Welcome to the Panama Weekly News Roundup! Here’s the latest.
Eco-conscious buyer sought for undeveloped islands off Panama
There’s a big secret (or maybe not so much anymore) about Panama’s real estate market: there is unspoiled, tropical land still available in an almost unprecedented matter. And one of those biggest potential real estate areas has eco-conscious buyers clamoring to get a piece of it. Best of all, it’s all for the right reasons.
The trio — Bayoneta, Cañas and La Caida islands — are home to endangered turtles and 12 emerging sub-species of birds not found on the mainland. Up to 30% of the land is eligible for eco-conscious development. The rest is designated to remain a nature preserve. The islands are set in Panama’s Las Perlas archipelago, about a 20- to 30-minute helicopter ride from Panama City.
Source: The Los Angeles Times
Ice Skating Rink Opens On Panama City’s Cinta Costera
When you think of the holiday season, the last thing you think of in Panama is a winter wonderland. That, however, is changing thanks to a new outdoor (covered) ice skating rink in the heart of Panama City. Now, people can enjoy ice-skating as never before, right on the Cinta Costera in Panama City.
To celebrate the holiday season season in Panama City, a temporary indoor ice skating rink called “Christmas Ice World” was inaugurated Sunday on Cinta Costera across from Multicentro.
For $10 you can enjoy 30 minutes of ice-skating that includes skates or $3 use your own skates. There is also a $20 Rapid Pass and a $50 Gold Ice Pass that allows unlimited use for a month.
Source: PTY Life
How Panama Is Becoming The Next Luxury Hot Spot
Luxury investment in Latin America has always moved in waves, and in recent times has been limited to a very small portion of the region. Panama, right now, is square in the radar of this investment demographic, and it’s drawing international attention from the press. Here is a recent feature in Forbes that goes over how Panama is becoming the next luxury hot spot.
April 2015 saw the unveiling of Soho Panama mall, a new luxury epicenter in downtown Panama City. Not only did it bring shops from the likes of Chanel, Versace, Burberry and macaron masters Ladurée, but the mall also will house The Ritz-Carlton, Panama when the 220-room hotel (with two swimming pools, a spa and four dining venues) opens in late 2016. The Ritz-Carlton company will follow up its Panama debut with a second hotel in the country; its Reserve boutique brand will open an outpost on Pearl Island, a pristine private island about 45 miles south of Panama City, in 2018.
Source: Forbes
Top 5 Holiday Beach Escapes in Panama
As we enter into the holiday season, Panama is entering its tourist high season, and business is booming. Whether it’s expats, locals, or foreign tourists, some of the most popular vacation getaways are Panama’s beaches. In our latest blog post, we go over our Top 5 Holiday Beach Escapes, and explain why they are some of the most must-see spots in the country.
Playa Blanca
Panama’s sun-drenched southern coastline has exploded in recent years as far as tourism. With some of the best resorts in the region, white sands, and typically dry weather, Playa Blanca is a premier destination for volume tourism. It’s also where many Panamanians and expats have beach homes, and enjoy spending holidays and weekends all year round. Playa Blanca is about 2 hours outside of Panama City, and since 2014 has an operational charter airport (Rio Hato) that brings tourists in from Canada and other parts of Central America.
Continue reading about beach escapes in Panama
