Expats have been arriving in droves to Coronado, birthed about 50 years ago, which has become one of Panama’s largest expat havens, filled with condos, homes, shops, and restaurants. Panamanians and their families who could afford loaded their cars and headed West to enjoy weekend getaways every Friday at 5 p.m.
About 15 minutes before Coronado, you find Chame… but despite being the nicest and closest beach area to Panama City, Chame was overlooked and skipped over by the Path of Progress.
Part of the problem was the lack of road access. The only way to get there was a rough and bumpy ride on what barely passed for a road, leading to an aching back, flat tires, damaged suspension, and other potential car problems. There was no road to the strip of beach known as Playa Caracol today.
But that’s a story from the past.
Paradise Less than an Hour Away from the City
Today, Chame, a town and a long and narrow peninsula with ocean on both sides and endless dreamy white sands, is an up-and-coming area that’s managed to remain mostly unspoiled thanks to the previous lack of access. It offers an idyllic, quieter option for beach lovers closer to Panama City, less than an hour’s drive away. The current road expansion and new bridge will make accessibility even easier and faster.
Pristine White Sands & Water Sports
It’s not easy to find a white sandy beach in Panama with most on the Pacific side made up of black volcanic sand, but Chame is home to some of the most pristine white sands in the country. It boasts a magnificent setting, edging turquoise waters with a mountain backdrop, creating a unique and jaw-dropping sight. It’s ideal for families with warm and shallow water splashing around.
For those who like to snorkel and dive, it’s just a short distance to the world-famous Otoque Island. Kayaking over to Johns Waynes Island with an old, abandoned hotel among the ruins of John Wayne City is possible too, and on calm days when the tide is low, standup paddleboarding is a great way to explore the coastline.
A Surfer’s Refuge
Surfing deserves a category of its own. Chame is a surfer’s refuge as one of the only surfable beaches close to the city. The others are Santa Catalina and Venao, at least an eight-hour drive away. The waves are perfect for surfing and other wind sports like kitesurfing. There’s already a surf school here too, providing the perfect opportunity to learn to surf with highly qualified surfers.
Master-Planned Development
Playa Caracol development is a master-planned development, as opposed to other surrounding options that might not have all the infrastructure. Playa Caracol will boast a first-class hotel with various restaurants, bars, and a tour office where you can go to set up daily excursions, 24/7 security, a convenience store, and a sports club.
There are already 450 apartments delivered, and various more are under construction, with another 150 to be completed by 2024. The Surfside Club, with restaurants, bars, shops, and wellness services, is set to open in 2023, and its associated beach hotel is slated to open in early 2024.
It’s perfect for those seeking a relaxed beach lifestyle while still being close enough to the airport, hospitals, malls, and more in Panama City. With Chame becoming a thriving resort community, many weekenders, digital nomads, and young families find it the perfect spot to relocate or spend some time.
Discover Your Beachfront Haven: Contact us now to explore the current availability at Playa Caracol and seize the opportunity to embrace the allure of white sand beaches. Your coastal lifestyle awaits – get in touch with me today!
