to learn about land opportunities in Torio, Morrillo, Malena, Limones, and the entire Mariato region.
Torio Beach stretches approximately 4 kilometers, although only about 700 meters are regularly visited, leaving plenty of open space to walk, surf, or simply enjoy the tranquility near the mouth of the Torio River. It is also one of the few beaches in Panama that offers direct views of the sunset over the ocean.
Surf lovers will find here a little-known but consistent beach break, ideal for beginners and fun for more experienced surfers. There are three main peaks:
In front of the Torio school
The well-known surf spot Ricameron
A wave at the river mouth that turns on under ideal swell conditions
The bottom is mostly sandy, with some areas of clay and flat rock. You can surf at all tides, although Ricameron at high tide is one of the favorites.
The Torio River functions as a natural harbor where locals and foreigners keep their pangas (small fishing boats). At high tide, boats move without issue; at low tide, they must be walked out to deeper water. The river has a natural ramp that allows boat launching with a trailer, similar to Palo Seco, but in Torio it works best at high tide.
Torio is also known for its vibrant fishing scene, with activities such as:
Artisanal fishing year-round
Coastal excursions organized by the community
Freediving and spearfishing practiced by locals and foreign residents
Nature is always close in Torio. A short jungle trail takes you to a waterfall with a shaded freshwater pool, perfect for cooling off.
Other popular activities include:
River tubing: a short 1-hour float from The Lagoon or a 3-hour route from Zapotal Arriba
Hiking and mountain biking through jungle and farms
Birdwatching and wildlife viewing year-round
Torio has a unique topography in the country: the Torio ridge rises 200 meters above sea level and is only 300 meters from the ocean. This makes it the only coastal paragliding takeoff zone in Panama that is so close to the sea.
Strong, consistent thermals
Flights over the cliffs to Malena Beach
Flights lasting up to 1 hour
Safe landings thanks to proximity to the beach
Torio’s real estate story began in the 1990s, when Panamanians from Santiago started investing in land along the bay. The legendary Panamanian musician Victorio Vergara owned much of this area. In 2004, he put more than 800 hectares up for sale — a combination of titled land and rights of possession.
Shortly thereafter, the Norwegian inventor and sailor Ludvig Edvarsen purchased the property and founded what is now known as The Torio Development — a planned community for international living in harmony with nature.
This development is located on rolling hills overlooking Montijo Bay, crossed by one of Panama’s most pristine river systems: the confluence of the Torio and Zapotal rivers, which forms crystal-clear pools, lush vegetation, and spectacular natural landscapes.
The community is divided into several areas:
Seaview Hills
Torio Village
Sunset Hills
Zapotal Valley
Torio Plaza
Prices range from $30,000 to $450,000. More than 150 sales have already been completed, and resale options are now available. At BienPanama.com, we offer both lots directly from the developer and resale properties, depending on your preferences. There are also independent properties outside the main development, suited to different lifestyles, budgets, and locations.
Torio has become a multicultural melting pot where people from all over the world live side by side. Ludvig’s vision was to create a place to live in nature regardless of origin — and he achieved it. In 2025, residents include people from:
France
United States
Canada
Sweden
Germany
South Africa
Israel
Denmark
United Kingdom
Panama
This cultural balance is rare — and valuable. In many places, when one nationality dominates, the balance is lost. In Torio and throughout Mariato, no single culture dominates, and that diversity is one of its greatest strengths.
Torio has evolved into a quiet town with a life of its own, where you can enjoy great food, social gatherings, and open spaces. The town center is just a 1-minute drive from the beach.
Notable spots include:
Thai food (Clandestina)
Seafood (El Pargo Rojo)
Pizza (Pizza Love)
Brisket and BBQ (Dos Pinos)
Burgers (Brisas del Mar)
Mexican cuisine (Olé)
On weekends, many people gather to eat, have a drink, and share time together. Whether you live here or you’re just passing through, Torio offers the perfect balance between community and comfort.
From ocean-view lots to move-in-ready homes and investment land, Torio offers options for every taste.
Contact us to coordinate a tour, view available listings, or receive personalized guidance on how to invest in one of the most promising communities on Panama’s Pacific coast.
Torio is a quiet town located on the Azuero Peninsula in the Mariato district. It stands out for its pristine beaches, good surf, and relaxed atmosphere. It’s ideal for those seeking a simpler life connected to nature.
Although it’s somewhat remote, getting to Torio is part of the experience. From the Inter-American Highway, the drive takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, with panoramic views as you approach the coast.
Yes! It’s perfect for both beginners and advanced surfers. There are several spots with consistent waves and few people, so you can enjoy the ocean without crowds.
In addition to surfing, you can visit waterfalls, go tubing on the river, hike natural trails, watch birds, or simply spend time with local residents. It’s a place to experience the authentic side of Panama.
There are options ranging from guesthouses to boutique-style lodging and Airbnbs. It’s recommended to book in advance, since it’s a small destination with limited capacity during high season.
Torio is a safe and welcoming destination. The community is calm and hospitable, ideal for families, solo travelers, or people looking to settle in Panama.
Torio isn’t just another beach town — it’s a growing community, full of opportunities and surrounded by natural beauty. Whether you’re looking to build your home, invest in land, or change your lifestyle, Torio has something unique to offer.
Contact us today to schedule a tour, learn about available properties, or get answers to any questions about investing or living in the Mariato district.
Your next chapter could begin here… in Torio.
(Fidel Ponce)
Fidel Ponce’s connection to the Mariato district runs deep — not only through years of exploration, but also through family legacy. His grandmother came from a respected family of educators linked to the Escuela Normal de Santiago, one of Panama’s most iconic teacher-training institutions. She used to talk about the beauty of the Pacific coast, the rivers where people searched for gold, and the remote lifestyle that defined this region. Those stories planted a seed that would later define Fidel’s path.
As a surfer, adventurer, and photographer, Fidel spent years traveling and flying over Panama’s vast coastline in search of perfect waves and land with purchase potential. On one of those trips, he discovered Isla Cébaco and fell in love with its crystal-clear waters and pristine beauty so close to the mainland. He invested early — and still owns properties there. That explorer’s spirit is what brought him to Mariato long before it appeared on investment maps.
In the early 2000s, Fidel founded one of Panama’s first general inbound tourism agencies, showing hundreds of foreigners the country’s wild beauty. As demand grew, clients began asking about investment land — and Fidel made a natural transition into real estate. He became a licensed broker and founded one of the country’s first online real estate portals in 2005, years before most people even knew what SEO was.
Fidel understood it before many others — he mastered web ranking and began publishing any property he could get, good or bad, always with detailed descriptions and photos. The site attracted a flood of clients — and with them, all kinds of opportunities. Over time, he realized the best results didn’t come from flooding the internet, but from specializing, staying local, and building real trust. He focused on off-market properties and private sales, earning a reputation for delivering value discreetly through human connections — not just calls and emails.
As his experience grew, real estate also led Fidel to work with investment funds in Israel and to connect with some of the strongest land-buyer groups in the Republic of Panama, known as the buy side. Within those economic groups — made up of communities of Chinese, Arab, Hindu, Jewish, and other origins — he gained a broader view of the market and developed high-level strategic relationships.
Fidel’s experience working with merchants and investors in Israel, as well as with these buy-side groups, taught him to think like those who develop, transform, and bet on the future. There he refined his ability to recognize real opportunities and avoid expensive illusions. That learning is crucial for his international clients, who often arrive believing the real estate playbook from their country works the same way in Panama — when the reality is different. Fidel understands the local rhythms, the unwritten rules, and the true behavior of the Panamanian market, guiding each client with precision and sound judgment.
Over time, he also had to learn the work no one talks about: moving earth, opening roads, managing water runoff, leveling land, working side by side with builders, architects, and construction foremen, handling legal processes with attorneys, coordinating polygon re-staking with surveyors, and requesting new contour lines for complex projects. After six years living full-time in the district and dozens of transactions, Fidel was able to assemble a team of specialists — the best in their fields — to put at the service of BienPanama.com clients.
Even with all that global and technical experience, his favorite place remains Mariato, where his ability to identify the best opportunity at the lowest cost has been — and continues to be — his greatest advantage.
“The most tangible clients are already here. There’s no need to convince them. They took the flight, made the effort — and they’re serious.”
After living in Playa Venao before its boom, Fidel witnessed how quickly undervalued coastal towns can explode. He recognizes the same early signals in Mariato: better geography, abundant vegetation, west-facing hills with island sunset views, and now a new paved road connecting it to the city of Santiago, just 80 km away.
Today, Fidel lives in Torio, where he continues walking the land, advising sellers, and connecting buyers with truly meaningful properties — not empty promises. He has even begun managing personal subdivisions of what he considers some of the best properties in the region, offering long-term value and community potential.
What truly sets Fidel apart is what happens after the sale closes. He personally introduces his clients to a curated network of bankers, lawyers, architects, builders, logistics coordinators, and import specialists to help them relocate smoothly and safely. Whether it’s opening a bank account, importing a container, building a house, or registering a company — Fidel’s relocation service ensures his clients are never alone in the process.
After years of working discreetly through referrals and private connections, Fidel is rebuilding his online presence — not to chase volume, but to connect with the right buyers and gradually build the communities he believes this coastline deserves.
“This coast isn’t just beautiful — it’s strategic. Island views, river access, green hills year-round, and proximity to the city of Santiago de Veraguas. The numbers make sense. The time is now.”
Over the years, Fidel also had the opportunity to work with one of the largest commercial real estate brokerage firms in the world, where he learned to analyze projects with professional standards and feasibility-driven vision. That experience gave him tools he still uses, but his true passion has always been real estate. Nothing compares to the puzzle it represents — real estate is a long game, a mix of endurance and intuition, where learning to predict the future becomes a skill.
Every time he drives — whether in Panama or abroad — Fidel asks himself the same three questions:
• What would the price of something like this be?
• What is it really for?
• What are its limitations?
Over the years, he has developed a sharp eye for understanding an owner’s expectations, the practical value of land, and its future potential. For Fidel, real estate is more than a business — it’s a lifestyle built on observing, learning, and moving at the right moment.
Whether you’re a surfer, retiree, fisherman, builder, or dreamer, Fidel will guide you with honesty, history, and unmatched local insight.
to learn about land opportunities in Torio, Morrillo, Malena, Limones, and the entire Mariato region.