From Surf Breaks to a Sports Bar

Hey there future homeowner!

Part of the joy I get from writing these newsletters comes from delving into the areas around some of these properties that I have visited and remembering fun and adventurous experiences. Watching the dolphins play around my boat near Bocas del Toro (Panama) and climbing the waterfalls in Nauyaca Nature Park (Costa Rica) were moments I recall thinking… What a wonderful world this is!

This week’s properties have the biggest range in listed prices yet; from the best sub $200k place I’ve come across to scrapping the upper limit of what I look for in affordability; there is a dream for many tastes and budgets. It ends with a dream I had after watching ‘Cocktails’ years ago; I've already escaped to a tropical paradise, now if I only had the coordination to sling drinks like that…

Each week I share a mix of properties that show a balance between places that are good investments and everyday lifestyle upgrades that I hope will get you dreaming. Let’s jump in to this week’s properties!

🇵🇦 Townhome by the beach in Pedasi, Panama

Price: $170,000 - 1,130 sq ft (105m²) on 2,000 sq ft (191m²) lot

• 2 beds/2 bath with parking

• Modern open layout and fully furnished

• private plunge pool

• fully fenced for privacy

Between the Lines: Just minutes from the beach, this turnkey townhome blends lifestyle appeal with rental potential. Pedasí is seeing strong demand, with projects like Costa Pedasí, Haciendas del Toro, and nearby Blue Venao underscoring buyer appetite for the area. Quiet yet walkable, the location appeals to both vacationers and long-term renters. With inventory tightening and nearby developments pushing values, this property offers a balanced play between enjoyment today and appreciation tomorrow.

 🇨🇷 Casa Mariposa above Playa Negra, Costa Rica

Price: $699,000 - 3,000 sq ft (278m²) on 2 acres

• 2 Master bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and walk in closets

• Mountain and Ocean views / Infinity pool

• Built in a wildlife reserve / a plethora of animals around you

• Turnkey with an impressive list of features

Between the Lines: This luxury home taps into one of Guanacaste’s most iconic surf destinations. Since Endless Summer II, the area has drawn a steady flow of surfers, eco-travelers, and digital nomads seeking a balance of adventure minus the crowds of Tamarindo or Nosara. Fiber internet, boutique cafés, and yoga studios keep it modern, while unpaved roads and howler monkeys remind you it’s still wild Costa Rica. For investors, consistent tourism and limited inventory means homes like this are positioned to deliver both an upgraded lifestyle and a financial upside (6-9% annual appreciation).

🇵🇦 Caribbean Oceanfront Home on Isla Cristobal, Panama

Price: $330,000 - 2,152 sq ft (200 m²) on a 2.5 acre lot

• 3 bed / 2 bath with 160 ft of waterfront

• Solar panels generate 3420 watts / new lithium array

• Turnkey property including Starlink

• New dock / boat negotiable

Between the Lines: Imagine waking up to dolphins playing in your front yard? I’ve been here and yes, Dolphin Bay is named appropriately; Remote yet it’s just a 20-minute boat ride to bustling Bocas Town. The home is fully off-grid with solar and rainwater systems making it both eco-friendly and practical. Investors will note strong rental demand here, with comparable homes in the neighbourhood fetching up to $350 per night. Factor in Bocas’ steady growth, a new hospital, upgraded airport and growing popularity of eco-resorts, this property offers more than just a Caribbean escape: it’s a lifestyle investment with built-in returns.

🇳🇮 Studio Apartment in Colinas del Mar, Nicaragua

Price: $139,000 - 1,087 sq ft (101m2)

• 1 bedroom (2 queen beds) 1 bathroom

• Open concept and Fully furnished

• Stunning views from the private balcony

• Updated photos after renovation out shortly

Between the Lines: Perched in the hillside community of Pelican Eyes, this studio isn’t just about the pool and ocean views, it’s your gateway into San Juan del Sur’s thriving rental and lifestyle scene. Once a sleepy fishing village, San Juan has evolved into Nicaragua’s tourism hub, drawing surfers to its beaches, digital nomads with reliable internet, and families with its growing expat community. Rentals here can swing from full occupancy in the dry season to long-term stays by remote workers in the quieter months, keeping income steady year-round. With Pelican Eyes’ legal clarity, security, and resort amenities, this unit offers both lifestyle and comfort in a rapidly growing Central American coastal market.

🇵🇦 Beach House in Playa Barqueta, Panama

Price: $319,000 - 1,094m² lot

• 3 bed / 3 bath in gated community

• 1 min path to the beach

• Separate 1 bedroom rental unit

• Landscaped gardens / private pool

Between the Lines: Tucked into the peaceful stretch of Playa La Barqueta, this 3-bedroom beach house puts you in one of Chiriquí’s most undervalued coastal markets. Just 35 minutes from David, you’ve got easy access to hospitals, the international airport and city conveniences, yet the beach itself stays blissfully uncrowded. La Barqueta is known for its long, wild shoreline, protected wildlife refuges, and growing gated communities like Barqueta Nice, making it ideal for those craving privacy without isolation. This also keeps a steady stream of visitors and a possible source of revenue from the separate unit.

🇨🇷 Comfortably Secluded near Dominical, Costa Rica

Price: $349,000 - 1,523 sq ft (141m²) home on 3.3 acre lot

• 3 bed/2 bath / Turnkey

• Salt water pool / Landscaped garden

• Large, screened porch

• Solar water heater / 240v in Carport (EV Ready)

Between the Lines: 5 minutes to the main road provides solitude while less than 30 minutes to nature reserves, the beaches of Dominical and the town of San Isidro, this home balances modern comforts with the laid-back vibe that’s made Costa Ballena a magnet for surfers, yogis, and eco-adventurers. For investors, that combination means reliable rental potential in peak tourist months, plus long-term appreciation as infrastructure and demand continue to grow along this stretch of Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast.

🇨🇷 Private Adobe Residence in Santa Cruz, Costa Rica

Price: $329,000 - 1,205 sq ft (112m²) on a 2.6 acre lot

• 3 bed / 2 bath / Fully furnished

• Main house and a independent guesthouse

• Landscaped (Tropical/Medicinal plants)

• Adobe-style construction with a new Pool

Between the Lines: The property sits less than 30 minutes from Tamarindo’s beaches and amenities, about an hour from Liberia International Airport, and close to shopping and services in Santa Cruz town. Situated in Guanacaste’s cultural heart, where festivals, music and tradition shape daily life, this handcrafted adobe home stands out; it offers authenticity in a market crowded with glass-and-concrete luxury. Finca Sabana delivers privacy, style, and a tie to the local culture, qualities that attract buyers looking for more than just a vacation home, but a story worth investing in.

Investor Alert!

🇵🇦 Caribbean Sport Bar in Bocas del Toro, Panama

Price: $420,000 – 1,507 sq ft (140m²)

• 18 years in business

• Turnkey operation (extensive list of inclusions)

• Titled property

• Located in the busiest part of Bocas

Between the Lines: Toro Loco is the ultimate “move to the Caribbean and run a bar” fantasy, complete with tropical sunsets and a community that runs on good times. Set on Isla Colón’s main street, this well-known sports bar draws steady crowds of tourists, expats, and locals, all looking for a place to watch the game, grab a cold drink, or soak in the town’s lively vibe. You wouldn’t be just holding real estate; you’d be running a piece of Bocas nightlife.

Every property in this week’s selection highlights a different way to live lighter and invest smarter. If one of them sparks your interest, I can share numbers or connect you with trusted local partners. Until next time, here’s to building a life that feels like an escape, without waiting for “someday.”

Ed & the TropiCasas Team

🌺 TropiCasas Fine Print (The Fun Kind)

We love tropical living, but we’re not licensed real estate agents. Our job is to uncover great properties found on various websites across Central America but we don’t sell them directly. Photos and details belong to the listing agents

This newsletter is here to inspire your property journey but it is important to do your own due diligence before investing.

By reading, you agree that TropiCasas may spark daydreams, flight searches, or even a sudden urge to swap snow boots for flip-flops but the ultimate decision is all yours!