Area guide · Panama City
Living in Bella Vista: Bella Vista Viejo, Calle Uruguay and La Cresta
Bella Vista district (corregimiento), Panama City. We follow the neighborhoods of the Bella Vista local council: Bella Vista Viejo (Calles 42 to 47 and the Calle Uruguay area up to Calle 50) and La Cresta–Pasadena (north of Vía España, up to the University of Panama and Vía Transístmica), with the Iglesia del Carmen. The towers facing Avenida Balboa and the Cinta Costera, and Marbella, are in our Avenida Balboa guide; east of Avenida Federico Boyd, between Calle 50 and Vía España, Obarrio begins (Campo Alegre and the banking district), and to the north, El Cangrejo. To the west, past Calle 42, is Calidonia.
What is it like to live in Bella Vista?
Bella Vista is the traditional neighborhood of the district of the same name: Bella Vista Viejo (Calles 42 to 48 and the Calle Uruguay area), founded around 1930 with neocolonial houses, and La Cresta, the old "Buccaneers' Hill", a leafy residential hill with city views.
This guide covers the inner streets, away from the Avenida Balboa waterfront: 20- to 40-story towers on Calles 44 and 45 (Altamira Residences, The Palace, Prestige, 44 & Park), older buildings and houses, and in La Cresta, towers with one apartment per floor (Elite, Torre Imperial, Cresta Palace).
It is very central: Iglesia del Carmen Metro ~0.4 km away, Riba Smith and Rey within walking distance, Parque Urracá and the Cinta Costera a few blocks away and the banking district across Calle 50, with rents somewhat lower than in the waterfront towers.
Pros
- Metro within walking distance: Iglesia del Carmen station is ~0.4 km away, and the main MiBus routes run along Vía España and Calle 50.
- Riba Smith and two Rey supermarkets within walking distance, plus pharmacies open every day.
- Parque Urracá (with a dog area) and the Cinta Costera a few blocks away.
- Rents somewhat lower than in the waterfront towers: typical 2-bedrooms ~$1,240–1,800 a month.
- La Cresta is quiet and residential, with tree-lined streets and city views.
Things to know
- Heavy rush-hour traffic on Vía España, Calle 50 and Federico Boyd, and little street parking.
- Few 1- and 3-bedroom rental listings: supply is patchy, so search ahead of time.
- No chain gyms inside the area (the nearest are ~1–1.3 km away).
- Noise from the Calle Uruguay nightlife on some blocks.
Our take
Who is Bella Vista for?
It suits people who want to live centrally near the metro and the Cinta Costera while paying less than in the waterfront towers: professionals, couples and University of Panama students. La Cresta adds quiet streets for families.
The trade-off: what you gain and what you give up
Iglesia del Carmen metro ~0.4 km away, supermarkets on foot and Parque Urracá nearby. Against it: traffic on Vía España and Calle 50, little parking, an irregular supply of 1- and 3-bedroom units and noise from Calle Uruguay on some blocks.
Cost of living
A 2-bedroom typically rents for $1,240–$1,800 a month and a 1-bedroom for $875–$1,100 (October 2026). Electricity by Naturgy.
For utilities, a 2-bedroom apartment running air conditioning 8 hours a day in two rooms (3 people) would pay about $188 a month for electricity, water, 300 Mbps internet and gas, based on the current official rates used in our utilities calculator. Without A/C the figure drops sharply.
Getting around
Iglesia del Carmen (Line 1) is ~0.4 km away and Santo Tomás ~0.9 km. The main MiBus routes run along Vía España and Calle 50. By car, Federico Boyd leads down to Avenida Balboa.
TuHogar en Panamá analysis using listing prices from November 2026 (sources in the prices section) and transport data checked on OpenStreetMap, MiBus and the Metro. We are not brokers: confirm each case before signing.
Reference prices · November 2026
Apartments for rent in Bella Vista: prices
| Type | Asking range /month | Most common |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment | $700 – $1,160 | ~$875 – $1,100 |
| 2-bedroom apartment | $1,000 – $2,390 | ~$1,240 – $1,800 |
| 3-bedroom apartment | $1,350 – $4,780 | ~$2,250 – $3,900 |
Apartments and houses for sale in Bella Vista: prices
| Type | Asking range |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment | $119,000 – $228,000 (typical ~$137,000–191,000; median ~$165,500 (~$3,220/m², 38 listings). PH El Botánico has 37 m² units from ~$105,000 and Signature Point 50 m² units at ~$160,000.) |
| 2-bedroom apartment | $140,000 – $356,000 (typical ~$198,000–277,000; median ~$227,500 (42 listings).) |
| 3-bedroom apartment | $183,000 – $657,000 (typical ~$261,000–506,000; median ~$446,500 (44 listings). La Cresta's one-unit-per-floor towers ask more: Torre Imperial (675 m²) $875,000 and Cresta Palace (720 m²) $1,080,000.) |
| Asking price per m² (2-bedrooms) | $1,800 – $4,030 / m² (Middle 80 % of listings (our own calculation); median ~$2,515/m².) |
Asking-price ranges from Casas24 (Encuentra24 network) listings in the "Bella Vista" and "La Cresta" locations, checked on November 7, 2026; duplicate listings counted once; range = 10th–90th percentile and typical = 25th–75th. We excluded towers facing Avenida Balboa and the Cinta Costera (they are in the Avenida Balboa guide), Marbella, Obarrio, El Cangrejo and other mislabeled listings, offices and retail units. They are not closing prices or an appraisal.
Sources (listings checked in November 2026): Casas24 – apartamentos en alquiler en Bella Vista (7 nov 2026), Casas24 – apartamentos en venta en Bella Vista (7 nov 2026), Casas24 – apartamentos en alquiler en La Cresta (7 nov 2026), Casas24 – apartamentos en venta en La Cresta (7 nov 2026), Junta Comunal de Bella Vista – Barrios (límites usados en esta guía).
Getting around Bella Vista
- Metro: Iglesia del Carmen station (Line 1) is ~0.4 km from the center of the area and Santo Tomás ~0.9 km. Fare B/. 0.35.
- Buses: routes C641 and C941 (towards Albrook, Panamá Viejo and Vía Porras), V180, V201 and V531 run along Vía España and Calle 50, with stops at MEF, Av. 4a Sur, Calle Uruguay, Calle 45 and by Iglesia del Carmen Metro (routes per OpenStreetMap). Fares are paid with the Metro card.
- Car: Vía España and Calle 50 cross the area west to east, Avenida Federico Boyd runs down to Avenida Balboa and Vía Transístmica borders La Cresta to the north. Heavy rush-hour traffic and little street parking in Bella Vista Viejo.
Utilities in Bella Vista
- 💡Electricity
- Naturgy (Edemet)
Naturgy (Edemet): the Bella Vista district, where Bella Vista Viejo and La Cresta are, appears on its official list of concession areas. - 🚰Water
- IDAAN (often included in the condo HOA fee)
- 📶Internet & phone
- +Móvil (Cable & Wireless Panamá) · Tigo Panamá
Panama's two operators; fiber depends on the building: check your address with each. - 🔥Gas
- Tropigas · Panagas
25 or 100 lb cylinders (Tropigas, Panagas). Tall towers often have central gas run by the building or do not allow cylinders: ask the management. - 🗑️Garbage collection
- AAUD (Autoridad de Aseo)
Panamá district: the garbage fee comes on the IDAAN bill.
Estimate my monthly cost Utilities guide: how to set up electricity, water, gas and internet →
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Properties in Bella Vista
There are no published properties in Bella Vista yet.
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Condo buildings (PH) and gated communities in Bella Vista
Each building and gated community has its own page with verified amenities (pool, gym, 24-hour security, gatehouse, backup generator…), map, nearby places and the homes brokers list there.
- PH 44 & Park — Condo building (PH)
- PH Altamira Residences — Condo building (PH)
- PH Bella Vista Gardens — Condo building (PH)
- PH Belle View — Condo building (PH)
- PH Cresta Palace — Condo building (PH)
- PH El Botánico — Condo building (PH)
- PH El Cenit — Condo building (PH)
- PH Elite — Condo building (PH)
- PH Prestige — Condo building (PH)
- PH Signature Point — Condo building (PH)
- PH The Palace — Condo building (PH)
- PH Torre Cerromar — Condo building (PH)
- PH Torre Imperial — Condo building (PH)
Places in Bella Vista
Schools, supermarkets, clinics, transport and more: each category has its own page and each place its own page with prices (when published), hours, sources and map.
Schools in Bella Vista
- Escuela Bella Vista — Private, bilingual preschool to 12th grade; Calle 43. Fees: ask the school.
- Alianza Francesa de Panamá — French courses from age 4 to adults (A1–C2). Fees: check. ~0.5 km from the center.
- Universidad de Panamá (campus central) — Public university, main campus. Admission: see its website. ~0.7 km from the center.
Supermarkets in Bella Vista
- Riba Smith Bella Vista — Mon–Sat 7 am–10 pm; Sun 8 am–10 pm. ~0.9 km from the center.
- Supermercados Rey Bella Vista — Rey on the west side of Bella Vista (Calle 42 Este). Hours: check.
- Supermercados Rey Vía España (El Cangrejo) — Rey on Vía España. Hours: check. ~0.6 km from the center.
Transport in Bella Vista
- Estación Iglesia del Carmen (Metro Línea 1) — Line 1; ~1.8 km from Hospital Punta Pacífica (straight line). Fare $0.35.
- Parada MiBus Calle Uruguay (Calle 50) — Calle 50: routes V180, V201, V531, C641 and C941. ~0.4 km from the center.
- Parada MiBus Calle 45 Este — Routes V180, V201, V531, C641 and C941. ~1.1 km from the center.
- Estación Santo Tomás (Metro Línea 1) — Line 1; ~1.3 km from the center of the area. Fare $0.35.
- Parada MiBus «MEF» (Vía España) — MiBus stop: routes C641, C941, V180 y V531, además de la Vía España–Albrook directo. Fare with Metro card. ~0.1 km from the center.
- Parada MiBus «Av. 4a Sur» (Calle 50) — MiBus stop: routes C641, C941, V180 y V531. Fare with Metro card. ~0.1 km from the center.
- Parada MiBus «Metro Iglesia del Carmen» — MiBus stop: routes C641, C941, V180 y V531, además de la Vía España–Albrook directo. Fare with Metro card. ~0.4 km from the center.
Gyms & sports in Bella Vista
- Smart Fit Megápolis — Mon–Fri 5 am–10 pm; weekends 7 am–7 pm. Plans from $26.99 + ITBMS.
- PowerClub Vía Argentina — Mon–Fri 5 am–10 pm; Sat 6–6; Sun 8–5. Price: ask. ~0.3 km from the center.
Parks & recreation in Bella Vista
- Cinta Costera
- Parque Urracá — Municipal park of 21,800 m²: courts, playground and dog park. Free entry.
- Parque para perros del Parque Urracá — Fenced area in Parque Urracá: one section for puppies and one for large dogs, with agility course.
Clinics & health in Bella Vista
- Complejo Hospitalario Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid (CSS) — The CSS's main public hospital, ~2.6 km from central Albrook. For insured patients.
- Hospital Santo Tomás — Public MINSA hospital, 24 h ER. ~1.5 km from the center.
- Farmacia Metro Plus Bella Vista — Chain pharmacy, open daily (Mon–Sat 6:30–21:30). ~0.6 km from the center.
- Farmacias Arrocha (Bella Vista, Calle 43) — Chain pharmacy by the Rey on Calle 43. Hours: check. ~0.6 km from the center.
Restaurants in Bella Vista
- El Trapiche Bella Vista — Panamanian food. ~$22 per person (Degusta). Pet friendly on the terrace.
- Athanasiou (PH Costanera, Bella Vista) — Greek / bakery. ~$17 per person (Degusta). Pet-friendly terrace.
- Los Tarascos (Calle 50) — Mexican. ~$21 per person (Degusta). Dogs allowed.
- Athen's Pizza (Marbella) — Greek / pizzeria. ~$17 per person (Degusta).
- Casa Alejandro — Spanish / Mediterranean. ~$36 per person (Degusta).
- Al Basha — Lebanese. ~$29 per person (Degusta). ~0.4 km from the center.
- Meze — Restaurant. Pet friendly (Pet Friendly Panamá). Price: check. ~0.3 km from the center.
- Planticería — Restaurant. Pet friendly (Pet Friendly Panamá). Price: check. ~0.3 km from the center.
- Taberna La Malagueña (Calle Uruguay) — Spanish (tapas). Pet friendly (Pet Friendly Panamá). Price: check. ~0.3 km from the center.
Pet friendly
- Cinta Costera
- Parque para perros del Parque Urracá — Fenced area in Parque Urracá: one section for puppies and one for large dogs, with agility course.
- El Trapiche Bella Vista — Panamanian food. ~$22 per person (Degusta). Pet friendly on the terrace.
- Athanasiou (PH Costanera, Bella Vista) — Greek / bakery. ~$17 per person (Degusta). Pet-friendly terrace.
- Los Tarascos (Calle 50) — Mexican. ~$21 per person (Degusta). Dogs allowed.
- Meze — Restaurant. Pet friendly (Pet Friendly Panamá). Price: check. ~0.3 km from the center.
- Planticería — Restaurant. Pet friendly (Pet Friendly Panamá). Price: check. ~0.3 km from the center.
- Taberna La Malagueña (Calle Uruguay) — Spanish (tapas). Pet friendly (Pet Friendly Panamá). Price: check. ~0.3 km from the center.
🐾 Pet friendly
Pet-friendly Bella Vista
Bella Vista is easy to live in with a dog: Parque Urracá has a fenced dog area, the Cinta Costera is a few blocks away for walks and Pet Friendly Panamá has verified several restaurants in the Calle Uruguay area that welcome pets (Meze, Planticería, Taberna La Malagueña, El Trapiche, Los Tarascos and Athanasiou). Some buildings accept pets under their bylaws (Cresta Palace says so in its listings and El Botánico has a pet-walking area): if you need a dog-friendly apartment, tell us in your request.
- Cinta Costera · 🐾 Pet Friendly Panamá
- Parque para perros del Parque Urracá · 🐾 Pet Friendly Panamá
- El Trapiche Bella Vista · 🐾 Pet Friendly Panamá
- Athanasiou (PH Costanera, Bella Vista) · 🐾 Pet Friendly Panamá
- Los Tarascos (Calle 50) · 🐾 Pet Friendly Panamá
- Meze · 🐾 Pet Friendly Panamá
- Planticería · 🐾 Pet Friendly Panamá
- Taberna La Malagueña (Calle Uruguay) · 🐾 Pet Friendly Panamá
Neighboring areas
Living in Avenida Balboa
Bella Vista district (corregimiento), Panama City. This guide covers the strip between Calle 50 (Av. Nicanor de Obarrio) and the sea: Avenida Balboa and its waterfront towers, the Cinta Costera and Marbella, with Parque Urracá. The inner streets of Bella Vista Viejo (Calles 42 to 48 and the Calle Uruguay area) and La Cresta have their own guide: Bella Vista. Practical limits: Calle 50 and Vía España to the north (Obarrio, the banking district, Campo Alegre and El Cangrejo, in the same district, are not included: Obarrio and El Cangrejo have their own guides), the Matasnillo river and Punta Paitilla (which has its own guide) to the east, Panama Bay to the south and Calles 38 to 40 Este and Hospital Santo Tomás to the west. The official boundary with Calidonia is Calle 42, but the towers on the avenue between Calles 38 and 42 are marketed as Avenida Balboa or Bella Vista and are included too.
Rent in Avenida Balboa · Buy in Avenida Balboa · Area guide →
Living in Obarrio
Bella Vista district (corregimiento), Panama City. We follow the neighborhoods of the Bella Vista local council: Obarrio and Campo Alegre, the strip between Calle 50 (Av. Nicanor de Obarrio, to the south) and Vía España (to the north), from Avenida Federico Boyd (west) to Vía Brasil (east), with Avenida Samuel Lewis through the middle. South of Calle 50 are Marbella and Avenida Balboa (another guide); west of Federico Boyd, Bella Vista Viejo and La Cresta (Bella Vista guide); north of Vía España, El Cangrejo; east of Vía Brasil, San Francisco; and to the southeast, across the Matasnillo river via Vía Israel, Punta Paitilla (another guide). Portals sometimes list this strip as El Cangrejo or Bella Vista.
Living in El Cangrejo
Bella Vista district (corregimiento), Panama City. The El Cangrejo neighborhood lies between Vía España (southeast), Vía Transístmica or Av. Simón Bolívar (west) and Av. Ramón Arias and Vía Brasil (north), with Vía Argentina running through it. The strip between Vía España and Calle 50 (Campo Alegre, the banking district and Obarrio), which portals sometimes list as El Cangrejo, has its own guide: Obarrio; La Cresta and Bella Vista Viejo are in the Bella Vista guide. South of Calle 50 our Avenida Balboa guide begins; east of Vía Brasil, the San Francisco one.
Bella Vista FAQ
How much does it cost to rent in Bella Vista?
In listings checked on November 7, 2026, excluding the towers facing Avenida Balboa, a 2-bedroom apartment asked ~$1,240–1,800 a month (median ~$1,500) and a 1-bedroom ~$875–1,100. 3-bedrooms are few and range from ~$1,350 to over $4,000. These are asking prices, not closing prices.
How much does it cost to buy in Bella Vista?
In listings, a 1-bedroom asks ~$137,000–191,000, a 2-bedroom ~$198,000–277,000 (median ~$2,515 per m²) and a 3-bedroom ~$261,000–506,000; in La Cresta, full-floor apartments go from $875,000 to over $1 million.
Is Bella Vista the same as Avenida Balboa?
Both are in the Bella Vista district, which also includes Obarrio, Campo Alegre, Marbella and El Cangrejo, and portals mix everything under "Bella Vista". In this guide, Bella Vista is the inner neighborhood (Bella Vista Viejo, Calle Uruguay and La Cresta); the waterfront towers are in the Avenida Balboa guide and the strip between Calle 50 and Vía España in the Obarrio one.
Is there a Metro station in Bella Vista?
Yes: Iglesia del Carmen station on Line 1 is on Vía España, ~0.4 km from the center of the area, and Santo Tomás ~0.9 km away. MiBus routes C641, C941, V180, V201 and V531 also run along Vía España and Calle 50.
Which company supplies electricity in Bella Vista?
Naturgy (Edemet): the Bella Vista district is on its official list of concession areas. Water is supplied by IDAAN and garbage is collected by AAUD (the fee comes on the IDAAN bill).
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