Monthly Archives: February 2010

I’m wondering if anyone has any advice about real estate hotspots in Panama for 2010?

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These days the interior of the country is finding its niche in terms of commercial activity, anmely the areas along the highway running from Boquete in the Chiriquí province to the center of the city David near the Pacific coast.  On top of that, the central avenue of Penonomé in the province of Coclé, Las Tablas in Los Santos, and Santiago in Veraguas are also reporting solid increases in commercial activity.  The President of Veraguas’ Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, David Virzi has recently said his province was “doing great”, while Rigoberto Vergara, who heads the Las Tablas Chamber of Commerce in the Los Santos region, said commercial activity is going steady, especially in the area of Pedasí, where a number of residential tourism projects are still under construction.

What’s Panama City’s tallest condo tower?

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I know there has been a lot of competition between developers to build the tallest building in Panama City – which one is currently standing as the tallest?  And how much are units selling for?

Standing 689 feet is Aqualina Tower, Panama City’s tallest building.  The Aqualina highrise has 63 floors, boasting 144 rooms—all of them with ocean views.  Valued at $210 million, the tower was completed in 2007 by Fajardo Moreno Arquitects.  Located in the Punta Pacific district, like many of the city’s skyscrapers, it’s a residential building.  Depending upon the desired floor plan, condos range from $525,000 to around $1 million.  You can probably visit it by going and asking for a home tour at the front desk.

Where is commercial development excelling in Panama?

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I’m wondering if anyone has any advice about real estate hotspots in Panama for 2010?

These days the interior of the country is finding its niche in terms of commercial activity, anmely the areas along the highway running from Boquete in the Chiriquí province to the center of the city David near the Pacific coast.  On top of that, the central avenue of Penonomé in the province of Coclé, Las Tablas in Los Santos, and Santiago in Veraguas are also reporting solid increases in commercial activity.  The President of Veraguas’ Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, David Virzi has recently said his province was “doing great”, while Rigoberto Vergara, who heads the Las Tablas Chamber of Commerce in the Los Santos region, said commercial activity is going steady, especially in the area of Pedasí, where a number of residential tourism projects are still under construction.

I heard the famous explorer Sir Francis Drake is buried somewhere in Panama. Is this true?

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If so, how accessible is the famous captain’s grave? I am a huge history buff and would like to visit this important historical site.

Yes. Sir Francis Drake, famed British naval captain, slaver, politician and pirate is buried in Panama.  However, his grave isn’t exactly accessible.  Actually, divers still look for it as though it were buried treasure.  When Sir Francis Drake was dying of dysentery off the coast of Panama, in 1596, he requested to be suited in full armour and buried at sea.  He was just 55 when he died.  His crew did indeed carry out Drake’s wishes, placing the captain’s body in a lead coffin and dropping it to the bottom of the sea near Portobelo.  Though, his “grave” is not the tourist attraction it would have been if he’d been interred on land, if you’re a true history buff, locals in Portobelo Bay, due south of the Panama Canal on the Caribbean side, are always happy to point you toward where they believe “El Draque” lay.  And, if you’re a diver taking a look around the crystal clear waters of Drake’s Island, then best of luck!

Is the Panamanian Government turning Isla Coiba into a tourist attraction?

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Can I travel to the island right now?  What facilities are in place? How would I get there?

After Panama closed Coiba’s penal colony this past December 2009, there’s been talk of tourist interest in the Coiba National Park.  In terms of endemic species, Coiba is a lot like the Galapagos of Panama.  Along with Panama’s National Environmental Authority (ANAM is its Spanish acronym), Coiba has a number of organizations fighting to keep its land and marine park unspoiled.  As of right now, there are a number of eco-tours, fishing tours, and diving tours running to Coiba—all of which need proper permits from ANAM.  Most of these companies are based in Santa Catalina on the mainland.  Isla Coiba is about an hour and 15 minutes by boat.  As far as the “tourist attraction” goes, the island is already an attraction, but if you’re talking about visiting the penal colony itself, the Veraguas Tourism Authority is trying to get a conservation initiative going for the prison’s already dilapidated structures, in hopes that one day it can generate tourist interest in the island and its conservation.  To contact ANAM, call 507.998.0615, or fax 507.998.4387, or the National Park’s office 507.998.4271