Panama’s Riviera has miles of sparkling uncrowded beaches, a variety of beach hotels and resorts, retirement and vacation communities, year-round designer golf courses, good surfing and proximity to the picturesque mountain town of El Valle de Anton.

How to get there

By car or bus on a beautiful four lane highway from Panama City. You can rent a car, or take a bus from Albrook Terminal for a couple bucks. The taxi ride will cost you about $70 one way. Major resorts usually have transportation services from the Tocumen International Airport in Panama City.

Where To Stay

There are now about close to a dozen major beach resorts close to Panama City. The first two, Playa Bonita Intercontinental and Westin Resorts, are just over the bridge of the Americas, about 15 minutes from Panama City. An hour away there are four more all inclusive resorts: Royal Decameron, Playa Blanca Resort, the Wyndham, and the Sheraton Bijao resort. The sophisticated Buenaventura complex is truly in a category all of it’s own and has the best golf course in Latin America. The Coronado Hotel and Golf Resort and the Decameron also have excellent golf courses. Las Sirenas is a smaller hotel option and has cozy and romantic cabins right on the beach.

Where To Eat

Gourmet Dining: Vista Mar Resort community has a seaside gourmet restaurant called Terrazas del Mar run by one of Panama’s best French chefs, with elegant decor and beautiful views of the ocean. Local Seafood is a specialty.  Great Views and Seafood: Pipa’s Restaurant and Bar on Playa Blanca is right on the beach near the Decameron Resort.  Also nearby is the exceptional La Fogata. Los Camisones, near Santa Clara, is a Panamanian favorite with extensive seafood and a Panamanian menu. Popular dishes include the Galician octopus and the jumbo prawns.

If you are looking for a tasty snack, the “Quesos Chela” Bakery is about 40 minutes outside Panama City and has some of the best empanadas and chicha, fresh juice, in the country. Be sure to try the cheese empanadas which are made with the eatery’s own homemade cheese.

What To Do

Most popular beach areas:

Playa Bonita

One of the best things about Panama City is you can get to the beach in 15 minutes to 1.5 hours. Beachside Playa Bonita Intercontinental and the Westin resorts are just 15 minutes from downtown. Their beaches are open only to guests.
1.5 hours from Panama City is Panama’s Riviera, which is perfect for a day trip or a vacation at the beach.
A pleasant surprise will be how warm the water is. The weather is also always warm, with a short afternoon tropical shower common from March to December.

Coronado

The first beach development in the area with a gated community with homes, condos and a golf course. It is also closest to Panama City. There’s a small hotel and a couple of B & B’ s. You’ll need to pass through the main gain in order to get to the beach. Coronado is also the shopping hub for the beaches: three grocery stores (El Rey, 99 and a small Riba Smith) services and a range of fast food restaurants.

Farallon:

The major attraction is the Decameron Resort an inexpensive all-inclusive. There are also some B & B”s good beaches a good selection of restaurants. Our two favorites are La Fogata with the best seafood in Panama and Pipa’s with excellent sea food right on the beach.

Playa Blanca:

This beach area is popular because it is the site of the most large hotels- including three all inclusives: the Wyndham Grand, the Riu and Playa Blanca. Our favorite is the Wyndham- beautiful architecture and facilities right on a great beach.

Day Trips

For a day at the beach, the best place is Santa Clara beach. It’s beautiful and has excellent day-trippers facilities. For just $2 a person, you get access to bathrooms and showers. Another $10 will get you a palm-shaded bohio with hammocks or a table and beach chairs. The onsite restaurant has reasonably priced meals and drinks.
For day trips we recommend going with Easy Travel Panama.