My Favorite Tropical Hideaway

Few places in the world can match the raw beauty and absolute privacy of the island of Contadora.

After years of investigating literally hundreds of destinations, we know that Contadora is the perfect spot. Moreover, the beauty of the deal is that property here can cost a fraction of what a similar property would cost on an exclusive island in the Caribbean.

In addition, Contadora is in Panama, one of the best offshore havens in the world for banking, and investing…and a top destination for a second home.

The History of the Island of Contadora

Pearls brought the Spanish conquistadors to the Pearl Islands in the early 16th century.

Around 1513, Vasco Nunez de Balboa wrote to the King of Spain: "There are many islands in this sea. They tell me that there are pearls in abundance, of great size, and that the natives possess baskets filled with them."

The Spaniards brought in slaves for pearl harvesting. The pearls were counted on Contadora, and then shipped to Spain (Contadora means "counting house").

For the next few hundred years the Bay of Panama, where the Pearl Islands sit, was the setting for pirate adventures unsurpassed anywhere in the New World. The islands were the perfect hideout for pirates who wanted to attack passing ships and the Spanish territories of Panama , Mexico, and other points in Central and South America .

One of the most famous sackings was Henry Morgan’s 1671 plundering and burning of Panama City .

Today, there’s little evidence that the pirates and the Spanish conquistadors were ever here.

In the 1960s, Gabriel Lewis Galindo bought the island and established the basic infrastructure, including water, electricity, an airstrip, a marina, and a property division.

Today, many upscale private homes dot the island. Contadora is a weekend retreat for Panama’s wealthy, who have homes on the island that they access via private planes and boats. There is always at least one private plane on the airstrip, and a yacht or catamaran bobbing on the ocean. Christmas and New Year are the liveliest times, with the best New Year’s Eve party in the whole of Panama.

Location

The island of Contadora is one of about 220 Pearl Islands, located about 40 miles from Panama City. There are regular daily flights from Albrook Airport in Panama City. Round-trip flights cost about $70, and take approximately 17 minutes.

The island of Contadora is approximately 650 acres in size. The Contadora Villas are located on the north side of the island along Galeon Beach, within easy walking distance from the airport.

Even though Contadora sits in the Pacific Ocean, the sea here is Caribbean-clear, turquoise, and teeming with tropical fish.

Island services

Contadora has a small police force (although they don’t seem to have a lot to do!), a medical center, several restaurants, a handful of well-stocked small grocery stores, and a few souvenir shops.

You won’t find high-rises…traffic jams…shopping malls…or crowds. The island ambience is tranquil, peaceful, and exclusive.

You can charter a fishing boat, or snorkeling and scuba equipment. You can do some whale watching, or wander the island in search of birds and exotic wildflowers. The island’s 13 beaches are open for everyone’s use. You can walk the entire island in less than two hours. There are no traffic lights or traffic jams…golf carts and four-wheelers are the preferred means of transportation.

Real Estate

That villa is Villa 14. It’s a one-bed, two bath, villa with a private deck. It’s fully furnished, and turnkey, down to the toaster, the cutlery and the linens. The exterior of the villa was recently sanded, painted and varnished.

It is priced at $199,000. The villa is the perfect weekend and vacation getaway. It’s a short walk to Galeon Beach,and the hotel nearby will serve you snacks and drinks on the beach itself. Whenever I need to escape the pressure of Panama City, this is where I go…and despite all the other beach destinations I’ve seen, Contadora is still my favorite.

If you are thinking you’ll need an additional bedroom, you could add one for around $20-25,000. (You’ll need to get approval from the Owner’s Association).

Come visit

The villa makes an ideal vacation rental (indeed, it is currently booked for the whole of December and January). If you want to sample Contadora’s island lifestyle before committing to a purchase, let me know, and we can arrange the rental for you, at a rate of $140 a night.

If you decide to go on and buy the villa, your stay with us on the island will be free. We’ll knock the cost of the rental off the purchase price.

Want More Information?

If you have any questions on Contadora, or villa 14, please don’t hesitate to ask. Contact me here.