Buying beach property in Panama

Panama has beaches on two coasts. On the Pacific, Coronado and Santa Clara are the classic choices for a weekend or second home; on the Caribbean, Playa Escondida is a resort with a marina in Colón. What changes between them is the drive, the type of property and how you plan to use it.

By Kabasso Pieck Real Estate Group · Today we have 31 beach properties in our catalog. The numbers update automatically (2026-11-04). Driving times are approximate.

Pacific or Caribbean?

The Pacific beaches west of the city (Coronado, Santa Clara and others along the coast) are the most popular for weekends: you take the Pan-American Highway and there are many established communities with services. The Caribbean coast, in Colón, has a different landscape and Playa Escondida concentrates everything inside a resort with a marina.

The three beaches compared

Coronado · Pacific

The best-known beach community on Panama’s Pacific coast, with a golf course, shops and services. Good for weekends, for a quieter life or for a second home with everything nearby. About an hour from the city on the Pan-American Highway (depending on traffic).

16 properties today (9 apartments, 4 lots, 2 houses, 1 villa) · homes for sale: US$285,000 – US$2,300,000

Buildings with our listings: Coral Residences, Mareas Beach Club, Coronado Country Club.

Santa Clara · Pacific

White sand and calm water, with a more laid-back pace than the beaches closer to the city. Good for a spacious vacation home, longer stays or family gatherings. Farther than Coronado, in Coclé: allow an hour and a half to two hours from the city, depending on traffic.

3 properties today (3 houses) · homes for sale: US$975,000 – US$4,000,000

Playa Escondida · Caribbean

A resort with a marina and beach, with ocean-view apartments. Good for weekends with everything inside the resort and for owners who plan to rent it out when they are not using it. On the Caribbean coast, in Colón: about 50 minutes from the city on the Panama–Colón highway, depending on traffic. On our beach page we also show pre-construction and move-in ready availability: 104 units today.

5 properties today (5 apartments) · homes for sale: US$426,300 – US$680,000

We also have 7 properties at other beaches, such as Buenaventura and Playa Blanca. See them all on the beach page.

What to use it for

• Weekends close to the city: Coronado, the shortest drive of the three.
• Long stays and a big family house: Santa Clara.
• A turnkey apartment in a resort, or to rent out: Playa Escondida.

What to check before buying at the beach

1. Maintenance and upkeep: salt and humidity wear things out faster. Ask for the maintenance fee and what it covers.
2. Rentals: if you plan to rent it out, ask for the building or resort rules and who can manage it for you. Read investing in rental property in Panama.
3. Title and permits: your lawyer checks the title at the Public Registry, as in any purchase. The general process is in how to buy property in Panama.
4. Visit on a weekend and on a weekday: the atmosphere and the traffic change a lot.

Pre-construction or resale?

At the beach you can buy a new unit (pre-construction or move-in ready) or a resale unit from an owner. A new unit is delivered unused and, in a project in progress, you usually pay in installments. A resale unit is already built and you can see exactly what you are buying, including how the building has aged by the sea.

The difference also matters for residency: under the 2026 rules, a first-sale property qualifies from US$300,000, while a resale property needs US$500,000. See Panama residency by real estate investment.

Tell us which beach you like and your budget on WhatsApp, and we will send you options, including ones not yet listed.

Frequently asked questions