Sight guide · Panama City · Panama
Visiting Cinta Costera
The coastal park built on reclaimed land along Avenida Balboa has kilometres of walking and cycling paths, sports courts and playgrounds facing the bay.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 123Hollic, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Cinta Costera is a waterfront in Bella Vista and Avenida Balboa, Panama City. Allow 1–2 hours; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Waterfront
- Area
- Bella Vista and Avenida Balboa
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, outdoors, kids and views
- Best months
- January–March
About Cinta Costera
The coastal park built on reclaimed land along Avenida Balboa has kilometres of walking and cycling paths, sports courts and playgrounds facing the bay. A later section loops around the sea side of Casco Viejo, giving views of the old town from the water.
Tip: Walk or jog it early in the morning or after sunset; there is little shade in the middle of the day.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1–2 hours.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Bella Vista and Avenida Balboa, high-rise seafront along the Cinta Costera park.
Best time to visit Cinta Costera
Cinta Costera is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- February: 32°C (90°F) highs, about 1 rainy days, busy crowds.
- March: 33°C (91°F) highs, about 1 rainy days, busy crowds.
- January: 32°C (90°F) highs, about 3 rainy days, busy crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-February the sun sets at about 18:28 local time (calculated for Panama City).
When to visit Panama City has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Cinta Costera is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Miraflores Locks and Casco Viejo.
- No. 12 of the 15 sights in our Panama City things-to-do list.
- Listed in free things to do in Panama City.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Panama City.
- A family favourite in Panama City with kids.
If you like Cinta Costera
- Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas — Casco Viejo, 45 minutes
- Panamá Viejo — Panamá Viejo, 1.5–2 hours
- Amador Causeway — Amador, 2–3 hours
- Ancón Hill — Canal Zone, 1.5–2 hours
Staying near Cinta Costera
Stay in Bella Vista and Avenida Balboa ($$) to walk here: high-rise seafront along the Cinta Costera park. All areas to stay in Panama City.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Cinta Costera?
Plan 1–2 hours.
+Is Cinta Costera free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Cinta Costera?
January–March for the most comfortable weather. Walk or jog it early in the morning or after sunset; there is little shade in the middle of the day.
+Do I need to book Cinta Costera in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Cinta Costera good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Panama City. Panama City is good for families: watching ships at the Miraflores Locks, the Biomuseo's displays, bike rides on the Amador Causeway and the Cinta Costera, and spotting sloths and monkeys in the city's forests and on Gatún Lake.