Playa Venao in Panama’s Los Santos province is a growing destination that is rapidly gaining international recognition for its natural beauty and uniqueness.
Playa Venao today is a top surfing destination in Panama featured in the national surf circuit, known for its year-round waves. It has been the site for the ISA World Surfing Games twice in the past 15 years, attracting athletes and fans of the sport worldwide. You can find world-class waves for all skill levels.
If surfing is not for you, Venao has plenty more to offer. It is also an attractive destination for families and travelers of all ages. You can enjoy outdoor expeditions like fishing, turtle releases, birdwatching, waterfall hikes, and whale encounters. The area surrounding the beach has lush jungles, pristine mangroves, and pastoral landscapes.
Wellness retreats are popular in the area, as well as music festivals. The array of activities found here is a testament to the area’s appeal.
I spoke with Scott Andrews, an expat in Panama based in Playa Venao. He is the co-founder of a real estate development company in Panama that for 14 years has been developing land in the area with real estate products of the highest quality.
Let’s get to know Scott, his expat journey, and how it led him to this corner of the Azuero Peninsula…
Mónica: Where are you from and when did you start your expat journey?
Scott: Iwas born in Texas and grew up in Hawaii. Started working in finance on Wall Street in cities like New York, London, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. While living in Asia, I spent a lot of time traveling on surf trips, witnessing the transformation of untouched beaches into major developments over the years.
Mónica: When did you decide that you wanted to move to Panama, and why this country over others?
Scott: I became disenchanted with my career as a trader as the industry became increasingly automated, and commissions were compressed. So, I started looking for the “next Bali, Thailand, or Costa Rica” and found Panama. The country appealed to me because it has friendly people, great waves, nature, and the potential to build a family and community while also offering investment opportunities.
Mónica: Why Playa Venao?
Scott: I saw Playa Venao as a place with enormous potential, believing it could become the next Tulum, Cabo, or Bali. I started buying land here, anticipating rapid growth. As things progressed slower than expected, I realized that amenities were necessary to facilitate growth, and that led to the expansion of my business ventures.
Mónica: How easy or not was it adapting to a new community and culture?
Scott: I’ve basically lived overseas for the last 30 years in Japan, Hong Kong, and now Panama. Good people are good people and there are a lot here, so it wasn’t too challenging to adapt. Life in Venao is relaxed and English is spoken most everywhere, so it was a lot easier adjusting here than to other places.
Mónica: Tell me a little about the origins of your real estate company.
Scott: My company was created to support the growth of Playa Venao. The company expanded into various businesses, including flights, rental cars, hotels, restaurants, a school, property management, project management, construction, and even a zipline. These ventures help attract people to the area and provide the necessary infrastructure to sustain the growth of the area.
Mónica: Could you tell me about Playa Venao’s growth and future potential as a living and investment haven for expats?
Scott: Playa Venao is a popular surf destination offering a variety of surf breaks to accommodate all levels. While surfing is the biggest attraction, you don’t have to be a surfer to enjoy the many activities offered in this outdoor paradise. But more than a surf destination, Venao is a community, and it is all the people here working together and supporting each other that makes Playa Venao grow in a healthy way.
I am most proud of our school and the youth baseball team, which we started two years ago. It’s the first time the locals and international kids have been playing together on a team. The baseball program will grow and bring a lot of families to Venao, as many families require high level athletics for their high school aged children. We are working on tying this up with the school to grow the community to bring more good families here.
You always have something to do in Playa Venao: zipline, volunteer with turtles, fishing, amazing nightlife, whale watching, snorkeling, hiking, beautiful waterfalls and rivers all around, private schools, a variety of gastronomic experiences, the best sunsets and sunrises of Panama, yoga classes everywhere, dance lessons, bungee, pilates, etc.
If you have kids, they can enjoy many activities such as: jiu jitsu, surf lessons, skating, paddle, ballet, art, ceramics, baseball, soccer, and more.
We keep growing every year as the number of amenities increases.
Mónica: What are some challenges you encountered with the process of relocating to Panama and how did you overcome them?
Scott: Things can move a little more slowly here: getting a visa, corporations, paperwork… but we can help you with that, as we are a 50+ strong team with over 12 years of specific experience in Venao. We went through all the challenges, so you don’t have to if you decide to move to Playa Venao.
Mónica: What tips would you give someone wanting to move overseas, to Panama and Venao, specifically?
Scott: Invest in a project like ours. This means a project with no variables that can take your time, money, and energy. Everything is organized and all the potential issues have been removed. We take care of everything. We created this product so people can avoid the challenges of buying a custom home immediately after coming here. We have the experience and knowledge to make sure you only have good memories and aren’t faced with unnecessary challenges.
I’m not just the developer of the project; I live in it with my family. We love it here… the kids can ride bikes to school, walk to waterfalls and rivers, and see indigenous animals, like the three types of monkeys we have in the forest by the school in the project.
Mónica: Who is your project for?
Scott: Our project is for anyone who wants to experience an exclusive and secure living experience immersed in the heart of nature. It is great for families, couples, or retirees who are looking for tranquility and convenience just minutes from Venao’s center.
Mónica: Are you happy with your move to Panama and Playa Venao? Would you do anything different if you could do it over?
Scott: I’m definitely happy. I’m “eating my cooking,” as they say. My family, friends, and investors are all involved and more committed every day to the area.
I wish we would’ve bought more land when I arrived.
Playa Venao continues to grow in a positive way and will keep growing… and eventually it’ll be on the world map like Cabo, Bali, Phuket, Guanacaste, and other famous tourism destinations.
A New Residential Community Taking Shape
Scott is offering several residential communities that stand out from everything else in the area. Houses will have high-end finishes and amenities, so you can enjoy the best of nature without compromising luxury.
This community is nestled along the river, only 10 minutes from the beach. It is being developed in phases, with 65 total residences spread across four phases of development.
Phase 1 has already sold out, with 9 of 18 total houses already completed and 5 currently under construction. Phases 2 and 3 are currently available and will feature 10 and 19 houses, respectively.
Prices start at $195k for 68.5-square-meter, one-bedroom units and go up above $320,000 for bigger and deluxe versions of the homes.
If you’re thinking of buying for profit, an optional furniture package, including furnishing, decoration, and installation, is available from $29.5k, making this a turn-key investment. Property management—guest coordination, maintenance, and ongoing care and reporting— is also available. Projected net rental yields are at 7.2% annually.
