For many surfers their favorite pastime is more than just a hobby. It’s a way of life.
Surfers will travel thousands of miles searching for the perfect wave. They’re often the among the first to discover popular beach towns. Sometimes decades before mainstream tourists start arriving.
Surfers are pioneers. It’s why the idea of living overseas comes naturally to them. It makes sense from a financial perspective too.
Because while the United States has some of the best waves in the world, the cost of owning real estate in these locations can be eye-wateringly expensive.
Take Haleiwa, Hawaii on Oahu’s North Shore. Home to some of the most iconic surf spots in the world, including Pipeline and Waimea Bay, the median sale price of a home in North Shore in June 2024, was $1.1 million.
And it’s the same story in many other popular U.S. surf towns.
So, I asked my team to find some affordable dream homes, close to quality surf breaks, overseas.
This is what they found…
A Two-Bedroom Condo in Playa Caracol, Panama for $329,000
This two-bedroom condo in Playa Caracol, Panama, is listed for $329,000. The home has a master bedroom with ensuite bathroom and an additional bedroom with separate bathroom. There’s a garage, an open-plan kitchen, and a balcony with ocean views. The condo is in an incredible location, just steps from the beach.
This two-bedroom condo is close enough to the beach that you can hear the waves crashing onto the shore from the balcony. Listing here.
Playa Caracol is a master-planned community set on the best beach close to Panama City. Located just 90 minutes’ drive from the thriving metropolis, it’s in the perfect spot to appeal to both tourists and Panamanians looking for a weekend home by the beach.
Playa Caracol used to be a remote and mostly inaccessible beach, visited only by a few surfers and fishermen. But a local developer saw potential. He built new roads and utilities first, and then set to work on the buildings. Today there are hundreds of homes in Playa Caracol and more are being built. A brand-new hotel recently opened…and there’s also a variety of restaurants onsite.
Recently Margaritaville announced they’re coming to Playa Caracol. People are really starting to take notice of this growing beach community.
Playa Caracol is an area RETA members know well. We’ve had some incredible deals there over the years. Our most recent opportunity was around $100,000 less than this condo… RETA members paid $228,400 for a two-bed, two-bath condo with ocean views. Like all our deals, these are exclusive RETA prices, unavailable to the general public.
And we’ll have more RETA deals at Playa Caracol in the near future. {% unless user.extended_attributes.customer_active_subscriptions contains “RET” %}Click here to become a RETA member and be in position to act when our next Playa Caracol deal launches later this year.{%endunless %}
A Six-Bedroom House on Portugal’s Silver Coast for €220,000
My team found this six-bedroom detached house which includes an office, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and separate living and dining rooms on Portugal’s Silver Coast. It’s listed for sale at €220,000 ($240,300).
There’s a 323-square-foot garage with a cellar, a 269-square-foot workshop, a barn, and an interior patio complete with a barbecue and bread oven. Outside there’s a swimming pool. Nearby amenities include supermarkets, a pharmacy, and a bakery.
This six-bedroom home is just 15 miles away from some of the biggest waves on the planet. Listing here.
The house is just over six miles from the nearest beach and the legendary Nazare is only 15.5 miles away.
Nazare is famous for being the spot where the biggest ever recorded wave was surfed. You probably saw videos of it on the news or social media. A tiny figure in a black wetsuit charging down the front of a mountainous wave which seemed to loom far above the top of the red lighthouse visible in the foreground. That wave measured an incredible 115 feet.
Framed by mountains on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, the Silver Coast is home to numerous pristine beaches ideal for surfing. The Silver Coast also boasts Portugal’s only marine nature reserve. It’s a place where you’ll find amazing fishing, hiking, and paddleboarding right on your doorstep, alongside world-class golf courses.
A Three-Bedroom House Close to a Lake and Beaches in Mimizan, France for €260,000
This charming three-bedroom house is situated just 15 minutes’ drive to Mimizan Plage, a renowned surfing beach. The property features four rooms, including three bedrooms and one bathroom, set on an 8,600 square feet enclosed lot. There’s a spacious living area with an open kitchen, a pantry, garage, and a terrace. The list price is €260,000 ($284,250).
Mimizan, France. Right now, a three-bedroom house just 15 minutes’ drive is listing for €260,000.
Mimizan Plage offers more than six miles of sandy beach with year-round surf. For beginners, there are numerous summer surf schools. The Courant de Mimizan River mouth provides sheltered surfing, while there are areas further along the coast where you can experience the full power of the crashing Atlantic waves. This coastline has waves for surfers of all skill levels, making Mimizan a versatile and popular surfing destination in Southwest France.
Mimizan is about a 90-minute drive south of the city of Bordeaux, in the heart of France’s wine county. The region produces more than 960 million bottles of wine each year and the city itself is a charming, historic city worth exploring.
A Balinese-Inspired Home Close to Some
of the Best Surf in Brazil for $155,200
This two-bedroom home surrounded by nature, offers a modern Balinese-inspired retreat in the southern Brazilian town of Imbituba. Listed for $155,200, the home’s design features large windows and balconies while the interior features imported Indonesian decor.
The ground floor features an outdoor area with a barbecue, leading to a deck and pool area that has complete and waterfall. There’s ample parking, with a covered garage for two cars and uncovered space for six more.
The first floor comprises a suite, an additional bedroom, three bathrooms, and an open-plan living area with valley views.
This home features a private pool and deck area with views across a valley. Listing here.
The property is close to the beach at Praia do Rosa, one of southern Brazil’s premier surfing destinations and most beautiful beaches. This small cove, less than a mile, is surrounded by lush green hills and features two lagoons.
Praia do Rosa stands out among other surfing spots in the region thanks to a perfect blend of excellent waves and stunning scenery. And between August and September, this stretch of coast is a top whale-watching spot.
The town of Imbituba is home to bars, restaurants, markets, and other amenities and you’re about 56 miles from the large city of Florianópolis.
Ronan McMahon, Founder, Overseas Dream Home & Real Estate Trend Alert
For more listings of overseas dream homes, click here to follow our Your Cheap Dream Home Instagram account.
