(PanamaInvestor)I had an opportunity to visit Cielo Paraiso (Paradise Sky) last month and I must say it is beautiful and the views are truly incredible. It had been well over a year since I have had the time to visit and they have made a great deal of progress under very difficult circumstances. Not only have they been struggling, as most residential projects with a challenging economy, but the man who’s vision it was to build this project, Radeep Lal, passed away earlier this year of a heart attack. Raydeep and his wife Colleen came to Boquete about 10 years ago and were determined to build an 18 hole championship golf course and residential community. Radeep loved to play golf and he loved Boquete, so the building of Cielo Paraiso was to be a dream come true.
Radeep will be greatly missed, but fortunately his wife Colleen shared that vision and with the help of Radeep’s family they have continued working on the project and completing the golf course. Cielo Paraiso will be a standing legacy to the vision and determination of Radeep and Colleen Lal. His dream has come true and all of us in Boquete and Chiriqui province will greatly benefit.
All of the infrastructure such as roads, water, electric have been completed and the first nine holes of the golf course have been playable for over a year. Now they have completed the back nine and in a few more months of grooming, the entire course will be ready to play. Here is a story from Sportgrass.com with more details.
Cielo Paraiso golfers enjoy serene, hilly terrain with a 360 degree view
Boquete, Panama (NYSE) 26 October 2010
Cielo Paraiso is the first 18-hole championship golf course level in Boquete, Panama, opened in January 2011. The course marks the end of the first phase of the Gladstone Developmentâ? S new residential resort development, Cielo Paraiso, which also completed 14 houses and 30 homesites for sale. Set in the picturesque mountains of Boquete, Panama, the 750-acre development of the newest and most exclusive residential areas resort community in Central America.
Designed by J. Michael Poellet for the protection of native flora and fauna habitat Cielo Paraisoâ? While playing the beautiful yet challenging course, the players also have a spectacular view of the Baru Volcano, the Jaramillo and Talamanca Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, dotted with islands. The 7200-meter par 72 layout includes forests, meadows, valleys, ridges and riparian coupled with dramatic elevation changes make for a signature golf experience.
Our goal with Cielo Paraiso was to build a course to blend in perfectly with the unique topography of the land said course designer J. Michael Poellet. I truly believe that we created one of the most visually stunning courses in all Central / South America.
Scenic home sites are currently available for purchase at Cielo Paraiso, starting at $ 150,000. These spacious home sites ranging from ¾ acres to over 2 acres of picturesque places on the property and offer sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, and Jamarillo Talamanca mountain, Volcan Baru and golf course.
Cielo Paraiso is a unique opportunity, a piece of Boquete, one of the most sought after destinations in Panama for those who want to live or invest in a comfortable house and more popular destination in Central America,says Gladstone President Colleen Lal. The wonderful climate throughout the year and the natural beauty of Boquete region makes a perfect location for an active lifestyle, the Championship golf course, hiking, bird watching, mountain biking, rafting, and may include many other activities.
Gladstone Development is currently working on the plans for Phase II of development, a collection of well-equipped options that are smaller will contain. This idea was received well by buyers looking in Boquete. Although our home sites are a very affordable option in Boquete, we plan to diversify our product mix to accommodate the demand for customers looking for a smaller second home. Lal says. The master plan for Phase II will be released in 2010, with construction starting early 2011.
Conveniently located just 30 minutes from David, the capital of Panama Chiriquà province, is the target of Boquete in the country situated on the most mountainous region, at 1,200 meters (3,600 feet). Situated between the Caldera River, which lies to the east, and Baru Volcano to the west, Boquete enjoys a comfortable climate, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. Known as the Valley of Flowers and Eternal Spring, charming Boquete has established itself as one of the fastest growing retirement and tourist destinations in the western hemisphere, with its serene beauty and variety of outdoor activities. The lush vegetation and vibrant population of rare birds and the possibilities for hiking through the Volcano Baru, the highest point of the country concerned have established Boquete as one of the world’s 5 top eco-tourism destinations.
Recently, the AARP is ranked Boquete as one of the top destinations to buy a house, Panama offers first-world infrastructure of roads, business services, healthcare and telecommunications. A growing retirement and investment refuge with a more affordable standard of living, Panama has a sophisticated capital, incredible rain forests, and some of the best ecotourism in the world, bird watching, scores of exotic beaches and islands, snorkeling, diving, sport fishing, rafting, climbing, fine restaurants and a variety of historical sights.