If you’re ready to start your new life abroad in an established, thriving,

community, then you should join us at

Vista Mar

Golf and Resort Community

Paradise within reach

Dear International Living Reader,

Just over a year ago, I was in the same position that many of you are in today. I was considering changing my life and starting a whole new adventure abroad. Now I’ve done it…and I’ve done it in one of the world’s most beautiful and exotic locations; Panama’s Vista Mar. My name is Donna Hawley, and I’d like to tell you why Vista Mar is where my husband Jim and I choose to work and live, and why it may be just right for you.

First of all, we’re just 56 miles from Panama City and 10 miles from Coronado, so you’re not isolated from the conveniences of the real world. This 500 acre property is not only a family owned business, but the owners—brothers Rolando and Victor Shahani—have decided to make their homes here as well.

From the time you enter our palm-lined entrance until you arrive at the beautiful, fine-sand beach, you’ll see that we’ve got it all when it comes to resort living. We have the best collection of home-site vistas along the Panama coastline, and you can choose from a wide array of golf course and ocean views, and in many cases, both.

At Vista Mar, you’re not betting on the infrastructure, because it’s already here and it’s first class. All utilities are underground, and we’ve even got 28 fresh-water wells to guarantee a pure, abundant supply of water.

Tee-off is just a few months away

Our bistro located in the Beach Club will open in late Feb. 2006 with French Chef, Pascal Finet, while our 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course will open in early 2007. Currently our sparkling pools at the Beach Club, complete with hammocks and sun chairs, and our cycling and walking trails along the river that runs through the property, provide you with plenty of ways to relax while you are enjoying your new home here. We even offer a lush meditation garden for times when you just need a little peace and serenity. The planned $7 million club house will house a holistic spa and wellness center, swimming pools, full gymnasium, tennis courts, and restaurant and grill.

Our homes, all with contemporary open floor plans, located in a nicely terraced neighborhood, in order that they all might have breathtaking Pacific ocean views, start at $515,000. We have four sparkling modern villas remaining for sale, complete with wraparound terraces, priced from $225,000.

Also available for sale are three condominiums in our newly completed Rocamarina Tower 2, ready for occupancy with their awesome location within 400 yards of the beach. These are two- and three-bedroom units priced from $135,500.

Las Olas, the best of resort living

But the project that Jim and I are most excited about is our newest, Las Olas, which will be ready for occupancy in January, 2007. These condos will have both a golf course and an ocean view, and come with a 20-year property tax exemption. The condos in Las Olas have two bedrooms, two and one half baths, a laundry and a study, and are a roomy 1,669 square feet, not including your oceanview balcony. They start at $247,500.

If you’re looking for a large home, you may be interested in our giant 3-bedroom condo with a spacious 2,575 square feet, for just $384,500. And for top-of-the-line luxury, have a look at a penthouse, which offers almost 3900 square feet of spacious living, with an additional 3400 square feet on the huge terrace. These start at $699,000. All sales include membership for a couple and children up to age 23 at our championship golf course, and we also offer rental management services if you choose to join.

And we go one step better

Here again, we part ways with our competition, by including quality appliances with your purchase, saving you the expense and trouble of finding and installing them yourself. These include central air conditioning and gas water heater, stainless kitchen appliances, including range and hood fan, microwave, refrigerator, and dishwasher, stacked washer/dryer, and a basic lighting package. You also get two underground parking stalls -- one with an electrical outlet to charge your golf cart."

You’ll be in the world’s premier retirement location

Of course one of the biggest advantages is that you be in Panama; widely known to be the best retirement haven in the world, with tax incentives and a financial infrastructure like no other.

Jim and I are long-time IL readers who came down to visit Panama less than two years ago. We saw what we liked, and we came back for good. We’ve lived here just over a year, and I can tell you that now this is home. We hope it will become home for you, too.

Hope to see you soon,

Donna Hawley We hope our home will become your home, too

For more information about Vista Mar, e-mail Panama@InternationalLiving.com.

Note: In the interest of full disclosure, International Living receives a commission from Vista Mar

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