Market Intelligence

Panama Real Estate Market Report: November 2026

This report summarizes active listing data, asking-price benchmarks, inventory signals, and market analysis for Panama's three primary markets: Panama City, the Coronado and Pacific beach corridor, and Boquete and the Chiriqui Highlands. Every figure is an asking price or a reported statistic, clearly labeled, and never presented as a verified closed sale.

Last updated: October 9, 2026
Market research period: October 2026

Panama Real Estate Market at a Glance

Asking-price benchmarks compiled in October 2026 from active listing portals and published 2026 analyses. Conversion: 1 square meter = 10.7639 square feet. Figures are asking prices or reported statistics, not verified closed sales.

How this data was gathered
Market Typical asking range Typical asking $/m2 Typical asking $/sq ft Active inventory read Confidence
Panama City Median apartment asking ~$2,208/m2 (re-confirmed Sept 22, 2026); avg condo asking ~$265K; most activity $110K-$650K ~$2,208 citywide median asking; $1,700-$2,100 typical central resale; new-build ~15% above resale ~$205 citywide; ~$158-$195 central resale Developer inventory ~9-year low; new-construction sales climbing; rents +13.5% YoY; Fed hike Sept 16, 2026 raises financing watch High
Coronado & Pacific Beaches Entry condos/homes from ~$150K; classic beachfront $300K-$800K; Buenaventura condos ~$2,500-$3,500/m2 ~$2,200 Coronado/San Carlos average asking, largely flat 2025-2026; Buenaventura the exception ~$204 Coronado average asking Nueva Gorgona ~300 listings on Properstar; Coronado inventory described as thinning; corridor momentum cited 5-8%/yr Moderate
Boquete & Chiriqui Highlands Houses ~$250K-$1.5M; condos $180K-$500K; land $40K-$300K; Volcan houses $90K-$280K Median asking ~$990; cited average ~$4,200 skews to luxury ~$92 median Steady retiree-driven demand; FazWaz community counts: Jaramillo 44, Palmira 43, Los Naranjos 16 listings Moderate

ACTIVE LISTING DATA - figures drawn from live listing portals (Encuentra24, FazWaz, Properstar, brokerage sites).

REPORTED SALE - registry-derived sale summaries published by third parties; not independently verified.

ASKING-PRICE TREND - ranges from broker and market guides describing what sellers advertise.

MARKET ESTIMATE - analyst or forecast figures; directional, not a promise.

Market One

Panama City, Panama

Median apartment asking / m2

~$2,208

~$205/sq ft | re-confirmed Sept 22, 2026 | ACTIVE LISTING DATA

Average condo asking

~$265K

Most activity $110K-$650K | ACTIVE LISTING DATA

New-build inventory

~9-year low

Q1 2026; new-construction sales climbing | MARKET ESTIMATE

Average gross yield

~7%

GPG 6.94% Q2 2026; studios/1BR 8-9% | MARKET ESTIMATE

The most useful starting number for Panama City remains the median apartment asking price of about $2,208 per square meter (roughly $205 per sq ft), which PanamaProp re-confirmed in its September 22, 2026 update, with an average total condo asking near $265,000 and most activity between $110,000 and $650,000 (ACTIVE LISTING DATA). The estimated closed-sale median sits lower, near $2,030 per square meter, a spread of about 8% that suggests negotiation room on overpriced resales (MARKET ESTIMATE). New-build asking prices run about 15% above resale, and the market is still widely described as K-shaped: newer, well-amenitized buildings hold or gain, while older amenity-poor stock stays flat.

By neighborhood, October 2026 research sharpens the map. Santa Maria leads central pricing with new and premium asking near $3,900 per square meter and a premium new-build band of $3,400-$4,200 (Global Property Guide), Punta Pacifica shows a resale median near $2,696 with premium units averaging close to $4,200, Costa del Este a resale median near $2,762 with new and premium near $3,760, and Avenida Balboa a zone average near $3,400 with registry-derived reported sales spanning $1,600-$3,500+ per square meter (ACTIVE LISTING DATA / REPORTED SALE). New submarket data points this cycle: Marbella shows a 2026 median near $3,119 per square meter on a reported 50-sale sample, and Punta Paitilla pricing bands run from $145,000-$245,000 for one-bedrooms in older towers to $425,000-$725,000 for two-bedrooms in modern towers. Central districts San Francisco, El Cangrejo, and Obarrio sit near $2,040-$2,060 per square meter, below the citywide median.

Supply and financing are the stories to watch. Developer inventory remains near a nine-year low, and industry reports from September 25, 2026 describe the market as having "turned a corner," with new-construction sales climbing and rents rising after years of oversupply. Global Property Guide's mid-year survey, a different measurement, reported 4,020 units sold worth PAB 446.10 million through July 2026, down 34.4% year over year; both signals are reported here because they measure different windows. Asking rents average near $14.70 per square meter per month, up about 13.5% year over year, and average gross yields run near 7% citywide, with well-located studios and one-bedrooms in districts like El Cangrejo and Obarrio near 8-9% (MARKET ESTIMATE). The US Federal Reserve's 25-basis-point hike on September 16, 2026 to 3.75%-4.00% matters here because Panama is dollarized: local mortgage costs track US rates, and foreign-buyer mortgages were already quoted near 6.5%-8.0%.

Market questions answered

What is the price per square foot in Panama City?

At a citywide median apartment asking price of about $2,208 per square meter, Panama City asking prices translate to roughly $205 per square foot (1 m2 = 10.7639 sq ft). Typical central resale asking prices of $1,700-$2,100 per square meter equal about $158-$195 per square foot, while premium waterfront districts price materially higher. These are asking prices, not verified sales.

Last updated: October 9, 2026 | Research period: October 2026

Is buying property in Panama City still a good investment in late 2026?

Based on current inventory and demand, Panama City appears to remain the most liquid market in the country. Signals that suggest continued strength: developer inventory near a nine-year low, rents rising for more than a year, and an industry narrative of a market that has "turned a corner." The caveats: Global Property Guide's mid-year sales survey shows a reported year-over-year decline in units sold, and the Fed's September rate hike may raise financing costs for foreign buyers near 6.5-8.0%. Appreciation appears concentrated in newer, well-amenitized buildings. Nothing here is a guarantee.

Where can I buy a condo in Panama City for under $300K?

Active listings under $300,000 cluster in central districts in 2026: El Cangrejo (new one- and two-bedroom units from about $127,000-$245,000, resales from about $1,700 per square meter), San Francisco, Obarrio, and Bella Vista, where new projects such as Awa by Living start near $154,115 and Aura near $183,000. On the waterfront, a $300,000 budget usually means a smaller or older resale, since new towers in Punta Pacifica and Costa del Este ask more per square meter (ACTIVE LISTING DATA).

Panama City neighborhood guides

Deep dives: the Panama buying guide explains the purchase process, and what $500,000 buys in Panama puts these price bands in context.

Market Two

Coronado and the Pacific Beach Corridor, Panama

Coronado average asking

~$2,200 /m2

~$204/sq ft | largely flat 2025-2026 | ASKING-PRICE TREND

Entry condos / homes

from ~$150K

Nueva Gorgona deepest supply | ACTIVE LISTING DATA

Classic beachfront

$300K-$800K

Villas to $2.5M+ | ASKING-PRICE TREND

Buenaventura condos

~$2,500-$3,500 /m2

Developer-led premium | ACTIVE LISTING DATA

Playa Coronado, Panama Oeste remains the most liquid Pacific beach market, and October 2026 research finds the corridor's asking averages largely flat through 2025-2026 rather than rising like Panama City: Coronado and San Carlos both show average asking prices near $2,200 per square meter (about $204 per sq ft), with brokers still citing 5-8% annual momentum for the fastest-growing beach markets (ASKING-PRICE TREND / MARKET ESTIMATE). Entry condos and homes start around $150,000, classic beachfront homes list from about $300,000 to $800,000, and large upscale villas reach $2.5 million or more.

Fresh October 2026 asking examples ground the range: in Coronado, a two-bedroom oceanfront unit at PH Coronado Bay (100 m2) lists at $280,000, a four-bedroom home in Coronado Escapes (236 m2) at $311,250, a house with pool at $325,000, and a 2,733 m2 second-line beach lot at $349,000 (ACTIVE LISTING DATA). In San Carlos, a 305 m2 golf-and-ocean condo at Vista Mar lists at $380,000-$399,000, a two-bedroom ocean-view unit at PH Ensenada Beach (97 m2) at $260,000, and an oceanfront home at Playa Corona at $630,000. Nueva Gorgona keeps the corridor's deepest supply, about 300 listings on Properstar, with fresh examples from a two-bedroom Royal Palm condo at $178,000 to a three-bedroom beachfront apartment at $318,000 (ACTIVE LISTING DATA). Registry-derived sale summaries reported by Panacomps in March 2026 still show Coronado condos selling around $120,000-$200,000 and houses around $250,000-$400,000, below typical asking bands (REPORTED SALE).

The corridor splits into two stories. Developer-led Buenaventura commands a clear premium: beachfront homes from about $340,000, the new Marina Village Tower 700 from $527,538, and resale condos implying roughly $2,500-$3,500 per square meter, while Farallon and Costa Esmeralda sit closer to the corridor norm ($2,000-$2,200 per square meter on recent examples). The Scarlett Martinez international airport under construction near Rio Hato, about 15 minutes from Costa Esmeralda, is the corridor's main forward catalyst (ACTIVE LISTING DATA / MARKET ESTIMATE). On income, Coronado remains outside the District of Panama's specific 45-day rule under Law 80; short-term-rental requirements can still depend on the property's permitted use, current local requirements, and PH or community rules. AirROI's 2026 dataset shows average Airbnb revenue near $11,457 per year across roughly 229 active listings at about 26.5% occupancy, and brokerages estimate 7-10% net returns for well-managed properties. The low occupancy number is the honest caveat: Coronado income is seasonal, and projections should reflect it (MARKET ESTIMATE).

Market questions answered

What are oceanfront homes selling for in Coronado?

In Playa Coronado, Panama Oeste, Panama, classic beachfront homes list from about $300,000 to $800,000, with large upscale villas from $800,000 up to $2.5 million or more. Registry-derived sale summaries reported in March 2026 show condos selling around $120,000-$200,000 and houses around $250,000-$400,000 (REPORTED SALE). Fresh October 2026 asking examples include a two-bedroom oceanfront unit at PH Coronado Bay at $280,000. Asking and reported sale ranges diverge, so current comps matter more than list price.

Last updated: October 9, 2026 | Research period: October 2026

Is Coronado a good market for rental income?

Coronado appears to work best for short-term vacation rentals: Coronado is outside the District of Panama's 45-day rule, but property-specific, local and PH/community requirements may still apply. AirROI data shows average Airbnb revenue near $11,457 per year at roughly 26.5% occupancy, and brokerages estimate 7-10% net returns for well-managed properties. Long-term leases are softer at 5-7% gross. Model the low season into any projection (MARKET ESTIMATE).

Where is the most affordable beachfront in the corridor?

Based on active listings, Nueva Gorgona offers the corridor's most accessible entry, with about 300 listings on Properstar and fresh examples from $178,000 for a two-bedroom Royal Palm condo up to $351,400 for a PH Bahia two-bedroom. Costa Esmeralda also shows entry condos near $149,000. Quality varies significantly by development, so compare buildings, frontage, and maintenance records rather than price alone (ACTIVE LISTING DATA).

Market Three

Boquete and the Chiriqui Highlands, Panama

Boquete median asking

~$249K

Median ~$990/m2 | MARKET ESTIMATE

Typical condos

$180K-$500K

Downtown condos from ~$219K | ACTIVE LISTING DATA

Typical houses

~$250K-$1.5M

Alto Boquete $250K-$1.15M examples | ASKING-PRICE TREND

Volcan houses

$90K-$280K

Highlands value entry | ACTIVE LISTING DATA

Boquete, Chiriqui, Panama remains the country's best-known mountain and retirement market, and October 2026 research finds a steady, retiree-driven market rather than a hot one. The median asking price for a Boquete property is about $249,000 at a median near $990 per square meter, while a widely cited overall average near $4,200 per square meter skews heavily to luxury stock and should be read as the top of the market, not the typical level (MARKET ESTIMATE). Typical condos list from about $180,000 to $500,000, houses from about $250,000 up to $1.5 million, and land from roughly $40,000 to $300,000 (ACTIVE LISTING DATA / ASKING-PRICE TREND).

Fresh October 2026 listing counts give the communities clearer shape. FazWaz shows 44 active listings in Jaramillo, 43 in Palmira, and 16 in Los Naranjos. Pricing examples run in order of convenience: Bajo Boquete and downtown condos from about $219,000; Alto Boquete homes from $250,000 (a three-bedroom on 600 m2) up to $410,000 for a 372 m2 canyon-view home, with riverfront estates near $799,000 and higher-end homes to $1.15 million; Volcancito from $664,900 to $850,000, including a two-home property with a geisha coffee garden on 16 hectares; and Caldera, the value entry, from $40,000 for a rustic house up to $160,000 in Caldera Pueblo (ACTIVE LISTING DATA). At the top, a Valle Escondido estate at $1.85 million is now listed as contract pending, and a Jaramillo home at Lucero Golf & Country Club asks $465,000. Land remains the value entry: Alto Boquete parcels from about $70 per square meter, Palmira 1,000 m2 lots at $35,000-$40,000, and Volcancito mountain lots from about $91,840.

Volcan and the Tierras Altas highlands price a full step lower than Boquete: houses list from about $90,000 to $280,000 in the typical band, with fresh examples including a two-bedroom home on 1,200 m2 at $110,000, a four-bedroom at $170,000, and a high-end off-grid home at $500,000, while larger estates reach $790,000 to $1 million plus (ACTIVE LISTING DATA). Improved building lots in and near town run roughly $12 to $160 per square meter depending on services and location, and large rural parcels and farms from about $1.20 to $8 per square meter. No credible month-over-month price move was found in any of these highland communities in the October 2026 research pass; one guide's 6-8% annual appreciation claim is labeled MARKET ESTIMATE and should not be treated as verified.

Market questions answered

How much do homes cost in Boquete, Panama?

In Boquete, Chiriqui, Panama, houses typically list from about $250,000 up to $1.5 million, condos from about $180,000 to $500,000, and land from roughly $40,000 to $300,000. The median asking price for a Boquete property is about $249,000 at a median near $990 per square meter. October 2026 examples: Alto Boquete homes from $250,000 to $1.15 million, Volcancito from $664,900 to $850,000, and Caldera from $40,000 to $160,000 (ACTIVE LISTING DATA / MARKET ESTIMATE).

Last updated: October 9, 2026 | Research period: October 2026

What is the price per square meter in Boquete?

The median asking price in Boquete works out to about $990 per square meter, roughly $92 per square foot. A widely quoted average near $4,200 per square meter comes from a market guide that skews to luxury inventory; most active listings trade far below it (MARKET ESTIMATE / ACTIVE LISTING DATA).

Is Boquete or Volcan the better value in the highlands?

Volcan, Chiriqui, Panama offers clearly lower entry prices: houses list from about $90,000 to $280,000 versus Boquete's typical $250,000 to $1.5 million band, and improved lots run roughly $12 to $160 per square meter. Boquete has more services, expat infrastructure, and resale activity; Volcan offers more land per dollar. The right answer depends on whether you prioritize community and convenience or budget and space (ACTIVE LISTING DATA).

Highlands guides

Planning a move? Start with the Boquete retirement guide and the Panama relocation guide. For investors, is Panama real estate a good investment weighs the wider picture.

What changed since the October edition

This November 2026 edition was compiled from a fresh research pass conducted in October 2026, about a month after the October edition. The honest summary: asking prices show little broad month-over-month movement in any of the three primary markets, and we are not manufacturing a trend. PanamaProp re-confirmed the Panama City median near $2,208 per square meter on September 22, 2026, Coronado and San Carlos asking averages remain near $2,200 per square meter, and Boquete's median holds near $249,000. What did change this cycle: the preconstruction pipeline (A19 Cincuentenario in Coco del Mar from about $288,600, Costanera Aqua on Avenida Balboa from $300,000, Awa by Living in Bella Vista from $154,115, Aura in Obarrio from about $183,000), new submarket data points (Marbella median near $3,119 per square meter, Punta Paitilla pricing bands), fresh listing examples across Coronado, San Carlos, Nueva Gorgona, and Boquete's communities, FazWaz community listing counts for Jaramillo, Palmira, and Los Naranjos, and the September 16 US Federal Reserve rate hike as a financing watch item. One non-price item worth noting: on October 9, 2026, EU finance ministers removed Panama from the EU tax-haven blacklist, a change in financial standing that does not move asking prices. Where sources contradict each other, both figures and their labels appear in this report.

Insights from this cycle's data

1

The median held, and that is the honest headline

PanamaProp re-confirmed the Panama City median apartment asking price near $2,208 per square meter in its September 22, 2026 update, essentially unchanged from the May 2026 snapshot this report has tracked. Across Panama City, Coronado, and Boquete, fresh October 2026 research found little broad month-over-month movement in asking prices. We are not manufacturing a trend: what improved this cycle is precision, with sharper neighborhood medians, fresh listing examples, and new submarket data points (ACTIVE LISTING DATA).

2

Two official signals point opposite ways

Construction-permit data points up: permitted construction area rose about 26% year over year in Q1 2026 and residential construction-permit value jumped 82.1% year over year in March 2026 (INEC/Contraloria). But Global Property Guide's mid-year survey reported 4,020 units sold worth PAB 446.10 million through July 2026, down 34.4% year over year, a different measurement. Industry commentary (September 25, 2026) describes the market as having "turned a corner" after nearly a decade of oversupply. Both signals appear in this report because they measure different things: permits measure pipeline, the survey measures a reported sales window (PUBLICLY REPORTED DATA / MARKET ESTIMATE).

3

The Fed's September hike is the quiet swing factor

The US Federal Reserve raised its target range by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.00% on September 16, 2026. Panama is dollarized, so US rates feed directly into local mortgage costs, and foreign-buyer mortgages were already quoted near 6.5%-8.0% in 2026. The hike does not change asking prices today, but it may soften demand at the margin over the next 3-6 months, especially in the $300,000-$400,000 band tied to the residency-by-investment threshold (MARKET ESTIMATE).

4

New supply is arriving where demand already concentrated

The October 2026 preconstruction pipeline shows entry-level and mid-market towers in central districts: A19 Cincuentenario in Coco del Mar from about $288,600, Costanera Aqua on Avenida Balboa from $300,000, Awa by Living in Bella Vista from $154,115, Aura in Obarrio from about $183,000, and Armonia in the Balboa district from about $150,000, while Guayacan in Santa Maria starts near $1 million and a new Marbella tower is quoted at B/.4,300-B/.4,700 per square meter (ACTIVE LISTING DATA / ASKING-PRICE TREND). Buyers comparing new-build against resale should keep the roughly 15% new-build premium in mind.

5

The Pacific corridor is splitting into two stories

Coronado and San Carlos asking averages near $2,200 per square meter appear largely flat through 2025-2026, while developer-led Buenaventura commands roughly $2,500-$3,500 per square meter for condos, with beachfront homes from $340,000 and the Marina Village Tower 700 from $527,538. The Scarlett Martinez international airport under construction near Rio Hato is the corridor's main forward catalyst. Entry remains in Nueva Gorgona, with about 300 listings on Properstar and fresh examples from $178,000 to $351,400 (ACTIVE LISTING DATA / ASKING-PRICE TREND).

6

Boquete is stable, but the data got sharper

Fresh October 2026 listing counts give Boquete's communities clearer shape: FazWaz shows 44 active listings in Jaramillo, 43 in Palmira, and 16 in Los Naranjos. Examples span Alto Boquete homes from $250,000 to $1.15 million, Volcancito from $664,900 to $850,000, Caldera from $40,000 to $160,000, and a Valle Escondido estate at $1.85 million now under contract. No credible month-over-month price move was found; Volcan lots run roughly $6.50 to $160 per square meter depending on location and services (ACTIVE LISTING DATA).

Outlook: next 3-6 months

Based on current inventory and the signals above, phrased as a cautious read, not a prediction.

Panama City: Asking prices in newer, well-amenitized buildings in Costa del Este, Santa Maria, and the best central towers may firm further over the next 3-6 months based on current inventory near nine-year lows and sustained demand in the $300,000-$400,000 band. Older and amenity-poor stock appears likely to hold flat. The September 16 US Federal Reserve hike may push foreign-buyer mortgage costs up from the 6.5-8.0% range quoted in 2026, which could slow price discovery at the margin; if financing costs ease instead, middle-band demand may strengthen.

Coronado and the Pacific corridor: With brokers describing thinning Coronado inventory and 5-8% momentum cited for the corridor, first-line beachfront asking appears firm, and developer-led Buenaventura pricing may hold its premium as the Rio Hato airport progresses. Seasonal short-term rental occupancy near 26% suggests income projections should be conservative through the low season. Nueva Gorgona's deep supply may keep a lid on entry-level prices.

Boquete and the highlands: The market appears stable with steady retiree demand. Typical asking prices may hold through the period, and Volcan and Volcancito value segments may continue to draw budget-conscious buyers. Any change looks gradual rather than sharp.

Watch: the US Federal Reserve's rate path (its September 16, 2026 hike to 3.75%-4.00% feeds directly into Panama's dollarized mortgage market), new-build delivery volumes, and the residency-by-investment thresholds set by Decree 17 of September 2026 ($300,000 for new first-sale properties, $500,000 for resales), which replaced the earlier single $300,000 level under Decree 193 of 2024.

Talk to Chad before you rely on any of this

Every figure above is an asking price or a reported statistic, and Panama has no public closed-sales database against which to verify it. Chad Ratcliffe can check current listings, recent asking-price adjustments, title, and fair value for a specific property, and tell you honestly whether a deal makes sense. Book a consultation or message him on WhatsApp (+507 6356 7777).

Sources and Methodology

The data limitation: Panama has no centralized, publicly accessible closed-sales database (no public MLS with verified sold prices). As a result, this report relies on asking prices from active listing portals (Encuentra24, FazWaz, Properstar), brokerage and developer sites, published 2026 market reports, and, in a few cases, registry-derived sale summaries published by third parties such as Panacomps. Those registry summaries are labeled REPORTED SALE and are not independently verified by us.

Labels used: ACTIVE LISTING DATA (from live listings), REPORTED SALE (third-party registry summary), ASKING-PRICE TREND (broker and market-guide ranges), MARKET ESTIMATE (analyst or forecast figures). We never present an asking price as a verified sale.

Conversions and samples: 1 square meter = 10.7639 square feet. Medians are cited only when the underlying source reports an adequate sample; where samples are small or unknown, we publish ranges or examples and say so. Duplicate listings across portals were counted once where identifiable, and stale listings (advertised more than 12 months with no adjustment) were excluded where detectable. FazWaz community counts for Boquete (Jaramillo 44, Palmira 43, Los Naranjos 16), Nueva Gorgona portal counts (105 apartments on Encuentra24, 65 condos on FazWaz, roughly 282-301 listings on Properstar), and the Playa Venao 51-home tracker are reported as source-level counts, not our own census.

Scope: This cycle covers the three primary markets only: Panama City (Punta Pacifica, Costa del Este, Santa Maria, Avenida Balboa, Marbella, Paitilla, Casco Viejo, San Francisco, Obarrio, Bella Vista, El Cangrejo, Clayton), the Coronado and Pacific beach corridor (Playa Coronado, Nueva Gorgona, San Carlos, Punta Barco, Buenaventura, Costa Esmeralda, Rio Hato/Farallon, Pedasi and Playa Venao), and Boquete and the Chiriqui Highlands (Bajo Boquete, Alto Boquete, Volcancito, Los Naranjos, Jaramillo, Palmira, Caldera, Volcan). Bocas del Toro, El Valle de Anton, and Altos del Maria retain their location guides on this site and sit outside this cycle's three-market focus; they will be re-researched in a future cycle that widens the focus.

Primary sources consulted this cycle (October 2026 research):

Full methodology: this section is the summary for this cycle. The complete research methodology, including the four data source types, collection methods, deduplication rules, definitions glossary, and citation format, is documented on the Research Methodology page.

Information is believed reliable as of October 9, 2026, but market conditions change. This report is informational only and is not financial, investment, or legal advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

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Last updated: October 9, 2026 | Market research period: October 2026