A recent investment summit in Panama City has highlighted that American investors considering international real estate are not following a single strategy, but rather are attracted to multiple development approaches across different geographic zones and price points. The Invest Panama Summit, held from May 28-30, 2026, brought twelve investors from North America to tour five major development zones, revealing clear market segmentation: gated residential communities, beachfront developments, and urban revitalization projects each appeal to different investor profiles.
“We had people kind of zeroing in on different projects that spoke to them,” said Steve Luther, partner at CHORD Real Estate, which organized the summit. “But they all in general loved everything.”
The Santa Maria and Bosco development, a 284-hectare community with an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course, attracts investors prioritizing gated security and resort-style living. Playa Caracol and Amador Causeway appeal to those interested in coastal scarcity, with over seven miles of white sand beach near Panama City and limited developed coastline. Margaritaville and competing projects signal institutional confidence in the area. Casco Viejo’s historic old town draws investors envisioning eventual relocation or retirement, with its walkable streets and colonial architecture.
A key takeaway from the summit was the importance of relationship-building. Attendees met real estate agents, developers, attorneys, and property managers in person. Luther emphasized the difference between research and relationship: “I don’t suggest wiring a bunch of money from a Zoom call. Shake hands, meet the people, get a comfort level, build that trust.” This sequential approach—research, visit, relationship-building, then capital deployment—reflects how sophisticated investors make international decisions.
The infrastructure and professional environment in Panama City surprised attendees, with modern high-rises, multinational corporate presence, global banking operations, and contemporary retail creating a cosmopolitan atmosphere. This infrastructure reality affects both investment feasibility and lifestyle appeal, as investors can work with familiar professional standards and those considering relocation encounter amenity levels comparable to American metropolitan areas.
The summit’s success has prompted CHORD to consider additional events, potentially in September or January/February. However, the constraint remains logistical, as the twelve-investor cohort worked because helicopter excursions and personalized property tours are manageable at that scale. Several attendees entered serious contract discussions, and others expressed interest in future events, suggesting that the market’s discovery phase may be accelerating as more American investors experience Panama directly.
For more information, visit CHORD Real Estate’s international page.
