Costa del Este: The Miami of Panama – Why It's the Top Choice for Expats and Investors

Costa del Este is a master-planned community in eastern Panama City that feels like a slice of Miami dropped into Central America. The buildings are modern and well-maintained, the streets are clean, and the vibe is upscale but welcoming. According to DoPanama COO Austin Hess, 'All of the neighbors are committed to their buildings and to their neighborhood. The buildings look amazing and there's something for everybody.' The area boasts a Johns Hopkins affiliate hospital (Punta Pacifica), top private schools, the Town Center Mall, and incredible recreational amenities like indoor go-karts, a bowling alley, a skate park, and English-language movie theaters. For expats and locals alike, Costa del Este offers a quality of life that's hard to beat.

Costa del Este isn't just for one type of buyer. Families love the safe, walkable streets, excellent international schools, and tons of activities for kids. Retirees enjoy the peaceful environment, high-quality healthcare, and proximity to the city's amenities. Investors see gold in the short-term rental market: with many multinational companies nearby, there's a steady stream of business travelers looking for short-term stays. As Austin notes, 'You have so many multinational companies there with people coming in and out, this is a great business model' for Airbnb-style investments. The community's commitment to upkeep means property values hold strong.

DoPanama has earned the nickname 'the buyers brokers of Panama' because they work exclusively for the person looking to buy, not the seller. That means they show properties from every agency in town, including pocket listings that haven't hit the public market yet. 'Typically if you work with another real estate company, they're going to show you their listings,' says Austin. 'We show you listings from all of the companies.' With a large network of listing agents, their brokers like David have deep market knowledge and have closed over $4.5 million in reservations in a single week. They help clients navigate everything from legal paperwork to pet relocation and school enrollment.

While Costa del Este takes the spotlight, the brokers also mentioned Playa Bonita (a beach town in Colon with a gorgeous gated community) and hinted at a comeback for beach properties in that area. Austin mentioned they brought sand from the Bahamas and built breakwaters – 'it's such a gorgeous gated community'. But Costa del Este remains the top pick for most investors right now because it ticks every box: quality of life, investment potential, and community pride.