Thread: New Photo's of mountains-35 km South on Road to Tonosi.

Everyone thinks of Boquete when they think of Panama. The mountains are also pretty in the Azuarro peninsula. Nice and cool and no bugs.
Here's some pics. They were taken with my cheap camera so go easy on me.
https://cid-86885f4e63354447.skydriv...wAqaKMIqTwE%24
Let me know what you think?

I think those are some very nice pictures. I have similar pictures from earlier this year but believe yours are much nicer. I didn't think the elevations were high enough to have a cooler temperature in the hills of the Azuero. Am I wrong?

I don't know if you are wrong or not? Dec is the coolest month from what I am told. But, it was very cool the entire day I was there. And, I don't feel cool very often. The photo's seemed to very typical of the area in general, and I could see the ocean from certain points on this property also. Panama needs more public parks so people can just drive in and have a picnic lunch etc and see more of these views. I did not see many homes in the area. It is a new frontier. If I drove another 10 miles I would have run into Tonosi and I understand they have some very nice beaches also.

I agree with your description. I drove through much of that area and would venture a guess that I saw more people on horses than I did in vehicles. I thought it was very scenic and plan on revisiting the area in another month or two but this time with a gps as I was constantly worried about getting lost. I found some gravel roads that ran to the Pacific and there were two beaches that I walked on and I was the only person there. I hope to join you all at Oceanos in a month or three.

I will be glad to have a coke or "other beverage" with you at Oceano's. There isn't really that many Xpats here but the ones I meet really like it here. I have become very attached to Las Tablas and plan to stick around. At first it seems hot here but you quickly acclimate. Finding a place to rent or buy is a pain though.

Great pics thanks for taking the time. I really thought the area was beautiful on my recent visit. I agree the housing or rental market is very tight in that area of Panama. I think your photos really help folks to get a better idea of the area. This forum is awesome because of people like you who take the time to share and contribute.

Pollekeeper, I have enjoyed all your posts. Why is finding a place to rent or buy so difficult? Do you currently live in las Tablas?

I live right outside of Las Tablos. I love it here. The perfect place to retire. But, it is hard to get started here. Part of the reason is just the way the economy is set up. The neighborhoods are very stable and people do not move. The available rentals are usually below standard. You know, the real old homes. I started out in a very old below standard home, and then moved out later into a better rental. The decent homes are lived in by the owners. You have to have patience to find a decent place. There isn't a single home for sale in my neighborhood for example. There might be a home or 2 for rent but that is usually a word of mouth thing. Agents don't handle any of the those kinds of rentals. Some of them rent for less than 100 dollars a month. The best idea is to get in somehow, and if you like it here, then consider buying a lot and building a new home.

How long have you been renting there? I am planning a trip in late Feb down that way. I was going to rent a car in Coronado and try to see all I can all the way down to Pedasi. I have two weeks. What towns would you recommend that I not miss? Do you speak Spanish?

Since you are coming this way, you can't miss the main towns. But, you may also want to take a look at Santiago which is also pretty nice. Santiago and Chitre are roughly the same size. Just get a good road map. Hotels are pretty easy to find also and reasonably priced. I have been in the Las Tablas area for 18 months. I am not leaving. It is the nicest area in my opinion. Your thoughts may be different. I like Las Tablas because it is a charming town, centrally located so I can go to Pedasi if I want to or Chitre where there is better shopping. Las Tablas has everything I personally need.

Oh, my Spanish is not fluent. I can get by with it. And, if you are on a budget you can do pretty well just by using the bus system. The bus system is pretty easy to use and very cheap. But, if you can rent a car you can cover a lot more ground a lot quicker, and see more of the nooks and crannies of this place. Have fun!

Good job on the pics Pollerkeeper. If you cut across through the Azuero from Las Tablas to Tonosi instead of following the coast you will find some very elevated areas that the temp is considerably cooler. The road has been newly paved for aprox 15 kms (guessing) but then it turns to on/off potholes and eventually looses electricity. Really beautiful area with some very nice ocean views the closer you get to Tonosi.

Actually the newly paved road is closer to 30 kms. Apparently in the future they will finish paving the road the rest of the way to Tonosi. I thought it felt a lot cooler. Great road for a scooter ride, until you hit those dreaded potholes 10 Kms before Tonosi.

Nice pics of some pretty country. Are there tout in the streams there? How many acres does it take to support a cow or a cow/calf? Will try to get down there in FEb.

My friend Carlos owns the land and is actually selling lots also for home sites. I am not a salesman by the way. He has sold I believe 2 so far. Anyway, he currently has 30 cows and 2 horses. He told me he wanted about 60 cows in total for his property which is a little over 100 acres. He has streams on the property etc for them to get water. In the future Carlos will connect the property to electricity. He has dug 2 wells on the property also. He has lots starting at 15 grand for homesites. I am not interested in living that far from Las Tablas myself. Carlos also has land that is only 8 km's from Las Tablas. There are evidently others that own land out there and want to parcel it out for homesites also. Me personally, I am going to buy a small lot in a village and relax. When I want to see the mountains I will just jump on the scooter and take a ride. Cows are work.

Owe, I didn't see any fish in the streams. Carlos mentioned that there were crayfish in the streams. But, the water is sweet and good for drinking. Don't know why there is no trout. Acid rain? Who knows.