Panama City is a skyline of towers on the Pacific, next to the canal and the restored colonial streets of Casco Viejo. It uses the US dollar, has good internet and flight connections to the whole of the Americas, and runs on UTC-5, the same as New York in winter. Panama’s remote worker visa allows stays of up to 18 months with no Panamanian tax on foreign income.
It is hot and humid all year, life is built around air-conditioning and cars, and costs are higher than in most of Central America. This guide covers what you need to set up for a month or more. For sights as a visitor, see the Panama City travel guide.
Panama City for Digital Nomads at a Glance#
Why Panama City Works for Remote Workers#
- US dollars and US hours. No exchange-rate risk, and the same time as New York in winter.
- Flights. Tocumen is the hub of Copa Airlines, with direct flights across the Americas.
- City comforts. Modern towers with pools and gyms, malls and good hospitals.
- Tax-friendly. Panama taxes only local income, and the remote worker visa confirms foreign income is not taxed.
- Weekend escapes. San Blas islands, Bocas del Toro, the Pearl Islands and the highlands of Boquete.
Who It Suits (and Who It Doesn't)#
Panama City suits US-hours workers who want city comforts, easy travel and a dollar economy. It suits you less if you dislike heat and humidity, want a walkable old-town life everywhere, or want a large nomad scene.
Visas#
US and Canadian citizens can visit visa-free for up to 180 days; UK and EU visitors usually get 90 days (check the limit for your nationality). Panama’s short-stay visa for remote workers lasts nine months, renewable once for another nine, and needs $3,000 a month ($36,000 a year) from abroad.
Panama: Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers
- Stay
- 9 months
- Valid for
- 9 months
- Renewal
- Once, for 9 more months
- Money required
- $3,000 a month ($36,000 a year)
- Fee
- $300 ($250 application plus $50 ID card)
- Who qualifies
- Remote workers for employers or clients outside Panama.
- Family
- Not covered in the official requirements; family members need their own status
- Tax
- Foreign income is not taxed in Panama
- How to apply
- Through a Panamanian lawyer (a notarised power of attorney is required), with the National Migration Service. Official site
Panama uses the dollar and has good flight links across the Americas.
Panama for digital nomads · Rules checked October 2026. Confirm with the official source before applying.
What It Costs#
These are monthly costs for one person renting a furnished one-bed in a central neighbourhood, in US dollars.
| Monthly cost | Typical range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Furnished 1-bed apartment, monthly | $800 - $1,500 | In San Francisco, El Cangrejo, Obarrio or Casco Viejo; many towers have pools and gyms |
| Electricity and water | $60 - $180 | Air-con all year makes electricity a big bill |
| Home internet | Fibre from Cable & Wireless (+Móvil) or Tigo | |
| Coworking | $60 - $270 | Day passes about $15-49; some local spaces have cheap monthly plans |
| Food (groceries plus eating out often) | $350 - $650 | Fondas are cheap; imported groceries are not |
| Transport | $40 - $120 | Metro Lines 1 and 2, MetroBus, Uber and InDrive |
| Phone plan with data | $10 - $25 | +Móvil, Tigo or Digicel prepaid |
| Gym | Often included in apartment towers | |
| Social life and extras | $150 - $400 | Rooftop bars in Casco Viejo; island trips |
These are ballpark estimates, not quotes. Real costs vary hugely with your lifestyle, which neighbourhood you live in, how often you eat out or take taxis, the season and the exchange rate. Use them to compare places, then check current prices before you commit.
Ways to save: eat at fondas, use the metro, and choose a tower with a gym and pool included. Electricity for air-conditioning is the biggest surprise in most budgets.
Where to Live#
Most nomads live in El Cangrejo, Obarrio and San Francisco, or Casco Viejo.
| Neighbourhood | Vibe | 1-bed / month | Best for | Getting around |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Cangrejo | A central, walkable area of restaurants, cafes and apartment towers | $800-1,300 | First-timers and walkers | Metro Line 1 (Vía Argentina) |
| Obarrio and San Francisco | Business districts of towers, offices, restaurants and coworking | $900-1,500 | Working nomads | Uber; Metro nearby |
| Casco Viejo | The restored colonial old town, with rooftop bars, plazas and boutique hotels | $1,000-1,800 | Character and nightlife | Walk; Uber |
| Punta Pacífica and Paitilla | Seafront towers with views, near the hospital and malls | $1,100-1,900 | Views and comfort | Uber; Cinta Costera |
| Costa del Este | A planned, newer district of towers and offices east of the centre | $1,000-1,700 | Families and modern living | Car or Uber |
Monthly rentals are listed on Airbnb, Encuentra24 and in Panama expat Facebook groups. Check the electricity rate, the building’s water backup and the noise from construction.
Coworking Spaces#
Day passes cost about $15 to $49. Prices below are as published or recently reported.
Panama Coworking Center
A well-rated local coworking operator with spaces in Obarrio and Costa del Este; ten-day passes cost about $150.
Best for: A professional local option
Works
A friendly coworking space in the Torre de las Américas towers, with day passes and ten-pass bundles.
Best for: Value with a view
The Cube Coworking
A small, well-rated space on Vía España next to the Iglesia del Carmen metro station.
Best for: Value near El Cangrejo
WeWork Plaza 2000
A modern WeWork on Calle 50; the All Access plan covers WeWork locations worldwide.
Best for: WeWork members
Cafes in El Cangrejo, San Francisco and Casco Viejo welcome laptops, and malls have air-conditioned food courts with Wi-Fi.
Internet and SIM Cards#
Fibre from +Móvil (Cable & Wireless) and Tigo is widely available, typically 100 to 500 Mbps. Mobile coverage is good in the city.
Getting Around#
Metro Lines 1 and 2 cover the main corridors, with Line 3 to the west under construction. Uber and InDrive are cheap; traffic is heavy at rush hour. The Cinta Costera seafront path is good for walking and cycling in the cooler hours. Tocumen airport is 30 to 45 minutes from the centre.
Weather and When to Go#
January to April is the dry season and the best time: hot but sunny. May to December is the rainy season, with heavy afternoon storms; October and November are the wettest months. Panama is outside the hurricane belt.
Community and Meeting People#
Coworking events, Meetup groups, language exchanges, running and cycling groups on the Cinta Costera and Panama expat Facebook groups are the easiest ways in.
Health and Safety#
The main neighbourhoods are generally safe; avoid parts of the city next to Casco Viejo after dark, and use ride-hailing at night. Private hospitals such as Punta Pacífica and Paitilla are excellent; carry health insurance, which the visa requires.
Panama City Digital Nomad FAQs#
Is Panama City good for digital nomads?
Yes, for US-hours workers who want a dollar economy, city comforts and easy flights. It is hot all year and more expensive than most of Central America.
How much does it cost to live in Panama City?
About $2,200 a month for a comfortable life with your own flat, from about $1,500 on a budget. These are ballpark figures, and air-conditioning adds up.
Does Panama have a digital nomad visa?
Yes. The remote worker visa lasts nine months, renewable once, and needs $3,000 a month in income from abroad.
Where should digital nomads live in Panama City?
El Cangrejo for a walkable, central base, Obarrio and San Francisco for coworking and restaurants, and Casco Viejo for character.
Last reviewed October 2026. Prices and venues change: check before you commit to a month.