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...

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.

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



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.

Bala Beach Resort Construction Update - 2 July 2010

View From Floor 2, Building 2, Studio Apartment
Land Side (Back) of Buildings

View from Upper floor of Building 1

Beginnings of Pool

Finished End Facing Maria Chiquita, Building One - Ready to Paint

Building One - July 2, 2010

Hallway Access to Apartments

Balconies (below)
Buildings One and Two Bala Beach Resort - 02 July , 2010

Bala Beach Resort

Windows are being installed. Building 1 is up to the top floor and Building two is not far behind. I spent a good two hours walking through the project and was able to see the apartments roughed out from the inside. Although the crew fluctuates according to the current project needs, there were around 50 men working on the day I visited.

The plan at this point, according to one of the developers, is to build a restaurant between the apartments and the beach. It will be open to the public as well as to guests at the resort. The administrative offices for on-site management will also be located there. This will help to insure that the public will be exposed to the project and sales will continue for future buildings.

Views from all the apartment balconies I visited were good. Even the lowest floors could see the beach area. The upper floors also can see the sea in the direction of Colon, with ships lined up to enter the canal.

Plumbing and electrical is roughed in so now it is pretty easy to imagine how each apartment will be laid out. The builders have taken great care to not disturb the beach or forest as a result of construction and the safety notices were also impressive.

The exterior concrete wall on the Maria Chiquita end of building one has a nice smooth top coat and gives a good idea of how the exterior will look prior to painting. And there was even some painting being done while I was there.

Obviously, a great deal of finishing remains and this takes time. However, weather and work crew size etc. can have a great effect on speed of progress. I am satisfied that the project is moving along at a good pace and look forward to the day the buildings ae ready for occupancy.

My thanks to the staff at Bala Beach Resort for granting me access to take pictures. Enjoy these pictures and feel free to check out a couple short videos posted at YouTube.com. Just search Bala Beach and look for the most recent posts.

July 2010 Construction Update

Greetings From Panama
I will be visiting the construction site tomorrow and hope to post up-to-date photos over the weekend. Stay tuned for the latest progress and plans at Bala Beach Resort.

1st 2010 Construction Update

Bala Beach Resort Construction Update.

Buildings one and two continue to rise. Soon the structures will have reached the top floors and the process of interior finishing will commence. The work crew has increased considerably. All this and recent pictures are currently available for viewing on the blog portion of the official resort website at www.balabeach.com/