×

Panama🇵🇦 | attractionsCinta CosteraBayfront promenade, dominoes, weekend joggers, coconut water stands | things to do and best time to go

Explore Metropolitan Cathedral of PanamaExplore Mi Pueblito

Backpacking in Cinta Costera
🌟 Highlightattraction ranked #6
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Cinta Costera was built on fill dumped into the bay, so the walkway you stroll sits on land that did not exist a few decades ago. It runs along Panama City’s waterfront, between Casco Viejo and the glass towers of Punta Paitilla. The bay view is the draw: skyline on one side, ships queuing for the Canal on the other. I expected a polished tourist promenade. Instead, at dusk I found office workers jogging, grandmothers doing aerobics classes and kids on rented bikes, and it felt like the city’s own living room. Crowds are thin by day and busy on weekend evenings. Costs are low, since walking is free and bike rentals are cheap, though the heat and traffic noise wear on you. Go in the late afternoon, and carry water, because shade is scarce.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Panama Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #6 attraction in PanamaWhy Cinta Costera should be on your travel list

Cinta Costera is the quickest way to understand how Panama City actually lives. Locals use it daily, so you see jogging crews, fishermen and families rather than a staged attraction. It also links two very different parts of town on foot, joining the old colonial quarter of Casco Viejo with the modern financial district, which makes it a handy spine for an urban day.

The views earn the visit. From the seawall you get the best free look at the Punta Pacifica skyline, including the sail-shaped tower once known as the Trump Ocean Club, now the JW Marriott Panama, plus freighters waiting to enter the Canal. Since it costs nothing and sits beside the center, it is an easy add-on between museums and meals.

For a backpacker on a tight schedule, it is a low-effort stop that gives context. It sets … read more 👉
Cinta Costera is the quickest way to understand how Panama City actually lives. Locals use it daily, so you see jogging crews, fishermen and families rather than a staged attraction. It also links two very different parts of town on foot, joining the old colonial quarter of Casco Viejo with the modern financial district, which makes it a handy spine for an urban day.

The views earn the visit. From the seawall you get the best free look at the Punta Pacifica skyline, including the sail-shaped tower once known as the Trump Ocean Club, now the JW Marriott Panama, plus freighters waiting to enter the Canal. Since it costs nothing and sits beside the center, it is an easy add-on between museums and meals.

For a backpacker on a tight schedule, it is a low-effort stop that gives context. It sets up the contrast between old and new Panama before you head to the Canal locks or the islands.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

  1. Skyline Promenade: the main waterfront path, with the best views of the glass towers curving around the bay.
  2. Mercado de Mariscos: the fish market at the Casco Viejo end, where ceviche is served in plastic cups by the counter. Go before lunch for the freshest catch.
  3. Biking the Seafront: rental stands offer bikes and four-wheel pedal carts, and a flat path makes it easy even for beginners.
  4. Sunset from the Seawall: the sky behind the Bridge of the Americas turns orange, and the towers light up as evening arrives.
  5. Outdoor Gym and Aerobics: free public classes and exercise stations draw crowds in the evenings, a lively local scene to watch or join.
  6. Parque Urracá: a green park along the route with shady benches, one of the few places to escape the sun.
  7. Canal Ship Spotting: from the bay edge you can watch
… read more 👉
  1. Skyline Promenade: the main waterfront path, with the best views of the glass towers curving around the bay.
  2. Mercado de Mariscos: the fish market at the Casco Viejo end, where ceviche is served in plastic cups by the counter. Go before lunch for the freshest catch.
  3. Biking the Seafront: rental stands offer bikes and four-wheel pedal carts, and a flat path makes it easy even for beginners.
  4. Sunset from the Seawall: the sky behind the Bridge of the Americas turns orange, and the towers light up as evening arrives.
  5. Outdoor Gym and Aerobics: free public classes and exercise stations draw crowds in the evenings, a lively local scene to watch or join.
  6. Parque Urracá: a green park along the route with shady benches, one of the few places to escape the sun.
  7. Canal Ship Spotting: from the bay edge you can watch freighters anchored in line, waiting for their Canal transit.
All of it fits comfortably into two to three hours of unhurried walking, longer if you stop for food and bikes.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Cinta Costera

Black History: Shadows & Lights- Afro Panama heritage experience

Black History: Shadows & Lights- Afro Panama heritage experience

5.0(292)
From €54
per personViator
Full Day Panama History Tour with Private Guide

Full Day Panama History Tour with Private Guide

5.0(19) 7h 30m
From €118
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Dry Season (mid-December to April): Rain is rare and the bay breeze keeps the promenade pleasant at 27 to 33°C (81 to 91°F). Sunsets over the skyline draw joggers, cyclists and families after 5 pm, and weekends fill up. Hotel rates in the city rise a little.
  • Early Wet Season (May to July): Mornings stay bright and 26 to 31°C (79 to 88°F), with downpours usually landing mid-afternoon. The path empties out and prices ease.
  • Peak Rains (August to November): October and November are the wettest months, with storms that can run for hours and flood low sections. Days run 25 to 30°C (77 to 86°F). Bargains abound, but plan walks for early morning.
  • Events: Carnival, held in the days before Ash Wednesday in February or March, brings stages, crowds and music to the area, and Christmas and New Year add lights
… read more 👉
  • Dry Season (mid-December to April): Rain is rare and the bay breeze keeps the promenade pleasant at 27 to 33°C (81 to 91°F). Sunsets over the skyline draw joggers, cyclists and families after 5 pm, and weekends fill up. Hotel rates in the city rise a little.
  • Early Wet Season (May to July): Mornings stay bright and 26 to 31°C (79 to 88°F), with downpours usually landing mid-afternoon. The path empties out and prices ease.
  • Peak Rains (August to November): October and November are the wettest months, with storms that can run for hours and flood low sections. Days run 25 to 30°C (77 to 86°F). Bargains abound, but plan walks for early morning.
  • Events: Carnival, held in the days before Ash Wednesday in February or March, brings stages, crowds and music to the area, and Christmas and New Year add lights and fairs.
Walk the strip at 6 or 7 am or after 5 pm in any month, since midday sun on the open waterfront is brutal.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
panama-attraction-cinta-costera
© Google |

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutPanama Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
The digital guide (272 pages) contains:
✅ 89 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 5, 10 & 15-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

Casco Viejo is the best base for backpackers, about 2 to 3 km (1.2 to 1.9 miles) south along the waterfront, and the walk or a short taxi ride gets you to the promenade in 10 to 30 minutes. Most of the city's social hostels sit here, so you meet other travelers easily in the rooftop bars, cafes and plazas. Streets around the main squares are busy and well patrolled in the evening, though you should take a taxi rather than wander the edges after dark.
Bella Vista and El Cangrejo are the other options, with the second being a bit cheaper. They sit a few minutes inland of the Cinta Costera's northern … read more 👉
Casco Viejo is the best base for backpackers, about 2 to 3 km (1.2 to 1.9 miles) south along the waterfront, and the walk or a short taxi ride gets you to the promenade in 10 to 30 minutes. Most of the city's social hostels sit here, so you meet other travelers easily in the rooftop bars, cafes and plazas. Streets around the main squares are busy and well patrolled in the evening, though you should take a taxi rather than wander the edges after dark.
Bella Vista and El Cangrejo are the other options, with the second being a bit cheaper. They sit a few minutes inland of the Cinta Costera's northern stretch, so you can reach the waterfront on foot. You get cheap local restaurants, supermarkets, ATMs and the metro on Via Argentina, which makes airport and bus terminal transfers simple. The mood is calmer and more residential than Casco Viejo, so it suits those who want sleep over nightlife.
Calle 50 in the financial district is well connected but pricey and quiet at night, so skip it as a base.
Best hostels in Panama


Best quality hotels in Panama

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

Cinta Costera costs nothing to enter, so a typical backpacker day in Panama City comes to about US$27 to 48 with a dorm bed and local meals.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
EntryUS$0The waterfront promenade is public and open all day.
Accommodation (high season)US$12 to 18Dorm beds in Casco Viejo and Bella Vista; private rooms start around US$35.
FoodUS$8 to 14Fondas serve a plate of rice, beans and chicken for US$4 to 6; the seafood market stalls near the promenade are a little more.
Local TransportUS$2 to 5Metro and buses cost about US$0.35 to 0.50 per ride with a rechargeable card; short taxi hops run US$3 to 6.
Bike or Skate RentalUS$3 to 6Hourly rentals are offered at kiosks along the path.
Snacks and DrinksUS$2 to 5Coconut water, fruit cups and ice cream from vendors on the promenade.
Total
… read more 👉
Cinta Costera costs nothing to enter, so a typical backpacker day in Panama City comes to about US$27 to 48 with a dorm bed and local meals.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
EntryUS$0The waterfront promenade is public and open all day.
Accommodation (high season)US$12 to 18Dorm beds in Casco Viejo and Bella Vista; private rooms start around US$35.
FoodUS$8 to 14Fondas serve a plate of rice, beans and chicken for US$4 to 6; the seafood market stalls near the promenade are a little more.
Local TransportUS$2 to 5Metro and buses cost about US$0.35 to 0.50 per ride with a rechargeable card; short taxi hops run US$3 to 6.
Bike or Skate RentalUS$3 to 6Hourly rentals are offered at kiosks along the path.
Snacks and DrinksUS$2 to 5Coconut water, fruit cups and ice cream from vendors on the promenade.
Total Daily BudgetUS$27 to 48Roughly US$40 to 45 for a typical day, including a dorm bed in high season.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQFrequently asked questions about Cinta Costera

Plan on 1 to 2 hours for Cinta Costera if you simply walk the main stretch. The full promenade runs about 3 km (1.9 miles) from the Mercado de Mariscos toward Avenida Balboa, and walking it end to end takes around 45 minutes. Add an evening if you want the sunset, a seafood lunch and the walk onward to Casco Viejo.
Cinta Costera is free, so there is no entrance fee to weigh. You get a flat, paved waterfront path with skyline views, bike and skate rentals for roughly US$3 to 6 an hour, and street food stalls. It is worth a morning or sunset walk, but skip it at midday when the sun is harsh.
Cinta Costera is in central Panama City, and the easiest way is a taxi or ride-hailing car from Tocumen airport, which takes 30 to 45 minutes and costs about US$30 to 40. From Casco Viejo it is a 10 to 15 minute walk or a US$3 to 5 ride. The metro to Iglesia del Carmen or 5 de Mayo and a short walk is the cheapest option, at about US$0.35 to 0.50 a trip.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Panamanian attractions near Cinta Costera

Explore more nearby:


💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Panama including Cinta Costera and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all attractions

Or checkout all Panama has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Panama
Country photo of Panama
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Cinta Costera is easy to treat as a quick photo stop, yet the fish market at its Casco Viejo end is the detail most people walk past. I would arrive hungry, eat a cup of ceviche there, then walk the path toward the towers as the light softens.

✈️ When did I visit Panama?
Panama I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Panama, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story