| With worries of Panama's city condo market | | | | Boca Chica, Chiriqui - This Pacific coastal area is in my |
| overheating, investors are looking to lesser-known | | | | opinion, the most attractive section of shoreline that's |
| destinations throughout the country where more | | | | also highly accessible from the growing David |
| affordable property prices exist. While an argument | | | | International airport. It has fantastic fishing, dozens of |
| can be made for some of Panama's established hot | | | | islands to explore and terrain that's seemingly ideal for |
| spots, the following is my personal list of the most | | | | marina development. Some smart investors are |
| current "in" and "out" investment areas. | | | | already working on plans to take this region very big, |
| OUT: | | | | very soon. |
| Panama City - Prices may not yet have peaked, but | | | | Santa Catalina, Veraguas - A long-shot only because |
| the glut of condos about to come on to the market | | | | of accessibility, this area is among Panama's most |
| has this writer wary that the upside may be | | | | virgin and beautiful Pacific spots. It also is very close to |
| shrinking...and fast. Many claim that new buyers arriving | | | | Panama's greatest nature spot, Coiba Island. Watch |
| daily from places as diverse as China, Venezuela and | | | | for this to become Panama's best known |
| Spain can keep this afloat, but I think there are safer | | | | eco-destination over the next few years.venao |
| bets out there. There is a silver lining: in the near-term, | | | | Surf photographer at recent competition in Venao |
| those who expect their pre-construction condos | | | | Playa Venao, Los Santos - Anyone who has read my |
| delivered soon will find the market for short and | | | | articles knows that I'm a big believer in the Azuero |
| long-term rentals to be very appealing.coronado | | | | Peninsula. This surfing beach reminds me very much |
| Aerial view of over-developed Playa Coronado | | | | of a handful of once-sleepy beach towns in Costa |
| Playa Coronado - While proximity (50 mins) to the city | | | | Rica. Today, those beaches (Manuel Antonio, Jaco, |
| would seem like a benefit, this location suffers from | | | | Tamarindo) are well known among the non-surfing |
| sharing much of the same overbuilt vibe as the Capital. | | | | crowd. As they became popular to the masses, |
| It's basically Panama City - at the beach. Developers | | | | infrastructure improved land prices naturally rose. The |
| are building too big, too ugly and too fast for this | | | | regional airport in Pedasi is now receiving regular flights |
| destination (and the boring, copycat projects at nearby | | | | and the roads in the area are excellent. Bigtime |
| beaches) to have any chance at sustaining value or | | | | investment is entering the region and I could almost |
| any interest from discerning vacationers. | | | | smell the excitement (or was that Panama red?) |
| Boquete, Chiriqui - Panama's first retirement destination | | | | about the possibilities at the recent surfing competitions. |
| success story is unfortunately, a victim of its own | | | | In addition to the famous waves, the Frailes Islands |
| success. Services and infrastructure just haven't been | | | | offshore offer solid tuna fishing. |
| able to keep up with the soaring prices. It sure is lovely, | | | | Who knows what the next 2-3 years holds for |
| but with the skyrocketing prices, it's easy for a buyer | | | | Panama real estate trends? For now, only one thing is |
| to convince themselves that 'paradise' can be found | | | | certain - Plenty of investors are betting large and on |
| more affordably. | | | | very different destinations. |
| IN: | | | | |