Puerto Armuelles, Panama didn’t exist until 1927.
That is when Chiquita Banana decided to create its Central American headquarters right here.
Chiquita Banana had lumber shipped in from Oregon and started building. They didn’t stop for about 70 years.
Chiquita Banana Created Puerto Armuelles
The company, originally known as the United Fruit Company, was also known locally as the Chiriqui Land Company.
Chiquita Built:
- Whole neighborhoods of wooden houses on stilts
- A cohesive downtown
- An English-speaking K-12 school
- A club house with swimming pool, bowling alley, tennis and more
- A unique beach & company town
- A thriving banana business and economy
- A friendly, vibrant community of both expats and locals
Racial inequality
They also created a segregated community.
Chiquita’s upper management were all white American males. Local Panamanians were not allowed at the club house, unless accompanied by a white & American member.
Over time, unrest over these and other inequalities rose.
Chiquita Banana Leaves
In the end, labor issues and management problems forced Chiquita to move out of Puerto Armuelles in 2003.
It was a devastating blow to the economy of Puerto Armuelles.
The town was laid low for almost a decade. But then it started to revive.
Revival of Puerto Armuelles
Now the town is thriving. Everyone who wants work, has it.
There is a 4 lane highway being built to the town. A new downtown pier is scheduled to begin construction within a month.
Investors, Retirees – Even Chiquita Banana – Are Here Now
Even Chiquita cannot stay away.
This month, February 2015, Chiquita workers are starting banana production on some of it’s old banana farms.
Two groups that are also coming are investors and retirees.
It is like everyone just looked up and noticed Puerto Armuelles at the same time – for the first time.
But Puerto has been here for years.
A pleasant, laid back beach town.
Secret is out
Many people have known about it, but didn’t want to crow about it.
They were happy for it to remain their hidden gem.
But now that the secret is out, it turns out the attention is only making Puerto Armuelles better.
Go here for places with real estate for sale in Puerto Armuelles.
This post includes brief descriptions of some of the neighborhoods of Puerto Armuelles.
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