Panama has attracted all sorts of people from the dawn of time. Mostly it is due to its strategic position: the narrowest line that separates the Atlantic Ocean from the Pacific Ocean. Most recently, however, this interest has been kindled by attractive tax benefits, privacy laws and the beautiful scenery spawning from idyllic countryside to pristine beaches.
Who are these very important people who bought properties in Panama? Among them are celebrities and business tycoons.
Hollywood actor Mel Gibson might have been LAPD Martin Riggs in Lethal Weapon, but in Panama he was just another very interested Real Estate aficionado. Notable among his acquisitions are: a property in Pedasí (a town on the Azuero Peninsula which is also known to have attracted other celebrities like Mick Jagger), and some properties in Chiriquí. He had fancied about a future beach resort in Bahía Honda, an area known for its pristine beaches, rich marine biodiversity and relatively undeveloped landscape, making it a potential hotspot for eco-tourism and luxury retreats. It is located on the Pacific coast of Panama, in the province of Veraguas, and near the Gulf of Montijo, which is not far from the Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Next in line is Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger: word that is not officially documented from the UK and Panama press have long reported him buying a house in Pedasí.
Our favorite James Bond, the late Sean Connery, had briefly held (then lost) an honorary Panamanian diplomatic passport in 2004 and was rumored to have bought property in Valle Escondido, a resort and residential community located in the mountainous region of Boquete, Chiriquí Province, at the foot of the Barú Volcano.
With respect to Politicians and Business Magnates, among the well-known is Ricardo Salinas Pliego, the Mexican billionaire and owner of Grupo Salinas, also founder and owner of Grupo Elektra and Banco Azteca, the latter of which has operated a licensed bank in Panama since 2005.
“You are fired” creator, host and executive producer of the American reality TV show The Apprentice, alas the President of the United States of America (2017 – 2021), (2025 to date), Donald J. Trump has built the sail-shaped tower that opened in 2011 as the Trump Ocean Club (Trump International Hotel & Tower), which since 2018 has shifted to JW Marriott Panama, located in Punta Pacífica, Panama City.
Finally, Panamanian billionaire with vast business holdings Stanley Motta is without a doubt a big name in Panama. One of the richest men in Central American according to Forbes, Motta is chairman, longtime director and major shareholder of Copa Airlines, which hub is in Tocumen. He is also chairman of Grupo ASSA, a Panamanian holding company listed on the stock exchange that operates in three main sectors: insurance and reinsurance, banking and other financial investments. Grupo ASSA has a significant presence in Panama and across Central America, with its insurance division, ASSA Compañía de Seguros, being a market leader in several countries. Motta is also owner of duty-free operations in the Tocumen Airport, TVN Media (the national television network Televisora Nacional), and Inversiones Bahía, which invests in a wide range of sectors, including financial services, real estate, technology, transportation, media, distribution and retail.