Driving into Boquete from the provincial capital of David, you’ll pass the main square on your right…but don’t stop there. Carry on toward the colonial church and climb up, past a smattering of shops and adorable little restaurants painted in happy pastels. Before you can blink, you’ll find yourself suddenly plunged into a world of misty green. The velvety mountainsides are dotted with dulcet cottages…the green is interrupted where flowers erupt in a bright fireworks display. This is Boquete, demure with a hint of cheeky color.

Nestled in the shadow of Panama’s mystic Volcan Baru in the province of Chiriqui, Boquete is one of the world’s best bird-watching towns…the site of international award-winning coffee plantations…and an orchid farm, where the variety dazzles even the most experienced collectors. (The rare and exquisite blooms can sell for $70 to $1,500 at international shows.)

The region provides up to 80% of all the milk, meat and vegetables consumed in Panama. With easy access to the freshest produce, seafood, and more, it’s not hard to see why many expats claim their health has improved soon after moving here.

The perfectly pristine beaches of Boca Chica and Boca Brava Island are about hour and a half away by car. So is Panama’s oldest and most valued archeological site, Sitio Barriles. Other nearby attractions include thermal springs, waterfalls, strawberry stands, horse ranches, rafting rapids and La Amistad National Park. Perhaps the best is the Los Quetzales Trail in the Volcan Baru National Park. One of the nation’s prized bird-watching trails, this is one of the best places in the world to spot the legendary resplendent quetzal.

All this makes Boquete a premium location, and that’s one of the reasons it is home to so many contented expats.

It’s also why my full report on retiring in Boquete is in the February issue of International Living Magazine.

guest post by By Jessica Ramesch

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Now the market in Boquete does offer some good buys again but one of the best buys is right next door – this area is just like Boquete but offers pre-boom prices!

Panama’s highlands are spring-like…their hillsides covered with wildflowers.

Look in the right places (like Volcan, below) and you’ll also find quiet village streets with homes that start at $37,000…

Find the Most Affordable Retirement in Panama

It’s a stunning drive to Volcan—and that’s not just travel writer hype. As the road winds up into the mountains, one vista after another unfolds. I have driven this road many times over the past four years, and it’s still as invigorating as ever.

As I reach 3,000 feet, I turn off the air-conditioning and roll down the windows; the air is fresh and clean. The roadsides are festooned with thousands of red, pink and white impatiens. They look like they were carefully planted by a talented landscaper, but they’re a simply great gift of nature.

Passing through the small village of Cuesta de Piedra, I get a glimpse off to my right of the majesty that is Panama’s highest peak, the 11,400 foot Baru Volcano (pronounced “bah-ROO”). The jagged peaks of this sleeping giant carve through a swirl of clouds and mist.

Volcan sits in a valley that opens westward onto a wide plateau. At 4,200 feet, it’s easy to see why the town is famed for its “eternal spring” climate. It is framed to the north by the Tizingal Mountain and to the east by the slopes and volcanic plain.

The combination of spring- like weather and abundant fresh fruit and vegetables has led some writers to describe the area as the “Shangri-La Valley.” A brief look at the gravestones in the local cemetery reveals that many residents lived well into their eighties and nineties.

Volcan is a bustling town of about 10,000 people, of which about 250 are expats from the U.S. and Canada. The town has four supermarkets, four hardware stores, three banks (two with ATMs) and over 30 places to eat. If there is a global recession, the people in Volcan haven’t heard.

The local economy has been buoyed in part by nearby hydroelectric projects. This will soon make Panama virtually energy independent and pump millions of dollars into the local economy. But agriculture is the real driving force behind the provincial economy. Chiriqui provides up to 80% of all the milk, meat and vegetables consumed in Panama.

The greatest savings here stem from the climate. There is no need for air conditioning, fans or heating. I use an electric washer, dryer and dehumidifier, but my average power costs stay low at around $68 a month. I cook with gas that costs me about $2 a month; my water bill is $4 a month; and garbage pickup is also $4 a month.

At Dalys’s restaurant a bottomless cup of coffee will cost you 40 cents. A hearty breakfast is about $2.50. Dalys’s is famous for serving an enormous glass of wine for $1.35. If you want to eat tipico, or “typical fare,” for lunch, a tasty mound of beans, rice and chicken will set you back a princely $1.75.

Volcan’s supermarkets offer just about everything that would expect to find in North America. And at the local organic kiosk you can walk away with a bulging bag of vegetables—the freshest in the county—for less than $8.

Prices for homes range from $37,000 to $150,000, and there are also lots available on  which you can build the retirement home of your dreams. If your pocket book is well funded, then the clear blue mountain sky is the limit; there are large land tracts, trout-bearing rivers and streams, and views to die for. If you are spending over $150,000, you’ll have a selection of North American-style homes to choose from.

Note: This is the very last day you can sign up for the Ultimate Overseas Retirement Plan. It’s the complete package for anyone interested in Panama, including the new edition of the Panama Owner’s Manual…a special report detailing a step-by-step guide to The World’s Best Retirement Program…and a collection of recordings from a special seminar held in Panama.

The recordings are a real bonus—they include presentations from expats, experts, doctors, and retirees about living in Panama.

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From 2005 until the bottom feel out of the US stock market Boquete Real Estate was appreciating at a dramatic rate. Many saw the writing on the wall and knew the escalation of prices couldn’t last much longer. Those who got in early are now enjoying their Boquete Panama Retirement. Those who looked to flip for a quick buck made money until the crash. But for the past year the market has been dead and now more reasonable pricing levels being seen in the area.

Living in Boquete Panama is now attainable for many people and offers some great advantages over the alternatives of high taxes and insurance rates in any of the typical US retirement  spots like Florida and southern Cal. Sure prices have crashed in both those markets but you certainly won’t find zero property taxes for up to 20 years as we have in Panama.

Here’s a great example of price adjustments and some of the fantastic buys you can now find for Panama Property – check out this listing => Jaramillo Boquete Panama Property.

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On 27 March La Prensa reported that the government has allocated $283 million dollars to expand several highways. The size of the expenditure and the location of the changes broadcasts the intent. Panama wants more residential tourism, more immigration of people with money into the interior of the country.

Divisa to Chitre gets four lanes, this is the gateway to the Azuero Peninsula, a rapidly developing area of beaches.

San Felix to David gets four lanes, this part of the Interamericana between David and the Capital currently has no passing lanes. This will make the trip to David from Panama City much faster and safer.

Finally four lanes from David to the little mountain pueblo of Boquete Panama. I can report the survey crews are all over this project already.  I have no idea how or even why they are doing this unless they also plan to eventually continue the road on to Bocas del Toro.

Boquete is now a dead end and although four lanes will make the ride to David faster and less dangerous the current need is not there. This is an investment in Boquete.

If you are here and can remember 3 years back in time and look at the changes and investment in both David and Boquete over three years the effect is startling.  David has a major shopping center with a large three story department store, Conway. It has new hotels, it has new restaurants, now retail stores. I notices today a BMW dealer is opening, Honda opened last year. The cow town is in transition, fast.

This government is following through on the expansion of the David Airport so Copa and other airlines can stop here. They want the wild west of Panama to grow, fast.

If you are  from the school of thought that says get in when things are about to explode and profit from it, this is the time to jump on Western Panama. If however you are from the group that came here because it was not Florida or Arizona, it might be time to start looking for alternatives.

When I arrived I felt I had entered a time machine and went back fifty years, now it is only thirty, soon there will be continuity with North America. I am not sure if this is good for anyone, except the investors and the people who want to terraform Panama into another mini USA. Panama is an opportunity now but the change might destroy the very essence of why I am here.

By Lee Zeltzer of boqueteguide.com

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We had just been in Bocas del Toro and stayed at the Swan’s Cay Hotel there. When the fellow who was touring us around learned were off to Boquete next he made a call to an associate. He was trying to get us into Isla Verde a spot he thought was the nicest place to stay in the Boquete Highlands. Unfortunately they were all booked up as a matter of fact so was everything else in town. So, we ended up at the Fundadores Hotel.

The Fundadores was a little tired but so were we after another days journey! So, we took the boys for a walk and found some delicious ice cream at a place called Annas Sweets and then turned in for an early night.

By morning we hadn’t seen much of Boquete and although the air was cool and comfortable and the mountain jungles absolutely gorgeous we didn’t think much of the town. Of course we had yet to discover Valle Escondido or the Panamonte Hotel or any of the other hidden gems Boquete has tucked away around the next corner or lush green mountainside.

I remember meeting Sam, the developer of Valle Escondido and his comment that he had never seen a mosquito in Boquete. Well that night it seems our young son managed to experience the only mosquitoes  in Boquete and they were right there in our room at the Fundadores! But all said it really wasn’t too bad an experience. I think we paid around $40 for our family of four. The large room had a double bed and two singles. The old place had a certain charm or maybe better said, ‘character’ and you could tell it was a pretty interesting hotel in it’s day. The unique feature of a small river (probably the source of the mosquitoes) running thorough the restaurant is quite charming. Now Boquete has changed dramatically and there are a lot more Boquete Hotels to choose from so I’m not sure very many people still stay at he Fundadores Hotel in Boquete but it still retains memories for me!

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Of course, it’s not really “hidden.” In fact, some of Panama City’s oldest and most affluent families have been coming here for years.

But if you’re not in-the-know, you’d probably never hear of this place. Jessica gives you the scoop, below.

Panama’s Best Kept Secret

by Jessica Ramesch

A cool breeze tickles my neck as I take in the view from Gaital Hill. The sky is a gingham pattern of crisp blue and white now that the mists have dissolved in the afternoon sun. The fauna is deeply green and seems to cover everything. At the foot of the hill lies my destination…“the valley.”

Panama's Hidden Valley

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The drive into El Valle is my favorite part of visiting here. In the morning mist, the view of the Gaital Hill and Nature Reserve seems to appear out of nowhere as I follow the road that snakes into the town. The houses below are camouflaged by trees, so all I can see is green and more green. That is, until I reach the famous market, a riot of color bursting with flowers and sweet tropical fruit.

From its once-mighty volcano to its minuscule golden frogs, El Valle is a treasure of a town. Residents, many of them retired members of the Panamanian elite, rave about the strategic location and Spring-like climate.

Perhaps the best kept secret in Panama, El Valle is tucked into a crater five miles wide. About 2,000 feet above sea level, El Valle boasts fertile volcanic soil and a misty mountain clime. The combo makes this a gardener’s dream. Best of all, this cool oasis is only 45 minutes by car from Panama’s best Pacific beaches.

A tiny town, El Valle has grown in past years and today hosts a growing expat community, including North Americans, Europeans, and South Americans. Though there’s not much of a night life, the expat community in El Valle and the surrounding beaches has become much more active over the past two years. Expat events in the region include festivals and charity work, concerts and gourmet cooking classes, and much more.

Plus, El Valle is a true paradise for lovers of the outdoors. Whether or not you’re a bird watcher, you’ll marvel at the sheer variety of species. Tanagers, hummingbirds, and rare birds such as the mottled owl are frequently sighted here. It’s also the perfect place for plant lovers; city dwellers flock here to buy orchids at the weekend market.

One of the nicest places to visit is El Nispero Plant Nursery and Zoo. You’ll find more than 200 orchid species, as well as peacocks, storks, serpents, crocodiles, and the famous golden frogs that are unique to Panama.

Panama's Famous Golden Frogs

If the walking trail at El Nispero doesn’t whet your appetite for adventure, there are more challenging trails on Cerro Gaital. Or hike to the 125-foot waterfall, Chorro El Macho. The waterfall empties into a cool creek, the perfect spot for a swim or a summer day picnic. Or seek the therapeutic heat of the thermal springs and mud baths just off the main road to El Valle. Locals sit in the springs and then plunge into cold river water.

If you’re interested in indigenous culture, visit the El Valle Museum or La Pintada, a site where undecipherable petroglyph baffle historians.

Round out the day with a gourmet dinner at the hotel La Casa de Lourdes, known for its tasteful Tuscan décor.

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Going Fast: $30,000 Homes as Forgotten Peninsula Becomes Exclusive Retreat

A famous French architect is about to transform a quiet tropical peninsula into one of the world’s most exclusive retreats for the rich and famous. New York Magazine has hailed it: “the latest eco-playground with panache.” And now a torrent of big-name Hollywood stars have begun to descend on the area including Mick Jagger, Tom Cruise, Bruce Willis, Mel Gibson, Eddie Murphy, Brad Pitt, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. But you can still buy homes today along this peculiar piece of paradise for as little $30,000! Read More Here!

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Not so. The town of Cerro Azul, where Paul lives, was one of the trendiest places to have a home until the late 1980s or early 1990s. Then, for no apparent reason, the elite turned its attention to beach locations like Coronado, making Cerro Azul feel like something of a ghost town. From 2004 to 2008, when real estate prices all over Panama were steadily rising, Cerro Azul stayed surprisingly affordable. This was probably because expats flooding the country didn’t know about it. They were too busy in trendy locations like Boquete and Bocas del Toro.

But little Cerro Azul couldn’t remain a secret forever. Word got out, little by little, and a small expat community began to grow here. Today, Paul says at least 70 expats live in Cerro Azul. The effect has been a revitalization of sorts. Members of the Panamanian elite have rediscovered Cerro Azul as a weekend destination—just 30 minutes by car and you’ve left the city and its madness behind. And the full-time population continues to grow…

I went recently to check it out. The drive out of Panama City was easy, thanks to the excellent road. As we ascended, it seemed we were driving up, up, up into the clouds. Passing dairy farms and ranches, we came upon a colorful Chinese arch—an exotic accent amid the greenery and a signal that we were there.

Some people say that Cerro Azul is an “energy center,” and that in certain areas you can watch your compass go haywire. Perhaps this is why local groups come here for yoga and other spiritual retreats. Or perhaps they come simply because the pines and mountain peaks are an uplifting sight, complimented by jewel-toned hummingbirds and ginger flowers as tall as a ten-year-old.

You will find plenty of property for sale here, and if you get here now, you’re sure to uncover some real bargains. One lot for sale is just off an unpaved road and has water and energy service already installed. The lot is in a residential zone and is well over a half acre. Asking price: $17,600. For $40,000 you can get a half-acre lot in a gated community. A creek runs through the lot, which is in a cul-de-sac and has a distant ocean view.

If you prefer to buy a house and move right in, you’ll find even more options, from inexpensive cottages to big mountain mansions. One home is on offer for $80,000 and comes furnished. The four-bedroom, two-bath home comes with maid’s quarters with separate bath and a covered terrace. Another four-bedroom home is on offer for $90,000. It sits on a lot of nearly half an acre and comes with a pool, storage locker, and two covered terraces.

If your budget is in the $100,000 to $150,000 range, you will have even more options to choose from. One Swiss-style chalet is $120,000. It has four bedrooms and two baths, a balcony, and a patio.

Almost anything grows in abundance, from orchids to bromeliads that pop up wherever you look. It’s close to Panama City and to the international airport, but quiet and peaceful. Far from the city’s light pollution, you can actually see the stars…and there’s no noise to keep you from hearing the nightly symphony of frogs and crickets.

Most importantly, Cerro Azul may be right for you if you want breathtaking views but don’t want to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for property.

Where did I find these great property listings? Here!

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The Chiriqui Mall in David opened just prior to our arrival back in 2003 and it’s still going strong today. We always like going down to enjoy an English language movie in the six plex theatre then wandering the mall and typically stopping over at PriceSmart (the Latin American version of CostCo) to stockup.

The Chiriqui Mall is on the Pan-Am Highway just west of PriceSmart. It has wi-fi, the movie theatre, a great food court and a variety of stores that unfortunately don’t attract very many customers. I don’t know why. I really like this mall and can’t understand why it isn’t full. Maybe it’s too far form downtown David to draw the local population?

Here are some of the stores you will find at the Chiriqui Mall on the outskirts of David, Panama:

Yadi – A pharmacy that also carries some household decor.

Theatre – Six-Plex modern movie theatre with A/C. Most movies are new features in English with Spanish sub-titles – a great way to learn Spanish.

Super Baru – Grocery store with an awesome import & gourmet foods section.

Food Court – the usual fare found in pretty much any mall food court.

Sebastiano – Clothing and shoe store.

Valla Actives – a TV Cooperative.

Digicel Kiosk – Cell phones, calling cards, service.

Roly Lab – Medical Testing

Sportline – Athletic apparel; shoes; sporting goods

Kardy – Clothes store

Pretty Kidz – Kids clothes

Melo – Pet and farm animal supplies; garden stuff too.

Shoe Outlet – shoes!

Autoridad del Transito – drivers license office.

Passarela – Women’s Clothes

El Hombre de la Mancha – Book store

World Time – Watch store

Guess – Men’s, womens and kids fashion Clothing

Centro de Capacitacion – Driving school – cars, trucks, bus, etc.

If you’re thinking you want to get a retail business going in David there are at least 8 vacant store fronts available in the Chiriqui Mall, David Panama.

A Conway store just opened up in the Terronal Plaza which is right at the intersection for the road to Boquete from David. They have a lovely Rey grocery store and a ‘Do-it’ Center which is very handy.

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Volunteer Boquete has developed a campaign that was officially kicked off on December 24^th with the first Community Cleanup in Boquete. With the new campaign, the foundation will be hosting a community wide event on Earth Day (April 22). “We have found a need in the community and we plan to address it because it needs to be done” said Kaytee Hoverson, project coordinator. In the meantime volunteers from the program, as well as local volunteers, have targeted areas of litter and attacked them head on.

A group of dedicated volunteers picked up litter on Christmas Day and then again the first week in January. While this hearty band of volunteers separates recyclables out of the trash picked up, they plan to further coordinate with Boquete’s recycling program ReALBoquete.

Project plans include researching joining forces with Boquete’s workforce for a more concerted effort, placing trash cans around the city in problem areas, building a regular volunteer base to pick up litter on a regular basis, and working with schools to educate young people about the litter problem.

As of this writing, a meeting was scheduled with Mayor Manolo Ruiz, to present him with a very concise 17-point topic list, outlining detailed solutions to litter problems in the Boquete area.

This is not just a group picking up trash, states Hoverson, but “…a long term project to make Boquete the cleanest, most beautiful town in Panama.”

More information about how you can be a part of this important program is available at www.unexpetctedmomentsofmagic.org or by calling 720-1025.

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The Festival seeks to create a scholarship fund that will help young Chiriqui musicians attend workshops at the annual Panama Jazz Festival and provide them with musical instruments. The Festival also hopes to fund other projects like the Summer Music Camp and programs for children at risk.

Antonio Singh, director and founder of the Boquete Jazz Festival, says that the working committee, residents of Boquete and David, is working on the final details of the Festival.

The 2010 Festival will feature international artists such as: Atila, a young Englishman with a voice that is captivating the stages of Europe. He recently released his debut album, “Hello Young Lovers”, and despite his youth has been impressing audiences with a sound made famous by artists like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and others. Atila begins his tour of the Americas with his quintet by participating in the Boquete Jazz Festival.

The Jon Day Jazz Quartet, based out of South Carolina, performs everything from jazz standards to modern jazz to original compositions.

Led by the smooth sounds of the internationally renown Canadian trumpeter, pianist, composer and arranger, Jon Day, this quartet will entertain and capture the imagination of all music lovers, leaving them eager for more.
Bannaba Project de Panama fuses the rhythms of the flutes of the Kuna with the saxophone, producing a vibrant mix of sounds and cultural dance. This group has been recognized internationally for its performances in the United States.

Local bands participating in the 2010 Festival include: Outside Chiriqui Jazz Band, directed by Quelvín Delgado, one of the winners of the Danilo Perez Foundation Scholarship; Sin Ensamble Jazz Quartet, featuring saxophone and guitar playing Jazz and 8 to 14 years old playing Latin Jazz; and the Fantasy Jazz Band, comprised of members of the Festival committee and outstanding young musicians from David playing Jazz standards.

Tickets are available in Valle Escondido, Boquete Bistro, Ana’s Sweet, Oasis Hotel & Restaurant and Cocina Rica (David) and Radio Chiriqui.

For more information, visit the Festival website at http://boquetejazzfestival.comTechnorati Tags: Jazz Fesitval, Boquete Panama

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