The Caribbean coast of Panama along the province of Colón is growing in popularity for real estate and resort development.

The Bala Beach Resort (202-0882) in María Chiquita has pioneered the way to Panama’s Atlantic with its recently-opened real estate and hotel offer. Their residential spaces range from studios to three-story penthouse lofts, with pricing starting at $84,375. All of their apartments are ocean-facing, have balconies and enjoy the unparalleled facilities that Bala provides.

Their Beach Resort offers equipment for watersports, such as kayaking and snorkeling. Their restaurant, Apu, along with an infinity pool, a fully-equipped fitness center, 24-hour security, in-room spa services and an on-site concierge service round out the offer. Bala also offers great deals on day-passes which grant full access to their amenities and discount prices on their rental equipment.

With its location, just an hour away from Panama City, the resort and residential community is the ideal place to enjoy the many attractions the area is known for. From the ruins of San Lorenzo and Portobelo, activities such as scuba diving and zip-lining, to the unique culture and cuisine of the province, all of this is within easy reach of vacationers here. The resort uniquely caters to those visiting for a short spell as well as those seeking to make Bala their new (or second) home. To contact the Bala Beach Resort, visit www.balabeach.com or write [email protected].

Investors are keeping an eye on Costa Arriba, the coastline stretching from Colón City to San Blas. Last year, the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) commissioned a feasibility study to build a new road for Costa Arriba, from the area known as Cuanga up to Santa Isabel, where the Decameron chain is planning to develop a 300 room hotel.

The high profile German hotelier, Kempinski, also has its sights set on the Colón coastline. The property consortium recently announced the opening of its latest hotel and residences in the area of La Guaira, a natural reserve surrounded by rainforest, strategically situated near Isla Grande, a favorite destination for divers and those who enjoy watersports. The beachside resort will offer 106 luxury rooms and suites, while the residences will feature 75 units, 40 of which will be located directly on the seafront. The project is expected to be inaugurated by late 2015 and carry a cost of $20 million dollars.

Ulrich Schwark, Director of Two Oceans Group, the property developer hired by Kempinski for the project, has referred to the area as “one of Central America’s most beautiful locations.” As the new setting for Europe’s oldest luxury hotel chain, Colón is showing itself to be a true gem, waiting to be discovered for its natural beauty, advantageous location and singular culture.

https://www.thevisitorpanama.com/2014/04/investors-are-waking-up-to-colons-potential/

Panama is the best place in the world to retire according to InternationalLiving.com's 2014 annual Global Retirement Index. Photo courtesy of InternationalLiving.com.

Panama—Convenient, Easy and Affordable

Panama’s allure lies in a rare combination of value and variety. Plenty of places in the world offer one or the other. But how many offer both?

When it comes to attractive retirement destinations, the list is short and Panama is at the top. It’s the only country in Central America with a true First World city. But unlike most South American capitals, Panama City is only two-and a-half hours by plane from Miami. (And let’s not forget that, unlike some places closer to the U.S. border, Panama is hurricane free).

Nearly everything about Panama is convenient, particularly if you’re coming from North America. The currency is the dollar, English is widely understood, and the international community is large and welcoming. Even the littlest things are easy…your U.S. appliances will work here, no converters needed. And you can find anything you need, from gourmet ingredients to popular clothing brands.

Plus, no matter what you like to do… loll on the beach, golf a championship green, hike the highlands, join special interest clubs…you’ll be busy here. Unless, of course, you choose not to be. Spend as little—or as much—as you like. A good lifestyle is very affordable. Just be aware that it offers more temptation and opportunity to spend than some other overseas havens.

So if all these things are true (and have been for many years), what’s so special about Panama today? At the top of the list are its welcoming immigration policies.

Last year, two new residence programs made it easier than ever to move to Panama.

Quite a feat, since Panama has always been accessible in that regard. The Pensionado or pensioner residence program—which helped put Panama on the map as a retirement destination in the first place—is the primary reason. For anyone with a government or corporate pension, residence is almost a given. That’s regardless of age. The main requirement is simple: your pension must be at least $1,000 a month…and even that rule has its exception.

Of course, there are plenty of people who don’t have pensions. That’s where the new visas come into play. The first, nicknamed the “Friends of Panama” program, offers residence to members of over 40 countries…among them the U.S., Canada, and the UK. Geared toward professionals and entrepreneurs, the program’s straightforward requirements include a local bank account of at least $5,000. Applicants must also buy real estate, open a business, or get a job in Panama.

If your country of citizenship isn’t featured, you may be able to qualify for the new Professional Residence Permit. Also created in 2012, this program is a good option for anyone wanting to work in Panama. You must have a university education and steer clear of professions reserved for Panamanian nationals, such as the practice of law.

There’s one more reason Panama is even more alluring of late. The tiny country is in the midst of its most ambitious infrastructure overhaul ever. Panama has always been known for its above-average infrastructure. But the current administration upped the ante in ways never before seen.

Panama City is now the only city in Central America with a metro line. The transit system was barely able to cope with the city’s growth…and the thousands of shiny new cars joining the hustle-bustle every month. But now new buses, roads, traffic lights, overpasses, pedestrian bridges and more are helping speed things along.

Though transit (including the expanding Panama Canal) has been a major focus, infrastructure is excellent across the board. Panama is top-ranking in the region for technology and Internet coverage, reliable public transport, and clean drinking water. It also boasts consistent stability—in business, banking, and politics. And so the country that ruled the roost that is the Global Retirement Index for seven consecutive years is back at number one.

http://internationalliving.com/2014/01/the-best-places-to-retire-2014/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/internationallivingcom/best-places-to-retire_b_4536719.html

Residentes de Miramar, Santa Isabel, Viento Frío y Nombre de Dios, piden la promoción de la costa arriba. De lo contrario, el plan vial servirá de poco.

19/10/2013 - El consorcio RPL-CSI Panamá, de capital venezolano-panameño, ganó la licitación para la construcción de la millonaria carretera Cuango - Santa Isabel, en la costa arriba de la provincia de Colón.

La comisión que evaluó las propuestas de cada consorcio interesado en la vía le otorgó a RPL-CSI una calificación de 98 puntos.

De esta forma su oferta de 19.5 millones de dólares le valió para quedarse con el contrato y superar a Constructora Urbana S.A. (Cusa), que ofertó 20.6 millones de dólares y recibió una calificación de 89.31.

El consorcio Costanera, integrado por las compañías Cobra, Ibervías, y Construcciones Sevilla, de capital español, fue descalificado por no cumplir, en opinión de la comisión, con la experiencia técnica que se exigía.

El proyecto de 26 kilómetros incluye la construcción de dos puentes vehiculares sobre los ríos Cuango y Culebra, que facilitarán el acceso al poblado de Santa Isabel, en especial a Punta Cocoye, sector que limita con la comarca Guna Yala, y que posee más de 10 kilómetros de playas de arena blanca.

La Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá (ATP) sostiene que el proyecto permitirá el desarrollo turístico del sector. Cierto es que el primer beneficiado será grupo Decameron, que invertirá 50 millones de dólares en un hotel de 320 habitaciones en el área de Punta Cocoye.

La compañía hotelera ha señalado que iniciará la construcción del hotel cuando la ATP entregue la orden de proceder a la empresa ganadora.

Para Ricardo Molina, propietario de la compañía Frutería del Atlántico, que desarrolla más de mil hectáreas en el sector entre Palmira y Santa Isabel, la carretera le devolverá la vida a la costa arriba.

“La carretera será un imán para nuevas inversiones, y nosotros vamos a desarrollar un hotel en la zona”, adelantó.

Se conoció que con el anuncio del nuevo acceso a Punta Cocoye, no tardaron en aparecer personas interesadas en adquirir terrenos en la zona.

Actualmente el metro cuadrado, con acceso al mar, se cotiza entre $20 y $35, mientras que en las zonas más apartadas de la costa alcanza los $10.

Como ha ocurrido en otras localidades, se espera que los precios de la tierra suban. En este caso, sostiene Molina, los moradores han esperado años por la carretera y no están dispuestos a vender sus propiedades a la primera oferta que reciban.

OLOR A MAR

Hoy, llegar al poblado de Santa Isabel no es fácil. Los moradores deben pagar 5 dólares para abordar alguna de las lanchas que salen, sin un horario establecido, desde el puerto de Miramar.

Durante el trayecto de 45 minutos se pueden observar al menos tres playas (Tumba, Palmira y Playa Chiquita), que sobresalen por sus aguas cristalinas y arena de color dorado.

En la zona entre Miramar y Punta Cocoye hay arrecifes donde se puede practicar el buceo, la pesca deportiva y en tierra firme, el ecoturismo.

Frustrado por el abandono, en que en su opinión los gobiernos han tenido al sector de la costa arriba, Alexis Baragán, pescador artesanal, señaló que más allá de la carretera, lo que necesitan es que se promocionen los atractivos del área.

“Los panameños y turistas solo conocen de Colón Isla Grande y Portobelo, pero no tienen idea de que nosotros existimos”, indicó.

La otra opción para llegar a Santa Isabel involucra cruzar los ríos Cuango y Culebra, pero solo se puede hacer con un vehículo 4x4. Superados estos obstáculos hay que atravesar caminos de piedra que han habilitado empresarios de la zona para trasladar su mercancía.

Al llegar a Santa Isabel, vienen a la mente imágenes de un pueblo fantasma. De los 284 habitantes que tenía el poblado en 2010, ahora solo quedan unos 100.

Juana Salazar mantiene un espíritu joven a sus 92 años. Dice que la mayoría de las personas se han ido a vivir a otros lugares en busca de mejores oportunidades.

Ella confía en que la carretera permitirá la llegada de compañías que generen plazas de empleo para los moradores de la costa arriba. De esa manera tendría sentido la inversión de 19.5 millones de dólares.

CONEXIÓN TERRESTRE

12

Meses debe tomar la construcción la carretera de 26 kilómetros.

3 años

Período de mantenimiento después de la construcción.

http://www.prensa.com/impreso/economia/costanera-ya-tiene-nombre/216655

I reported on this earlier this year and I have written several pieces on how

Roadway Connectivity Opens New Markets

This time Decameron will build a new hotel on the Caribbean cost that will be a real winner, but first we need a new road to get there.

With a price tag of $18 million, the Tourism Authority of Panama is putting out to tender studies, design and construction of a road on the coast of Colon, between the communities of Cuango and Santa Isabel.  You will soon be able to drive all the way from Panama City to Cuango on a paved road in a shorter time that it takes to get to Pedasi.  Plus you will be close to the San Blas islands.

The work is part of an agreement with the developers of Hotel Decameron which will be built in Santa Isabel and will feature 300 rooms. According to the Deputy Administrator of the ATP, Ernesto Orillac, “we hope to foster the development of a Caribbean corridor and that it may become a tourist area.

Authorities have set the price tag of the new road, which will have a single lane in each direction, at $18 million. The contract will include “removal of obstructions at the site, construction of concrete road bridges, construction and improvements to the storm drainage system and vertical and horizontal road signs”, reported Prensa.com.

- See more at: http://panamaadvisoryinternationalgroup.com/blog/news-from-panama/panama-builds-road-to-boost-tourism/#sthash.GnYRzOMn.dpuf

Americans are starting to break from the expat packs in Mexico and Costa Rica for countries such as Panama, Belize and Nicaragua for retirement, lured not by cheap living but by luxury real estate.

Read more:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324879504578599770182918926.html

Panama: $18 million for Construction of Coastal Road
The Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) has set the price tag for the construction of the coastal road between Cuango and Santa Isabel, in Colon, at $18 million.

Prensa.com reports that "the clarification meeting for the best value abbreviated tender will be held June 12, and the receipt of bids is scheduled for June 21."

For its part, the Decameron Group is waiting for construction of the road in order to start its hotel project on the Atlantic coast. It is a beach resort with 320 rooms which will be located in Punta Cocoye and will have an investment of $50 million in its first phase.

Solomon Shamah, administrator of the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP), said the project is included in the tourism master plan 2007-2020

Source:
http://www.retirementdetectives.com/latest-news/1-latest-news/1091-colon-the-new-tourist-destination.html