Buena Ventura Beach, Golf and More, Much More

Along the Pacific about 120 kms from Panama City there is a very exclusive Resort and Development; Buena Ventura and the Bristol Hotel.  For those familiar with Panama city the Bristol Hotel is a boutigue hotel situated in the heart of the banking district and it is one of the most exclusive hotels in the world.  The owner has now taken his talents and his pride and moved them out to the beach as well.  This development has some of the most gorgeous beach homes you can find.

Or maybe you prefer something in sand tones

Whatever your style you can find a fantastic lot on the edge or one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and there you can build the home of your dreams. As the Bristol Hotel is also operating here if you do not feel like cooking, you can always call and either go there for dinner or of course they will come to your home and serve you if you prefer. Having a party, call the Bristol, catering is extremely well done and readily available.

Soon Buena Ventura will be home to a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course with one dramatic hole overlooking the Pacific ocean. Of course if you rbudget is a little smaller, there are homes ranging in price from $250,000.00. For all owners there is a Beach Club right out at the edge of the ocean and you can eat there or in the comfort of your own home. DeliGourmet is already on site so your fresh healthy bread, the finest steaks you can find and wonderful deli food of all sorts are just a short golf cart ride away from your front door. Cappuccinos are fantastic and under $2

So make your reservations at the Bristol at Buena Ventura and you may never leave.

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Panama Real Estate Sells in Canada

I live at the Royal Decameron Resort in one of their golf villas. Decameron was one of the first companies to really advertise Panama heavily in Canada. Teaming up with Noli Tours from Canada, Decameron started 8 or 9 years ago to really make sure Canadians had an alternative all inclusive resort to consider rather than Mexico and the US when they thought to escape Canada’s winters. In fact there are probably more Canadians who live full time or part time in the golf villas here at Decameron then there are Americans. The rest of the owners are Panamanians who own the villas as weekend retreats and Colombians, and a variety of other nationals make up a small portion of the owners.

It is a wonderful community and there is no reason that other Canadians would not want to come and live here, or at other resorts nearby. Panama is such an affordable alternative to living in Canada, with affordable world class health care available when you need it, not when the “system” has time to give it to you.

So it came as no particular surprise wen I saw this article in the Panama Star
Panama Star PANAMA. Panaexpo 2009, the real estate fair will take place at the International Mississauga Center, in Toronto, Canada from April 24 to 26. The fair aims to show Canadians that Panama is the ideal place to retire or have a second home on the sun.

The General Consul of Panama in Canada, Gilberto A. Boyd said that the fair is the perfect platform to promote the country. Representatives from real estate agents, property developers and lawyers will be at the fair ready to give advice to prospective buyers.

The executive director of Panaexpo, Vladimir Reznik said that Canadians are very interested to invest and live in Panama because of its stability and a fair is the best way to promote the country and to be able to compete against its principal rivals, Costa Rica, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Five years ago only 17,000 Canadians came to Panama. In 2008, more than 47,000 visited the isthmus for their holidays or looking to buy property.

I know the Decameron resort, all 850 rooms of it and many of the homeowners rental units are filled by Canadians in November, December and from January into April each year. I would strongly recommend that you really come to Panama and take a really close look at all Panama offers. There may be many good reasons for making Panama at least your part time home.

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Where the Wealthy Buy Real Estate in Panama

This lovely property is owned by one of the world’s wealthy individuals some of whom are getting themselves positioned on some of the best beaches in the world here in Panama. A lovely cove protects the yacht and the deep sea fishing close to the Azuero peninsula is amongst the finest found anywhere in the world.

The wealthy can always be on the leading edge of development anywhere they choose as they have lots of money to risk and if their investments do not always work out it is no problem. However, choosing this beach area overlooking the Pacific ocean not far from Pedasi in the province of Los Santos is one of those investments that will likely work out very well.

In general real estate developments in this area are just now getting started but who would not want a location such as this one pictured above. The water is warm and the skies are almost always sunny especially here in Azuero peninsula where you find one of the driest regions in all of Panama. In fact a little to the north is a real true desert area. It is amazing when you think of this tiny land mass that is Panama and yet the variety of conditions that can be found, from tropical rain forest to desert, and from beach to mountainside.

near this estate lies one of the developments that is catering primarily to the wealthy of France. that develop0ment is l also located on a beautiful property perched high above the Pacific with a wonderful beach just at the foot of the cliff. While prices of some Panama real estate may slow down for a while, given the world-wide financial problems, there is no question the wealthy will still be out looking for those real estate opportunities like the one pictured above. What better time to buy then when others are fearful? However, the climate and the many gifts that Panama has been given will continue to attract people, particularly as the cost of living is so much more reasonable here than it is in most places and the climate is so much more pleasant.

if you have been to Panama and have not visited the Azuero peninsula you better return and if you have not yet been, be sure to put it on your agenda. Accommodation is still very tight as there are probably less than 300 hotel rooms in the entire peninsula, and most of them are not near the beaches. Expect that to change. Here are some of the finest beaches in the world, surely the hotels and resorts will not be too far behind particularly in this time when prices for this beach front are becoming more and more reasonable.

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Water Fun

I have no ideea why, but we get asked al the time what do you do all day in Panama?  I sometimes just turn and ask, What do you do all day in Vancouver, or Toronto or Miami?

The biggest difference for me and how I spend my day is that when I lived in Vancouver, I never swam in the ocean or walked the beach.  The beach was too yuchy and the water was WAY too cold.

Now each day I can choose to swim in the ocean, walk the beach, swim in the pool, go para-sailing or sea kayaking, go sea canoeing, rent a wave runner, go fishing or play golf.  You can even combine a couple of those things, I love my beach walk, then I enjoy dinner outside at the best time of the day, and watch a gorgeous sunset.

How do you spend your day?  The opportunity to spend a day here on the beach or golfing or maybe both, a trip to El Valle to visit a friend for lunch or maybe you would enjoy a day at the pool, or shopping in Panama City.

IN Panama it is pretty easy to feel like you have a lot to do.

What would you like to do?

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The Eco – Friendly World Comes to Panama

Panama is fast coming of age in terms of its interest in protecting the environment and while we certainly have some way to go, these sorts of developments make it apparent that the message is beginning to be heard. What is even more interesting is to see the cost of this development. Too often we hear that the developers can’t afford to think green, or that green projects are prohibitively expensive.

While any thinking person knows that the long term cost of not protecting the environment is far higher than the cost of protecting it from the get go; often however the short term costs do seem to be higher for protecting the environment. Here is a brilliant concept where the environment is protected right from the start and the costs are incredibly reasonable.

First eco-friendly community in Pedasi
March 30th, 2009
Panama Star PANAMA. Rancho Pedasi will be the first green project with environmentally-friendly houses in Panama. The engineering company COTRANS and the Think Panama real estate company have reached an agreement with Build Green Inc to develop a community with 155 houses over 27 hectares.

According to Douglas Choy from Think Panama, Rancho Pedasi will have 6 different mediterranean style house models, with walls made of recycled, insulated panels that help maintain a fresh temperature (under 70F) during the day, requiring less energy consumption by air conditioners.

Additionally, Choy said “houses will use solar energy panels to provide clean energy, and the sewage will be recycled and used for plants.” “Houses will also use special water delivery and disposal systems that regulate consumption,” he said.

Developers will also promote environmentally-friendly lifestyles, for instance, through recycling. They will facilitate the recycling of glass, paper and aluminum materials among Rancho Pedasi inhabitants.
These measures will not affect house prices, which according to Choy remain competitive.
When it comes to prices Choy said that Pedasi Ranch has some advantages over other projects in the region.
“The cost of the houses arein the $100,000.00 range and the lots have a fixed price of $50,000. The square meter has been fixed at $50, the lowest in the region compared with other projects with average costs of $80 to $200,” he said.

Full story can be found here:

http://www.laestrella.com.pa/mensual/2009/03/30/contenido/81309.asp

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A Croc. in your back yard

photo by Dan Heinrichs

This little fellow may look like he is smiling, but my those are big teeth.  I don’t know the difference between a Crocodile and a Caiman and I am not sure it really matters.   I am told that in the southern spheres of the world Crocodiles are called Caimans.  I just call them dangerous, but only if you corner them.  Where I live these caiman hide out in the fresh water lakes around the golf course.  They are extremely shy and even trying to get their pictures is difficult as they don’t like “man” at all.  I don’t think they care, man or woman, we all look dangerous to them.

On the other hand we had some nice big fat tame ducks that someone left in the lakes and we fed them corn as we passed in our golf buggies.  One day there a were 4 and the next day there were 2 and a lot of feathers.  Mr or Mrs. Caiman had eaten duck dinner.

Unfortunately this causes people to fear the caiman and so the Royal Decameron Resort had the lakescoured with nets until the caiman was caught and removed.  I am told the Panamanians love caiman tail.  Poor guy he was just being a caiman.  But hotels and resorts do not figure their guests want caiman in any form

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Panama Pacifico

The Old Howard is the new Panama Pacifico, that’s hwat their literature tells you.

But for those of you new to Panama “Howard” was an old American Airforce Base. it is a huge plot of land surrounded by the Pacific ocean and it is very close to Panama City, just across the Bridge of the Americas. However the plans for Panama Pacifico call for it to be a whole new city, never mind its proximity to Panama City. Costa Del Este has developed a whole city on the east of Panama city and unless you have to work in Panama City you don’t have to leave Costa Del Este.

Panama Pacifico is 10 times the size of Costa Del Este and so the plans are to make it a major economic center as well as providing a wonderful new area for living. As a result many North American companies are moving there;for example, HP and Dell are already there in old accommodations until their state of the art new commercial space is ready.

Naturally there is an airport already there, but it is interesting to know that it is suitable for International Traffic and there is lots of talk about bringing some of the charter jets in there. It would make wonderful sense as the charter jets are generally bringing people into Panama for some of the huge resorts along the Pacific ocean, such as the Royal Decameron resort. What a blessing it would be for everyone on those jets, not to have to travel through Panama City before commencing their journey up the Pacific coast to the resort where they are staying.

The first phase of this development is progressing rapidly and the English company which is the Master Developer has committed to spend at least $100 million here on this project.

There is a Greg Norman Golf course planned and in fact the preliminary steps towards the creation of that golf course are well underway. Some of the homes will be built around the golf course and there wil be condos, and town homes and Villas available so there will be housing options suitable for all budgets.

Other homes are planned to be built closer to the business sections of the project. Live and work from home is indeed going to be a very viable option.

There will be several hotels located around the property some catering to the business traveler and others to those looking for some downtime at a fantastic tropical resort. This is going to be an environmentally savvy project and there will be consideration to maintaining the beautiful green that we all love from the tropical rain forest locales

While the rest of the world is suffering an economic downturn Panama is growing in all directions. Maybe it is time for you to come and see for yourself.

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Don’t You Wish You Were Here

Have you ever seen a picture and been so moved that your entire life moved?  Sunsets can do that to me and so can beaches.  Sometimes I look at a picture and it is just absolutely calling my name.

This picture is taken at the beach in front of the Royal Decameron Resort and Hotel but at the homeowner’s section.  Just imagine this little piece of paradise could be reserved for you, just like it is reserved for me.  The villas for the homewowners are located around the various holes of their well recognized world class golf course.

How much must you pay for this little piece of paradise?  Less than a half million dollars and it can be yours.  In most of the world this sort of home and location would cost you in excess of one and a half million dollars, even in these depressed or recessionary times.  Your own golf course and golf club, your own beach club with huge pool and your own piece of a beautiful beach on a warm ocean, don’t you wish you were here?

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The New Face of Panama

One of the things that is dramatically changing is the height of buildings around Panama. While single family homes are still the most common form of housing, the development of condo projects has grown exponentially in the last 40 years from nothing, to this sort of amazing collection of condos.  On the Pacific beaches and in the interior around Boquete and on the Caribbean in Bocas Del Toro there are amazing residential communities which are all governed by the same law that governs these high rise developments.

There are also numerous new malls springing up all over the place to provide services to these new condo dwellers.

Like many places in the world with condo developments, Panama has had to create and bring into force laws that would allow them to sell condominiums and so the Horizontal Property Act was born. This law not only covers the high rise condominiums like you see in this picture but also covers the many beach front communities that are springing up all over Panama. Just be sure you have your lawyer carefully reviews the Horizontal Property law with you and the By-laws as it relates to the development that you are considering buying into.

There are even developments that are not covered under the Horizontal Property Act and if this is the case then you really need some understanding of how your rights will be protected and how the rights of other home owners may affect your rights and how those rights are being enforced.

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Why is Panama a top travel destination?

The World Tourism Organization rates PANAMA as one of the top performers in tourism results for 2008. Central America managed to grow by almost 8% despite global recession. The growth has a sustained for Panama with an average rate of 12% per year between 2004 – 2008, 1,609,699 visitors entered Panama in 2008, and 211,472 more tourism traffic than in 2007. The Panama Tourism Authority reported that tourism spending totaled $2.2 billion, and 23% more than in 2007, which represents 12% of Panama’s GDP of $18.6 billion last year. Hotel occupancy was at 79% average with a 9 day average stay. The projections for 2009 are 1.8 million visitors and 2 million for 2010, + 200,000 more visitors per year.

Excellent Business opportunities, the Business Center Capital of Latin America, beautiful beaches on two oceans 50 miles apart, Nature, great Caribbean weather, safe, friendly people, easy access, US dollar no exchange rates, tax incentives for investors, favorable asset protection laws, and ranked the best ” guy-getaways” destination in the World by the press, is among the top reasons that Panama is so attractive for business travelers today.

Panama is south and east of Costa Rica, enjoys the same weather, rainforests, rich natural diversity, beaches, surf, but with a very cosmopolitan city and rich business environment. Panama is on U.S. Eastern standard time, same time as Miami, Atlanta, and New York. A direct flight from Miami is only two hours, thirty minutes, 2.5 hours. Airfares Miami International airport are as cheap as $251 – $321 on American Airlines, and Continental, depending on your booking requirements and itinerary flexibilities.

Panama has direct daily flights to & from Miami, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, Houston, Dallas, Washington D.C., New York, and Los Angeles, serviced by American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Spirit, Continental, COPA, as well direct flights to major cities in Latin America and Europe, serviced by KLM, and IBERIA.

PANAMA 2008 TOURISM FACTS

• PANAMA Tourism Growth since 2004 – 2008 is + 12% on avg.
• 1,609,699 tourist entered Panama in 2008.
• Panama Tourism Authority projects 2 million tourist arrivals by 2010.
• U.S. visitors lead the list of countries visiting Panama, with 308,991 visitors in 2008.
• U.S. visitors in 2008 grew by + 19.6%
• Hotel occupancy rates average: 79% occupancy rate, one of highest in the World.
• Hotel occupancy rates grew by + 12%
• Total nights sold in Panama last year: 2,522,595 hotel nights.
• Average stay is 8.9 days
• Tourism sector created a total of 129,200 jobs for Panama in 2008.
• Crimes involving tourist was at a LOW 0.04% , Panama is a very SAFE country.
• European travelers arrivals are at all time high due to direct flights increasing.

But Panama desperately needs more hotels. there are very few on the Caribbean other than in Bocas Del Toro and on many of the best Pacific beaches there are few hotels. Panama offers wonderful financial incentives to people who want to get involved in tourism.  So bring your money and come.

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