New Progress Video

Check out the lastest construction video from the Bala Beach Resort project site:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R2J5Swmltc

The elevated site for buildings 1,2 and 3 is being excavated. Another video shows the employee area under construction:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5E5tXL8VJY
If you visit the site, you will see a large area with a metal privacy fence surrounding it. The employee quarters are insite this fenced area.
Things are changing fast now!

BALA BEACH SAFARI

Since my first visit in 2007 to the Bala Beach Resort site, I have always wanted to explore the waterfront to the west of the construction site. There were no houses as far as the eye could see, only unspoiled tropical coastline.

The Bala Beach Resort is located at the edge of Maria Chiquita. Maria Chiquita is located on a large sandy beach on the caribbean side of Panama in Central Ameerica. The beach forms a gentle "U". At the west end of the beach is the Bala Beach Resort construction site. This is where the homes end and the mostly untouched waterfront continues.

Where the sandy beach ends, a rocky reef begins and extends well out into the water. You will see the waves breaking at the outer edge of the reef. At low tide, some of the reef is exposed but on my visit the tide was in. With good beach sandals or reef shoes you will find this walk to be more safe and more comfortable.

Near the point, you may need to weave your way through some beautiful trees. Although I don't know what they are called in Panama, in the Dominican Republic they are called "Uva de Playa" or Beach Grapes. The fruit, once ripe is delicious.

A couple young men passed me early on the safari. They were from Maria Chiquita and were carrying some swim fins and dive masks and make-shift fishing equipment. I asked them where they were headed and they said they were going to do some diving. They were a little unsure about what they might find but "Pulpo" (octopus) was a possibility according to one of them.

I had decided to walk as far west as I could within the constraints of time and passability. It was easier to walk on land in a couple of places, but mostly wading in shallow water was more comfortable.

At waters edge, some nice flowers were in bloom. Whatever they are, they were beautiful.

During my previous visit to the area, I had noticed a native dugout canoe on the shore, but this time it was missing. So on I went, following the two divers who had passed me and were gaining ground.

Next the mouth of a small creek turned the water cool but was no problem to wade past. The brownish waters of the jungle poured lazily into the bay. Miniscule fish darted about as if testing the fresh water.

The shallow reef continued and around the next corner I could see what looked to be a larger bay and possibly the mouth of a larger river. Looking out to the deep water, I could see a large ship waiting it's turn to enter the Panama Canal. Then, further in, a dugout canue turned broadside to me, fishermen working the sea for a meal. The divers were making ready to wade out on the reef to see what they could find. I caught up with them and wished them good luck. As they waded out onto the reef, they called a greeting to the canoe.

A water taxi was taking people to what looked like the mouth of the river. This was as far as I could make it without climbing through mangroves or dealing with the river or whatever it was. What fun to see these three diverse vessels all in one spot!

I watched as the water taxi made 3 attempts to go into the river. Finally it disappeared from sight.

Only 24 minutes into my walk, it was time to return to Bala Beach as the day was warming up and I was ready to cool down. On the return trip, a short cut over land to avoid some trees which had fallen in the water revealed a native hut, probably the home of the canoe folks. It is hidden back from the beach and you could walk by it easily and not see it.

Back at Maria Chiquita, I went to a local market and bought a nice cold drink. Back at the resort construction site, the breeze was picking up just in time to keep things from getting too warm.

By walking near the west end of the beach I could avoid the surf and go for a nice swim in the bath-tub warm tropical waters of the caribbean. Heaven!

If you visit Bala Beach Resort, take a little time to explore. Panama is such a beautiful country with incredible natural beauty and unspoiled places. You won't regret it.

Bala Beach Resort Construction Update & Photos

SEPTEMBER, 2008 BALA BEACH RESORT SITE VISIT

Bala Beach Resort is beginning to show evidence of progress. I visited the site on Sunday, September 14th.


The drive from my hotel on Via Espana was not difficult, but changes in one way streets in Panama City meant a little research had to be done first.


The route had not changed much, but construction still continues on the Panama - Colon road, so be prepared for delays. It sure will be nice when it is finished!



Finally the MacDonald's on the left and the Rey supermarket on the right marked the place to turn right to Maria Chiquita. I watched for the cemetary on the left that Karen at the Bala office told me to watch for and turned left. A government project sign at the intersection marked the road loactation. These signs only show up after a development has obtained government environmental permits.



The access road had a good quality gravel base and bypassed the center of Maria Chiquita. It passed through the west edge of the village before turning along the beach to cross the small bridge to the project site. The final hill leading through the village had some impressive gutters installed but will need more gravel as some erosion was evident.

Even on Sunday, there was movement on site. A guard kept an eye on the site and an equipment operator was working with the trackhoe to clean and level part of the project site.

After taking a few pictures, I went for a long-planned hike along the beach (see "Bala Beach Safari" Post)

After returning to the project site, having been re-invigorated by a cold drink from the nearby shop downtown and a nice swim I took the remaining pictures and began the drive back to Panama City.

A medium sized trackhoe, a dozer and a roller (used to compact soil) were all present. You will see in the pictures that the level area at the base of the small hills has been cleared and further leveled. A large privacy fence, commonly used in developments in Panama was erected. The previously existing beach facilities looked like they were being used to provide some initial facilities for workers use. All-in-all it was impressive to see the changes in preparation for the beginnings of construction.

It looks like further excavation will be needed to level the grades for the foundations of Buildings 1 to 5. Those of us who have signed on the dotted line to purchase a pre-construction piece of paradise should be pleased to see this progress.

Although I could not see exactly where the bridge had been reinforced, it looked sound and ready for construction traffic.

MORE PICTURES:

Resort Site Progress - Visitor Comments

Please comment on your recent visit to the construction site here.

If you have visited the project site, please let us know what you saw, changes from any previous visits and your observations. Add your recent images. Thank you!

USA to Panama - Lowest Fares

Spirit and American Airlines Watch for Sales!

With the fuel crisis in full swing here in North America, it pays to spend a little extra effort to find a reasonably-priced fare to PTY (Panama City, Panama).

Recently, AA.com has offered some great fares from MIA (MIami) but they don't allow much advance planning. Search the American Airlines site for sales on Latin American and Caribbean fare sales and give it a try.

You will need to get to Miami from your starting point. Alternate airlines may have lower fares. If you are travelling light, you can even fly to FLL (Ft. Lauderdale) on a discount carrier like Southwest Airlines, take a taxi to the Tri-Rail station and take the commuter train to MIA. (Recommended for the hearty, budget-traveller, slighly crazy types)

Another amazing fare may be found with Spirit Airlines. Join their discount fare club (be prepared for you credit card getting auto-billed later at a higher amount - read fine print), then watch for fare sales via your email. The "Red Light Specials" have offered fares as low as US$9.00 each way from FLL to PTY. Taxes and fees are about US$76 and they also offer travel insurance. Why so low? Look at the flight times. You arrive and depart in the middle of the night. You will need to get to Ft. Lauderdale, FL, which is served by discount carriers. If you can doze anywhere, this may be just the ticket!

In all cases, check out baggage restrictions, check in times etc.

If you have ever been able to take advantage of either of these travel options, please feel free to comment and add any advice you might be willing to pass on. Thank you.

Service Road Construction

Service Road Construction Begins

In a conversation on Friday, April 4, with the very friendly Karen at Bala Beach Resort, I learned that construction is beginning on the service road for the project. This is pretty exciting, as it is the first step to beginning construction of phase one.

WELCOME TO BALA BEACH

Are you interested in Bala Beach Resort ? Are you looking? Are you buying?

This blog is especially designed to help answer any questions you might have, share information about the project, construction highlights, the surrounding area, and Panama in general. Ask your questions here. Make your comments here. Share your pictures here. Welcome to a community of like-minded individuals who are intested in this Bala-beautiful corner of the world.

I am a future owner of a unit in this development. I do not work for the developer, nor am I a Panama real estate agent. If you are curious about your future home, whether as an investor, a retiree, a part-time resident, or full-timer, you will be welcome here.

This is not a location for the promotion of other real estate developments, but business interests such as restaurants, tour companies, fishing charters who are located between Colon and Portobelo are welcome to mention your businesses here where appropriate.

Please enjoy our virtual community. In time, we will become a physical community. What a great way to meet your new neighbors! Bienvenidos! Welcome!