March 2014 Update: Note: now the major toll highways all require the use of pre-paid toll cards. If you rent at PTY (Tocumen), you will need a card for Corredor Sur. If you use Corredor Norte and the Colon - Panama Autopista, you will need a different card. These cards can be bought and have money added to them at the entrance toll booths. I noticed that one booth on the Panama Colon route was still collecting cash. Save your cards for the next trip as there is a charge for the card also. Oh, and $5.00 will not get you a round trip to the airport from the city or round trip to and from Bala Beach Resort, so you might as well put $10 on each card.
I rented a car while in Panama on the last trip, but based on past experience, driving in Panama City is not recommended unless you:
1. Know the main city streets
2. Know where there is construction and traffic is diverted
3. Have really really really good insurance
4. Know the driving rules of Panama, both formal and informal, and
5. Enjoy stress, you know, the kind of stress that being sandwiched tightly between a diablo rojo and an irate taxi driver can supply.
I could go on, but if you have been there, you probably have got the idea. Driving from Bala Beach Resort to Sabanitas or even to the outskirts of Colon is not too difficult. The traffic can be congested and a little exciting in Sabanitas and at the Sabanitas/ Trasmistica intersection. You may need a little patience at this point.
In any case, try to avoid commute times with both bus and driving, if possible. Traffic lights are often dim, so you must watch for them.
As a future resident at Bala, I plan to go to Panama City as needed, but not often. If you are taking the bus to Allbrook, I recommend the Metrobus for in-city travel. It is great.
Metrobus
The key here is to get a Metropass. You can't get on and give the bus driver money. They only take pre-loaded Metrobus Cards (Tarjeta Metobus). Get a card. They are presently $2.00. Bus fare is $.25 and will eventually go to $.45. They are air conditioned and relatively comfortable.
I always spend my first night in the city and then head over to the Caribbean side. If you are staying near El Cangrejo, you can buy the Metrobus card and load it at the Rey supermarket on Via Espana. (near the original offices of Bala Beach Resort).
As more owners are enjoying their condos I hope that we can work out a cost effective way to share transportation, including airport transfers and shopping trips etc. Until then give the Metrobus a try. Here is the website.
http://www.tarjetametrobus.com/
If you have any other transportation ideas, please feel free to share them. Thanks.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Feed the Hungry Bala Beast!
During my recent visit to Bala Beach Resort, the restaurant was still not open. Without enough guests and owers, I don't see how it could survive. But if and when it does open, it will be fun to try it out. You can drive in the direction of Portobelo and find a several restaurants.
Until then what does one do? Starve? Eat the local vegetation and any other moving thing? Since the apartments come with kitchens, the logical solution is to buy food and cook.
Maria Chiquita has 3 small convenience stores that I know of. If you walk or drive out the gate and continue along the beach road to the small town plaza, there are two small stores stores. You can buy basics such as sodas, a small selection of food items, laundry detergent, candy etc there.
Continue on toward the main intersection on the highway, where the police station is located and you will find a slightly larger convenience store. These are all good, close places to pick up last minute basics.
Across the main highway, just before the police station if you are coming from Sabanitas is a place that sells rotisserie chicken. We had one and it was pretty good. Try to get one when they are just done being cooked. (Fast food - Maria Chiquita style). They charged $8, a little high for Panama, but it fed a whole carload of gringos.
I hope that in the future, the local fishermen will also become a source of fresh fish for Bala Beachers. I haven't had a chance to ask them yet, but plan to do so on my next visit.
Now for major shopping, you will want to drive or Bus your way to Sabanitas. The bus is about 45 cents each way and you have two supermarkets to choose from (forget the ice cream with the bus method). First is Supermercado REY. It is right on the corner where you turn in Sabanitas to go to Maria Chiquita. If you enter the driveway across the street from REY, you will find Super 99, another supermarket.
Between these two, you should be able to stock up on a good variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, cereals, coffee, breads, drinks, etc.
There we have it. If you are going to Portobelo, there are some other small stores. There is no need perish of starvation, but if you are looking for the truly exotic, like salt & vinegar flavoured potato chips, you may have to search further afield.
Bon Apetite!
Until then what does one do? Starve? Eat the local vegetation and any other moving thing? Since the apartments come with kitchens, the logical solution is to buy food and cook.
Maria Chiquita has 3 small convenience stores that I know of. If you walk or drive out the gate and continue along the beach road to the small town plaza, there are two small stores stores. You can buy basics such as sodas, a small selection of food items, laundry detergent, candy etc there.
Continue on toward the main intersection on the highway, where the police station is located and you will find a slightly larger convenience store. These are all good, close places to pick up last minute basics.
Across the main highway, just before the police station if you are coming from Sabanitas is a place that sells rotisserie chicken. We had one and it was pretty good. Try to get one when they are just done being cooked. (Fast food - Maria Chiquita style). They charged $8, a little high for Panama, but it fed a whole carload of gringos.
I hope that in the future, the local fishermen will also become a source of fresh fish for Bala Beachers. I haven't had a chance to ask them yet, but plan to do so on my next visit.
Now for major shopping, you will want to drive or Bus your way to Sabanitas. The bus is about 45 cents each way and you have two supermarkets to choose from (forget the ice cream with the bus method). First is Supermercado REY. It is right on the corner where you turn in Sabanitas to go to Maria Chiquita. If you enter the driveway across the street from REY, you will find Super 99, another supermarket.
Between these two, you should be able to stock up on a good variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, cereals, coffee, breads, drinks, etc.
There we have it. If you are going to Portobelo, there are some other small stores. There is no need perish of starvation, but if you are looking for the truly exotic, like salt & vinegar flavoured potato chips, you may have to search further afield.
Bon Apetite!
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Is There Really Life at Bala?
Most of us like to rely on our own eyes and ears for solid evidence.
With all of the opinion going around out there regarding Bala Beach Resort, I thought I would share with you what I saw and what I heard while visiting Bala Beach Resort.
I am a purchaser. The goal of this past visit (November 13, 2013 - 25 November 2013). was to 1) determine that the resort was in useable condition with proof of owner-occupation and to finalize the purchase transaction and get my keys for my apartment.
I stayed with an owner in building one for 4 days. Their condo did not include the furnishing package. They did a very nice job of furnishing it themselves. I will discuss what it is like to stay at the resort in the next blog.
What I saw:
While there, there were two apartment owners in the process of closing staying at the resort. Both are purchasers in building two and one of them is myself. There was an owner (closed) staying in building one, full time for several months. There were owners of an apartment in building two who were staying for a shorter term and would return for a second stay later this winter. There were owners or their guests staying for the weekend in a different condo in building one. There was a third apartment in building one with owner's furniture visible where the owners had stayed on several weekends but were not there while I was there.
In short, the resort is no longer totally vacant. It was very exciting to meet other apartment owners for the first time. They were very friendly and interesting people - the kind of people I would like to hang around with.
We (the owner/purchasers of 3 different apartments) even traveled together on a day trip to a local island to swim and snorkel. I will be talking about this in a future blog.
While there, every morning except Sunday, maintenance staff would begin working to keep the buildings and grounds clean. Building 1 had been painted and re-painting on building two was underway.
the restaurant was not open, but I could see equipment that was not there on my last visit. The beach had been worked on, but was not the white sand beach as promised. I walked on the beach and it was still very nice.
Here is a picture of my new Bala friends. Faces are blacked out as a courtesy to their right to privacy. This is the really cool glass wall in the pool and it is a fantastic place to take pictures. I hope that other owners and purchasers will be able to visit the project and stay if possible for at least a few days to discover life at Bala.
With all of the opinion going around out there regarding Bala Beach Resort, I thought I would share with you what I saw and what I heard while visiting Bala Beach Resort.
I am a purchaser. The goal of this past visit (November 13, 2013 - 25 November 2013). was to 1) determine that the resort was in useable condition with proof of owner-occupation and to finalize the purchase transaction and get my keys for my apartment.
I stayed with an owner in building one for 4 days. Their condo did not include the furnishing package. They did a very nice job of furnishing it themselves. I will discuss what it is like to stay at the resort in the next blog.
What I saw:
While there, there were two apartment owners in the process of closing staying at the resort. Both are purchasers in building two and one of them is myself. There was an owner (closed) staying in building one, full time for several months. There were owners of an apartment in building two who were staying for a shorter term and would return for a second stay later this winter. There were owners or their guests staying for the weekend in a different condo in building one. There was a third apartment in building one with owner's furniture visible where the owners had stayed on several weekends but were not there while I was there.
In short, the resort is no longer totally vacant. It was very exciting to meet other apartment owners for the first time. They were very friendly and interesting people - the kind of people I would like to hang around with.
We (the owner/purchasers of 3 different apartments) even traveled together on a day trip to a local island to swim and snorkel. I will be talking about this in a future blog.
While there, every morning except Sunday, maintenance staff would begin working to keep the buildings and grounds clean. Building 1 had been painted and re-painting on building two was underway.
the restaurant was not open, but I could see equipment that was not there on my last visit. The beach had been worked on, but was not the white sand beach as promised. I walked on the beach and it was still very nice.
Here is a picture of my new Bala friends. Faces are blacked out as a courtesy to their right to privacy. This is the really cool glass wall in the pool and it is a fantastic place to take pictures. I hope that other owners and purchasers will be able to visit the project and stay if possible for at least a few days to discover life at Bala.
Working with Bala Beach Resort to Get Things Done
Today being a major holiday in the US, I thought I would give thanks for being patient, no, very patient, with the administration of this project. In addition to delays caused by a factors well known to those of you who are purchasers, there are holidays.
If you are planning a visit to Panama to try to get something accomplished in the purchase of your apartment, be aware that the administration celebrates both national and Jewish holidays. I recommend that you be flexible in travel plans and try to arrange meetings, inspections etc, during non-holiday times.
Here are some upcoming holidays:
27 Nov. 2013 - 05 Dec, 2013
08 Dec, 2013
13 Dec, 2013
25 Dec, 2013
01 Jan 2014
03 Jan 2014
01 Mar 2014 - 05 Mar 2014
20 Mar 2014
15 Apr 2014 - 22 Apr 2014
01 May, 2014
04 June, 2014 05 June, 2014
21 June 2014
05 Aug 2014
15 Aug 2014
And on and on... Check websites for both the religous holidays as well as national holidays.
I hope this helps. My next post is some proof that patience can eventually pay off.
If you are planning a visit to Panama to try to get something accomplished in the purchase of your apartment, be aware that the administration celebrates both national and Jewish holidays. I recommend that you be flexible in travel plans and try to arrange meetings, inspections etc, during non-holiday times.
Here are some upcoming holidays:
27 Nov. 2013 - 05 Dec, 2013
08 Dec, 2013
13 Dec, 2013
25 Dec, 2013
01 Jan 2014
03 Jan 2014
01 Mar 2014 - 05 Mar 2014
20 Mar 2014
15 Apr 2014 - 22 Apr 2014
01 May, 2014
04 June, 2014 05 June, 2014
21 June 2014
05 Aug 2014
15 Aug 2014
And on and on... Check websites for both the religous holidays as well as national holidays.
I hope this helps. My next post is some proof that patience can eventually pay off.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Don't Miss This Turn!
What a visit. I am on my way home and have so much to share. This is a short one and I hope it helps those of you driving out to Bala Beach Resort.
Don't miss the turn!
Coming from Panama City on the Expressway or Autopista, when you start down to the Colon side, watch for the Sabanitas exit. It is marked, but you can miss it easily. The autopista used to end here, so if it has been a while since you have been to the project, you will need to watch to exit for Sabanitas.
If you miss the exit, all is not lost. Just go around the traffic circle (round about) and take the exit for sabanitas on the old highway and drive back.
As before, watch for the sign on your right hand side for the 'REY' supermarket. (if you are lucky enough to take the exit it is on your right). It is a busy intersection. If you pass the Super 99, you went too far. There is a traffic signal at this intersection. Beware, many traffic signals in Panama are not brightly lit, so watch for them.
The turn at "REY" supermarket is often congested with cars and people. Proceed slowly with caution and watch for potholes. Vehicles will weave around on the roads to avoid potholes etc.
The turn that I STILL miss is the next one. It is not long after you leave Sabanitas and is in another small community.
You will pass a church on the right side. Just after the church, turn right. If you go straight, you will have to turn around.
A picture of this intersection is below. I have it burned into my memory for the next drive out to Bala.
The bottom off the building on the corner is painted blue and says "Rincon..." something.
I hope this helps. I have missed this corner a few times.
Don't miss the turn!
Coming from Panama City on the Expressway or Autopista, when you start down to the Colon side, watch for the Sabanitas exit. It is marked, but you can miss it easily. The autopista used to end here, so if it has been a while since you have been to the project, you will need to watch to exit for Sabanitas.
If you miss the exit, all is not lost. Just go around the traffic circle (round about) and take the exit for sabanitas on the old highway and drive back.
As before, watch for the sign on your right hand side for the 'REY' supermarket. (if you are lucky enough to take the exit it is on your right). It is a busy intersection. If you pass the Super 99, you went too far. There is a traffic signal at this intersection. Beware, many traffic signals in Panama are not brightly lit, so watch for them.
The turn at "REY" supermarket is often congested with cars and people. Proceed slowly with caution and watch for potholes. Vehicles will weave around on the roads to avoid potholes etc.
The turn that I STILL miss is the next one. It is not long after you leave Sabanitas and is in another small community.
You will pass a church on the right side. Just after the church, turn right. If you go straight, you will have to turn around.
A picture of this intersection is below. I have it burned into my memory for the next drive out to Bala.
I hope this helps. I have missed this corner a few times.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Greetings From Bala Beach Resort
Is anyone really staying at Bala? Yes. In addition to the company-owned apartment, there is one north American resident who is staying in their apartment through the winter months. I am happy to report that the road has been improved somewhat and the giant pothole is gone.
The pool is still looking great and I enjoyed a swim there yesterday. I can confirm that all basic services are available to building 1. I know that water is available to building two. Gas (Propane) is probably also available to Building 2.
I am here at the end of the rainy season so there have been some showers, but yesterday and this morning the sun was out and the weather was beautiful.
I am closing on my apartment in building 2. In addition to the showroom unit and the staff unit in Building one, there is furniture visible in at least 3 other apartments.
At least a couple units have been used by Panamanian owners for weekend use.
I will be staying with an owner in building one starting tomorrow night and will post more after I have had a chance to spend a night on-site.
All of the following pictures were taken in the last 3 days. I hope you enjoy them.
The restaurant is not open yet. There will need to be more guests and residents before it will be feasible to open it, but as you can see the furniture is in and the resort management reports that power for the appliances needed for the restaurant is ready.
As an owner, I hope that other owners will come and have a look for themselves, and if they are satisfied, that they will proceed to close and enjoy their apartments. More pictures and information to come...
The pool is still looking great and I enjoyed a swim there yesterday. I can confirm that all basic services are available to building 1. I know that water is available to building two. Gas (Propane) is probably also available to Building 2.
I am here at the end of the rainy season so there have been some showers, but yesterday and this morning the sun was out and the weather was beautiful.
I am closing on my apartment in building 2. In addition to the showroom unit and the staff unit in Building one, there is furniture visible in at least 3 other apartments.
At least a couple units have been used by Panamanian owners for weekend use.
I will be staying with an owner in building one starting tomorrow night and will post more after I have had a chance to spend a night on-site.
All of the following pictures were taken in the last 3 days. I hope you enjoy them.
The restaurant is not open yet. There will need to be more guests and residents before it will be feasible to open it, but as you can see the furniture is in and the resort management reports that power for the appliances needed for the restaurant is ready.
As an owner, I hope that other owners will come and have a look for themselves, and if they are satisfied, that they will proceed to close and enjoy their apartments. More pictures and information to come...
Saturday, November 9, 2013
New Pictures - New Details Coming in a Few Days
If you are interested in the latest news about life at Bala, I will begin to post new pictures and information about what life is like at this new development. I will be visiting my new apartment and the development several times beginning around 15 November.
The focus of this blog, in addition to details on the resort itself, from an apartment owner's point of view, will include information about local resources and activities in the surrounding area.
I hope you will find the pictures and details useful. See you in a few days...
The focus of this blog, in addition to details on the resort itself, from an apartment owner's point of view, will include information about local resources and activities in the surrounding area.
I hope you will find the pictures and details useful. See you in a few days...
Thursday, October 3, 2013
New Site Visit in November, 2013
Watch for new pictures and information about Bala Beach Resort
I will be visiting Bala Beach Resort next month. I can't wait. If you are an owner/purchaser, you have recently received a letter from the administration about the project etc. If, by any chance, you are coming for a visit in November, I hope to see you there.Watch for new posts with information about staying at the resort and lots of new pictures from an owner's point of view. If you have any questions about life there please add a comment and I will do my best to find out some answers.
So please come back in November and have a look.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Getting Around and some Pictures
Thanks to the generous sharing of information from one of Bala's first owner-residents, I have some great tips and information to share.Cruise Like a Local
If you don't mind being a little flexible, why not take the bus? Buses are plentiful in Panama and Maria Chiquita is no exception. There are public buses that cross by on the main highway to Maria Chiquita, near the police checkpoint at the main entrance to town and some drive in to the village to the small town plaza. Pay what the locals are paying. Ask a passenger before getting on. This past spring, they were charging around 45 cents for a ride to Sabanitas, where you can shop at either El Rey supermarket or Super 99, a new market just a short walk from El Rey. Catch your bus home from in front of El Rey and let the bus driver you will be getting off at Maria Chiquita.
These same buses continue on to Portobelo and beyond (Isla Grande) and also offer great opportunities to explore the ruins, swim, boat, eat or just have fun.
PTY to Maria Chiquita. Here, your options are also quite good. I recommend taking a taxi, especially for night arrivals. At one time, after collecting bags etc., you could walk up to the departures level and go outside and wait for a taxi dropping someone off and get a fare back to Panama City for quite a bit less than the current going fare, which was $35.00 last time I went. I think you can still do this.
I like to spend a night in Panama City before heading to Maria Chiquita. From your hotel, you can catch a bus or take a taxi to Allbrook. At the big bus terminal in Albrook, you can catch a bus to Colon that will stop in Sabanitas. Be sure to ask if they stop at Sabanitas. Also, the express buses which take the new highway are much quicker and cost only a little more.
If you are going to rent a car, rent it at the airport and save yourself the high taxi fare. Book in advance and inspect for scratches and inspect the tires carefully before accepting a vehicle! If you have driven in Panama before, good luck. If not, you will need good luck. Study changes in one way streets and construction projects before trying to get out of Panama City.
De Pie (BY FOOT)
Walk the beach to a point near the village center in Maria Chiquita and slip through to the plaza area where you can buy supplies at one of the 3 small stores, have a cold beer or just hang out. For me, having the village close by is a real plus. You can meet people and help support local businesses.
Pictures
Here are a few pictures from my 2013 spring trip to Bala Beach Resort. Enjoy!
Bala Beach Resort From Road to Portobelo
El Rey in Sabanitas
Building 2 Looking Toward Bldg. 1
My View (Love It!)
El Rey Supermercado, Sabanitas
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Life At Bala?
With the project finally opening it's doors to the first residents, it is time to begin a discussion of the experience of actually living, or staying onsite.
What is it like to wake up to the sound of waves washing up on the beach? What is it like to go for a morning walk on the beach? Is the pool well maintained? How can you get around while staying at Bala Beach Resort? Where do you find supplies and food? What are some great day trips and treks?
My thanks to the developers for not giving up on the project. Even with the economic problems in the USA and Europe, and weather delays in Panama, buildings 1 and 2 look to be finally ready to occupy.
My last visit to the project was in the spring, 2013, and, although there were still things needing to be done to make the project work, such as repairing erosion damage on the beach and preventing future erosion and access improvements, overall, the buildings looked ready and waiting for residents.
In the coming weeks, I hope to provide information for guests, residents, and visitors that they may find useful in getting around and enjoying their time at Bala. If you have ideas, comments, or pictures you would like to share about life in this beautiful corner of the world and how to make it a little more interesting or easier for the newcomer, please comment.
With the project finally opening it's doors to the first residents, it is time to begin a discussion of the experience of actually living, or staying onsite.
What is it like to wake up to the sound of waves washing up on the beach? What is it like to go for a morning walk on the beach? Is the pool well maintained? How can you get around while staying at Bala Beach Resort? Where do you find supplies and food? What are some great day trips and treks?
My thanks to the developers for not giving up on the project. Even with the economic problems in the USA and Europe, and weather delays in Panama, buildings 1 and 2 look to be finally ready to occupy.
My last visit to the project was in the spring, 2013, and, although there were still things needing to be done to make the project work, such as repairing erosion damage on the beach and preventing future erosion and access improvements, overall, the buildings looked ready and waiting for residents.
In the coming weeks, I hope to provide information for guests, residents, and visitors that they may find useful in getting around and enjoying their time at Bala. If you have ideas, comments, or pictures you would like to share about life in this beautiful corner of the world and how to make it a little more interesting or easier for the newcomer, please comment.
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