BiggerPockets

Panama is one of the hottest real estate markets in the world! It has been ranked the number one place to retire in the world for the past 6 years by international living. It offers great and cheap medical, high end living at a low end cost, and it is one of the most naturally beautiful countries this great world has to offer. Plus much, much more. I highly encourage any and all investors to consider Panama as an option.

I've had friends watch their property sore to over 300% in value from their initial purchase price in a period of three years or less.

Not to mention the US dollar is the main form of currency giving a strong buying power for those in possession of the Euro and Pound. Also, providing stability to your investment.

You might not be aware, but Panama has just started the expansion of the Panama Canal. Creating up to 40,000 new jobs and generating billions of dollars for Panama.

It truly is a spectacular country going through one of the largest real estate booms ever experienced.

If you can dream it, if you desire it, it can be done in Panama!

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Top Shelf - they are both truly beautiful countries and both have so much to offer.

The strengths I've found in Panama over Costa Rica are:
1. The US dollar is the main form of currency
2. The US provides the military
3. The infrastructure is much more advanced. (ie roads, communication, etc.)
4. The cost of living is lower
5. The medical is stronger (Panama has 1 of 3 Johns Hopkins hospitals in the world)
6. There is a lower crime rate in Panama
9. NO Hurricanes in Panama
7. The real estate boom in Panama is about 5 years behind
8. The Panama Canal! (results in lower taxes, more stability, higher job rate, and a great amount of income for the Panama Govt.)

In addition, living so close to the Costa Rican border, I've had the opportunity to meet a ton of people who have invested and spent time in both countries. 100% of the people have told me they like Panama better. Their main reason being the infrastructure and they say the people are friendlier in Panama.

If you need any additional information please don't hesitate to contact me.

Justin are you a Broker in Panama
because you sure sound like one

There are many positives and
negatives about Panama.

Tell me about the Taxes income
VAT and RE estate do you know?

SKI

I haven't visited in person, like Shari did with Costa Rica, but I've been reading a lot of good things about Panama myself.

As far as I'm concerned, an additional strength not listed by Justin is the variety in climate available in Panama. As Justin mentioned, because of the Canal expansion project, Panama City is a growing desirable area. However, if you don't want tropical weather, the Boquette area, up in the mountains has a milder spring like climate. Also, I've heard that if you don't mind roughing it a bit, Bocas Del Toro is a nice expat area.

Just to clarify on Jeff's remarks:

I can't speak for Costa Rica, but Panama has two different type of land ownerships. There is Rights of Possession (ROP) and Titled.

Jeff is correct that ROP land is basically squatters rights. It is extremely risky. However, I did just get off the phone with a friend of mine that is in the legislation of Panama who told me they held a meeting today to try and finalize a law that will allow ROP land owners to convert to title.

The other type of land ownership is Titled. This works just like it would in the US. There is a public registry that records and keeps track of all land ownership. It is completely safe and again just as secure as owning land in the US. Feel free to do further research on this and looking up the Land Public Registry of Panama.

Is Panama a good place to wholesale?

Mr. Investor,

In addition to having the largest Free Zone in the Americas and second in the World, all companies receive the following incentives when then they relocate to Panama:

1. Special Legal Benefits
- Companies are automatically granted a 10-year period in which their tax structure and benefits will not be modified by any law or governmental ruling.

2. Customs and Immigration Benefits
- 2-5 year Visas are granted for foreign investor and employees as well as their families
- Tax free import of personal belongs up to $100,000

3. Labor Benefits
- Onsite companies benefit from more flexible labor allowances than the rest of Panama

4. Fiscal Incentives according to Tax Law 41 - companies only pay certain taxes OR they may be eligible to not pay any taxes
- This is all based on what type of business you would plan on offering.
- There are 3 Categories, I believe whole selling, especially at an international level would fall under Category 1/ Zero Tax.

Also the fact that you're right here on the Panama Canal makes it easily accessible and affordable to transport goods to any and all international destinations.

(Note: this information was summarized and provided from a contact of mine who is bringing companies to Panama. This is not my field of expertise and additional research is encouraged. In recent years though Dell, Ford, 3M, Caterpillar and many more large corporations have opened or moved their offices and/or call centers to Panama.)

I have been to Panama few times. Didn't care for Panama City. Way too humid. However, I liked Boca Islands on the Atlantic side. Although land prices were rather high. I also liked Caribbean side of Costa Rica.

I will be retiring in the next six months and I'm looking to move to either to Costa Rica or possibly Boca Islands Does anyone knows of what are the laws of owning properties in Bocas or Costa Rica?

Thank you for your input.

Jed

Thank you Justin, I visited Bocas last in September. And yes, I liked it a lot. Only drawback was quite a bit of mosquitos and sand flies. Otherwise the place is great. Property prices were on the high end, more than my budget. Let me know if you are aware of any 2,000 to 5,000 square meters lots.

Prices are still affordable, however they increased in the last couple of years. I like the area very much. The whole Caribbean side is underdeveloped and virgin but that gives you a lot of investment opportunities. I have a development on the other side of the border in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, about 40 km north, and I've seen a lot of growth in the last four years.