How to find your perfect master planned community in Central America
February 10th, 2010

OK so you’ve found a beautiful condo with a great view of a surf break. Or a luxury mansion where you can impress your friends with your lavish international lifestyle.
But can you really love your home if you don’t like your community, the surroundings or your neighborhood?
We don’t think so. So we encourage you to become a real estate community profiler. Start by figuring out exactly what you’re looking for, the kind of lifestyle you enjoy, the amenities you need and zero in on the community that delivers. Do this before you start comparing individual houses, lots or condos.
To get you started on your profiling, we’ve put together a list of 8 types of master planned community you’ll find in Central America.
1. Status communities
Status communities are at the top of our Price Rank. They tend to be beachfront, exclusive, and packed with community amenities - such as a golf course, marina, hotel, private club, fitness center, sports facilities, convention center, etc. If you’re in Costa Rica or Panama you may even see a top tier brand name associated with the community. Think Four Seasons, Trump, Ritz-Carlton… Properties in status communities tend to be large custom built houses or upscale condos.
2. Golfing communities
Yes, you’ve guessed it. Golfing communities have golf courses and attract golfing enthusiasts. The graphic shows the completed golf courses in the countries we cover. Costa Rica leads the field with 9. Of course many more are under construction or planned. Most golfers like to play on different golf courses so remember to look for the geographical clusters within (say) an hour’s drive of each-other.
3. Surfing communities
Walking barefoot out of your property, surf board in hand, straight out to the break is something surfers dream about. Luckily in Central America there are many property developments where this is possible. In fact we’ve found over 60 master planned communities located within walking distance to a surf break. Here’s the list and map. We also looked at developments within an hour from a break and the list is longer.
4. Historic communities
It’s really only Nicaragua and Panama that can boast ‘historic communities’. In Nicaragua these are clustered in and around Granada; purportedly the oldest continually inhabited city in the Americas. Nicaragua also has Leon, a city that rivals Granada when it comes to the colonial feel. But you’ll find more master planned communities located around Granada. If you’re in Panama, head straight for the Casco Viejo area of Panama City for colonial buildings with serious curb appeal.
5. Retirement communities
As North American retirees take stock of economic realities, it’s clear that many are looking for a more affordable life overseas. The retiree trend has not escaped the attention of real estate developers and we’re seeing a growing number of communities, or sections within communities, designed specifically to cater for the over 55s. Look out for on-site medical facilities and organized social activities such as bridge, painting, yoga and so on.
6. Escape communities
International real estate (and vacation homes in particular) are commonly marketed as a form of escape. An escape from the stresses of the modern world and the hustle and bustle of 9-5 living. Places where you can switch off your cell phone, unwind and embrace a simpler, less hurried lifestyle. Destination resorts have popped up all of the place, sometimes in very remote areas to cater to this need. The remoteness is repackaged as a benefit that delivers ’space and privacy’.
7. Urban core communities
Moving overseas is not always about fulfilling your escapist dream (See #6). Sometimes you want to be close to amenities and be highly accessible. Panama City stands out in this regard. It’s the most cosmopolitan of all Central American cities and a world class financial center. We’re not just talking about coffee shops, restaurants and nightlife but world class shopping centers, banking, theater and fine arts. The Central Valley area of Costa Rica probably comes in a close second.
8. Eco-communities
One of the characteristics of the post crisis investor is an interest in “contributions to larger concerns such as environmental preservation, the local community and sustainable approaches to building, water, and energy”. Recent years have seen a huge growth in master planned communities embracing the sustainability agenda ( and no, not just in Costa Rica). It’s sometimes hard to get past the green-washing but here’s a list of projects that have made public disclosures. The green trend is here to stay, we just need better ways of distinguishing the projects that churn out empty eco-cliches from the ‘intentional communities’ that are taking real action on the ground.
Now you’re ready to start finding a master planned community that fits your lifestyle. Are there any categories we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments. And once you’ve narrowed things down don’t forget to ask these 10 questions before you buy.
From Reveal Real Estate - charting international real estate trends in Central America.
Tags: Belize, Costa Rica, Granada, Nicaragua, Panama, Panama City Real Estate
Posted in Ranking master planned communities | 5 Comments »
What’s the cheapest real estate you can find in a master planned community in Central America?
December 20th, 2009

2009 has been a tough year for real estate sellers in Central America. Sales volumes are down, buyers are more risk adverse and financing is tight. The one bright spot is a growing group of ‘lifestyle buyers’ looking for cheap properties and a low cost of living. Many see Central America as an affordable safe haven and a way to side-step the worst effects of an economic downturn at home.
As it’s cheap real estate these lifestyle buyers are after, we thought we’d offer up a resource that highlights the lowest priced real estate in the four countries we follow: Belize, Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua.
Not surprisingly, the most affordable way into the market is by purchasing a lot or homesite. Our analysis looks at master planned communities targeting the international buyer. This means that a lot purchase comes with access to community amenities. Swimming pools, clubhouses and fitness centers are the most common. In some of the larger, resort-style communities, you’ll find golf courses, restaurants, shopping centers, racket courts, hotels and marinas.
So what’s the starting price point for lots in master planned communities?
We’ve built a ranking table to answer this question, giving the results in overall price and price/sqft for 2009. The table complements the earlier PriceRank we prepared for single family houses and condos. The columns are sortable letting you organize the list in different ways. If you want to know what amenities are offered by each real estate development, click through to the individual page for the answer. You’ll also see if the amenities are planned or completed.
A quick glance at the table shows two broad themes:
- Real estate developments located in Nicaragua tend to rank lower (ie are lower in price) than those in Costa Rica, with Belize and Panama falling somewhere in between. This pattern mirrors the level of maturity of the real estate markets - from emerging (Nicaragua) to middle markets (Panama and Belize) to the most mature (Costa Rica). We’ve analysed this before by plotting ‘development curves’ to show the relative levels of each of the markets.
- Generally speaking ocean property has a premium over other locations. Master planned communities on the ocean rank higher for the most part than lake/river and pastoral locations.
| Rank | Real estate development | Country | Location | Location type | Median price ($) | Median price/sqft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camino Del Rio | Belize | Belmopan | Lake/river | 20,000 | 2 |
| 2 | Lomas de Santa Rosa | Costa Rica | Tamarindo | Pastoral | 21,200 | 6 |
| 3 | Club Alegria | Nicaragua | Granada | Pastoral | 21,500 | 2 |
| 4 | Better in Belize | Belize | Belmopan | Lake/river | 23,000 | 1 |
| 5 | Prana del Sol | Nicaragua | Tola | Ocean | 25,000 | 3 |
| 6 | Rancho Las Lomas | Costa Rica | Parrita | Ocean | 26,500 | 4 |
| 7 | Villa Davina | Panama | David | Lake/river | 28,400 | 3 |
| 8 | Casa Llanta, Nicaragua | Nicaragua | South of San Juan del Sur | Ocean | 30,000 | 1 |
| 9 | Congo Hills | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | 30,000 | 3 |
| 10 | Rancho Los Suenos | Panama | Espave | Pastoral | 31,000 | 2 |
| 11 | Waterside | Belize | Flowers Bank | Lake/river | 31,730 | 1 |
| 12 | Progresso Heights | Belize | Corozal | Lake/river | 34,816 | 3 |
| 13 | Rancho del Oro | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | 35,000 | 2 |
| 14 | El Camino del Sol | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | 38,175 | 5 |
| 15 | Apanas Lake Estates | Nicaragua | Matagalpa and Jinotega | Lake/river | 39,900 | 2 |
| 16 | Rancho Papayal | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | 40,000 | 2 |
| 17 | La Vista Nicaragua | Nicaragua | Tola | Ocean | 40,000 | 2 |
| 18 | Consejo Shores Belize | Belize | Corozal | Ocean | 42,500 | 2 |
| 19 | Seahorse Tropics | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | 44,200 | 4 |
| 20 | Villa Lagos | Nicaragua | Granada | Lake/river | 45,240 | 5 |
| 21 | Parque Maritimo el Coco | Nicaragua | South of San Juan del Sur | Ocean | 48,600 | 7 |
| 22 | Las Fincas de Escamequita and Las Haciendas | Nicaragua | South of San Juan del Sur | Ocean | 49,000 | 1 |
| 23 | Belize Reserve | Belize | Cayo | Pastoral | 49,950 | 2 |
| 24 | Paraiso de Amelia | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | 50,000 | 4 |
| 25 | Tamarindo Beach and Ocean Estates | Nicaragua | Central Pacific Nicaragua | Ocean | 50,000 | 5 |
| 26 | Bella Mar Nica | Nicaragua | Tola | Ocean | 52,561 | 5 |
| 27 | Cerros Sands | Belize | Corozal | Ocean | 53,500 | 5 |
| 28 | Dreamscapes Belize | Belize | Dangriga | Ocean | 54,111 | 5 |
| 29 | Finca Java | Nicaragua | Matagalpa and Jinotega | Lake/river | 55,000 | 0 |
| 30 | Selva del Mar | Nicaragua | Tola | Ocean | 55,000 | 5 |
| 31 | Bella Vista Guasacate, Nicaragua | Nicaragua | Tola | Ocean | 59,000 | 12 |
| 32 | Altos de Maria | Panama | Chame | Highlands | 59,100 | 3 |
| 33 | Club Vistalagos | Nicaragua | Laguna de Apoyo | Lake/river | 64,000 | 4 |
| 34 | Cantamar Playa Yankee | Nicaragua | South of San Juan del Sur | Ocean | 65,000 | 4 |
| 35 | Montanas de Caldera | Panama | Boquete | Highlands | 67,500 | 4 |
| 36 | Finca del Mar | Nicaragua | Central Pacific Nicaragua | Ocean | 70,500 | 4 |
| 37 | Hills of Santa Marta | Nicaragua | Tola | Ocean | 72,000 | 6 |
| 38 | Turtle Cove Lake and Yacht Club | Costa Rica | Arenal | Lake/river | 72,720 | 4 |
| 39 | El Encanto del Sur | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | 73,500 | 4 |
| 40 | Costa Dulce, Nicaragua | Nicaragua | South of San Juan del Sur | Ocean | 82,000 | 6 |
| 41 | Starfish Reef | Panama | Bocas del Toro | Ocean | 84,000 | 3 |
| 42 | Hacienda Los Molinos | Panama | Boquete | Highlands | 84,660 | 6 |
| 43 | Pacific Marlin, Nicaragua | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | 85,000 | 7 |
| 44 | El Club del Mar | Nicaragua | South of San Juan del Sur | Ocean | 89,000 | 7 |
| 45 | Papagayo Golf Lots | Costa Rica | Playas del Coco | Ocean | 90,000 | 1 |
| 46 | Remanso Beach Resort, Nicaragua | Nicaragua | South of San Juan del Sur | Ocean | 92,792 | 12 |
| 47 | olcan Springs Ranch Estates | Panama | Volcan | Highlands | 97,250 | 4 |
| 48 | Bahia Lomas Estates and Marina | Panama | Bocas del Toro | Ocean | 98,499 | 4 |
| 49 | Balcones de Majagual | Nicaragua | Marsella / Maderas | Ocean | 99,000 | 6 |
| 50 | Mansions at Banyan Bay | Belize | Ambergris Caye | Ocean | 101,000 | 15 |
| 51 | Paradise Dreams | Panama | Bocas del Toro | Ocean | 103,333 | 10 |
| 52 | Boquete Country Club | Panama | Boquete | Highlands | 107,189 | 5 |
| 53 | Valle Verde | Costa Rica | Central Valley | Highlands | 107,685 | 1 |
| 54 | Boquete Plantation | Panama | Boquete | Highlands | 110,000 | 7 |
| 55 | Rio Oria Estates | Panama | Azueros Peninsula | Ocean | 112,000 | 1 |
| 56 | Cala Azul | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | 117,000 | 11 |
| 57 | Orchid Bay | Belize | Corozal | Ocean | 119,000 | 9 |
| 58 | Finca las Brisas, Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Nicoya | Ocean | 120,750 | 2 |
| 59 | Montanas y Mar | Costa Rica | Quepos/Manuel Antonio | Ocean | 122,500 | 1 |
| 60 | Cheetah Chombo | Costa Rica | Cahuita | Ocean | 125,500 | 1 |
| 61 | Cerro Grande Estates, Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Tamarindo | Ocean | 126,250 | 1 |
| 62 | Placencia Yacht Club | Belize | Placencia | Ocean | 130,000 | 18 |
| 63 | Gran Pacifica | Nicaragua | Central Pacific Nicaragua | Ocean | 132,665 | 21 |
| 64 | Montecristo Beach and Golf Resort | Nicaragua | Central Pacific Nicaragua | Ocean | 133,833 | 10 |
| 65 | Rancho Santana | Nicaragua | Tola | Ocean | 136,750 | 5 |
| 66 | Residencial La Esmeralda, Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Tamarindo | Ocean | 137,500 | 4 |
| 67 | Hacienda Iguana | Nicaragua | Tola | Ocean | 140,417 | 7 |
| 68 | Tierra Pacifica | Costa Rica | Playa Junquillal | Ocean | 145,000 | 2 |
| 69 | Sanctuary Bay Estates Belize | Belize | Stann Creek | Ocean | 146,500 | 3 |
| 70 | Bosques de Vista Marina, Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Playas del Coco | Ocean | 150,000 | 6 |
| 71 | Playa Santa Rosa | Nicaragua | Central Pacific Nicaragua | Ocean | 155,563 | 13 |
| 72 | Costa Paraiso | Nicaragua | South of San Juan del Sur | Ocean | 159,000 | 7 |
| 73 | Rancho Villa Real, Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Tamarindo | Ocean | 171,000 | 3 |
| 74 | Portasol | Costa Rica | Dominical | Ocean | 180,500 | 2 |
| 75 | Sittee Point | Belize | Hopkins | Ocean | 193,500 | 13 |
| 76 | Lobster Cove | Panama | Chuchecal Bay | Ocean | 208,750 | 8 |
| 77 | Pura Jungla, Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Paraiso | Ocean | 209,275 | 2 |
| 78 | Lomas del Mar, Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Playas del Coco | Ocean | 212,500 | 3 |
| 79 | Brisas del Pacifico, Nicaragua | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | 217,174 | 9 |
| 80 | Eagles View, Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Nosara | Ocean | 224,900 | 5 |
| 81 | Valle Escondido | Panama | Boquete | Highlands | 227,140 | 7 |
| 82 | La Reserva Camaronal, Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Samara | Ocean | 233,475 | 18 |
| 83 | San Buena Golf | Costa Rica | Southern Pacific | Ocean | 234,400 | 11 |
| 84 | Ladera del Mar | Costa Rica | Playas de Coco | Ocean | 237,000 | 4 |
| 85 | Villas Cabo Vela | Costa Rica | Playa Grande | Ocean | 247,000 | 3 |
| 86 | Sunset Point Bocas | Panama | Bocas del Toro | Ocean | 255,000 | 10 |
| 87 | Manuel Antonio Estates | Costa Rica | Quepos/Manuel Antonio | Ocean | 284,000 | 5 |
| 88 | Cabo Caletas Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Esterillos | Ocean | 285,000 | 18 |
| 89 | Cocoplum Belize | Belize | Placencia | Ocean | 305,250 | 11 |
| 90 | Sonidos del Mar, Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Nosara | Ocean | 306,667 | 28 |
| 91 | Coco Bay Estates | Costa Rica | Playas del Coco | Ocean | 311,250 | 12 |
| 92 | Balcones del Lago Arenal | Costa Rica | Arenal | Lake/river | 315,000 | 4 |
| 93 | Rancho Playa Negras | Costa Rica | Playa Negra | Ocean | 337,112 | 22 |
| 94 | Lora Hills Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Playa Ostional | Ocean | 498,877 | 11 |
| 95 | Hermosa Heights | Costa Rica | Playa Hermosa | Ocean | 565,000 | 48 |
| 96 | The Four Seasons Papagayo Peninsula | Costa Rica | Papagayo | Ocean | 950,000 | 31 |
| 97 | Hacienda Pinilla | Costa Rica | Tamarindo | Ocean | 970,983 | 45 |
| 98 | Isla Viveros Panama | Panama | Isla Viveros (Pearl Island) | Ocean | 993,866 | 18 |
We’re continuing to sort through the data we collect, looking for the best ways to present and dig out the facts. We’d love to have your ideas and suggestions. They’ll be more price rankings to follow. We also plan a “Master Plan Completion Index” to give a sense of how far along real estate developments are with their master plan - a piece of information that savvy real estate investors should follow with care.
Stay tuned by subscribing to updates.
From Reveal Real Estate - charting international real estate trends in Central America.
45 international real estate developments stand out in new green ranking
October 24th, 2009
Welcome to our inaugural real estate GreenList where we highlight the greenest master planned communities and international real estate developments in Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua and Belize. We’re releasing the list just as an earthship makes landfall in Nicaragua at Casa Llanta. It’s the first building of its kind in Central America - totally off grid and made out of recycled materials. Today is also International Day of Climate Action so it seems like a good time to showcase the greenest real estate developments in Central America.
There is no global standard yet for green building, but there are initiatives in the pipeline and plenty of guidance, webinars, TV shows and research reports on what constitutes a green approach to construction and development.
To build the 2009 GreenList we reviewed public disclosures made by real estate owners and developers against the following 5 criteria: Biodiversity, Energy Management, Green Building, Water & Waste Management and Social Responsibility & Giving Back.
Developments with a general environmental slogan (e.g. “eco-friendly”, “earth-friendly”, “eco-luxury”) that did not provide additional evidence of social and environmental action steps taken or planned were not included.
Like many green rankings, the list is imperfect. It captures commitment (and at worst, just good public relations) and not effectiveness. Also the list probably under-reports what is going on in the region as some developers may keep information private.
We’ll be improving the list over time. But for now these real estate developers are laying down an environmental commitment, and we’re keen to recognize this.
Keeping track of the green pioneers
As more buyers actively seek to invest in a way that helps produce a healthy and livable world for all, how real estate developments perform on environmental and social issues will have a direct impact on their competitiveness and profitability. They’ll be perfectly poised for future growth driven by buyers looking to live green and invest well.
Buyers, if you’re interested in buying green then have a look at these places.
The 2009 GreenList
Click on the table headers to sort them. You’ll find more information in the right hand sidebar of each development page by following the links in the table.
B=Biodiversity, E=Energy Management, G=Green Building, W=Water & Waste Management and S=Social Responsibility & Giving Back.
| Name of development | Country | Location | B | E | G | W | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casa Llanta, Nicaragua | Nicaragua | South of San Juan del Sur | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Finca del Mar | Nicaragua | Central Pacific Nicaragua | _ | Yes | _ | Yes | Yes |
| Tierra Pacifica | Costa Rica | Playa Junquillal | _ | _ | _ | Yes | Yes |
| Better in Belize | Belize | Belmopan | Yes | Yes | Yes | _ | Yes |
| Finca las Brisas, Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Nicoya | Yes | _ | Yes | _ | Yes |
| Las Fincas de Escamequita and Las Haciendas | Nicaragua | South of San Juan del Sur | Yes | Yes | _ | _ | Yes |
| El Encanto del Sur | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | _ | Yes | _ | _ | Yes |
| Montecristo Beach and Golf Resort | Nicaragua | Central Pacific Nicaragua | Yes | _ | _ | _ | Yes |
| Portasol | Costa Rica | Dominical | _ | _ | _ | _ | Yes |
| Piedras y Olas a Pelican Eyes Resort | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | _ | _ | _ | _ | Yes |
| Parque Maritimo el Coco | Nicaragua | South of San Juan del Sur | _ | _ | _ | _ | Yes |
| Orchid Bay | Belize | Corozal | - | _ | _ | _ | Yes |
| Gran Pacifica | Nicaragua | Central Pacific Nicaragua | - | _ | _ | _ | Yes |
| Finca Java | Nicaragua | Matagalpa and Jinotega | - | _ | _ | _ | Yes |
| Alegria Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Flamingo | - | _ | _ | _ | Yes |
| Los Faros de Panama | Panama | Panama City | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | _ |
| Sea Breeze Mountain | Costa Rica | Tamarindo | - | Yes | _ | Yes | _ |
| Paradise Dreams | Panama | Bocas del Toro | - | Yes | _ | Yes | _ |
| Palmetto Bay Maya Beach Belize | Belize | Placencia | - | Yes | _ | Yes | _ |
| Los Suenos Marriott Ocean and Golf Resort | Costa Rica | Herradura | Yes | _ | _ | Yes | _ |
| San Buena Golf | Costa Rica | Southern Pacific | Yes | _ | _ | Yes | _ |
| Reserva Conchal | Costa Rica | Flamingo | Yes | _ | _ | Yes | _ |
| Secret Cove | Nicaragua | South of San Juan del Sur | - | _ | _ | Yes | _ |
| Rancho Villa Real, Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Tamarindo | - | _ | _ | Yes | _ |
| Balcones de Majagual | Nicaragua | Marsella / Maderas | - | Yes | Yes | _ | _ |
| Belize Reserve | Belize | Cayo | - | Yes | Yes | _ | _ |
| Pacific Palms Jaco | Costa Rica | Jaco | - | _ | Yes | _ | _ |
| Apanas Lake Estates | Nicaragua | Matagalpa and Jinotega | - | _ | Yes | _ | _ |
| Valle Escondido | Panama | Boquete | - | Yes | _ | _ | _ |
| Lake View Estates | Panama | Cumbres Lake | - | Yes | _ | _ | _ |
| Isla Viveros Panama | Panama | Isla Viveros (Pearl Island) | - | Yes | _ | _ | _ |
| Waterside | Belize | Flowers Bank | Yes | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| Villas Cabo Vela | Costa Rica | Playa Grande | Yes | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| Sittee Point | Belize | Hopkins | Yes | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| Selva del Mar | Nicaragua | Tola | Yes | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| Pura Jungla, Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Paraiso | Yes | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| Paraiso de Amelia | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Yes | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| Montanas de Caldera | Panama | Boquete | Yes | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| Lomas del Mar, Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Playas del Coco | Yes | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| Ladera del Mar | Costa Rica | Playas de Coco | Yes | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| Hacienda Matapalo Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Matapalo | Yes | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| Casa Grande Bambito | Panama | Chiriqui Highlands | Yes | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| Camino Del Rio | Belize | Belmopan | Yes | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| Brisas del Los Lagos | Panama | Chorrera | Yes | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| Azueros | Panama | Azueros Peninsula | Yes | _ | _ | _ | _ |
More details on the 5 criteria:
- Biodiversity (for example re-forestation project; large dedicated green areas that will not be developed, accreditation as a private reserve)
- Energy management (use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, thermal energy)
- Green building (eco-friendly architectural design such as solar chimneys, natural ventilation, thermal exchange, roof overhands, water catchment systems and green building materials such as FSC certified wood products, recycled materials, straw bale)
- Water and waste management (for example water catchment systems, grey water recycling)
- Social responsibility and giving back (support for local charities and community groups; use of local suppliers of goods and services and local employment schemes)
Owners and developers, if our analysis has missed social and environmental action steps that you have taken, we’d love to hear from you, so please contact us with the details or reply in the comments.
From Reveal Real Estate - charting international real estate trends in Central America.
How to understand the real estate market in Central America in 10 seconds
October 16th, 2009
You may have noticed that we’re big advocates of putting real estate market information into the hands of consumers. Why? Because good market data helps you make the best decisions about buying or selling real estate. To make this process quick and easy, we’ve developed a PriceRank table that will give you a snapshot of the international real estate market in seconds.
We can’t overlook the fact that no Multiple Listing Service (MLS) exists for Costa Rica, Panama Nicaragua or Belize and official market data is not published. Or that sales prices recorded in the Public Registry can be different from actual sales prices, making it hard to compare one property to the next. But we can try and build the next best thing to a MLS and help improve the flow of market information to buyers and sellers.
Keeping things simple
We’ve started with a simple international real estate PriceRank table where we compare the median asking price for condos and houses in master planned communities, condo projects and resort developments. We’ll be following this up with a second PriceRank table, this time ranking developments with serviced lots for sale.
We could have split out other categories such as long ocean view houses or golf view condos or even distance from the airport and whether roads are paved. But for now, since we’re in the business of ’simple-making’, we wanted to provide the most straightforward representation of the market.
The 2009 Annual Central America International Real Estate PriceRank
Here’s the short story for 2009 for international real estate developments with condos and houses for sale:
- As the most mature market in the region, Costa Rica tops the ranking with the Four Seasons, Papagayo Peninsula. The project is located in northern Guanacaste close to Costa Rica’s second international airport at Liberia, a region peppered with luxury brands and top end resorts. The least expensive community is Belize Reserve an ‘eco-community’ located in Cayo, the forested hilly district in western Belize.
- Costa Rica holds 6 of the top 10 spots in the PriceRank. Panama has 2 real estate developments in the top 10 and Belize has 1. Nicaragua, the most ‘emerging’ of the markets has none.
- The most expensive real estate development in Belize is the Placencia Residence, located at the northern end of the Placencia Peninsula. In Panama, the Trump Ocean Club, perhaps its most well-known development, leads the field. Portofino Condos overlooking the bay of San Juan del Sur is Nicaragua’s highest entry (but ranked 44th overall) and, yes, the Four Seasons at Papagayo tops the list in Costa Rica.
- Turning to the least expensive; it’s Belize Reserve in Belize, the Condos Montemar (also in San Juan del Sur) for Nicaragua, Rancho Las Lomas in Costa Rica, and for Panama, Montanas de Caldera has the lowest median price.
- Master-planned communities on or near the ocean percolate to the top of the list whereas developments in lake/river/lagoon areas make up the more ‘affordable’ market-share in international real estate.
So dive into the detail and sort the table by clicking on the headers. You can also follow the links for further information on the real estate developments including amenties, location maps and price comparisons with the country medians.
The 2009 PriceRank table
| Rank | Name of real estate development | Country | Location | Location Type | Median price/sqft* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Four Seasons Papagayo Peninsula | Costa Rica | Papagayo | Ocean | $652 |
| 2 | Las Olas Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Dominical | Ocean | $592 |
| 3 | Placencia Residences | Belize | Placencia | Ocean | $547 |
| 4 | Tamarindo Preserve | Costa Rica | Tamarindo | Ocean | $535 |
| 5 | The Palms at Playa Flamingo | Costa Rica | Flamingo | Ocean | $502 |
| 6 | Jade Condo Resort Residences & Beach Club | Costa Rica | Quepos/Manuel Antonio | Ocean | $488 |
| 7 | Trump Ocean Club International Hotel and Tower | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $483 |
| 8 | Los Faros de Panama | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $463 |
| 9 | Los Suenos Marriott Ocean and Golf Resort | Costa Rica | Herradura | Ocean | $450 |
| 10 | Reserva Conchal | Costa Rica | Flamingo | Ocean | $430 |
| 11 | Brisas de Amador Panama | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $418 |
| 12 | Wyndham Jaco Beach Resort and Condominiums | Costa Rica | Jaco | Ocean | $411 |
| 13 | Caye Casa | Belize | Ambergris Caye | Ocean | $405 |
| 14 | Yoopanama by Stark | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $389 |
| 15 | Sonesta Jaco | Costa Rica | Jaco | Ocean | $384 |
| 16 | Breakwater Point | Costa Rica | Jaco | Ocean | $372 |
| 17 | Hopkins Bay Resort | Belize | Hopkins | Ocean | $370 |
| 18 | Denovo | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $368 |
| 19 | White Tower Panama City | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $365 |
| 20 | La Paloma Blanca | Costa Rica | Jaco | Ocean | $364 |
| 21 | Waters on the Bay | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $360 |
| 22 | Arts Tower | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $357 |
| 23 | Azueros | Panama | Azueros Peninsula | Ocean | $345 |
| 24 | Pelican Reef Villas | Belize | Ambergris Caye | Ocean | $345 |
| 25 | Yacht Club Tower Panama | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $344 |
| 26 | Isla Viveros Panama | Panama | Isla Viveros (Pearl Island) | Ocean | $341 |
| 27 | Element Tower | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $339 |
| 28 | El Coquito Condo Resort Hotel | Costa Rica | Matapalo | Ocean | $338 |
| 29 | 180 Blue Beach Residences | Costa Rica | Playa Hermosa | Ocean | $331 |
| 30 | Playa Bonita Residences | Panama | Fort Kobbe | Ocean | $330 |
| 31 | Ladera del Mar | Costa Rica | Playas de Coco | Ocean | $324 |
| 32 | The Palms | Costa Rica | Jaco | Ocean | $318 |
| 33 | Los Altos Beach Club & Spa | Costa Rica | Quepos/Manuel Antonio | Ocean | $317 |
| 34 | Azul Paraiso Residences | Costa Rica | Playas del Coco | Ocean | $311 |
| 35 | Marisol | Costa Rica | Dominical | Ocean | $305 |
| 36 | Canto del Mar | Costa Rica | Dominical | Ocean | $303 |
| 37 | Coco Bay Estates | Costa Rica | Playas del Coco | Ocean | $300 |
| 38 | Brahma Blue | Belize | Ambergris Caye | Ocean | $299 |
| 39 | Villa del Mar | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $295 |
| 40 | Grand Caribe Suites and Residences | Belize | Ambergris Caye | Ocean | $289 |
| 41 | Isla Moin | Costa Rica | Limon | Ocean | $289 |
| 42 | Las Terrazas | Belize | Ambergris Caye | Ocean | $286 |
| 43 | Whispering Waves Belize | Belize | Ambergris Caye | Ocean | $286 |
| 44 | Portofino Nicaragua | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | $285 |
| 45 | Bahia Encantada | Costa Rica | Jaco | Ocean | $280 |
| 46 | Cabo Caletas Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Esterillos | Ocean | $279 |
| 47 | Nikki Beach Playa Blanca | Panama | Farallon | Ocean | $279 |
| 48 | Athens Gate | Belize | Ambergris Caye | Ocean | $277 |
| 49 | The Villas at Cocoplum | Belize | Placencia | Ocean | $277 |
| 50 | Sunset Point Bocas | Panama | Bocas del Toro | Ocean | $274 |
| 51 | El Club Suites | Nicaragua | Granada | Urban | $272 |
| 52 | Grand Tower Panama | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $272 |
| 53 | Oasis Punta Pacifica | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $272 |
| 54 | Placencia Yacht Club | Belize | Placencia | Ocean | $271 |
| 55 | Bermuda Beach Belize | Belize | Ambergris Caye | Ocean | $270 |
| 56 | Solaria Villas | Belize | Ambergris Caye | Ocean | $270 |
| 57 | Buenaventura | Panama | Farallon | Ocean | $264 |
| 58 | Jaco Bay Ramada Condominums and Resorts | Costa Rica | Jaco | Ocean | $263 |
| 59 | Vista Mar Residences | Costa Rica | Jaco | Ocean | $260 |
| 60 | Diamante del Sol | Costa Rica | Jaco | Ocean | $256 |
| 61 | Leora Pacifico Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Tamarindo | Ocean | $255 |
| 62 | Peninsula Playa Langosta | Costa Rica | Tamarindo | Ocean | $255 |
| 63 | Vista del Mar | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $255 |
| 64 | Tres Regalos | Costa Rica | Jaco | Ocean | $253 |
| 65 | Bella Maya Resort and Residences | Belize | Placencia | Ocean | $251 |
| 66 | Oceanaire | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $251 |
| 67 | Palmetto Bay Maya Beach Belize | Belize | Placencia | Ocean | $250 |
| 68 | Grand Villa Suites at Roberts Grove | Belize | Placencia | Ocean | $249 |
| 69 | La Perla Condominiums | Costa Rica | Tamarindo | Ocean | $249 |
| 70 | San Buena Golf | Costa Rica | Southern Pacific | Ocean | $247 |
| 71 | Dupont Tower | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $246 |
| 72 | Las Palmas Condominiums | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | $245 |
| 73 | Sittee Point | Belize | Hopkins | Ocean | $244 |
| 74 | Asia Tower | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $241 |
| 75 | Sarkiki Reef Resort | Belize | Hopkins | Ocean | $240 |
| 76 | Brightwaters Beach Resort | Belize | Ambergris Caye | Ocean | $237 |
| 77 | Pearl at the Sea | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $236 |
| 78 | Alegria Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Flamingo | Ocean | $235 |
| 79 | Milagro del Mar | Nicaragua | Central Pacific Nicaragua | Ocean | $234 |
| 80 | Go Go Beach Tower | Panama | Gorgona | Ocean | $232 |
| 81 | Cerro Fresco | Costa Rica | Jaco | Ocean | $230 |
| 82 | Sapphire Beach Resort | Belize | Ambergris Caye | Ocean | $230 |
| 83 | Seahorse Tropics | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | $223 |
| 84 | Rio Mar | Panama | Rio Mar | Ocean | $222 |
| 85 | The Phoenix | Belize | Ambergris Caye | Ocean | $222 |
| 86 | Hacienda Matapalo Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Matapalo | Ocean | $221 |
| 87 | Sky Residences Panama Bay | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $220 |
| 88 | Hacienda Pinilla | Costa Rica | Tamarindo | Ocean | $216 |
| 89 | Terrazas at Playa Blanca Beach Resort | Panama | San Carlos | Ocean | $215 |
| 90 | Villas Venado Condos at Guacmaya lodge | Costa Rica | Playa Venado | Ocean | $215 |
| 91 | Piedras y Olas a Pelican Eyes Resort | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | $212 |
| 92 | Red Frog Beach | Panama | Bocas del Toro | Ocean | $212 |
| 93 | Costa Paraiso | Nicaragua | South of San Juan del Sur | Ocean | $211 |
| 94 | Pacific Village & Marina | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $211 |
| 95 | Hermosa del Mar | Costa Rica | Playa Hermosa | Ocean | $209 |
| 96 | Laguna Reef Resort | Panama | Bocas del Toro | Ocean | $209 |
| 97 | Lora Hills Costa Rica | Costa Rica | Playa Ostional | Ocean | $209 |
| 98 | Q Tower Panama City | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $208 |
| 99 | The Villas at Contadora | Panama | Isla Contadora | Ocean | $205 |
| 100 | Coronado Bay Tower | Panama | Coronado | Ocean | $204 |
| 101 | Los Porticos | Belize | Placencia | Ocean | $204 |
| 102 | Talanguera Condominiums | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | $204 |
| 103 | Franklin Pointe Vista Del Mar | Belize | Belize City | Ocean | $200 |
| 104 | Ocean Breeze at Hermosa | Costa Rica | Playa Hermosa | Ocean | $200 |
| 105 | Moon Tower Panama City | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $198 |
| 106 | Gran Pacifica | Nicaragua | Central Pacific Nicaragua | Ocean | $197 |
| 107 | Los Delfines Golf & Country Club | Costa Rica | Tambor (Nicoya Peninsula) | Ocean | $195 |
| 108 | Ocean at Playa Blanca Beach Resort | Panama | Farallon | Ocean | $195 |
| 109 | Rancho Santana | Nicaragua | Tola | Ocean | $195 |
| 110 | Hermosa Highlands | Costa Rica | Jaco | Ocean | $194 |
| 111 | Serenity at the Bay | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $194 |
| 112 | Grand Baymen | Belize | Ambergris Caye | Ocean | $191 |
| 113 | Manuel Antonio Estates | Costa Rica | Quepos/Manuel Antonio | Ocean | $191 |
| 114 | Bahia Resort Panama | Panama | Gorgona | Ocean | $187 |
| 115 | Buena Vista Surf Club | Nicaragua | Marsella / Maderas | Ocean | $187 |
| 116 | Water View Tower | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $187 |
| 117 | Pelican at Coronado Golf | Panama | Coronado | Ocean | $184 |
| 118 | Pacific Palms Jaco | Costa Rica | Jaco | Ocean | $183 |
| 119 | Hacienda El Dorado | Costa Rica | Central Valley | Highlands | $180 |
| 120 | Harmony Tower Panama | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $179 |
| 121 | Icon Tower | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $178 |
| 122 | Le Mare Coco del Mar | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $177 |
| 123 | Sandpiper Punta Chame | Panama | Punta Chame | Ocean | $176 |
| 124 | Island Oasis Resort | Belize | Caye Caulker | Ocean | $174 |
| 125 | Landmark Punta Patilla | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $174 |
| 126 | Nautica Coco del Mar | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $173 |
| 127 | Bahia del Sol Villas and Condos | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | $171 |
| 128 | Playa Coco Nicaragua | Nicaragua | South of San Juan del Sur | Ocean | $170 |
| 129 | Montecristo Beach and Golf Resort | Nicaragua | Central Pacific Nicaragua | Ocean | $169 |
| 130 | Casa Grande Bambito | Panama | Chiriqui Highlands | Highlands | $168 |
| 131 | Ara Macao Resort and Marina | Belize | Placencia | Ocean | $165 |
| 132 | La Reserve Condominums | Costa Rica | Herradura / Jaco | Ocean | $165 |
| 133 | The Village at Aqua | Nicaragua | Tola | Ocean | $165 |
| 134 | Joy Tower San Francisco | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $164 |
| 135 | Coronado Escapes | Panama | Coronado | Ocean | $163 |
| 136 | Isla Saboga | Panama | Isla Saboga | Ocean | $162 |
| 137 | El Alcazar de Coronado | Panama | Coronado | Ocean | $161 |
| 138 | Lake View Estates | Panama | Cumbres Lake | Lake/river/lagoon | $159 |
| 139 | Royal Decameron Villas | Panama | Farallon | Ocean | $158 |
| 140 | Vista Boquete Condominiums | Panama | Boquete | Highlands | $153 |
| 141 | Pacific Sun Estates | Costa Rica | Herradura / Jaco | Ocean | $148 |
| 142 | Cala Azul | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | $147 |
| 143 | Starfish Reef | Panama | Bocas del Toro | Ocean | $146 |
| 144 | Xalteva Condominiums | Nicaragua | Granada | Urban | $144 |
| 145 | El Club del Mar | Nicaragua | South of San Juan del Sur | Ocean | $143 |
| 146 | Reef Village Belize | Belize | Ambergris Caye | Ocean | $143 |
| 147 | Iguana Golf Condominiums | Nicaragua | Tola | Ocean | $142 |
| 148 | Sevilla Costa del Este | Panama | Panama City | Urban | $142 |
| 149 | Congo Hills | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | $141 |
| 150 | Consejo Shores Belize | Belize | Corozal | Ocean | $138 |
| 151 | Cuesta del Sol Condominiums | Panama | David | Urban | $138 |
| 152 | Orchid Bay | Belize | Corozal | Ocean | $138 |
| 153 | Mango Rosa | Nicaragua | Marsella / Maderas | Ocean | $137 |
| 154 | Paraiso de Amelia | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | $137 |
| 155 | Agua de Lechuga | Costa Rica | Playas del Coco | Ocean | $136 |
| 156 | Big World Villas | Panama | Santa Catalina | Ocean | $135 |
| 157 | Hacienda Los Molinos | Panama | Boquete | Highlands | $130 |
| 158 | El Valle Las Nubes | Panama | El Valle | Highlands | $129 |
| 159 | Boquete Country Club | Panama | Boquete | Highlands | $128 |
| 160 | Secret Cove | Nicaragua | South of San Juan del Sur | Ocean | $128 |
| 161 | Valle Escondido | Panama | Boquete | Highlands | $125 |
| 162 | Valle del Rio | Panama | Boquete | Highlands | $121 |
| 163 | Altos de Maria | Panama | Chame | Highlands | $117 |
| 164 | Camino Del Rio | Belize | Belmopan | Lake/river/lagoon | $117 |
| 165 | Turtle Cove Lake and Yacht Club | Costa Rica | Arenal | Lake/river/lagoon | $117 |
| 166 | El Camino del Sol | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | $115 |
| 167 | Brisas del Lago | Nicaragua | Granada | Lake/river/lagoon | $111 |
| 168 | Club Vistalagos | Nicaragua | Laguna de Apoyo | Lake/river/lagoon | $107 |
| 169 | Villas Cabo Vela | Costa Rica | Playa Grande | Ocean | $105 |
| 170 | Villa Lagos | Nicaragua | Granada | Lake/river/lagoon | $99 |
| 171 | Rancho Los Suenos | Panama | Espave | Pastoral | $98 |
| 172 | Villas de Palermo | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | $97 |
| 173 | Rancho Las Lomas | Costa Rica | Parrita | Ocean | $95 |
| 174 | Apanas Lake Estates | Nicaragua | Matagalpa and Jinotega | Lake/river/lagoon | $92 |
| 175 | Villa Davina | Panama | David | Lake/river/lagoon | $82 |
| 176 | Bosques del Mar | Nicaragua | Marsella / Maderas | Ocean | $77 |
| 177 | Condominiums Montemar | Nicaragua | San Juan del Sur | Ocean | $77 |
| 178 | Boquete Meadows | Panama | Boquete | Highlands | $75 |
| 179 | Montanas de Caldera | Panama | Boquete | Highlands | $73 |
| 180 | Belize Reserve | Belize | Cayo | Pastoral | $61 |
* Average of the median asking price for condos and single family homes for each real estate development. Data collected July to September 2009. More information on the data.
That’s it. Any questions, niggles or comments, just write back. Our goal is to be comprehensive - while keeping things simple - and to provide a useful resource.
From Reveal Real Estate - charting international real estate trends in Central America.





