9 Trendy Neighborhoods in Panama City (With Map)

Panama City is one of the most intriguing capitals in Central America. It’s a rapidly developing cosmopolitan city, washed by the Pacific Ocean on one side and fringed by tropical jungles on the other. Dotted with historic districts and foodie gold mines. Knowing which neighborhoods in Panama City to visit is half the fun.

I’ve called Panama home for three years, and in that time, I’ve made it my mission to explore beyond the obvious. Some of my favorite finds have come from simply wandering through Panama City’s neighborhoods.

I’ll guide you through nine neighborhoods in Panama City that you’re bound to love, whether you’re a first-timer or here long enough to claim a favorite coffee spot. I’ve also included a handy map to keep them all right in your pocket.

9 Coolest Neighborhoods in Panama City, Panama

Santa Ana

Just a short walk from the famous Casco Viejo lies Santa Ana. A tour here usually begins at Plaza Santa Ana and ends at Plaza Cinco de Mayo, marked by an obelisk honoring firefighters who lost their lives in a tragic accident. Around the square, you’ll also find notable landmarks, including the grand Central Railway Station, better known as the Anthropological Museum of Reina Torres de Arauz, which sat abandoned for years before its recent restoration efforts.

Connecting the two plazas is the pedestrian-only Avenida Central, lined with buildings that trace Panama’s history through eclectic architecture. You’ll see everything from Moorish-inspired colonial constructions to Art Deco gems like the old Kodak headquarters and the Pollera.

With so much detail hidden in plain sight, I recommend exploring this neighborhood with a guide. I visited on this walking tour with Daniel, a knowledgeable architecture aficionado, thanks to whom Santa Ana quickly became one of my favorite areas in Panama City.

For more non-touristy things to do, read my article about 24 Ways to Experience Panama City.

Casco Viejo

No Panama City neighborhood guide can go without mentioning Casco Viejo (Old Town), which was founded in 1673 after the original city settlement (Panama Viejo) was destroyed by fire. Today, the historic center of Panama City, with colonial architecture and cobblestone streets, is a must-visit for every traveler, even if you’ve been here before.

The architecture earned this neighborhood a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. According to the organization, the style—a blend of Spanish, French, and early American—is unique to Panama City. Apparently, the only other place that resembles it is New Orleans.

Aside from housing some of Panama City’s best museums, churches, and picturesque buildings, the area also boasts cool cafes and restaurants, boutiques, artisan shops, art galleries, mola stands, and much more, with new additions popping up regularly. The businesses keep the neighborhood’s colonial architecture intact while giving it a modern, stylish feel.

Though its narrow sidewalks and one-way streets tend to get congested during peak visiting hours, mornings in Casco Viejo are magical. Free from crowds and traffic. Just you, Panamanian sun, bourganville-clad terraces, the occasional photoshoot in pollera (traditional Panamanian dress), and a handful of others with the same idea. Dress up like the main character, grab your beverage of choice, and consider booking a morning photoshoot.

Amador Causeway

Amador Causeway isn’t exactly a neighborhood; it’s a long strip connecting four islands built from rock excavated during the construction of the Panama Canal. Stretching into the Pacific, it overlooks the city skyline on one side and on the other, ships making their way towards the Bridge of the Americas and into the Canal.

Beyond the impressive Bio Museum, the long stretch of ocean-flanked pavement is a popular training ground for triathletes. For active travelers, it’s also the perfect spot for long strolls, scenic bike rides, and viewpoints. Midway, a small theme park fills up with street food carts at sunset, and at the very tip, ferries depart for Taboga, Contadora, and Saboga islands.

Marbella & Obarrio

Just steps from Avenida Balboa’s Cinta Costera (Coastal Belt), you’ll find Marbella and its neighbor, Obarrio. They are sophisticated, high-energy districts. Think swanky hotels, sleek concept stores, international cafés, and Pilates studios—that’s the vibe. They’re also strategically positioned in the heart of the city, giving you easy access to both downtown and the old town.

Here’s the thing: Panama City has its fair share of traffic, and with Uber being the most convenient way to get around, the last place you want to be is stuck in a car crawling across town for dinner. Depending on how many days you have in your itinerary, time is precious. If you’re looking for a place to stay outside Casco Viejo, Marbella makes an ideal base.

El Cangrejo

As far as cool neighborhoods in Panama City go, El Cangrejo, fondly known as “Crabtown,” has to be the coolest. It’s Marbella’s hip Art Deco counterpart, which runs on specialty coffee by day and signature drinks by night. 

Cangrejo gathers the city’s most creative and vibrant personalities who, just like its clusters of cafes, restaurants, bars, and clubs, are original in expression. Whether you are after vibes, a café to cowork or the best nightlife in Panama, you’ll find it here. With ample sidewalks along Via Argentina, which divides Cangrejo in half, it is also one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Panama City.

San Francisco 

Some might hand the “coolest” crown to San Francisco—and honestly, I wouldn’t argue too hard. But these two neighborhoods give off different vibes. If El Cangrejo were a person, it’d be Gen Z; San Francisco would be a millennial. 

San Francisco probably packs more food joints into a single block than anywhere else, and it’s home to some of the best restaurants in Panama City, so it’s best to arrive on an empty stomach. It’s not the most walkable neighborhood, but it makes up for it with Parque Omar, one of the best parks in Panama City. And if the weather’s too hot for a stroll and you’re in the mood for some shopping, head to Multiplaza on the neighborhood’s southern edge.

Costa Del Este

Built in the late ’90s, Costa del Este has evolved into one of Panama City’s most upscale enclaves. Home to residential and corporate skyscrapers, it also boasts boutique cafés and fine-dining restaurants. And wide, palm tree-lined and mangrove-fringed sidewalks that make Costa del Este the city’s most walkable neighborhood. 

If you are a returning guest to Panama, this neighborhood should be on your itinerary. It’s not the place I’d suggest basing yourself—it’s a bit removed from the main sights; hence, the off-the-beaten-path status. It’s worth the trip for a taste of its wellness and dining scene. Think LA-inspired workout studios, coffee and smoothies, or an evening spent wining and dining in style.

El Dorado

Panama has a sizeable Chinese diaspora, and much of it is centered in El Dorado, unofficially dubbed the city’s Chinatown. Don’t expect ornate gates and lanterns you may have seen in other countries. The gates are located in Santa Ana, where the original Chinatown lies, now mostly derelict. El Dorado is more low-key: commercial strips buzzing with Chinese mom-and-pop shops, noodle joints, boba, and Asian grocers. 

The Chinese community has seamlessly integrated into local life. In fact, for many Panamanians, the quintessential Sunday breakfast isn’t hojaldres and fried eggs. It’s steaming baskets of dim sum. So when you’re in Panama City, make time for El Dorado and taste this side of local culture the way residents do: one dumpling at a time.

Et voilà! Here are 9 of Panama City’s nicest neighborhoods, in my opinion, that are worth exploring, whether it’s your first visit or your fifth. I’d love to hear which ones you enjoyed most, or if there are any favorites I missed!