While Hurricanes Wail, Off-Season Travelers Find Haven in Panama

CHICAGO, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- As Hurricane Igor and Tropical Storm Julia gain strength in the Atlantic just days after Hurricane Earl, savvy travelers steer clear of hurricane plagued destinations. The U.S. Department of State advises U.S. travelers to be alert to storms in the Atlantic, Pacific, Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico through November, but on Isla Palenque, one of Panama's stunning Pacific islands, the only oceanic disturbance visitors report is the slap of a humpback's tail. The only country in Central America that sits below the hurricane belt, Panama is a rare tropical destination where travelers can take advantage of off-season travel discounts without worrying about hurricanes ruining their vacation.

The 2010 hurricane season is predicted to be very active by the NOAA. Typically September is when the most severe hurricanes occur, rendering many coastal vacation homes north of the equator abandoned. Panama is the exception, fortuitously placed 7 degrees above the equator and westward enough to be shielded from the hurricane belt by North and South America. Not a single hurricane has hit Panama since record taking began in 1951.

This was a strong factor in choosing Panama real estate for eco-developer Benjamin Loomis of Amble Resorts. "Knowing that our Panama island homes at The Resort at Isla Palenque, would be safe from hurricanes was a huge factor in site selection. Our mission is to connect people to this tropical paradise; I didn't want to worry about a hurricane devastating the entire thing. I wanted retirees and vacation home owners to feel comfortable visiting their Isla Palenque home year round." The Resort at Isla Palenque will open in 2012 as sustainable and luxurious resort and residence community.

Why is Panama exempt? In order for thunderstorms to form into the circular pattern of a hurricane, they need to come under what is known as the Coriolis force - a principle of physics whereby moving objects are deflected relative to a rotating reference frame. The closer to the middle of the rotating sphere - like on the Earth's equator - the weaker the force.

In their article "Understanding the Coriolis Force," USA Today quotes Alistair Fraser of Pennsylvania State University on the subject, "The fact that the Coriolis force is zero at the equator and very weak near the equator explains why tropical cyclones such as hurricanes and typhoons won't form on the equator even though the other factors there, such as warm ocean water, would make them likely."

Image: http://www.ereleases.com/pic/2010-Coriolis-Effect.png

As Americans mark the 5th anniversary of devastating Hurricane Katrina, hurricane predictions have a strong influence on vacation home buyers. The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs has issued a travel alert for Hurricane Season stating that "U.S. citizens traveling abroad have encountered uncomfortable and often dangerous conditions that have lasted for several days." These warnings have most tropical destinations cowering in fear while vacation real estate sales dwindle. In Panama, however, Amble Resorts happily welcomes future home owners to Isla Palenque year round, including the fall months.

Photo: http://www.ereleases.com/pr/2009-Isla-Palenque-Resort.jpg

About Amble Resorts

Amble Resorts was founded in 2007 to develop and own unique upscale resorts and residences which provide ecologically and culturally sensitive travel experiences. Those who want more out of travel, amble with us. http://www.amble.com

About Isla Palenque

The Resort at Isla Palenque, will be a secluded and sustainable residence community opening in late 2012 with a unique boutique hotel, ingeniously designed residences, and sumptuous amenities. http://www.islapalenque.com

Media contact: Frances Limoncelli, Marketing Director, Amble Resorts, [email protected], 773-769-1145 x203

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Amble Resorts