18 Holes
Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course
About 700 Acres
Gated, master-planned community
24/7 Security
Controlled access throughout
$0
Agent commission paid by buyers
Living in Santa María
Country-club living inside the city
Santa María Golf & Country Club is a master-planned community of about 700 acres on the Corredor Sur, next to Costa del Este and a short drive from Tocumen International Airport. It is built around an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course and more than 30 acres of man-made lakes.
Residents live in gated neighbourhoods of apartments, townhomes and custom homes, with a large country club, a luxury hotel and a village centre of shops and restaurants inside the community. International schools, hospitals and the malls of Costa del Este are nearby.
Santa María and Costa del Este Listings
Below are our listings in Santa María and neighbouring Costa del Este. If you don’t see the right one, tell us your budget and must-haves and we’ll search the community for you, including properties not yet advertised. Start the Buying Process →
.png){kind=small}
Inside the Community
Santa María is designed so residents can play, eat, shop and socialise without leaving the gates.
GOLF
Jack Nicklaus Signature Course
An 18-hole parkland-style course designed by Nicklaus Design, with water features and wetland areas throughout.
SPORTS & SOCIAL
The Country Club
A large clubhouse with an Olympic pool, tennis, paddle, squash, bowling, a gym, a spa, restaurants and event halls.
HOSPITALITY
Luxury Hotel
The Santa Maria, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Golf Resort, sits inside the community.
NATURE
Lakes and Green Space
More than 30 acres of man-made lakes, landscaped areas and walking paths.
SHOPPING
Village Centre
Shops, restaurants and services within the community.
NEARBY
Costa del Este Next Door
International schools, offices, malls and Tocumen airport are a short drive away on the Corredor Sur.
Is Santa María Right for You?
Who tends to love it, and who might be happier elsewhere.
A Great Fit For
Golfers and active families
Buyers who want gated security and green space
Frequent travellers who want quick airport access
Families near Costa del Este schools
Buyers who want resort amenities at home
Think Twice If
You want to walk to restaurants and shops in the city
You want low monthly fees
You don’t drive
You prefer a historic or urban neighbourhood
You want beach access
Renting It Out
Long-term demand comes from executives and families relocating to Panama, especially those with children at nearby schools or offices in Costa del Este. Rents depend on the property type, view, furnishing and club access. Check the community and building rules on rentals first. We pull current comparable rents before you buy.
What Property Costs in Santa María
Based on a sample of advertised asking prices in October 2026, not closed sales. Golf views and new construction carry a premium.
New apartments
Three bedrooms of about 157 m² in a project due for delivery in 2027
From about $536,000
About $3,400 per m²
Golf-view apartments
Three bedrooms of 162–188 m² facing the course
About $633,000–$732,000
About $3,900 per m²
Homesites
A lot of about 856 m² in Fairway Estates, surrounded by the course
About $900,000
About $1,050 per m² of land
What Drives the Price
Golf and lake views. Units and lots facing the course command a premium.
New or resale. Pre-construction prices often rise as projects near delivery, while resale lets you see the finished product.
Club membership. Ask whether club membership is included, optional or required, and what it costs.
Buying Tips for Santa María
What we check with buyers in this community before they make an offer.
Understand Club Membership
Ask whether membership comes with the property, what it costs and what it includes.
Check the Fees
Santa María has building HOA fees and community fees. Get the full monthly cost in writing.
Read the Design Rules
For homes and lots, the community’s architectural guidelines govern what you can build and change.
Review Pre-Construction Terms
Look at the payment schedule, delivery date, finishes and what happens if the project is delayed.
Visit at Rush Hour
The Corredor Sur makes commuting easy, but test your route at peak times.
Use an Independent Attorney
Your attorney should verify the title, liens, HOA debts and community rules before you sign.
Ways to Live in Santa María
The community offers several types of home, each with its own trade-offs.
Condos
Golf-View Apartments
Towers and mid-rise buildings with views over the course and lakes, pools, gyms and 24-hour security.
Townhomes
Low-Maintenance Homes
Townhouses in gated sections such as The Reserve, with more space than an apartment and less upkeep than a house.
Homes
Custom Houses
Detached homes on large lots in sections such as Fairway Estates, many backing onto the golf course.
Lots
Build Your Own
A limited number of homesites remain for buyers who want to design their own house within the community’s guidelines.
New
Pre-Construction
New buildings offer payment plans during construction. Check the developer’s track record and delivery date.
Costs to Budget For
Plan for these on top of the purchase price.
HOA Fees
Monthly, and they vary widely with the building and its amenities. Ask for the current fee and the reserve fund balance.
Legal Fees
About 1% to 1.5% of the price for your independent attorney, plus small notary and Public Registry fees.
Property Tax
Annual, based on the registered value, with an exemption for a registered primary residence up to a set value.
Transfer Tax
Panama’s 2% transfer tax is customarily paid by the seller. Buyers pay no agent commission.
Santa María Real Estate FAQ
Where is Santa María Golf & Country Club?
In eastern Panama City on the Corredor Sur, next to Costa del Este and a short drive from Tocumen International Airport.
How much does property cost in Santa María?
Based on a sample of asking prices in October 2026, new apartments start around $536,000, golf-view apartments ask about $633,000 to $732,000, and a homesite of about 856 m² asks about $900,000.
Who designed the golf course?
The 18-hole course was designed by Nicklaus Design, the firm founded by Jack Nicklaus.
Is Santa María gated?
Yes. It is a private community with controlled access and 24-hour security.
Do I need to join the country club?
It depends on the property and current club rules. Ask whether membership is included, optional or required, and what it costs.
Is there a hotel in Santa María?
Yes. The Santa Maria, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Golf Resort, is inside the community.
Can foreigners buy property in Santa María?
Yes. Foreigners have the same property rights as Panamanians and can own titled property in their own name or through a Panamanian corporation or foundation.
What are the closing costs?
Buyers pay no agent commission. Plan for legal fees of about 1% to 1.5% plus small notary and Public Registry fees. The 2% transfer tax is customarily paid by the seller.
Can buying here help me get residency?
It can. As of September 2026, the Qualified Investor visa requires $300,000 in a first sale from a developer or $500,000 in a resale, and the Friendly Nations visa accepts titled property from $200,000. Confirm the rules with an immigration attorney.
Can I get a mortgage as a foreigner?
Yes. Through our lending partner, qualified foreign buyers can finance up to 75% of the purchase price on titled property. Banks require proof of income.
Is there capital gains tax when I sell?
Yes. Panama withholds 3% of the sale price or the registered value, whichever is higher, which most sellers accept as the final tax. You can instead file on the actual profit, with the 3% credited.
About This Guide
Written by Ken Norton, founder of Panama Properties, a licensed buyer’s brokerage. We help buyers find homes and investments across Panama City, working alongside independent attorneys, inspectors and property managers. Prices are based on advertised asking prices reviewed in October 2026.
Looking for a Home in Santa María?
Tell us your budget, whether you want an apartment, townhome, house or lot, and how important golf and club access are to you. We will search the community, arrange viewings in person or by live video and review the fees and rules before you make an offer.
Message us on WhatsApp at +507 6169-2453. Buyers pay no agent commission.
Panama Properties
Unit 1 Plaza Pedasí (Super Pedasí Plaza)
Pedasí, Los Santos 7401, Panama
WhatsApp: +507 6169-2453
Email: ken@panama-properties.com