The Panama City Beaches Area

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Reviewed by Kathleen Peddicord

Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.


Find Comfort and Convenience in the Panama City Beaches Area

Playa El Palmar is located in Panama City Panama
Adobe Stock/Ericpty

You can drive out from Panama City after work on Friday, enjoy a weekend at the beach, then return to the city Sunday evening in time for the work week, and that’s precisely what every Panamanian living in Panama City who can afford it does.

To Panama City residents, the City Beaches are close enough for quick weekend trips but far enough away to forget the stress and commotion of the city.

And, to residents of the City Beaches, the capital offers a level of nightlife, a variety of dining options, and cultural events not available at the beaches.

The Cost Of Living In The Panama City Beaches Area, Panama

The cost of living is higher than many destinations in Panama due mostly to the location and accessibility of Panama City. A couple can live and retire well on US$2,440 per month here.

Panama uses the U.S. dollar.

Apartment Or House Ownership Budget (For A Couple)

ExpenseMonthly CostsNotes
MortgageNot included here as too variable.
HOA FeesUS$150Average.
Property TaxesNot included here as too variable.
TransportationUS$15Occasional taxi or Uber.
GasUS$8Per tank.
ElectricityUS$150Average with air conditioning.
WaterUS$20
Cell phoneUS$35Tigo prepaid minutes.
InternetUS$40Depending on the location, it could be more.
Cable TVUS$36
Household HelpUS$45Cleaning once every two weeks.
EntertainmentUS$152Eating out twice a week at a mid-range, local restaurant (US$120), local drinks twice a week at a nearby watering hole (US$6), movie theatre trip twice a month (US$10).
GroceriesUS$400Basic items for a couple. This includes beer, wine, and some imported organic foods.
Gym membership
Medical AppointmentUS$15Basic checkup in a public hospital.
TOTALUS$1,066

Apartment Or House Rental Budget (For A Couple)

ExpenseMonthly CostsNotes
RentUS$900In a desirable part of town (city center, if applicable), furnished, two-bedroom, comfortable apartment.
TransportationUS$15Occasional taxi or Uber.
GasUS$8Per tank.
ElectricityUS$150Average with air conditioning.
WaterIncluded in rent.
Cell phoneUS$35Using Tigo prepaid minutes.
InternetUS$40Depending on the location, it could be more.
Cable TVUS$36Included in internet price.
Household HelpUS$45Cleaning once every two weeks.
EntertainmentUS$152Eating out twice a week at a mid-range, local restaurant (US$120), local drinks twice a week at a nearby watering hole (US$6), movie theatre trip twice a month (US$10).
GroceriesUS$400Basic items for a couple. This includes wine, beer, and some imported organic foods.
Gym Membership
Medical AppointmentUS$16Basic checkup in a public hospital.
TOTALUS$1,797

Penny-Pincher’s Budget (Bare Minimum Costs, For A Couple)

ExpenseMonthly CostsNotes
RentUS$400Cheapest part of town (still desirable), most basic one-bedroom rental.
TransportationUS$15Occasional taxi.
GasUS$8Per tank.
ElectricityUS$40Without air conditioning.
WaterUS$15
Cell PhoneUS$20No plan. Just buying pre-paid cards when needed.
InternetUS$22Basic internet.
Cable TVUS$14Most basic cable.
EntertainmentUS$40Eating out once a week at a local restaurant.
GroceriesUS$200All local-brand items only, shopping markets and local vendors along with grocery stores.
TOTALUS$774

Eating Out:

  • A beer: Can range from US$$2 to US$6
  • Rum & Coke (or other local drink): Can range from US$5 to US$8
  • A coffee: US$2.50
  • A sandwich (or equivalent): US$5
  • Average cost of a meal out per person: US$16

Cost of Car/Motor Bike Ownership:

  • Vehicle insurance: US$316 per year.
  • Fuel: depends on your car usage. It can be anywhere from US$10 a month in town to US$100 for greater distances.
  • Upkeep: US$200 to US$300 per year depending on the condition of vehicle.
  • Monthly payments: N/A
  • Parking: N/A

What Are The Nearest Beaches To Panama City?

Among Panama City nearest beaches Veracruz Beach, Taboga Island, Coronado, El Palmar, Malibu, and Contadora Island.

Infrastructure In The Panama City Beaches Area

While the spots on this coast developed two or three or more decades ago can sometimes be described as “basic” when it comes to amenities and infrastructure, the newer developments are increasingly high-end. For example, JW Marriott put its name to what is without a doubt the nicest resort property not only in this part of Panama but anywhere in the country.

In other words, the City Beaches are coming of age, and, as they mature, the options they include are of a markedly higher standard.

Nowhere else in Panama would the living be as easy or as convenient.

You’re an hour-and-a-half (give or take) from Panama City, meaning you can return to the big city for supplies, shopping, and nightlife whenever you want. However, you can also find almost everything and anything you might need or want locally now, as well.

The shopping and dining options, specifically in Coronado, are expanding all the time.

Coronado has steadily grown and now has first-world amenities at cheap prices. If you’re looking for a beach-resort lifestyle with low prices and plenty to do, Coronado, Panama, is the place for you.

Climate In The Panama City Beaches Area

The Panama City Beaches are hot and humid. But residents also enjoy the convenience of the cool, rejuvenating air of Panama’s highlands nearby.

For example, lovely El Valle (another former weekend getaway turned full-time community) is only 30 minutes away, making spontaneous day trips possible whenever the need for a break from the heat of the beaches arises.

Panama has yet to become the worldwide mecca for surfers that Costa Rica is, even though its Pacific Coast waves often are on par with those of its neighbor. But that’s a good thing. In other words, the waters are much less crowded than Costa Rica.

The best time for surfing the Pacific Beaches is generally April to June, when offshore winds kick up fairly consistent swells. In some places they can actually get too big for beginners that time of year.

During the November-to-April dry season (“summer” in Panama parlance), the winds are generally lighter and the waves slightly calmer.

Catch The Surf In The Panama City Beaches Area

surfer gets in the water, bocas del toro, panama
Adobe Stock/Global Pic’s

Surfing neophytes will likely want to head straight to Playa El Palmar, outside the town of San Carlos and about 10 kilometers west of Coronado. Because it’s only about an hour and a half from Panama City, it’s a popular place and can get crowded on the weekends. In short, you won’t find much competition for the waves on weekdays.

Frente El Palmar (The Palmar Front)

This a beach break with a nice, soft sandy bottom for those times you inevitably tumble from your tabla (Panamanian Spanish for surfboard). Beginners will want to check here first, especially on a low to medium tide, and dive right in if the swells are there. The rides can be short, but fun.

Punta Palmar (Palmar Point)

If the tide is high, head for this spot to the right of the beach break. It’s a rocky bottom and the swells can be larger than the front so beginners may want to tread lightly here, but those with experience will appreciate the powerful waves here.

Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii)

This one is also close to the Palmar area. Most importantly, it’s often less crowded than the point or the front (especially on weekends). And, it’s also a rock bottom and ideal when the swells are around four feet or less at high tide.

Playa Rio Mar

Further west down the road from Palmar is Playa Rio Mar, where two breaks dominate—the Frente Rio Mar (Rio Mar Front), a beach break that goes both left and right, that is best at medium to high tide, and Punta Rio Mar (Rio Mar Point), about a mile down the beach, near a long rock ledge where the waves break predominantly at low tide.

Playa Malibu

In the direction of Panama City near the town of Gorgona is one of the best and most consistent spots in the Panama City Beaches.

The waves break to the right along a sandbar at the mouth of the Chame River. And, look for some lovely tubes here on a good day, but beware of debris in the water drifting out from the mouth of the river (especially after a heavy rain).

Playa Teta

Another river-mouth spot, also near Coronado, the main attraction here is the long lefts at low tide at the front and the tubes and long rides on incoming tides at the point. Nearby Rinconsito, named after a famous break in California, is known for a right break that can stretch as long as 183 meters under the right conditions.

Panama City Beaches FAQs

Does Panama Have Good Surf?

Panama is a great place to surf because the country offers the best spots in Central America. And you can surf all year round.

How Big Are The Waves In The Panama City Beaches?

The waves in the Panama City Beaches can be strong and reach up to eight feet (2.5 meters).

Where Are The Biggest Waves In Panama?

Panama has reliable surf and the most famous waves in the country can be found in the province of Bocas Del Toro.

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