The New Colon-Panama City Highway: A Game Changer
March 18th, 2010The New Colon-Panama City Highway: A Game Changer
Written by Evan Forbes from EyeOnPanama.com
The new highway from Panama City to Colon will change Panama’s Caribbean Coast. Both the upper and lower coast, Costa Arriba and Costa Abajo, of the Colon Province are undeveloped. The new highway completion makes the Caribbean coast only 45 minutes away, which is less than the most popular Pacific beach destinations such as Coronado, Gorgona, and Playa Blanca. The Caribbean coast is now in the game.
One of the primary causes for the Caribbean coast’s underdevelopment was the area’s lack of accessibility. The infrastructure was porous, with only a meager two lane road connecting the coast lines. A typical drive would undoubtedly include the passing of 18-wheelers and other large machinery traversing to and from Colon’s Free Trade Zone. The commute was difficult to say the least.
For the first time, this region is starting to see large scale investment. The new road has opened the gates for eco-adventure tourism, ex-pat settlements, a cruise liner home port, and business development.
Some of the most notable companies and developments occurring along the Caribbean include:
Eco/Adventure Tourism companies like Panama Outdoor Adventures that have begun expanding their operations. The company is currently expanding their zip line tour, which is already one of the longest in Panama. Also, the company is adding horseback riding, river kayaking, indigenous village tours, eco-trail walks, and other tourist activities.
Real estate developments such as Bala Beach Resort and San Marino have built, or are currently building, residential communities. Their prices are more realistic running normally 15-30% less than Pacific Coast developments.
Lands Panama, a real estate firm, has opened offices in Costa Arriba. They are the only agency in the area that has boots on the ground. Lands Panama offers everything from large scale farms to small buildable lots.
Cruise lines like the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line have designated two of their signature ships to depart from Colon. By installing two of their “Enchantment of the Sea” luxury liners, the company has plans to capitalize on the emerging Latin American market. It also helps that the company will save millions on taxes.
But not all is rosy for Panama’s Caribbean coast. The Colon Province, especially the city of Colon, has a rotten reputation. Colon City is dingy, decrepit, and decaying. Like many other port cities around the world, Colon has higher than average crime rates. The city, however, is not the coastline. Indeed the underdeveloped coastline is the total opposite direction of the city. Moreover, this coastline area is practically just as close to Panama City as it is to Colon. There are two reasons that the Colon Province has a bad reputation:
First, Panamanians are highly racist. The lighter skinned Spanish, Jewish, Mestizo and Caucasian Panamanian populations are often times discriminatory towards Afro-Caribbean Panamanians. If you were to ask a light skinned, middle to upper class Panamanian if they have been to the Caribbean Coast, chances are they have not. If you were to investigate a little deeper into the reason why they have not traveled there, it would likely have racist undertones.
Secondly, people confuse the city of Colon with the Colon Province. Colon is the capital, but it is not the entire Province. The Colon Province has long stretches of coastline called Costa Arriba and Costa Abajo. These areas undergoing development are at least 30 minutes away from the city of Colon and are now only a mere 45 minutes from Panama City.
I like to remind people that I live in El Cangrejo in Panama City. I’m less than 5 minutes by cab from Panama City’s largest ghetto, Chorrillo. Yet, I have never been robbed. I walk home alone from the bar late at night, and feel safer than I do in most U.S. and European cities.
The Colon Province is witnessing a spur of development. The new four lane highway has changed the game for both Costa Arriba and Costa Abajo. It is now a legitimate option for retirees, investors, and travelers. Real estate developers and tourism operators will continue to combat Colon’s negative reputation. Anyone interested in Panama should give the Caribbean coast a look. It is one of the most affordable opportunities to own a piece of paradise.
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