The Panama City Beaches Area

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 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)

Apartment Or House Rental Budget (For A Couple)

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.