Essentials
- City
- Coronado, West Panama, Panama
- Population
- Approx. 4,000 (increases significantly with weekend visitors)
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic available, typical speeds 100-300 Mbps via Tigo or Cable & Wireless
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD = 1 PAB (Balboa). Note: Only USD bills are used; PAB only exists in coins.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable in most areas, but many expats prefer filtered or bottled water for taste.
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (Same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Tigo or +Móvil; Prepaid plans approx. $15/month for unlimited data. Purchase at Super 99.
- Banking for Expats
- Banco General and BAC Credomatic are the standard; Revolut/Wise work at most ATMs.
- Accommodation
- High-end beachfront condos and gated community villas; expect $1,200 - $2,500/month.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted at supermarkets and major restaurants; cash needed for local 'fondas'.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, or Coronado Concierge for managed vacation rentals.
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Mamallena (approx. $18/night for dorms, $45 for private rooms).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Coronado Luxury Club & Suites area for proximity to the beach and golf course.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Coronado Golf or Solarium for modern amenities, high-speed fiber, and coworking potential.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Coronado Coworking (inside the Coronado Luxury Club & Suites), approx. $15/day.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Pan y Canela - Quiet mornings, good AC, and reliable WiFi near the main entrance.
- Networking Events
- The 'Coronado Community' Facebook group hosts frequent meetups at Picasso Bar & Restaurant.
- Social Events for Expats
- Trivia Nights and Live Music at Picasso Bar & Restaurant (Wednesdays/Fridays).
Other Services and Amenities
- Tech Repair Services
- Soporte Técnico Coronado in the Village Mall.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Coronado Luxury Club & Suites recreation room.
- Language Classes
- Spanish by the Sea - immersive classes geared towards expats.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- The library at Coronado International School (restricted access; check for public hours).
- Community Centers
- The Coronado Equestrian Center serves as a social meeting point.
- Gaming Lounges
- None; most gaming is done in private residences or at sports bars like Sandbar.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Coronado Luxury Club & Suites features a small casino.
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Mail Boxes Etc. Coronado (prices vary by weight, approx. $5/lb for US shipping).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = $99,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = $81,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,100 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = $147,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,750 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = $122,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 100 m² = $200,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 100 m² = $160,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (On Panama-sourced income only).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for local profits, 5% for foreign profits.
- Tax System
- Territorial Tax System (Foreign income is 0% taxed).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% (on income over $50,000).
- VAT
- 7% (ITBMS), excludes food and medicine.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No, Panama does not have CFC rules.
- Property Tax
- Yes, but many new developments have 5-15 year exemptions; otherwise 0.5% - 0.7%.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 2% Transfer Tax + 3% Capital Gains tax, usually paid by the seller.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes, 0% Tax on remote income earned from foreign sources.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber is limited; local yellow taxis or the 'Coronado Cab' WhatsApp service are preferred.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Available via Coronado Luxury Club or private rentals via local expat forums.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Serena - famous for its volcanic black and white sand blend.
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Panama (flying from Albrook 'PAC' Airport in Panama City).
- Top International Airline
- Copa Airlines (Operating out of Tocumen 'PTY' Airport).
- Highway Access
- Direct access to the Pan-American Highway (Interamericana).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No train; Albrook Bus Terminal in Panama City is the main hub for regional buses ($4 USD).
- Public Transport Passes
- Local 'Chiva' buses; pay cash ($0.25 - $1.00) directly to the driver.
- Regional Travel
- Bus to El Valle de Anton ($4) or Panama City (1.5 - 2 hours).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Clínica Hospital San Fernando (Coronado branch) - 24/7 ER and specialist consultations.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Room Coronado - offering group classes for approx. $15/session.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Coronado Fitness Center (inside the Village Mall), approx. $50/month.
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Coronado in the Village Mall (wash/dry/fold services).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa (most reliable service in the Coronado area).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Sancocho (Panamanian chicken soup) at Fonda El Ciruelo.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Luna Rossa - while Italian, they offer excellent vegetable options and custom salads.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Dotel Patisserie (French-style pastries and sweets in the Rincon del Sol plaza).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Super 99, Rey, and El Machetazo - all located at the Coronado entrance.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (via freight forwarders like Mail Boxes Etc. or Airbox Express).
- Grocery Delivery
- App 'PedidosYa' or 'Supermercados Rey' online ordering.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Picasso Bar & Restaurant and Sandbar Gastro Pub.
- Local Brewery
- La Rana Dorada (Standard Panamanian craft beer available at local retail stores).
- Wine Bars
- Felipe Motta Wine Store & Deli - offers an extensive selection and tasting events.
- Street Food Stalls
- Local kiosks near the Rey Supermarket entrance for empanadas and hojaldras.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Don Chacho’s Grill (Panamanian Rotisserie) and Terraza Coronado (Italian).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Coronado Tufa formations at the beach cliffs.
- Museums & Art Venues
- None in Coronado; visit MAC (Museum of Contemporary Art) in Panama City (80km away).
- Historical Sites
- Coronado was the first resort community in Panama, established in the 1940s.
- Religious Sites
- Capilla de San José (beautiful community chapel).
- Annual Events
- Coronado Music Festival and local artisanal fairs in Rincon del Sol.
- Cultural Districts
- El Valle de Anton (nearby mountain town with indigenous markets).
- Theater Venues
- Performances are mostly at the National Theater in Panama City.
- Local Markets
- Coronado Community Market (held monthly) for local crafts and organic produce.
- Music Scene
- Live jazz and rock at Sandbar on weekends.
- Street Art
- Murals located near the beach access points at Playa Serena.
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional seafood workshops at Picasso's.
- Art Galleries
- Local artisan pop-ups in the Coronado Luxury Club lobby.
- Historic Buildings
- The older colonial-style estates near the beach front (private residences).
- Local Heritage
- Strong equestrian culture with world-class stables and polo grounds.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- El Valle de Antón - 45 mins away, located in a dormant volcano crater.
- National Parks Nearby
- Altos de Campana National Park (30 mins drive for hiking and vistas).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Wide coastal roads within the Coronado gated community are popular for cycling.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The cliffs at Playa Coronado overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Coronado Dry Forest trails and the nearby mangroves.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Playa Serena (check local tides and ordinances regarding beach fires).