Thread: Bala Beach Resort / Portebello / Caribbean

Ok, they are listed here as currently available: Amenities | Bala Beach Resort

Do you have any idea why they are lying about this? I mean, do you think there is an advantage from it besides demonstrating the very core about Panamanian culture?

Originally Posted by vornado

I did not go in the water. I don't know what you mean by left or right. The first 3 pics are taken from left to right.

I was told the BBQ area will be where the sail is. (Second pic from the bottom). I did not see the infinity lap pool, mini-market or anything else that you mentioned. There is no place to eat at this moment. The restaurant is not finish (first pic).

Originally Posted by pingun

Ok, they are listed here as currently available: Amenities | Bala Beach Resort

Do you have any idea why they are lying about this? I mean, do you think there is an advantage from it besides demonstrating the very core about Panamanian culture?

Like I stated before, I have no relation with Bala Beach. I was in the area today. Since I know there are several members in this forum that have invested there I took a few pics for them. What ever questions you may have about the content of their website, I would suggest you contact them directly.

Originally Posted by pingun

They claim to have common area with BBQ, infinity lap pool, an onsite mini-market, ATV/Horseback tours, kayaks available right now with tennis, beach volleyball and more "pending". Did you find those activities going on? Was there a place to eat?

There are multiple mini markets within walking distance. The BBQ and pool areas are not finished yet, as you can see from the photos. The pending items are pending.

I saw a bunch of ATVs parked on-site but nobody was using them as of course no buyers have taken possession yet. The horseback tours and kayaks (and scuba and zip lines and more) are certainly available nearby; I have personally tried some of these as they are paid services available to non residents too.

Originally Posted by RK @ PaNETma

There are multiple mini markets within walking distance.

Are you talking about walking in the Maria Chiquita town?. I personally would not walk in that town nor buy anything they sell there. That is a nasty and dirty little town.

Originally Posted by BalaBeacher

What's really strange is that there are quite a few posts missing from this thread. I recall at least one Bala Beach post and I know I did several on furniture packages and wire information. Hmmm

You are absolutely correct BalaBeacher. I have posted in here before and adjusted the settings to notify me with new posts but my posts are no longer in here and I never received any notifications of new posts. For those that have not spoken with me yet, I would like to offer an introduction again.

My name is Joshua Haarbrink and I will be the manager for the Condominium Corporation and the Rental Pool once the developer "hands over the keys". I have been involved in this project since early last year and obviously timelines have changed even since then. From my observations, there has been a continuous flow of challenges and unimaginable obstructions to progress that have plague this innovative project and as my experience on the Caribbean coast of Panama can attest to, we are blazing a trail through uncharted lands and experiencing the difficulties and setbacks that come with being the first to develop an area like this. As unit owners in this effort and particularly at this stage, you are partners in leading this charge and while we will all struggle with the growing pains of our investments of money and time, do not forget that we will also all celebrate together as we reap the rewards of taking on that risk.

There are a number of unit owners that I have been in frequent contact with and anyone that has communicated with me should be able to support the fact that I have been available and responsive at all times. Email is usually the best method of reaching out to me with questions as it offers me the opportunity to seek out answers and provide the most reliable and accurate information that I can come up with. I too am at the mercy of these final steps of completion and am relying on updates from the construction and development team to gauge my timelines for rental readiness.

I straddle the tenuous line between the unit owners and the developers of this project and I will do what I can within my scope and access to provide as accurate and timely information as possible. This is only the first of numerous stages of development and I will be the lightening rod for much of this for some time to come so it is important for me to develop the relationships that will be key to all of our success.

As the feedback and photos in this thread show, the completion of this phase and beginning of rental and residential operations are imminent. For contract, payment and closing information, please continue to contact the Sales department.

I look forward meeting you all as we transition through this challenging process and while I know that nerves have worn a bit thin in those who are not experienced in developments such as this, I appreciate the patience and understanding that the majority of unit owners have expressed in our communications.

See you at the beach!


Joshua A. Haarbrink

Originally Posted by pingun

Ok, they are listed here as currently available: Amenities | Bala Beach Resort

Do you have any idea why they are lying about this? I mean, do you think there is an advantage from it besides demonstrating the very core about Panamanian culture?

There is no lie here. To clarify, these are amenities that will be available at the time of opening, obviously we can not offer the complimentary services and features listed if we are not open yet. The fee services that are external activities such as the fishing tours, snorkeling, ATV tours, Panala Canal tours, and Panama City tours are provided by external sources and theoretically I could set you up with the providers for them right now if you requested it. I have developed relationships with these providers over the last few years and there are numerous quality activities for unit owners and rental clients to enjoy in the area at this moment with many more to come.

Originally Posted by BalaBeacher

What's really strange is that there are quite a few posts missing from this thread. I recall at least one Bala Beach post and I know I did several on furniture packages and wire information. Hmmm

http://www.panamaforum.com/real-esta...-chiquita.html (Bala Beach Resort at Maria Chiquita)

Originally Posted by vornado

Are you talking about walking in the Maria Chiquita town?. I personally would not walk in that town nor buy anything they sell there. That is a nasty and dirty little town.

I can respect your aversion to Maria Chiquita based on your personal lifestyle and perceptions, but I have spent the last 3 years in the immediate vicinity of Maria Chiquita and Rio Piedra and have come to know many of the locals in the area quite well. One of the most important aspects of this project going forward is to focus on contributing to a cohesive community that supports and encourages our development.

With this in mind, I encourage our clients and guests to not allow their own inhibitions to limit their exposure to the warmth and strong feelings of community that the residents of Maria Chiquita project. We currently walk freely through the streets, frequently go to the mini markets (often called chinos or chinitos), and often eat at the small local restaurants. There are surely issues still with waste management and upkeep of some dwellings in the town, but this requires social change and it will take affect as we grow and as the town itself develops.

For those less willing to get out and mingle, we will have a small convenience store offering toiletries and other basics that will be located next to the restaurant and of course the Rey supermarket is about 15 minutes up the road at the turn-off in Sabanitas.

Originally Posted by Caz

I can respect your aversion to Maria Chiquita based on your personal lifestyle and perceptions, but I have spent the last 3 years in the immediate vicinity of Maria Chiquita and Rio Piedra and have come to know many of the locals in the area quite well. One of the most important aspects of this project going forward is to focus on contributing to a cohesive community that supports and encourages our development.

With this in mind, I encourage our clients and guests to not allow their own inhibitions to limit their exposure to the warmth and strong feelings of community that the residents of Maria Chiquita project. We currently walk freely through the streets, frequently go to the mini markets (often called chinos or chinitos), and often eat at the small local restaurants. There are surely issues still with waste management and upkeep of some dwellings in the town, but this requires social change and it will take affect as we grow and as the town itself develops.

For those less willing to get out and mingle, we will have a small convenience store offering toiletries and other basics that will be located next to the restaurant and of course the Rey supermarket is about 15 minutes up the road at the turn-off in Sabanitas.

I guess your personal lifestyle and perceptions allows you to call $hit on a dirt road an "issue with waste management".

You might want to list Transport to Decameron under Fee Services as well.

Originally Posted by Caz

There is no lie here. To clarify, these are amenities that will be available at the time of opening, obviously we can not offer the complimentary services and features listed if we are not open yet. The fee services that are external activities such as the fishing tours, snorkeling, ATV tours, Panala Canal tours, and Panama City tours are provided by external sources and theoretically I could set you up with the providers for them right now if you requested it. I have developed relationships with these providers over the last few years and there are numerous quality activities for unit owners and rental clients to enjoy in the area at this moment with many more to come.

Maybe you should give them free piano lessons.

First lesson: Why a broken speaker membrane sounds great and cool to you and is painful and annoying to everyone else.
Second lesson: How injecting stem cells can advance something you clearly never would want to.

Originally Posted by Caz

...but this requires social change and it will take affect as we grow and as the town itself develops.

Thak you for posting these great pictures, that was very nice of you to fill the rest of us in as the employees that we gave our money to refuse to provide any information. I've made at least 2 dozen contact attempts with Bala Beach employees over the past 2 months (which was a month or so after I heard from them we would be closing in 2 weeks) and every e-mail and phone message has gone ignored. As soon as this is over, I'll be filing complaints about this real estate company in every possible method as it is terrible that we have to rely on other customers who purchased these condos to keep us updated, especially when we are now well over 2 years past the original scheduled completion date that I was given when I purchased this condo. Delays happen (this long is excessive though) but the employees should at least communicate to us or at least return our e-mails and phone calls. I just want this experience over and I am so annoyed now with this company that I'm probably just going to resell it (even under market value) just so that I don't have to deal with this company ever again in my life and my dealings with this company will end up going in far more public forums and my frustration only grows by each delayed day with no word back from these employees.

Panamanians only answer emails when they have good news. It's part of the latino culture which forces them to lie and distort reality for their short term benefit all the time.

There is not a single white person on the Caribbean side from Honduras to Colombia. The little invisible ticks take care of that. Apparently they have little effect on the imported labor pools left behind there. Only a complete madman would buy on that side without a 3 month trial. I have thin skinned friends who were ready for a hospital after 24 hours.

Originally Posted by davidm

Thak you for posting these great pictures, that was very nice of you to fill the rest of us in as the employees that we gave our money to refuse to provide any information. I've made at least 2 dozen contact attempts with Bala Beach employees over the past 2 months (which was a month or so after I heard from them we would be closing in 2 weeks) and every e-mail and phone message has gone ignored. As soon as this is over, I'll be filing complaints about this real estate company in every possible method as it is terrible that we have to rely on other customers who purchased these condos to keep us updated, especially when we are now well over 2 years past the original scheduled completion date that I was given when I purchased this condo. Delays happen (this long is excessive though) but the employees should at least communicate to us or at least return our e-mails and phone calls. I just want this experience over and I am so annoyed now with this company that I'm probably just going to resell it (even under market value) just so that I don't have to deal with this company ever again in my life and my dealings with this company will end up going in far more public forums and my frustration only grows by each delayed day with no word back from these employees.

Is Evan Forbes still the sales director?

You mean Evan "Pretend to be a private buyer and fish for pricing mistakes by spreading fear and lies" Forbes - his new name after reality forced a match.

Originally Posted by EdBowers

Is Evan Forbes still the sales director?

Isn't there insect repellent for that? I hope I'm right. I've spent some time on the Caribbean side of Panama in the past and never had any issues, but then again, I never know.

Vornado's pictures at post #28 still representative of project status. Friday (albeit start of las Carnivales), only a few workers present. Alex was gracious with his time and promised resolution "soon" on whatever is holding up closings. I'd say it's already late March, early April at the earlest, IMO. In the meantime, I hope attention is paid to the many many details remaining incomplete, particularly in Building 2. With the delay, one would like to think the units could get punch listed, worked on, cleaned and locked for delivery. (Units are locked, just not finished). Pool still needs cleaning and filling.

Some additional shots of interest:

Additional pics (from building 2, 7th floor):

Great pics! There seems to have been a lot of progress since my parents and I were there in August 2011. When we were there, we were taken through the project. Elevators were working and our unit in bldg 1 already had the furniture package completely in, just not fully assembled. And the roads were insane where it appears nicely cleaned up by the latest photos. The front of bldg 1 and 2 look great - it was all mud and a couple of portable toilets in August.
We also went by the zip lining post which I would have loved to try but unfortunately was not dressed for it! We saw where the "river tubing" would run and the horseback riding. We also were there when some of the atvs arrived.
Another family we know has a couple of suites in bldg 2 and they were coming along nicely as well.
i agree the town needs some work but I'm sure it will get there. And the people were certainly kind.
I'm looking forward to bringing my husband and kids this summer. Hopefully at least the restaurant will be ready!
BTW a great place to stay in Panama in the interim is the Trump in Panama City. That's where we stayed in August when we were visiting from Toronto, Canada.

Unfortunately, as seems to occur in Panama, closings have not begun despite being substantially complete with construction. It certainly is in the developer's best interests to satisfy whatever official requirements remain open.

"Trump Ocean Club" is the highest rated thread on this forum. Guests have enjoyed the hotel; investors....not so much.