Best Neighborhoods for Expats in Panama City: Where to Live

The best neighborhoods for expats in Panama City are Casco Viejo for nightlife and culture ($1,000-2,500/month), Amador for families ($1,500-3,000/month), and Punta Pacifica for luxury living ($2,000-5,000+/month). Each neighborhood offers vastly different experiences, safety levels, and lifestyles. This guide covers Panama City's top expat neighborhoods with rent costs, safety ratings, and lifestyle considerations to help you choose.

Casco Viejo (The Historic District)

Best for: Nightlife lovers, cultural enthusiasts, tourists who want to live like locals

• Rent: $1,000-2,500/month for a 1-2 bedroom apartment
• Safety: Generally safe with police presence; some petty theft in tourist areas
• Vibe: Historic colonial charm, walkable streets, restaurants, bars, galleries
• Expats: Mixed tourist and expat population
• Transportation: Excellent for walking; metro access nearby

Casco Viejo is picturesque and vibrant but can feel touristy. Perfect if you want to be in the action, but expect noise and crowds.

Amador/Causeway

Best for: Families, those seeking modern development, waterfront lifestyle

• Rent: $1,500-3,000/month
• Safety: Very safe; well-policed and developed
• Vibe: Modern, upscale, waterfront views, parks, restaurants
• Expats: Significant expat population; international schools nearby
• Transportation: Good for driving; Uber readily available

Amador is an excellent family neighborhood with modern amenities and a more relaxed pace than Casco Viejo.

Punta Pacifica

Best for: Wealthy expats seeking luxury, professionals, business executives

• Rent: $2,000-5,000+/month
• Safety: Extremely safe; private security and gated buildings
• Vibe: Luxury high-rises, upscale dining, business district
• Expats: Wealthy expats, business professionals
• Transportation: Best by private car or Uber

Punta Pacifica is expensive but offers luxury living and professional business environment.

Panama Viejo

Best for: Expats seeking balance of modern amenities and culture, middle-class families

• Rent: $1,000-2,000/month
• Safety: Generally safe in residential areas; normal urban precautions advised
• Vibe: Mix of modern development and historic ruins; shopping, dining, culture
• Expats: Growing expat population
• Transportation: Good metro access; requires vehicle for some areas

Panama Viejo offers authenticity with modern convenience and is less touristy than Casco Viejo.

San Francisco

Best for: Budget-conscious expats, digital nomads, young professionals

• Rent: $600-1,200/month
• Safety: Improving but mixed; use caution especially at night
• Vibe: Trendy, hip, young expat community, cafes, coworking spaces
• Expats: Digital nomads, young professionals, entrepreneurs
• Transportation: Good metro access; walkable to many places

San Francisco is affordable and vibrant but requires more street awareness for safety.

El Cangrejo

Best for: Those seeking urban convenience, central location, business district proximity

• Rent: $800-1,500/month
• Safety: Generally safe; busy commercial area with police presence
• Vibe: Urban, central, good restaurants and shops, mixed residential/commercial
• Expats: Moderate expat population
• Transportation: Excellent public transportation; walkable to metro

El Cangrejo is convenient and central but less charming than historic areas.

Clayton

Best for: Remote workers, digital nomads, those seeking quiet residential area

• Rent: $800-1,400/month
• Safety: Safe, residential, quiet
• Vibe: Peaceful, family-oriented, coworking spaces, cafes
• Expats: Growing digital nomad and remote worker community
• Transportation: Requires vehicle or Uber; metro access developing

Clayton is emerging as a digital nomad hub with good infrastructure and affordable costs.

Bethania

Best for: Budget expats, those seeking local neighborhood experience

• Rent: $500-900/month
• Safety: Mixed; improving but requires caution
• Vibe: Local, authentic, affordable, less expat-focused
• Expats: Limited expat population
• Transportation: Bus system; requires vehicle or taxi

Bethania offers the lowest costs but is less established for expats.

Neighborhoods to Avoid

El Marañón, Curundu, San Miguelito, El Chorrillo, Colón: High crime rates, limited expat infrastructure, not recommended for most expats. Locals avoid these areas at night.

Choosing Your Neighborhood

Consider these factors:

• Budget: How much can you spend? This determines available options
• Lifestyle: Do you want nightlife and action (Casco Viejo) or peace and quiet (Amador)?
• Safety: How important is a secure, well-policed area? Central neighborhoods are safer
• Community: Do you want large expat community (Casco Viejo, Amador) or local experience (San Francisco)?
• Commute: Will you need to commute to an office? Consider transportation options
• Family: If you have family, school proximity and family-friendly amenities matter

Renting vs. Buying

Most expats rent initially. Renting provides flexibility to change neighborhoods if you don't like your choice. Long-term rentals (6-12 months) are standard.

Buying property is possible for residents but requires navigating legal processes. Most expats don't buy until they've lived in Panama 1-2 years.

Rental Process

To rent an apartment:

• Search on local websites (Inmuebles.com, Vivanuncios, Airbnb long-term)
• Use real estate agents for better selection and negotiation
• Expect to pay 1-2 months deposit plus one month rent upfront
• Negotiate lease terms; landlords often flexible
• Consider furnished apartments (often more expensive but convenient)

Transportation Between Neighborhoods

Panama City is expanding its metro system. Currently available lines serve major areas. Uber is reliable and cheap ($2-5 for most trips). Buses are extremely cheap ($0.25) but crowded and unpredictable. Many expats use Uber exclusively.

The Bottom Line

Panama City offers neighborhoods for every lifestyle and budget. First-time expats typically choose Casco Viejo or Amador for their established infrastructure and expat communities. Experienced expats branch out to Clayton, San Francisco, or Panama Viejo for more authenticity and better value.

Choose based on your priorities, visit neighborhoods in person, talk to current residents, and make an informed decision. Your choice of neighborhood significantly impacts your Panama City experience.

Related Panama Living Guides

• Explore Panama City on ExpatsList
• Panama City Housing & Relocation Services
• Legal & Financial Services in Panama
• Discover Boquete - Panama's Mountain Town

Starting a business in Panama? List your services on ExpatsList to reach the expat community.