Real Costs in Panama City, Panama

[Jessica Ramesch]

Googdness gracious, Panama City has everything… a sparkling skyline filled with oceanview condos… green neighborhoods filled with families and nice houses that feel 100 miles away but are a 15-minute drive from the city center’s Johns Hopkins International affiliated hospital… and so, so much more. If you caught my article six months ago, in the Dec 2024 issue (https://magazine.internationalliving.com/internationalliving/library/item/december_2024/4235809/), you know what I’m talking about (and if you’re curious, head on over and give it a quick read)

On my most recent extended stay in Panama City, here’s what things cost $$$

Here’s some of the great stuff I did in Panama City, and what it cost me:

$0 Phenomenal walks on the Cinta Costera into Casco Viejo
$0 Rollerblading on the Amador Causeway
$0 Hiking up Ancon Hill with friends
$0 multiple visits to the gym and pool in my building
$0 live jazz/salsa at Villa Ana, the best speakeasy I’ve ever been to (sorry NYC)
$0 live classic rock at Tres Gatos Brewery
$3.25 coffee at Café Unido
$5.35 coffee and tour of the art-filled Sofitel Hotel in Casco Viejo
$8 coffee and snacks at Misawa Japanese Bakery
$10 coffee and pastries at Maru Korean Dessert Café
$20 cognac at Villa Ana
$20 flight of microbrews and snacks at Tres Gatos Brewery
$30 guided rainforest walk for three at Parque Metropolitano
$85 lavish dinner at Popino
$230 shopping at Express and Steve Madden (Multiplaza mall)
$52 cocktails and dinner at hip Fonda Lo Que Hay in Casco Viejo
$281 maintenance for my Hyundai Accent at the agency
$27 lunch and Soju at Soban Korean restaurant
$34 sparkling water and two Manhattans at the ritzy bar of Hotel La Compañía in Casco Viejo
$21 two coffees, sparkling water, and spanakopita for lunch at Meze
$17 pastry and mimosa at American Society luncheon at Petit Paris

I also took about ten Uber rides ranging in cost from $3.26 to $5.66

Other free events taking place in the city included two modern art exhibits, a full moon meditation, a National Symphony concert, and an alternative world film festival at the University of Panama. Paid events included Panama’s very own Comic Con (tickets from $15), Live salsa at Voodoo Lounge ($20), and a Sandeman Port tasting event ($20, which you could then use toward a purchase of the port.) These are activities I was interested in, but there were myriad others… if you’re into other things… golf, cigars, what have you… you can probably find it here!
*Retiree residents of Panama get 50% off event tickets.

You can read more at the above link… happy exploring!

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

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