Central America is increasingly appearing on the proverbial superyacht radar. Having discovered Costa Rica, owners and charter clients are pushing farther south along the Pacific Ocean coast to Panama. Those that do are discovering that the country offers much more than the eponymous canal to transit. What’s missing, though, is the marina infrastructure to match the attraction to the shorelines and the islands. Port Amador, a superyacht marina coming to the Panama Canal entrance, wants to fill that gap.
Port Amador is from the same developers as Anguilla’s Port Nimara. David Mizrahi, the CEO and managing partner of SF Investments, frames it as “the St. Maarten of yachting in the Pacific.” In other words, “We are creating a hub,” he explains. “Until now, either you had superyacht marinas in Costa Rica or you had superyacht marinas in the Caribbean. Or you would have to go south and maybe find something in South America. But if you are on the northern side of the Pacific, it’s not so easy to cross to the Caribbean.” With Port Amador, Mizrahi continues, “you can have your yacht in Panama, and basically you are on both sides. It takes you a couple of hours and you are in the Caribbean. Or, within a few hours, you can reach all the Pacific islands, Costa Rica, South America. So, it becomes a very interesting location.”
Equally interesting, Port Amador sits on the water’s edge of Panama City. Mizrahi compares the city to Miami in terms of aviation convenience, with direct routes from North America and Europe. In fact, it’s about 20 to 30 minutes from two international airports, both with private aviation service. Furthermore, the marina is half an hour from the city center, with chic rooftop bars, fine dining, shopping, museums, and more.
The first phase of Port Amador will see about 115 slips for yachts and megayachts to about 400 feet (122 meters). They should be available beginning in 2028. The total expected capacity will be upwards of 350 berths, including ones for smaller boats. Additionally, and similar to Mizrahi’s other developments, land amenities are included. “The projects that we want to do are not just a marina, not just a location where you can put your boat,” he says. “We believe that marinas are added value to the real-estate development, and the real-estate development becomes the added value to the marina.” To that end, Port Amador will feature the first Pacific foothold for the Beaufort Yacht Club. Featuring private clubrooms, dining, wellness areas, and a rooftop pool, it offers membership to long-term slip holders.
With the amount of vessel traffic through the canal, the famed San Blas Islands, and more, why has it taken Panama so long to get a marina in this location? “Costa Rica had a very strong PR campaign some five or 10 years ago,” Mirzahi notes, especially for its jungles and beaches. “But you have all that in Panama, too,” he points out. “They just didn’t market it the proper way. So, when you have your yacht there, it’s incredible, it’s beautiful.”
Port Amador portamador.com
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