Panama City Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ City |
Panama City, Panamá Province, Panama |
| 👥 Population |
Approximately 1,900,000 (Metropolitan Area) |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
Average 120-150 Mbps (Fiber available widely in Marbella and Costa del Este) |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
USD (Official) and PAB (Balboa, pegged 1:1). ATMs dispense USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Drinkable and safe from the tap in Panama City; high quality filtration used. |
| 🔌 Power |
120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (Same as USA/Canada) |
| 📶 SIM Card |
Tigo or Más Móvil. $15 USD for 15 days of unlimited data. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
Banco General, Banistmo, and Scotiabank. Revolut/Wise work for withdrawals. |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
Luxury high-rises in Punta Pacifica (~$1,800/mo) or colonial flats in Casco Viejo ($2,500/mo). |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Yes, credit cards accepted in 95% of city establishments; cash needed for 'diablos rojos' buses. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Airbnb, Selina Casco Viejo, and Panama Casa (Monthly rentals from $1,200). |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Magnolia Inn (Casco Viejo) - approx. $25/night for dorms, $80/night private. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
Casco Viejo (Historic District) for charm, architecture, and nightlife. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
El Cangrejo (walkable, cafes, Via Argentina) or Bella Vista (near Ribbon park). |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
Workings (multiple locations like Costa del Este and Obarrio) - ~$250/month. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Mentiritas Blancas (El Cangrejo) - Excellent coffee and laptop-friendly tables. |
| 💼 Networking Events |
Panamá Coworking Center meetups and 'Innovation Center' events at Ciudad del Saber. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Expats in Panama City Facebook Group and InterNations monthly mixers at Sortis Hotel. |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
Albrook Terminal (Central hub for Panama Metro Line 1 and national buses). |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
Metro Card ($2 USD for card) - Metro rides $0.35, MetroBus $0.25. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
Bus from Albrook to David/Boquete ($15-$20) or ferry to Pearl Islands. |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
Uber (most reliable) and InDrive (cheaper, cash-heavy). |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Cinta Costera bike rentals near Hotel Miramar - approx. $5/hour. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Playa Blanca (2 hours drive) or Taboga Island (30-min ferry for $24 roundtrip). |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
Copa Airlines (Hub of the Americas at PTY Airport). |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
Copa Airlines, United, Air France, KLM. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
Corredor Sur (toll road connecting PTY to City) and Corredor Norte. |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Pacifica Salud (Johns Hopkins Medicine International affiliate) in Punta Pacifica. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
El Arte de Vivir (Obarrio) or PTY Yoga Center (San Francisco). |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
PowerClub (Panama City's largest chain) - ~ $70-$90/month. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
Lavanderia Super Clean (various locations) - ~ $1.50 per lb for wash/dry/fold. |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
PedidosYa (The dominant local delivery app). |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Sancocho (Chicken stew) or Ceviche at the Mercado de Mariscos. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
Dodo Bon Pan (Casco Viejo) and Karma Cafe (El Cangrejo). |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
La Michoacana (Ice cream) and Ascanio's Pastry Shop. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
Albrook Mall and Los Pueblos for high-volume discount shopping. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
Amazon (via freight forwarders like Airbox Express) and Encuentra24. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Riba Smith (Online/App) and Supermercados Rey. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
Casco Viejo (Rooftop bars like Selina or Tántalo). |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
La Rana Dorada (Multiple locations including El Cangrejo and Casco). |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
Miro Wine Bar and The Wine Bar (Hotel El Panama). |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
Mercado de Mariscos (Seafood market) for $3-5 cups of ceviche. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
Lucca (Italian, San Francisco) and Gaucho’s (Steakhouse). |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
The Panama Canal (Miraflores Locks) - $20 USD entry. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
Biomuseo (designed by Frank Gehry) on the Amador Causeway. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
Panamá Viejo (The original city ruins destroyed by pirates). |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
Metropolitan Cathedral and San José Church (Golden Altar). |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
Carnival (February/March) and Panama Jazz Festival (January). |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
Casco Antiguo/Viejo (UNESCO World Heritage Site). |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
Teatro Nacional (Casco Viejo) recently renovated. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Mercado de Artesanías de Balboa for Guna Yala 'Molas'. |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
Jazz at Danilo’s Jazz Club; Salsa at Habana Panama. |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Vibrant murals throughout Avenida Central and El Chorrillo. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Panama Gourmet Cooking Classes in San Francisco. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
DiabloRosso (Contemporary Art) in Casco Viejo. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
Palacio de las Garzas (Presidential Palace). |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
Pollera (Traditional dress) and Panama Hat tradition. |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Parque Metropolitano (A rainforest within city limits). |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Soberania National Park (Pipeline Road for birding) - 45 mins away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
The Amador Causeway (6km path connecting 4 islands). |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
Ancon Hill (Cerro Ancon) - Best panoramic view of the skyline and canal. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
Pipeline Road (Soberania) - World famous for tropical bird counts. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
Not permitted in city; allowed at Veracruz beach bonfires (20 mins away). |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
Mail Boxes Etc. and DHL. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
Mac Store (Multiplaza) and various independent shops in El Dorado Mall. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Metropolitan Table Tennis Club. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
Spanish Panama (El Cangrejo) - Private and group lessons. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
Biblioteca Nacional Ernesto J. Castillero R. in Parque Omar. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
Ciudad del Saber (City of Knowledge) - Campus for NGOs and tech. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
Arena PTY for esports and gaming. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
Veneto Casino and Ocean Sun Casino (JW Marriott). |
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = $126,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $1,900 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = $85,500) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $2,600 per m² (e.g., 65 m² = $169,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $1,700 per m² (e.g., 65 m² = $110,500) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $2,400 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $216,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $135,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
25% (On Panama-sourced income only). |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
10% (Local source), 5% (Foreign source or export income). |
| 🏦 Tax System |
Territorial Tax System (Only income earned within Panama is taxed). |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
25% (For income over $50,000 PAB). |
| 🧾 VAT |
7% (Known as ITBMS). |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
No, Panama does not have CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
Yes, progressive rates from 0% to 0.7% depending on value and primary residence status. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
2% Property Transfer Tax + 3% Advance Capital Gains Tax paid by seller. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
0% tax on foreign-earned income through the Territorial Tax System. |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING PANAMA CITY