Contents of this ranking
Why foreigners buy new housing in Panama
Panama allows any foreigner to buy titled property with the same rights as a national, operates in US dollars and applies a territorial income tax. Add to that the property tax exemptions for new housing and a rental market sustained by multinational executives, Canal staff and foreign retirees. The buying process, taxes and exemptions are explained in Radar Panamá’s guide to buying property in Panama as a foreigner; anyone also seeking residency can consult the comparison of residency-by-investment programmes.
How the projects were ordered
Inversiones y Negocios en Panamá selected these five projects for location, amenities, expected appreciation and rental demand. Radar Panamá keeps the selection and orders it by proximity to the city’s financial centre, not by quality. Prices are not included: they change by sales stage and by unit, and the developers themselves publish them.
Ipanema Residences, Costa del Este
Located in Costa del Mar, within Costa del Este, it combines ocean views with a resort-style living concept. It offers one- to three-bedroom apartments and around 5,000 square metres of amenities: private beach, spa, gym, pools, social areas, children’s spaces and green areas. Costa del Este is the fastest-growing corporate and residential district in the capital, with multinational offices, schools and hospitals, which sustains both rental demand and appreciation.
Who it is for
An investor who wants a high-end unit with executive rental demand.
Strong point
Location in Costa del Este and resort amenities with a private beach.
Panamá Viejo Residences
This is the most affordable option on the list without leaving the city. Two-bedroom apartments with 24-hour security, social areas, a gym and children’s areas, a few minutes from shopping centres, services and transport. It suits anyone looking for a balance between price, urban convenience and easy long-term rental, the segment with the highest turnover of local and foreign tenants working in the capital.
Playa Dorada Residences & Beach Club
In Panamá Oeste, about 30 minutes from downtown by motorway, Playa Dorada offers a kilometre of beach, a beach club, trails and green areas, with two- and three-bedroom houses and apartments. It is the project geared towards holiday rentals and second homes: whoever buys here wants coastal living with a quick connection to the city, or a property that rents in high season.
Bayside Panamá
Also in Panamá Oeste, Bayside is a resort-style community with an artificial lagoon facing the sea, a beach club, pools, spa, gym and social areas. Its offer is spacious houses with a good ratio of floor area to price, designed for families, retirees or buyers who want a first home in the country with medium-term appreciation potential. Project details are in the portal’s analysis of Bayside Panamá.
Oceana, Santa María
Oceana Residences & Sky Homes is the premium option: a gated community inside Santa María Golf & Country Club, about ten minutes from the city, with minimalist architecture, floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the sea, the city or the golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Gym, pool, spa, coworking, wine deck and controlled-access security. It is the choice for high-net-worth investors or for anyone seeking an elegant residence with rental demand among foreign executives and families. Radar Panamá devotes a full article to Oceana.
Comparison table
| Project | Area | Unit type | Standout amenities | Investor profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ipanema Residences | Costa del Este | 1- to 3-bedroom apartments | Private beach, spa, pools, 5,000 m² of amenities | Executive rentals and high-end housing |
| Panamá Viejo Residences | Panama City | 2-bedroom apartments | 24-hour security, gym, social areas | Steady urban rental income, affordable entry |
| Playa Dorada | Panamá Oeste | 2- and 3-bedroom houses and apartments | 1 km of beach, beach club, trails | Holiday rentals and second homes |
| Bayside Panamá | Panamá Oeste | Houses | Seafront lagoon, beach club, spa | Families, retirees, first home |
| Oceana | Santa María Golf & Country Club | Apartments, town homes and penthouses | Nicklaus golf, pool facing the Pacific, coworking, wine deck | Luxury and high appreciation |
Which one to choose by profile
- Luxury, beach and resort living: Ipanema Residences, Playa Dorada or Oceana.
- Contained price, urban practicality and easy rental: Panamá Viejo Residences.
- Nature, tranquillity and good value per square metre: Bayside Panamá and Playa Dorada.
- Maximum exclusivity and appreciation: Oceana in Santa María.
Want to see each project in detail before deciding?
Inversiones y Negocios en Panamá, a portal specialising in investment opportunities, real estate projects and advice for those who want to invest or settle in the country, publishes profiles and analyses of each development and answers enquiries from foreign buyers.
See the best residential projects in Panama for foreign investors
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner buy a new apartment in Panama?
Yes, with the same rights as a Panamanian over titled property. The only restrictions apply to border areas and islands under special regimes.
Which project is best for renting to executives?
Ipanema Residences, for its location in Costa del Este, the capital’s corporate district, and Oceana, for the demand from foreign families and executives in Santa María.
What is the most affordable option within the city?
Panamá Viejo Residences, with two-bedroom apartments and basic amenities, geared towards long-term urban rentals.
Which projects work for holiday rentals?
Playa Dorada, with a kilometre of beach and a beach club, and Bayside, with a lagoon and a seafront club, both in Panamá Oeste half an hour from the city.
Where is Oceana and what makes it premium?
Inside Santa María Golf & Country Club, ten minutes from the city, with a Jack Nicklaus golf course, a gated community and collections of apartments, town homes and penthouses.
Does buying a home grant residency in Panama?
It can form part of the investment required by programmes such as Qualified Investor or Friendly Nations, each with its own amounts and conditions that must be met in full.
Sources
- Los mejores proyectos residenciales en Panamá para inversionistas extranjeros, Inversiones y Negocios en Panamá.
- Bayside Panamá, Inversiones y Negocios en Panamá.
- Santa María Golf & Country Club, official website.
- Directorate General of Revenue of Panama, property tax and exemptions.
- National Immigration Service, residency-by-investment programmes.
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