1) Which is the most touristic country? Panama or Nicaragua?
I think Panama has the most potential and greater political and social stability for any type of investment.
2) Where can we get more info about the tourism industry in those 2 countries in order to establish a “realistic” business plan?
IPAT is the government tourist agency and they actively encourage not only visits by tourists but also invesments. Also, go to the offices of the Hotel Members Association. I "dream" of government employees who will be helpful and expedient but really, dont expect any of that. Most institutions in Panama have competent people at the top but the fist faces you will encounter will probably be the exact opposite. Blame that on 30 lost years of terrible public education for the masses. (Run by leftists who admire cuban education...) I hope you are not one of those who see mirages at the distance...
But if I were you I would take these steps:
A- Go the French Embassy and ask for directions on how to proceed about your business. They will tell you the good and the bad.
B- Make friends (after finding out from the French Embassy or through reliable sources) with people who have been working in Panama selflessly for a while. Who are these people? NGOS ! People who are devoting their lives to helping others or the environment are not the type of people, generally speaking, who want to take your money or your time.
C- STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM GRINGOS who offer their help...there may be some who are honest and truly want to assist you but take your time in finding out who they are. I have a terribly good nose for smelling crooks or wiseguys. That has come solely from experience though. Which means that I did get involved with the wrong people at times and I lost time, money and energy. Don't be naive and make friends with the first expatriate living in Panama who approaches you with "good intentions". People love to talk about crooked panamanians and there are plenty of those for sure but no one warns you about the crooks from Europe, Canada or the USA who have found in Panama a great place for their schemes.
3) Which are the most touristic areas and the ones which offer a high potential for the future?
In IPAT they may show you a map where investments are needed. I think they just spent quite a deal of money identifying different areas of the country where tourism needs investments. I read recently that Ruben Blades himself, the Tourism Minister till yesterday, is going to start his own chain of boutique hotels all over Panama. When? I dont know. But if he is doing it is because he like many in the industry know that Panama is severely lacking boutique hotels and B&B all over the country. But like anything real estate location is key. If you build in the most beautiful little corner of Panama but getting there is nothing short of an oddisey then you will fail.
4) How much should we plan to buy a land of around 3 Acres in a nice area close to the beach in Nicaragua and Panama?
??? If you dont know what you plan on doing and to whom you want to cater then I fear for your savings and your dreams. You got to sit down and find out who you want to serve and why. And how much effort you are willing to put out.
5) Does Nicaragua offer the same tax advantages as Panama as INTUR should give advantages to foreign investors in the hospitality industry? If anyone can help us about this we would be very thankful as we imagine that there is a large gap between what it is written in the official texts and in real…. Concerning the INTUR, we unfortunately can not access to their website, perhaps we have the wrong address: www.intur.gob.ni
Forget about Nicaragua. If the justice system in Panama is flawed in Nicaragua is worse. Stick to the country that has the greater chances of success.
6) Could you recommend us people to meet during our trip that we can trust in (real estate agents, builders, immigration consultants
No, my contacts will not appreciate me getting them in touch with someone I wrote to on lonely planet.
From your innocent inquiry I can tell you are plausibly good people and that is why I am responding to you. BUT please, heed my warning, stay away from people who propose things that seem too good to be true. And these two websites are fool's traps, they prey on many people who dont have a clue.
www.internationalliving.com
www.escapeartist.com
Edited by: Rey
