Proof of Community: Homes are Rising at Veritas, Coronado (Panama).

Hey guys, Mikkel here,

Today’s edition is an important one, not because of anything I tell you, but because of what I’m going to show you.

You’ve heard me talk a lot about what’s going on over at Veritas, Coronado over the past couple of months, but as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words…

That’s what this edition of Off-Grid Plan-B is about.

Today, you’re going to see what it looks like when families just like you have made the adventurous decision to secure a lot and build a home within the Veritas Village masterplanned community in Coronado, Panama.

Up until now, most of what we’ve discussed about Coronado has been big-picture: the master plan, the long-term vision, the philosophy behind the village, and the purpose for which this community is being built.

And all of that matters because it’s foundational.

It gives you the context, the structure, the “why” behind Coronado.

But at some point, talk needs to become evidence.

If you’ve ever wondered:

“Okay, but what does this actually look like when it’s happening?”

Today, you’re going to find out. 

Several homes are now under construction at Veritas, Coronado, and today, you’re going to see what’s being built, but beyond that, you’re going to see what it looks like when you say yes, I am going to buy & build at Veritas, Coronado.

I want to give you a clear, unfiltered picture of how the entire process works when you decide to move forward with your off-grid home at Veritas, Coronado.

Nearly every client starts with the same step: a conversation with either Saritha or Andrea.

The first conversations aren’t about selling anything… they’re about uncovering what you actually want.

Everyone comes into this process with a different mix of goals, concerns, timelines, and non-negotiables. 

Some want a place for their family. 

Others want land as a hedge. 

Others want a Plan-B they can activate if their home country continues slipping in the wrong direction.

That’s why these early calls matter.

It’s easy to jump to square ten, comparing home models, debating lot sizes, thinking about design upgrades, but none of that should matter until we’ve established what you want your property at Veritas to do for you.

That’s the point of these early conversations. 

This isn’t about selling you a home…

…it’s about helping you build and shape the future you’ve already decided you need.

Some people want sweeping views and morning sun.

Some want the cool shade of the afternoons.

Some want the privacy that is offered by being tucked away in the hills.

Some want open terraces and space to host extended family.

Some need two bedrooms.

Others need three.

Others want a compact home that is efficient and easy to maintain.

Once your (present and future) needs and goals are established, picking the right lot and home model becomes much easier.

After you’ve selected your home model and lot, we move into the customization phase (some clients want the home exactly as designed, while others want changes ranging from subtle to significant).

Once you’ve confirmed the final version of their floor plan, our engineering team prepares the full set of construction drawings, which takes about two weeks.

Those drawings then go to the municipality, which typically takes two weeks to one month to review, approve, and issue the building permit.

Once the permit is issued, construction begins, and depending on the home size, the timeline ranges from 8 months for a smaller model to around 1 year for the largest builds.

Simple… right?

Some of you are planning a full-time relocation.

Some envision part-time living.

Some want a long-term base for their family, while others want something simpler and lower maintenance.

This is why the lot and home model shouldn’t be chosen independently of each other. 

Some lots get morning sun; others get strong afternoon light. 

Some sit higher and catch breezes.

Others catch the late-day sun and feel warmer in the evenings.

Some clients take the standard model exactly as it is because the architects did a very good job designing homes that already fit most needs. 

Others make adjustments… sometimes small, sometimes significant.

At Veritas Village, the lot is not secondary.

It’s NOT JUST the piece of land that holds the structure.

There are lots positioned to maximize views.

There are lots positioned for privacy.

There are lots positioned for convenience.

There are lots that are vast and can support future expansion.

This is where one’s personal preferences and goals matter more than they initially realize.

A couple who wants a quiet, simple life without much entertaining or hosting tends to gravitate toward a privacy lot that pairs well with one of the more compact home models, whereas, those who expect their adult children and grandchildren to visit regularly will often choose a lot that offers them the flexibility to build a 2nd of 3rd home on the lot in down the line.

…think a multi-generational Off-Grid Plan-B setup that brings everyone under one plan without everyone being under the same roof.

Some people may come here today imagining a part-time life, only to realize in two years that Panama offers more stability, more freedom, and more upward trajectory than their home country, and thus, they’ll select a lot that allows them the flexibility to expand their square footage. 

Someone may think they only need a guest room until their adult child visits and says, “I didn’t realize it was like this here… I’d like to spend a lot more time here”.   

When you choose your lot and model, you aren’t locking yourself into the present… you’re giving yourself options for the future. 

The right combination is the one that lets your life expand rather than restrict it.

The land has its own strengths. 

Your family has its own needs. 

My partners at Veritas are standing by to help you determine what you really need from your off-grid home… not just for tomorrow, but for 5, 10, and 50 years from now.

([email protected] to get in touch).  

Most homes built in Central America rely on the same formula: block walls, single-pane glass, uninsulated roofs, and a general reliance on air conditioning to compensate for the core construction inefficiencies.  

It’s a conventional approach, but it isn’t optimized for energy efficiency… and it certainly isn’t designed for off-grid living. 

It forces your AC to work harder, increases electrical demand, and drains batteries that should be supporting your home… not “fighting to keep it running”.

This is the fundamental reason we build differently.

Every Veritas home starts with a steel frame. 

Not lightweight metal but a proper structural steel framework treated with a corrosion-resistant coating. 

This frame becomes the durable skeleton of the home. 

The walls are built using a system that looks nothing like what you see in the “standard” builds here in Latin America.

Here, the walls begin with a polystyrene core, four-to six-inch-thick panels (depending on the home model), which are then reinforced with rebar and locked into place with wire mesh.

Once set, the entire structure is sealed with approximately two inches of concrete on both sides.

The result is a single, unified insulated wall system that prevents thermal bridging and resists heat transfer rather than absorbing it. 

This is critical for an off-grid home because it means your solar system isn’t constantly compensating for design inefficiencies.

The roofs receive the same treatment.

While most homes in Panama skip insulation entirely, every Veritas home includes proper roof insulation to keep temperatures stable.

The windows are dual-pane and pre-tinted for both privacy and energy efficiency. 

Plus, all the home models come with full off-grid solar systems as standard… not upgrades. Systems between 40 and 90 kWh are standard here.

In practical terms, this isn’t a weekend-cabin system where you have to choose between running the fridge and turning on the lights.

At 40 - 90 kWh of storage, you’re talking about enough energy to live a regular life, using energy as you please, just like you would back home. 

This is daily living power… the type of system you rely on when you actually live comfortably off-grid. 

A smaller home might land between 40 and 60 kWh.

A mid-sized home will usually sit around 60.

A large custom home can push toward 90 or more.

When you combine insulated walls, insulated roofs, and high-efficiency windows, you create a structure that works with the solar system rather than against it.

…these homes aren’t built for a decade…

…they’re built for the next 10.

As I already told you, most homes in Latin America are built with concrete block, which many people assume means strength, longevity, and quality, whereas in reality, block construction is often the cheapest and weakest option.

It’s a step up from North American wood framing, but not by much. 

Here, we follow a different approach entirely.

These homes are engineered to last not five years, not ten, not “until the next renovation,” but long enough for your grandchildren to walk through them and still understand that someone built these with integrity.

A Veritas Village home begins with a structural steel frame that does not warp or rot, and it does not shift or degrade the way wood inevitably does in climates with heat, moisture, and salty air. 

A Veritas Village home is built to the highest standard and is intentionally created to withstand decades of environmental stress without weakening.

This is why we say these homes are meant to last a hundred years. 

Steel framing does not have the lifespan limitations of wood. 

Insulated concrete walls do not degrade as block-built homes do.  

These homes are the kind of physical assets families keep, pass on, and rely on for generations to come. 

…the kind of homes that are meant to outlive their first owners and serve as a long-term base for whatever your family looks like two generations from now.

Now, knowing this, let’s take a look at some of the home models themselves.

Before we explore the specific models below, I want to make it clear that there are 13 home models available at Veritas (Coronado), ranging from studio-style 402-square-foot “tiny homes” to 4-bedroom, 5-bath estates, which are just under 3400 square feet.

By the way, I chose to show you these 3 models today for a good reason…

BECAUSE THESE ARE THREE OF THE MODELS THAT ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT VERITAS, CORONADO, RIGHT NOW.

The Toucan is the largest of the classic Spanish-inspired designs, and it’s the home people choose when they want a place with enough breathing room for life to unfold without constraints.

With three bedrooms and four bathrooms, it’s the home you pick when family visits matter… or when you want space for your children and grandchildren. 

The interior connects naturally to the outdoor areas, allowing air, sunlight, and movement to flow in a way that feels almost instinctive. 

One may choose The Toucan because they want to share this place with the people who matter to them, and they don’t want to compromise on comfort or capacity. The Toucan gives them that space, and the option to customize ensures it becomes their ideal family home in Panama.

The Reinita appeals to people who want a proper home.

Not a tiny footprint, minimalist cabin.

Not something “just big enough”…

Something comfortable, manageable, and intelligently designed.

Two bedrooms, two bathrooms within a layout that supports daily living without excess… and an extended BBQ terrace that becomes the heart of the home.

The terrace isn’t an afterthought in this design; it’s a functional extension of the home that lets couples enjoy the climate without sacrificing comfort.

Clients may choose the Reinita specifically because they anticipate hosting friends and family, but want to avoid maintaining a larger home.

They want a space that feels generous without feeling burdensome.

They want a home that supports their life without engulfing it.

…and for many people, that balance of “not too large, not too small”  is precisely what the Reinita delivers.

The Cotinga is the smallest of the models currently under construction, but calling it “small” understates what it actually offers. It’s a home for people who want something efficient and incredibly livable.

Two bedrooms.

Two bathrooms.

It’s a design that doesn’t ask you to maintain anything unnecessary.

One of our clients building now chose this model because they know they’ll spend most of their time outdoors, at the beach, on the trails, or exploring Panama.

To them, the home is a retreat.

Something clean, modern, and efficient that gives them peace rather than a long to-do list.

We’ve talked about the home models, and you’ve seen a couple of renderings…

However…

The photos below show current builds inside Veritas and Coronado, happening simultaneously across multiple lots.

Each photo you see below represents a different family who stepped forward early, selected their model, matched it to the right lot, and got to work. 

…and because Coronado has multiple dedicated crews on rotation, we’re seeing parallel progress happen all at once; the kind of synchronized building momentum that quickly turns a village from “in development” to “I want to live here”, quickly.

This is a major milestone for any purpose-built community because once the first wave of homes is under construction, several important dynamics shift:

Confidence increases.

Timelines accelerate.

The village identity becomes visible.

…and future residents finally get to imagine themselves here, too, which, of course, will push the demand for the remaining lots up.

So, here’s what is already rising on the land inside Veritas, Coronado.

There are six homes physically under construction, another four already submitted and moving through the permit process, and more than ten additional homes that have completed their modification phase with owners and are preparing for submission.

These are active builds; early-stage structures that haven’t yet been finished, landscaped, or polished, so naturally, they’ll look far more refined, beautified, and complete once the crews finish their work.

…but what matters is this: the village is no longer theoretical.

It’s rising, lot by lot, home by home, family by family.

When you make the decision to buy and build on Veritas, Coronado, you won’t feel detached… because you won’t be.

Ask anyone who has contracted the build of a property abroad, and they will tell you stories of loose communication, minimal contact and feelings of unease or uncertainty.

Homeowners (especially those building from abroad) end up relying more on hope and faith, and often are just hoping that the contractor they hired is as good as he claimed to be.

In most parts of the country (or any country for that matter), a builder will take on a project, hire a rotating set of subcontractors, and manage the entire thing as loosely as possible. 

That is not the case here: 

When a home enters construction, we don’t just “check in” on the team periodically.

Our site manager is on site daily (his name is Jorge, by the way, and I’ve just decided in this very moment that I am going to dedicate the next newsletter to giving you a “profile” on some of the major players behind Veritas so you guys can start putting some faces to the names).

Jorge is at Coronado daily, managing the various teams, ensuring that all builds are constructed simultaneously and perfectly. 

Clients don’t go weeks without hearing from us. 

They don’t sit at home wondering whether anything is happening. 

They don’t wait until the end of the build to see what something looks like. 

As the walls go up and your build progresses, you will know about it.

In fact, your input will be required even if you don’t opt to customize your home model at all.

During the build process, you’ll be presented with several “finishing selections” (colours, fixtures, tile types etc etc).

These “selections” aren’t thrown at you in bulk way in advance of the decision - they’re asked in alignment with the construction progress.

They’re presented at the right time, with the right context, so you always understand the impact of your decision and how the small yet important choices will play their unique role in making your house feel like a home.

You’ll see photos, review samples, and sign off before anything that requires your input moves forward.

This is why even the standard homes in Veritas never feel cookie-cutter.

What’s unfolding in Coronado right now is the hard-to-explain phase; the phase where a community is technically still “young,” but the foundation has matured enough that the trajectory is undeniable. 

If you’re ready to see if life at Veritas, Coronado aligns with your long-term Plan-B strategy, reach out to Andrea right away. You can reach her here: [email protected].

If you could envision yourself here, be it seasonally, full-time, or even just occasionally, then I highly encourage you to get in touch with Andrea right away.

[email protected] right now to learn more about Veritas Villages and see whether owning an off-grid home here is the right long-term move for you and your loved ones.

Speak soon,
Mikkel