Isla Contadora: 15 Days to Go
Date: 09/02/2003Dear International Living Reader,
I'll try not to say I told you so... but this is probably the last time you'll have a chance to scoop up one of the remaining (I think there are six left) Villas on Isla Contadora.
A well-informed source from the local media told me that she's viewed the promotional spots for the upcoming television series "Survivor" that's been filmed on Panama's Pearl Islands. Let's just say that the Pearl Islands should be a household name after Sept. 18 when the show begins to air.
In Panama City, everyone's already talking about the impact that Survivor is going to have on the Pearl Islands, and on Isla Contadora in particluar. This is the most exclusive resort area in this country. The richest of Panama's rich vacation on the island in homes they own, and permanent residents (about 300) are a mix of Panamanians, Europeans, and North Americans.
Panama's wealthy and elite have had beach houses here for the past few decades. And some of the world's rich and famous, too. This is a true escape...a place I'd describe as quintessential Caribbean, except that it's off the country's Pacific coast. But the water, protected by the bay, is calm and clear...and the 13 beaches are soft white sand.
It could make the cover of a travel monthly: turquoise waters, secluded coves, bright red and yellow fishing boats, swaying palm and cashew trees, giant coral reefs, coconuts, mangoes, parrots, hummingbirds, pelicans, sea turtles, and bright tropical flowers.
The real estate market on Contadora is small and limited. Not a lot of inventory. The last time a popular reality TV show was filmed on a little-known island (when the "Temptation Island" series filmed on Ambergris, off the coast of Belize) real estate values rose 100% and more in the six months following the airing of the series. And, for our money, Ambergris has got nothing on Contadora.
Kathleen Peddicord
Publisher, International Living
P.S. Yes, there is time to invest in Contadora before the weekly episodes begin to air--15 days to be precise. Enough time to act? I don't know. But I can tell you this: You can own a beautifully renovated beachfront Villa overlooking the best beach on Isla Contadora for about one-fifth what you'd pay for a comparable property elsewhere. And financing is available. Full details here.
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