Panama for Cruisers ?

[starfish62]

Originally Posted by rover88

Don't know Bocas personally but I'm an old Costa Rica (just north) hand. I do know Pamana tourism is booming and Bocas is one of the three main tourist destinations for Norte Americanos and Europeans. We plan on visiting early next year. Best of luck, the region will continue to boom and it's a beautiful area according to friends.

Thanks! Everyone there is saying it is like Costa Rica was 20 years ago.

[S/V Antares]

Please put me on your list! I have traveled both coasts and like Panama very much.

[CaptJack711]

Originally Posted by starfish62

When I first went there in 2004 it was starting to explode, and it just kept on going. There are a lot of boats over in the mangroves in front of people's homes, so we're thinking there is definitely some demand there. We're also only looking at a handful of boats, mostly those of the people who buy lots, so it's not a commercial marina per se.

Hey Starfish62, CaptJack here in Sapzurro, Colombia. Is that you Elie?

[starfish62]

Hey, Jack, sure is!

It's great to hear from you. I thought you had gone back over the pond to the Med?

[CaptJack711]

Hey man, r u in Panama now? Be great to hook up.

[Trim50]

Put me on the list! If you need help building the marina...I may be interested in that as well. Send me whatever information you have.

[Dreaming Yachtsman]

Starfish,
Check out the thread Belize Cruising (http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ing-16541.html). The author, Thatchecaye (Travis Holub), built an eco-resort on little more than a sand spit and now has what appears to be a thriving business going. He may share with you some lessons learned about building a resort from the ground up.

In addition to good luck you will need to work really hard and/or spend lots of money. Projects like this frequently over run their budgets 50-100% so be prepared for that. You won't have any problem finding people to fill your slips. One reason my wife and I bypassed Bocas on our cruise through the area was that the marinas were full or couldn't guarantee us a spot.

[starfish62]

Originally Posted by CaptJack711

Hey man, r u in Panama now? Be great to hook up.

Hey, Jack,

I'm in Palm Beach, Florida. Had a lightning strike and have been playing catchup, but would love to get back down soon. How far are you from Bocas del Toro?

[starfish62]

Originally Posted by Trim50

Put me on the list! If you need help building the marina...I may be interested in that as well. Send me whatever information you have.

Hey, Trim. Will do.

[Trim50]

I just showed the location to my wife...she says let's go!

[ak5609]

Originally Posted by starfish62

Kirk,
Will do. When you're passing through the Trinidad area and west to Colombia, keep an eye out for a 47' Vagabond named "Fantasy." It's Cap', Jack Von Ohlen, a friend of mine from Fiji who has just finished tying the knot on his circumnavigation.

We're sending the formal offer to the seller this evening, and hope to have the acceptance in a day or so. Then it's off to Bocas for the legalities (survey, corp papers, all of that crap) and then we need to sell a few of these to get the thing going so I can move down there full time!

Hello. I read your old thread about Bocas. Do you live there meanwhile? I would like to get to know more about the weather, specially how long and when it will be raining.

Thank you
AK

[starfish62]

Originally Posted by ak5609

Hello. I read your old thread about Bocas. Do you live there meanwhile? I would like to get to know more about the weather, specially how long and when it will be raining. Thank you AK

Hey! I don't live there. I had an associate who did, but he got bored and moved to Orlando (kill me now.)

[BobnCamie]

I lived in Panama from 1975-1976. Am sure things have changed. For the better? Doubtful. I lived in Colon(Atlantic side) and found the people to be very friendly,helpful,etc. then their family friend steals you blind. Same as most any other third world country. We vacationed in Belize couple years back, and felt same there,too. Beautiful country, too bad it has people in it. I too want to get back to the tropics, needs American operated business to feel safe, but alas, gov't will allow you to build said business,and then confiscate on trumped accusations,then business will fold rapidly. Seen it happen twice to close friends. Not all bad, just seems the bad apple always gets picked first. Please be careful

[carlthomas]

I lived in MX for 7 years. happened to me, too. We started opening a discotheque. A big one. Capacity 2800 people. All went well. No problems with no licens and so on.

After 2 years the officials saw, that we carried away the money in truck loads... and the fight started. First ... police ... found drugs. What a surprise. In Mexico. Drugs. Huiiii.
Then the music was too loud. Too loud to long in the night. Then this. Then that. Last was, that the son of the chief of police wanted to be DJ on his own birthday party, in our club. We denied, and left after 4 weeks with empty hands.

Just a life.

Me? Mexico? Never again. I even dont eat tacos nomore.
CT

[boatman61]

LMAO...