Tropical Marina and Beach Resort Price From: $355,773 Region: Portobello • First Class Marina & Beach Resort • Turnkey project • Fully furnished	Destiny Panama Bay Price From: $323,960 Region: Panama City • Prime water-front location • Award winning architect • Unobstructed city and bay views	Sky Residences Panama Bay Price From: $405,000 Region: Panama City • Prime water-front location • Ultra luxurious development • Solid rental yield anticipated
7400 San Francisco Price From: $269,325 Region: Panama City • Prime Panama City Location • 70-80% borrowing available • Anticipated rental yield of 7-8%	Emerald Monkey - Bocas del Toro Price From: $442,375 Region: Shepherd Island • Bali Style Bungalows • Managed rental program • Five-Star Restaurant & Bar	Palacio del Mar, Bocas del Toro, Panama Price From: $231,319 Region: Bocas del Toro • Perfect Location • Condo Hotel Resort • Built to very high standards
Bala Beach Resort Price From: $83,250 Region: Maria Chiquita • A Royal Caribbean Cruise Stop • Panamas most beautiful beach resort • Studios - 3 bed available	Big World Villas Price From: $226,000 Region: Santa Catalina • Resort renowned for great surf • Spa & Business Centre • Amazing On-site Facilities	The Plaza, Costa del Este Price From: $236,192 Region: Costa del Este • Waterfront Location • Ultimate Living • Condo Hotel
The Lighthouse, Gorgona Price From: $296,341 Region: Gorgona • Penthouse Apartments • Completion 2010 • Modern, Luxurious & Spacious

Panama

Property Panama - An Introduction

Continually ranked among the top five places in the world to retire to, Panama may be small (about the size of Scotland) but it’s perfectly formed, with a stunning historic capital city, superb Caribbean beaches, rugged mountain ranges and tropical rainforests among its attractions.  And as one of the safest and most stable destinations in Latin America, it’s hardly surprising that Europeans and North Americans alike are looking to put down roots here. 

This narrow corridor of land linking Central and South America also divides the Caribbean and the North Pacific – could one small country possibly occupy a more strategic position? Property in Panama has certainly been fought over; the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, followed by the French and the British.  But it was the Americans who made the biggest impression on the country, when, in 1914, they completed their ten-year construction of one of the modern wonders of the world – the Panama Canal.  

Nowadays, of course, a different kind of invader is making an impact on Property in Panama, and the modern variety comes to enjoy pleasures both contemporary and historical, man-made and natural.  Pleasures that include Panama City – combining a historical heart, a Latin soul and Miami-style skyscraper living – and some of the most stunning scenery on the continent, within five million acres of national parks.  In Panama visitors can enjoy canopy tours, jungle and mountain trekking and every type of water sport known, while twitchers will be in seventh heaven as Panama boasts more bird species than the USA and Canada combined. It is due to this wide variety of outdoor activities that Property Panama is a must for any researcher.

Nature has blessed Panama, but man has made it one of the most habitable countries in Latin America. The infrastructure for Property in Panama is second to none in Central America, with excellent roads, hospitals and communication, as well as a first-class education system.  The shopping – whether it be for fashion, cars or electronics, also rivals the best in Latin America.  The American Association of Retired Persons has named Property in Panama one of the top five places in the world to retire to and highlighted its climate as one of the reasons – there is sunshine almost every day, but no earthquakes and no hurricanes (something no other Central American country can claim). 

Apart from the fascinations of the capital city (the only major city in Latin America with a rainforest within its city limits) popular mainland areas in Panama include Chiriqui Province in the south-west, with its cooler climate and stunning scenery; the central Cocle Province, popular with holidaymakers for its resorts, golf and watersports; and the port area of Colon, with easy access to Panama City and the canal, therefore Property Panama has something to cater for all taste's

Just as 18th century pirates found a haven here, modern water babies are drawn to buying Property in Panama for its wealth of islands; there are some 1,000 in all, including the fabulous Bocas del Toro islands in the Caribbean, and the equally appealing Pearl Islands of the North Pacific, both of which have hosted many happy castaways in television’s Survivor series’.  Many investors and holiday home buyers are now looking beyond Panama’s mainland and discovering the joys of owning property in these laid back and exotic destinations.  

Property Panama - Climate *****  

Tropical rainforests generally mean considerable rainfall and it’s no exception in Panama, where the rainy season runs (literally) from June to December, with the dry season from January to May.  Although the Caribbean and Pacific coasts are as little as 50 miles apart, the dry and rainy seasons are far more predictable on the southern Pacific coast, with almost half the annual rainfall there than on the Caribbean coast.  Nevertheless, Panama enjoys on average 320 days of sunshine each year. Daytime temperatures can reach around 90ºF, with an average year-round daytime temperature of 78ºF, while evening temperatures generally fall to around 70ºF.  The mild climates of the western highlands have been called the best in the world for retirees.  No wonder people are buying Property in Panama for retirement. Five stars.   

Property Panama - Accessibility ***

Although there are no direct flights to Panama from the UK, Property in Panama is accessible from ten major US airports, with most flights routing through Miami.  Flight time from London is around 14 hours.  The Pan-American Highway runs into Panama from Costa Rica, but access via Colombia is considered to be unsafe.  Cruise ships regularly enter the Panama Canal from the Atlantic, and most of the major island groups are accessible by boat and/or plane.  Three stars.   

Property Panama - Economy ****

Panama has a well-developed services industry (predominantly resting in banking and tourism) which currently accounts for around 80% of its gross domestic product (GDP), which has recently seen the highest growth of any nation in Latin America.  That said, there is healthy industry elsewhere, with aircraft parts, cars and textiles also prominent examples, and unemployment is low.  Panama is unquestionably one of the safest places to visit and invest in this part of the world, as well as boasting extremely low crime figures and the second-lowest poverty level in Central America.  Panama’s dollar-based economy makes it stable, yet attractive for foreign investment. With the Sterling exchange rate against the Dollar, Property in Panama is an attractive purchase. Four stars. 

Property Panama - Tourism *****

Last year, Panama saw a 27% increase in tourist numbers, and the tourist industry contributed some $1.5 billion (or 9.5% of GDP) to the economy.  With this in mind, it’s perhaps not surprising that Panama is now ranked second to Australia on the Deloitte Global Ranking Index, in terms of its hotel occupancy rates.  Spanish is the main language in Panama, but English is also widely spoken and growing in popularity.  Food and drink are good and cheap, with many excellent restaurants serving a delicious fusion of French, Spanish and American cuisine.  Domestic flights are cheap and the service is regular, but a good bus service is the cheapest way to get around, while boat services are also value for money – and by far the most enjoyable way to enjoy the stunning coastal scenery. It is this huge boost in tourism that is also helping to give Property in Panama excellent capital growth. Five stars. 

Property Panama - The Property Market *****     

The average property prices in Panama City have close to doubled over the past two years, yet Property Panama is an emerging market and has some way to go, even in the capital, before a levelling off will take place.  That said, in towns such as David and Boquete in Chiriqui Province, and the more developed islands, low entry-level prices combine with fast-improving infrastructure, making them a sound investment prospect.  In Cocle, resorts such as Decameron and Barcelo, and the impressive community at Coronado, are becoming extremely popular with overseas buyers.  As an example of the bang for your buck in Property Panama, even in swinging Panama City, the glitziest and priciest of Panama’s cities, prices for oceanfront condos with all the trimmings start at around $200,000 (£100,000).   There are no restrictions on foreign property ownership and 80 per cent mortgages are readily available from Panamanian banks. It is safe to say that Property in Panama is worth a closer look. Five stars.