You know that calm, relaxed, almost meditative feeling you get when you’re by the ocean? Well, there’s a name for it. Scientists call it “the blue mind.”
Stress and anxiety ebb. Your mood lifts. Your mind clears.
If the ocean is tailor-made to produce this feeling of serenity and happiness, then the beachfront community of Playa Caracol is designed to amplify it…
This week I’ve been telling you about this high-end community, located on Panama’s Pacific Riviera—a stunning stretch section of coastline to the west of Panama City.
Playa Caracol offers true beachfront living. Owning a home here means you’re mere steps from the sand…with instant access to the beach and constant views of the Pacific. You have surfing, swimming, fishing, whale watching, and hiking all on your doorstep.
But Playa Caracol also offers something else. Not only do you have all these wonderful activities at your fingertips, you’re also close to a true world city…
Panama City boasts one of the world’s most impressive skylines…and it’s all just an hour to 90 minutes’ drive from Playa Caracol.
As the closest nicest beach to Panama City, Playa Caracol is just 60 to 90 minutes’ drive from the capital…and this travel time is set to be further reduced as new bridges, highways, metro lines, and even a potential high-speed rail line come online. (Soon, members of my Real Estate Trend Alert group will get an opportunity to own beachfront homes in Playa Caracol…more on that in a minute).
Panama City is one of the richest cities on the continent. Walk its streets today and you’ll see all the hallmarks of a global city…
Towering skyscrapers…trendy cafés…craft beer bars…high-end restaurants…designer clothing boutiques…supercars roaring along the streets…brunches of eggs Benedict washed down with champagne…sparkling jewelry dripping off necks and wrists…malls packed to the gills with designer fashions…
This is a place that draws well-heeled folks from across the world. And little wonder, the lifestyle here is incredible. There’s so much to see and do and explore.
Here’s a list of 15 of the top options compiled by long-time Panama expats on the Real Estate Trend Alert team…
- 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.
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.
- Tour Mercado de Mariscos: Panama’s fish market was a gift from Japan and is known for its exceptional ceviche.
- Visit the Panama Viejo ruins:Explore the remains of the original Panama City, destroyed by pirates, including the legendary Henry Morgan, in the 17th century.
- Take a day trip to Taboga Island:Just a short boat trip from the city, the nearby Taboga Island, or “Island of Flowers,” has beautiful beaches and a relaxed atmosphere.
Taboga is a volcanic island. A 30-minute boat ride will get you from the heart of Panama City out to “the Island of Flowers.”
- Enjoy the nightlife in Calle Uruguay:Let your hair down and enjoy Panama City’s vibrant bar and club scene in this popular entertainment district.
- Explore the San Blas Islands: Some of the most incredible beaches in Panama are on the semi-autonomous community of San Blas, home to the Guna indigenous people. Take a day trip, or stay the night and enjoy panoramic vistas of the stars.
The beaches on the San Blas Islands are truly spectacular…
- Hike Cerro Ancón:Climb this hill in the heart of Panama City for panoramic views across the bay, and a chance to spot sloths and toucans.
- Visit the Mercado de Artesanías in Balboa:The Balboa Handicrafts Market is a vibrant place to explore local Panamanian crafts and culture. Walk all the way through the market and you’ll find yourself in the French Quarter, where you’ll see reminders of France’s role in the construction of the canal.
Among the many artisan goods you’ll find in the Balboa Artisan market, be sure to pick up a beautiful handmade mola. Made by the indigenous Guna people, their geometric designs are intricate and colorful.
- Shop till you drop at the Soho and Multiplaza malls:You’ll find lots of incredible shopping in Panama City, but Soho and Multiplaza have the greatest concentration of global high-end luxury brands.
- Explore the Punta Culebra Nature Center: Learn about marine ecosystems and observe local wildlife at this Smithsonian research station. An overlooked gem with some incredible displays and lots of iguanas and sloths, on Amador Causeway.
- Visit El Dorado for a Chinese breakfast:On Sunday mornings Panamanians love to eat a Chinese breakfast of dumplings and steamed buns. And the El Dorado neighborhood has some of the best traditional Chinese restaurants in Panama City.
This is merely a snapshot of what Panama City has to offer…and when you live in Playa Caracol, it’s all just an hour to 90 minutes’ drive from your door.
As I mentioned earlier, Playa Caracol is the closest, nicest beach to the city. Combine that with the high-end amenities that the community offers, and what you get is an incredible opportunity—amazing-value real estate on the sand, yet within easy driving distance of a major world capital.
Very soon, Real Estate Trend Alert members will get an opportunity to own something truly special in Playa Caracol.
These will be spacious three-bed beach homes…right on the beach…at incredible RETA-only pricing…
And there’s even exclusive developer financing…
We’ve never ever had a deal like this at RETA. I expect gains of $310,000 five years after delivery…if you ever sell. Real estate like this is the sort of thing people tend to keep in the family. Rent when they aren’t using it…
But there is a catch: We won’t have many homes at all…a dozen maybe.
Stay tuned to your inbox for more details. My full briefing on this opportunity will drop this Saturday.
Ronan McMahon, Founder, Overseas Dream Home & Real Estate Trend Alert
P.S. This won’t be the first deal I’ve brought to members in Playa Caracol. We’ve had a string of incredible off-market deals there over the last number of years. A few examples…
- In January 2023 RETA members were able to buy ocean-view condos in Las Olas at Playa Caracol starting from $254,600. Now similar condos are listed with the developer for $355,580. That’s an uplift of $100,980.
- RETA members bought in Surfside residences back in March 2020 at prices starting at $214,600. That’s the residential condo component of the Surfside hotel in Playa Caracol. Similar condos are now on sale by the developer at $330,000. That’s $115,400 more.
If you’ve ever dreamed of having a true beachfront property, literally steps from the sand, this is an incredible opportunity. More details coming soon.
Deal opens to RETA members on Wednesday, October 23, at 1 p.m. ET. We’ve never had a deal like it at RETA, and I expect we’ll only have a dozen spacious three-bed homes available at our off-market pricing. (Renders like this are not to be considered final, but give you a good idea.)
Your Daily Dream Home
Askersund, Sweden
This charming three-bedroom villa has 1,660 square feet of living space on a 5,780 square foot plot. The villa has five rooms in total, including a kitchen and bathrooms on both floors. The house has wooden floorboards and ceiling panels. Outside, there’s a west-facing patio, a balcony, and a garden.
The home is in the picturesque small town of Askersund, nestled on the northern shore of Lake Vättern, in Sweden. The surrounding countryside is a haven for nature lovers with dense forests, rolling hills, and numerous lakes. Locals and tourists enjoy the excellent hiking as well as water activities on Lake Vättern. The town hosts an annual jazz festival, drawing music enthusiasts from around the country.
Askersund also has connections to the Nobel family, of Nobel Prize fame, with Alfred Nobel’s father having worked in the area as an inventor and engineer during the 19th century.
