Resorts in Chorcha; hectares of development land in Puerto Armuelles; unique Wildlife Centers or even Condominium sites in the centre of Boquete and tracts and tracts of inexpensive development land. Whatever your requirements you will find it here. Check out http://www.choosechiriqui.com or get in touch and let us help you.

Veraguas

Veraguas is located in the central province area of Panama and has the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the South. It is also the only province in the republic that touches both oceans, and it has a fantastic diversity of flora and fauna in its jungles and mountains.

Santiago is the capital city of Veraguas but is still a relatively small town having approximately 55 thousand inhabitants. Veraguas, for a long time, was the gateway to Chiriqui and provided a stopping off point for travellers going to and coming from Chiriqui.

Veraguas encompasses the Coiba National Marine Park with the largest coral reef of the Pacific coast of the Americas. Veraguas offers a stunning variety of natural beauty on its coasts, mountains, islands and in the many extensive tracts of tropical forests to be found in this richly diverse province.

The coastal town of Santa Catalina enjoys of beautiful sunsets and fresh sea breeze, with abundant vegetation, gray sand and crystal waters. Visitors of this region are usually extreme adventurers, surfers and outdoor lovers.

For those looking for adventure there are remote islands, away from civilization, where you will be able to have a first hand encounter with nature. The area provides unforgettable experience, since you will be able to see beautiful dolphins playing beside your boat or whales looking for our warm Panamanian waters to give birth to their offspring. This is a perfect place to leave behind the every day world and experiment the peace that nature brings.

Real estate interest in the province of Veraguas is concentrated mainly on the two coastal regions and is in its infancy. Relatively untouched and with much of the province having challenging access issues, this is one part of Panama that is truly an undiscovered treasure.

Conclusion

As people, who are looking to invest, retire or relocate overseas, or who are looking for land and property development opportunity, clearly, you must be successful and discerning. You will have an open mind, be of a pioneering or entrepreneurial spirit, you will be clearly successful in your vision, determination and heart.

So, when you consider the wealth of biodiversity in Panama, the enormous opportunities for tourism which is either recreational, or eco based, for retirement, for relocation, for investment or development, we claim, it is very hard indeed to find another such “all-inclusive-package” bursting with such potential.

Panama, as can readily be seen, has far more advantages than disadvantages and already provides a financial hub the whole region including much of the Caribbean.

Economically stable, politically neutral, a growing force in Latin America, existing developments such as the Panama Canal generating billions of dollars in revenue and the strategic global placement of the country and her oh so valuable facilities and resources, it really does make her one of the most attractive countries in the world.

This small nation bridging the North American and South American continents is as rich in opportunity as it is in its world famous flora and fauna diversity.

If ever there was a serious case to be made to attract investment, retirement, tourism, relocation and development, Panama is clearly making it.

Ask us! Join us, the future is bright.

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