The surf rolls in gently, glinting under the Pacific sun. Behind you, the lush green folds of Cerro Chame rise steeply from the plains. Ahead: miles of wide, uncrowded beach. This is Playa Caracol—Panama’s rising star on the Pacific Riviera.
Whether you’re into surfing or yoga, hiking mountain trails or fishing for yellowfin tuna, sipping cocktails by the pool or zipping down to the local café on an e-bike…Playa Caracol offers a rare kind of freedom.
Whether you’re into surfing or yoga, hiking mountain trails or fishing for yellowfin tuna, sipping cocktails by the pool or zipping down to the local café on an e-bike…Playa Caracol offers a rare kind of freedom.Here, the days are yours to shape—and every turn brings something new to discover.
And tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET, you’ll have the chance to own here…
With only 27 hours to go until our Oasis deal opens, this is the perfect time to quickly review your deal briefing and contact the Smart Money Homes team with any questions.
But hurry! Because time is running out…
Today, we explore just some of the ways you can spend your days in and around this extraordinary beach community…
Take Surf Lessons at Playa Caracol
Playa Caracol is a popular surfing beach and you can learn to surf with lessons at the Surf Shack.
If you ever wanted to try surfing, you won’t find many better places to learn than Playa Caracol.
The beach here is a popular surfing spot suitable for both beginners and experienced surfers. Most days you’ll find waves of at least one to two feet, but experienced surfers here say that waves can get above 10 feet on a good day.
Best of all, there’s no need for a wetsuit, the Pacific Ocean here is warm throughout the year. Just remember to wear sunscreen and a T-shirt.
You can take lessons from Playa Caracol’s Surf Shack, which is located on the beach near to the main entrance. The experienced instructors will provide you with a board and all the information you need to start surfing.
Once you’ve had a lesson or two and feel confident about the basics, you can simply hire a board from the Surf Shack or even buy your own.
Take a Boat Tour for Fishing, Whale Watching and More
The islands off the coast of Punta Chame are one of the best spots in Panama to enjoy whale watching.
One of the most fascinating things to do close to Playa Caracol is go whale watching.
You can catch a boat tour from the beach at Punta Chame, a 15-minute drive from Playa Caracol. The waters close to Playa Caracol are full of marine diversity, there’s just so much to experience here.
Between the months of August and October, humpback whales arrive in Panama to raise their calves. Travel just 20 minutes out to sea, and you’ll be at the heart of the action.
The best spot to see the whales up close is Bonar Island. It boasts a sheltered deepwater cove, where the whales can nurse their calves in safety.
The sports fishing from Punta Chame is amazing too.
The best time to go is undoubtedly the tuna season, which runs from May until September, but the waters are full of fish throughout the year.
You can catch tuna, along with sierra mackerel, snapper, grouper, corvina, mahi mahi, and many more year-round.
John Wayne island has seen better days but makes for an interesting stop. This is just one of the nearby islands you can explore.
Before you head back to the beach, be sure to ask your captain if he’ll make a stop at John Wayne Island. Officially known as Isla Taborcillo, this small private island was once owned by John Wayne, and later turned into a hotel and theme park.
Today, it’s abandoned, but it remains an interesting place to walk around. The yellow-sand beach is wonderfully sheltered and makes for a great spot to enjoy a swim.
Take Kite Surfing Lessons in Nearby Punta Chame
Kite surfers have been coming to the beaches around Playa Caracol for years. (It’s also an amazing swimming beach.)
If you really want to get the adrenaline really pumping, there are few better ways than kite surfing.
Punta Chame is a one of Panama’s best kite surfing locations, and there are beaches suitable for all abilities.
Panama Kite Center offers accommodation and lessons for beginners as well as board hire.
The dry season between December and April has the most consistent breeze and the best weather, but locals will head out whenever the weather permits.
Visit Los Cajones River for a Relaxing Afternoon
Los Cajones is the perfect place to while away a sunny afternoon and thanks to the new road, you can drive here easily.
Los Cajones is a river-gorge, created over many centuries as the river carved a path through the sedimentary rock. It’s an easy 30-minute drive from Playa Caracol and a popular place to swim and spend a day relaxing by the river.
Until recently the road was only accessible by 4×4. A couple of years ago the government built a new, smooth road, allowing everyone easy access to Los Cajones.
There are some good places to cliff jump but be sure to check the water depth before you take a leap.
The Hills Near Playa Caracol are Perfect for Mountain Biking
Enjoy scenic views while biking in the hills of the Altos de Campana National Park, near the town of Chica.
Further up the hills from Los Cajones is a town called Chica, in the Altos de Campana National Park.
This is a great place to go for mountain bike tours. There are routes for all levels and the cooler mountain air makes biking even more enjoyable.
As well as the views, Chica is a great place to experience the beautiful mountain countryside and views.
Hike Cerro Chame and Enjoy Views to Panama City
You can see all the way to Panama City from the summit of Cerro Chame. (Billions of dollars is pouring into connecting the Pacific Riviera to Panama City and the international airport)
Cerro Chame is the mountain behind Playa Caracol and the trek up to the summit rewards you with spectacular views along the coast.
It’s a two-hour walk from the base of Punta Chame up to the top. Another option, if you have a suitable 4×4, is to drive further up the mountain which can get you within a 45-minute hike of the summit.
It’s not a difficult climb but it’s best to set out early to avoid the heat.
Take a Waterfall Tour High up in the Jungle-covered Mountains
The Filipina waterfalls are stunning and just 45 minutes from Playa Caracol.
Known as the Cascadas Filipina (Filipina waterfalls), this collection of three waterfalls is up in the hills close to a little town called Filipina, a 45-minute drive from Playa Caracol.
You access the waterfalls via a winding trail which takes you through the jungle and there’s an abundance of wildlife to be seen as you scramble between the waterfalls. You can spot hummingbirds, swallows, hawks, and different species of colorful butterflies.
Visit Panama City
Panama City is one of the wealthiest cities in the Americas, sporting the world’s 25th biggest skyline, beating out LA, Miami, and Beijing, to name just a few.
Don’t forget that when you’re in Playa Caracol, Panama City is on your doorstep. This global finance hub is just an hour to 90 minutes’ drive from Caracol. Here, in this world-class metropolis, you can:
- Visit the Panama Canal: The canal is one of the world’s greatest engineering marvels. Witness it in action at the Miraflores Locks. You can also kayak through parts of the canal.
- Hike Metropolitan Natural Park: This large city park boasts incredible wildlife and lush rainforest. Panama City is the only city in the world with a tropical rainforest within its limits.
- Explore Casco Viejo:Panama City’s historic district boasts stunning colonial architecture, colorful street art, and lots of excellent bars and restaurants.
The National Theatre of Panama is just one of the many stunning colonial buildings to see in Casco Viejo.
- Tour the BioMuseo: Explore Panama’s natural and cultural history at this museum designed by global architecture icon, Frank Gehry.
- Stroll along the Amador Causeway: Take in views of the city skyline and the entrance to the canal from this stunning causeway linking four islands to Panama City.
And that’s just for starters.
Panama City’s Amador Causeway has views to the entrance of the Panama Canal and it’s where you’ll find the colorful and quirky Frank Gehry-designed BioMuseo.=So…
Whether you’re paddling out into the surf, hiking jungle trails to hidden waterfalls, or watching whales breach just offshore, Playa Caracol offers more than just a beach—it’s a gateway to adventure. Within a short drive, you’ll find world-class kitesurfing, mountain biking in cool highland air, river gorges perfect for a lazy afternoon swim, and views that stretch all the way to Panama City.
This isn’t just a destination—it’s a lifestyle, rich with exploration, energy, and escape. And the best part? It’s all right on your doorstep.
Early RETA members are already seeing six-figure uplifts on previous phases here. This isn’t speculation. It’s playing out, on the ground, right now.
And our upcoming release—Oasis at Caracol—is your chance to join them.
At our new opportunity—Oasis at Playa Caracol—your neighbors will include Radisson and Margaritaville.
To remind you:
- These comfortable and spacious garden homes are 1,197 square feet including your private patios and terraces. At our price of $228,400 that’s a mind blowing $191 per square foot.
- Five years after delivery, I conservatively expect your home to be worth $350,000.
- That’s a gain of $121,600.
- And the walk-up homes with roof terrace—if you prefer those—are a mere $282,400. I figure an equivalent gain on these five years after delivery in percentage terms.
- That’s a gain of $150,350.
And we have exclusive developer financing!
Be ready when the deal opens tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET. And contact the Smart Money Homes team with any questions.
Wishing you good real estate investing,
Ronan McMahon
Founder, Overseas Dream Home & Real Estate Trend Alert
Oasis stands in the foreground of this image, a two-minute walk from the Pacific Ocean, and about an hour to 90 minutes’ drive from Panama City. (Renders shouldn’t be considered final, but give us a great idea what to expect.)
