Neighborhoods
Costa del Este
Costa del Este is a master-planned mini-city east of downtown Panama City, built from the ground up so you can live, work and study in one place. It brings together corporate headquarters, international schools and a Johns Hopkins Medicine-affiliated hospital, alongside oceanfront towers and gated homes. It is one of the capital's most liquid real estate markets.
As of July 2026, resale in Costa del Este has a median of $2,762/m² (273 listings), representative new construction runs about $3,760/m², a rental apartment yields ~7.3% gross per year — per the Vaca Group Residential Market Study (2026-Q3).
- New construction
- $3,760/m²
- Resale (median)
- $2,762/m²273 active listings
- Rent
- $13.45/m²/month
- Gross annual yield
- 7.3%
- Vacancy
- 2–4%
Data updated: July 2026 · Vaca Group Residential Market Study
See all Costa del Este data ↓Lifestyle
Daily life mixes offices, restaurants, supermarkets, gyms and parks within walking distance—rare in Panama City. Residents include affluent Panamanian families and foreign professionals drawn by the international schools, the security of gated communities and the easy reach to Tocumen International Airport and the financial district.
The real estate market
The market is mostly tower apartments—from one-bedroom units to oceanfront penthouses—plus houses in gated communities. This is a premium zone, priced above the city average. Rental demand is steady and reliable, driven by corporate executives and expat families on long-term assignments.
Market data
The Costa del Este market, in numbers
Data updated: July 2026
- New construction · $/m²
- $3,760representative project (asking)
- Resale · median $/m²
- $2,762273 active listings
- Rent · $/m²/month
- $13.45
- Gross rental yield
- 7.3%2-bedroom apt. · annual
- Vacancy
- 2–4%
- New-build premium vs. resale
- +30%estimate †
Absorption speed: Steady-firm: low vacancy and corporate rentals support pricing†
Its market corridor
Costa del Este · Santa María
| $/m² | 2-bed (sale) | Rent/mo | Gross yield | Vacancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,000–3,900 | $360,000–484,000 | $2,200–2,450 | 6.1–7.3% | 2–4% |
Planned communities; corporate families and long-term rentals.
Reference new-construction price by area (USD/m²)
† Vaca Group estimate: Panama publishes no absorption series by district.
Properties in Costa del Este
Frequently asked questions
- Why invest in Costa del Este?
- Costa del Este is one of Panama City's most liquid markets: its mix of corporate headquarters, international schools and self-contained services keeps both buyer and rental demand steady. That makes a property here easier to resell or lease.
- What types of property are available in Costa del Este?
- Costa del Este is dominated by oceanfront tower apartments and houses in gated communities. Options range from one-bedroom units suited to rental investment up to penthouses and larger family residences.
- Can a foreigner buy property in Costa del Este?
- Yes. A foreigner can buy property in Costa del Este on the same terms as a Panamanian, with full fee-simple title. For financing, banks typically ask non-residents for a down payment of around 30%.
- How much does a square meter cost in Costa del Este (2026)?
- In Costa del Este, representative new construction runs about $3,760/m² and resale has a median of $2,762/m² (273 active listings). Data as of July 2026 from Vaca Group's Residential Market Study, based on portal and ACOBIR MLS listings (asking prices) plus Convivienda and Galería Inmobiliaria figures.
- What rental yield does an apartment in Costa del Este produce?
- An apartment in Costa del Este generates a gross rental yield of about 7.3% per year, with estimated vacancy of 2–4%. Net yield typically lands 1.5–2 points lower after HOA fees and taxes. Data as of July 2026 from Vaca Group's Residential Market Study, based on portal and ACOBIR MLS listings (asking prices) plus Convivienda and Galería Inmobiliaria figures.
Nearby neighborhoods