Panama City is a vibrant, chic, and cosmopolitan capital…one of the most internationalized cities on my beat.
Nestled amid its stunning centuries-old colonial buildings and palm tree-lined boulevards, you’ll find world-class restaurants, trendy rooftop bars, and luxury boutiques.
Beneath its towering skyscrapers, you’ll see expansive shopping malls…5-star hotels…and dealerships selling European supercars like Ferraris, Porsches, and Lamborghinis…
This city is dynamic and engaging. And it’s growing quickly, emerging as a new Dubai or Singapore for Latin America.
Travel just beyond the suburbs of this metropolis, however, and you’ll find an entirely different world…
Downtown Panama City has become trendy and affluent. Nestled amid its colonial buildings, you’ll find high-end boutiques…luxury hotels…world-class restaurants…
Along the coast west of Panama City, you’ll find some of the most spectacular white-sand beaches you’ll see anywhere.
Head for the interior and you’ll reach soaring mountains and lush highlands which, due to their elevation, offer wonderful temperate climates year-round.
This week, one of my scouts, Oliver Lovett, has been exploring this side of Panama, investigating towns and villages in the country’s interior.
While he’s had boots on the ground in Panama’s highlands, Oliver has been sharing some listings with me. I’ve collected some of the most interesting ones below… (Note, we haven’t done any due diligence on these properties.)
Own in a Lush Dormant Volcano for $199,000
El Valle de Anton (also known as Anton Valley) is a lush green world just two hours’ drive from Panama City. The small town is perched in the crater of a dormant volcano, nestled among densely forested mountains dotted with vibrant bougainvillea.
Set 2,000 feet above sea level, El Valle enjoys comfortable temperatures year-round. The town’s population is a modest 6,500 or so residents. Despite this, there are plenty of restaurants in El Valle, and the stunning white-sand beaches of the Pacific Riviera are only an hour’s drive away.
This makes Anton Valley a popular place for people living and working in the capital to own a second home. The population swells to 8,000 or more on weekends as the town welcomes a steady stream of tourists drawn to the hiking, hot springs, and stunning flora and fauna in this region.
Anton Valley offers a stunning, lush cool weather environment close to the capital.
While scouting the region this week, Oliver found this three-bed stilt home with incredible mountain views.
The property sits on a 13,000-square-foot plot, and has more than 4,306 square feet of living space. It features three bedrooms, three bathrooms, an open kitchen, and a dining room. The master bedroom includes a balcony, and there is an additional balcony in another room. The property also has a two parking spaces, and a facade with a rustic stone finish. It’s listed for $199,000.
This three-bed mountain home in Anton Valley close to Panama City is on the market for $199,000. Listing here.
Spacious Three-Bed Home by a Cloud Forest for $250,000
The hills of Cerro Azul are a one-hour drive from Panama City, but when you get up among the cool pine-forested slopes it feels a lot further. Around every corner, you’re met with spectacular views, including down the coast to the towering high-rise buildings of Panama City…
Life in Cerro Azul feels so far removed from the bustle of city life that it’s almost a surprise to see Panama City so close by. Residents here can easily drive into Panama City for amenities like restaurants, malls and hospitals. Or take the city’s newly built Metro, which has a stop close to the foothills of Cerro Azul.
Cerro Azul is part of the beautiful Chagres National Park.
Nestled within the expansive Chagres National Park, Cerro Azul boasts a privileged location with access to one of the Western Hemisphere’s oldest cloud forests, full of the awesome biodiversity that Panama is famous for. And since it sits about 2,500 to 3,000 feet above sea level, the town’s environment offers warm days and cool nights, perfect for days spent outdoors and the ideal temperature for a good night’s sleep.
This three-bed house in Cerro Azul is set over three stories and boasts wonderful mountain views and plenty of outdoor space in the form of a garden and patio. Situated on a dead-end street, the home promises peace and quiet high in the hills. The home has been built with relaxation in mind and includes a jacuzzi and private bar. It’s on the market for $250,000.
This sprawling three-bedroom house is in an idyllic setting but offers convenient access to Panama City and everything that the vibrant metropolis has to offer. It’s on the market for $250,000. Listing here.
Charming Home in Panama’s Most Popular Mountain Town for $149,000
The mountain town of Boquete, situated at 4,000 feet above sea level near Panama’s border with Costa Rica, boasts a stunning mountain setting. The Caldera River rushes down the mountainside, cutting through the town center. The area features lush pastures and the impressive Volcan Baru as a backdrop.
The mountain air is crisp, with temperatures ranging from 60 to 77 F—the type of weather where you can really save on your energy bills. For much of the year you won’t need to use air conditioning or heating. There are numerous microclimates in the region, speak with the locals and they’ll tell you exactly where to go to find the climate you’re looking for.
The towering volcano, Volcan Baru, dominates the landscape around the popular mountain town of Boquete.
Boquete is in the province of Chiriquí, Panama’s breadbasket. The gentle temperatures and abundance of sun and rain allow year-round growth, and the rich volcanic soil is perfect for growing all kinds of fruit and vegetables.
This is where Panama’s milk, coffee, vegetables, flowers, and fruit are produced. If you’re ever in Chiriquí and want to purchase fruit and veg, the best and freshest produce is sold by the roadside. Look for pickup trucks selling big clear bags full of fresh vegetables for the best deals.
The town of Boquete has long been an expat favorite. You can hear English being spoken in the cafés, restaurants, and community social areas. The setting is healthy and relaxed, which is what draws so many people here.
With so much going for it, real estate prices in downtown Boquete have risen sharply since the pandemic. But extend your search to neighborhoods a short drive outside town and you can still find affordable real estate with all the benefits of temperate living.
Oliver found this two-bedroom house for sale close to the highway that links Boquete with the nearby city of David. The asking price is $149,000 and the home comes fully furnished.
Located in a quiet residential neighborhood, the house features a spacious open-plan kitchen, living room, and dining area. Outside, there’s a large, covered terrace with views out across the surrounding countryside. As with many homes in the countryside surrounding Boquete, the house has a generous plot, in this case 10,764 square feet.
This charming two-bedroom home is situated close to Boquete and is listed for $149,000. Listing here.
Ranch-Style Home on a Spacious Lot in Boquete for $239,000
El Frances, a tranquil rural neighborhood, lies a 15-minute drive from Boquete, off the mountain highway leading to David.
Chickens roam freely on the rough, quiet roads, while cows, goats, and horses populate the fields. Most homes feature gardens brimming with fruit trees. The presence of the International School serves as a reminder that the Boquete area is distinct from the typical Panamanian countryside, with many young expat families living here.
This charming two-bed, two-bath home sits on a large lot of more than 14,000 square feet. The home comes with a modern kitchen, fireplace, workshop, storage space, and a jacuzzi. Outside, there’s a garden featuring mature fruit trees and a spacious terrace ideal for evenings spent enjoying the lovely cool evenings in Boquete. The rich volcanic soil would allow you to grow a wide variety of fruit and vegetables on the land here. It’s listed for $239,000.
This cozy two-bedroom house sits on a large plot and is available for $239,000. Listing here.
Ronan McMahon, Founder, Overseas Dream Home & Real Estate Trend Alert
P.S. The surest way I know to get a killer real estate deal is to snap up prestige property in a great global city at off-market prices. That’s what members of my Real Estate Trend Alert group are about to do in Panama City…
Soon RETA members will have the chance to own condos in a stunning community on the last prime waterfront location of its kind in this world-class city. And they can do so at unbelievable, RETA members-only pricing.
This community is truly special. It will be a landmark building in Panama City. And the amenities will be out of this world—lap pool, waterfront park, bistro, gym…and outstanding views of the city skyline reflected in the bay…
I expect gains of nearly $300,000 eight years after delivery from owning a condo here. And I expect rental income of $36,000 a year. More details on this coming very soon. In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek of a developer’s render…
This community will be a waterfront landmark, and it’s right at the heart of Panama City... (Renders shouldn’t be considered final, but give you a good idea. To access this deal, you’ll need to be a RETA member. Learn how you can join here.)
