Area guide · Panama City
Living in El Cangrejo: Panama City's Walkable Vía Argentina Neighborhood
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. This guide also covers the strip between Vía España and Calle 50 up to Vía Brasil (Campo Alegre, the banking district and Obarrio), which portals sometimes list as El Cangrejo. South of Calle 50 our Avenida Balboa guide begins; east of Vía Brasil, the San Francisco one.
What is it like to live in El Cangrejo?
El Cangrejo is the Vía Argentina neighborhood, in the Bella Vista district: tree-lined streets with restaurants, cafés and bars, Parque Andrés Bello at its center and the Vía Argentina Metro station a few steps away.
It is one of the most walkable areas in the city and a favorite of young professionals, students and expats who want to live without depending on a car: Vía España, the hotel district, the banking district and Calle 50 are minutes away.
Housing is almost all apartments in 15- to 46-story towers (Kubic, Park City, Mediterráneo Loft, Luxor, Velure, Vitro Loft), with many lofts and furnished units, at prices below Avenida Balboa or Punta Pacífica.
Pros
- Metro within walking distance: Vía Argentina station is about a 5-minute walk from the center of the neighborhood.
- A walkable neighborhood, with dozens of restaurants, cafés and bars on Vía Argentina and Parque Andrés Bello at its center.
- Cheaper than Avenida Balboa or Punta Pacífica: typical 2-bedrooms from ~$1,250 a month.
- Plenty of lofts and furnished apartments, handy for newcomers.
- Minutes from the hotel district, the banking district, Calle 50 and the University of Panama.
Things to know
- Heavy rush-hour traffic on Vía España and Vía Transístmica, and little street parking.
- Noise from bars and nightlife on some blocks of Vía Argentina and the hotel district.
- The Parque Andrés Bello dog area is small (residents asked for it to be expanded in 2025).
- Few schools inside the neighborhood and no sea view from most towers.
Reference prices · October 2026
Apartments for rent in El Cangrejo: prices
| Type | Asking range /month | Most common |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment or loft (48–110 m²) | $850 – $1,600 | ~$1,300 – $1,600 |
| 2-bedroom apartment (71–155 m²) | $950 – $2,500 | ~$1,250 – $1,750 |
| 3-bedroom apartment (116–201 m²) | $1,100 – $2,950 | ~$1,500 – $2,450 |
Apartments and houses for sale in El Cangrejo: prices
| Type | Asking range |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment or loft (34–121 m²) | $110,000 – $260,000 (typical ~$130,000–220,000; off-plan 34–44 m² units from ~$113,000 (Amara); LOV (68–70 m²) $179,000–199,000; Vitro Loft (95–112 m²) $167,000–205,000; Van Gogh (72–80 m²) $190,644–223,118; Mediterráneo Loft (121 m²) $235,000–260,000.) |
| 2-bedroom apartment (56–232 m²) | $139,000 – $498,000 (typical ~$170,000–310,000; Marquis Tower (81–94 m²) $139,000–180,000; Cangrejo Bay $170,000–180,000; Trinity Tower (89–90 m²) $172,000–185,000; Onyx (100 m²) $210,000; Van Gogh $223,118–271,965; Amara (94 m²) $255,000–257,000; Carreras Tower (119 m²) $280,000–310,000; Velure (129 m²) $332,000; Luxor (232 m²) $498,000.) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (99–332 m²) | $160,000 – $762,500 (typical ~$220,000–375,000; Las Azucenas (112 m²) $160,000; Mandalay and Dalí $220,000; Astoria (155 m²) $252,000; Marquis Tower (148 m²) $280,000; Mirador del Cangrejo (200 m²) $320,000–335,000; Luxor 400 (147 m²) $365,000–375,000; Terranova (280 m²) $525,000; penthouses $615,000–762,500.) |
| Asking price per m² (2-bedrooms) | $1,540 – $3,150 / m² (Middle 80 % of listings (our own calculation); median ~$2,575/m². New projects and Luxor are at the top end.) |
Asking-price ranges from portal listings checked on October 28, 2026 (duplicate listings counted once); they are not closing prices or an appraisal. We excluded listings mislabeled as El Cangrejo (Punta Pacífica, Coco del Mar, Avenida Balboa, San Francisco), offices and sales posted as rentals. Ranges cover the El Cangrejo neighborhood and Vía Argentina; they do not include listings tagged as Obarrio.
Sources (listings checked in October 2026): Casas24 – apartamentos de 1 recámara en alquiler en El Cangrejo, Casas24 – apartamentos de 2 recámaras en alquiler en El Cangrejo, Casas24 – apartamentos de 3 recámaras en alquiler en El Cangrejo, Casas24 – apartamentos de 1 recámara en venta en El Cangrejo, Casas24 – apartamentos de 2 recámaras en venta en El Cangrejo, Casas24 – apartamentos de 3 recámaras en venta en El Cangrejo, Compreoalquile – apartamentos de 2 recámaras en alquiler en El Cangrejo.
Getting around El Cangrejo
- Metro: Vía Argentina station (Line 1) is ~0.4 km from Parque Andrés Bello; Iglesia del Carmen is ~0.8 km away and Fernández de Córdoba ~1.1 km. Fare B/. 0.35.
- Buses: routes C641 and C941 (towards Albrook, Panamá Viejo and Vía Porras) and V180 and V531 (Vía España) run along Vía España, with stops by Vía Argentina station, UNHIPA and Plaza Concordia (routes per OpenStreetMap). Fares are paid with the Metro card.
- Car: Vía España crosses the neighborhood east to west, Vía Transístmica borders it to the west and Vía Argentina runs down to the hotel district; the banking district and Calle 50 are to the south. Rush-hour traffic is heavy and street parking near Vía Argentina is scarce.
Utilities in El Cangrejo
- 💡Electricity
- Naturgy (Edemet)
Naturgy (Edemet): the Bella Vista district, where El Cangrejo is, 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 →
🛂 Moving from abroad? Residency for foreigners · buying or renting as a foreigner
Properties in El Cangrejo
There are no published properties in El Cangrejo yet.
Leave your search (rent or buy, budget, bedrooms) and we will message you on WhatsApp.
Request a search in this area See rentals See homes for sale
Condo buildings (PH) and gated communities in El Cangrejo
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 Atlantis — Condo building (PH)
- PH Cangrejo Bay — Condo building (PH)
- PH Carreras Tower — Condo building (PH)
- PH Kubic — Condo building (PH)
- PH Luxor 400 — Condo building (PH)
- PH Mandalay — Condo building (PH)
- PH Marquis Tower — Condo building (PH)
- PH Mediterráneo Loft — Condo building (PH)
- PH Mirador del Cangrejo — Condo building (PH)
- PH Miró — Condo building (PH)
- PH Onyx Tower — Condo building (PH)
- PH Park City — Condo building (PH)
- PH Sky Swiss — Condo building (PH)
- PH Trinity Tower — Condo building (PH)
- PH Van Gogh — Condo building (PH)
- PH Velure — Condo building (PH)
- PH Vitro Loft — Condo building (PH)
- PH Zaphiro — Condo building (PH)
Places in El Cangrejo
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 El Cangrejo
- Colegio De La Salle — Catholic, daycare to 12th grade, Dual Diploma. Fees: ask the school. ~0.4 km from the center.
- The Lincoln Academy — Trilingual (English first), elementary and secondary. Fees: ask the school. ~0.6 km from the center.
Supermarkets in El Cangrejo
- Super 99 Vía Porras — Sun–Thu 6 am–11 pm; Fri–Sat until midnight. ~1 km from the center.
- Supermercados Rey Vía España (El Cangrejo) — Rey on Vía España. Hours: check. ~0.6 km from the center.
- Super 99 (Vía Transístmica, El Cangrejo) — Super 99 by Vía Transístmica. Hours: check. ~0.5 km from the center.
- Super Xtra Transístmica — Xtra on Vía Transístmica. Hours: check (OSM: 6:00–24:00). ~0.5 km from the center.
Transport in El Cangrejo
- Estación Vía Argentina (Metro Línea 1) — Line 1; ~1.3 km from Multiplaza and ~2.3 km from the JW Marriott (straight line). Fare $0.35.
- Estación Iglesia del Carmen (Metro Línea 1) — Line 1; ~1.8 km from Hospital Punta Pacífica (straight line). Fare $0.35.
- Estación Fernández de Córdoba (Metro Línea 1) — Line 1 heading south; ~1.9 km from central El Dorado. Fare $0.35.
- Parada MiBus Metro Vía Argentina — Vía España: C641 Albrook–Cincuentenario–Panamá Viejo, C941 Albrook–Calle 50–Vía Porras–Vía España, V180 Vía España–Los Andes Metro, V531 Vía España express–Pedregal Metro. ~0.4 km from the center.
- Parada MiBus UNHIPA (Vía España) — Vía España: C641 Albrook–Cincuentenario–Panamá Viejo, C941 Albrook–Calle 50–Vía Porras–Vía España, V531 Vía España express–Pedregal Metro. ~0.4 km from the center.
- Parada MiBus Plaza Concordia (Vía España) — Vía España: C641 Albrook–Cincuentenario–Panamá Viejo, C941 Albrook–Calle 50–Vía Porras–Vía España, V180 Vía España–Los Andes Metro, V531 Vía España express–Pedregal Metro. ~0.6 km from the center.
Gyms & sports in El Cangrejo
- PowerClub Vía Argentina — Mon–Fri 5 am–10 pm; Sat 6–6; Sun 8–5. Price: ask. ~0.3 km from the center.
- Smart Fit Plaza El Cangrejo — Plans from $30.99 + ITBMS a month. Mon–Fri 5 am–10 pm. ~0.7 km from the center.
Parks & recreation in El Cangrejo
- Parque Andrés Bello — The neighborhood's central park: courts, playgrounds and dog area. Free. ~0.0 km from the center.
- Área para perros del Parque Andrés Bello — Small fenced dog area. Free. ~0.1 km from the center.
Clinics & health in El Cangrejo
- Complejo Hospitalario Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid (CSS) — The CSS's main public hospital, ~2.6 km from central Albrook. For insured patients.
- Farmacias Arrocha Vía Argentina — Pharmacy on Vía Argentina. Hours: check. ~0.3 km from the center.
Restaurants in El Cangrejo
- El Trapiche (Vía Argentina) — Panamanian. ~$16 per person (Degusta). Pet friendly on the terrace. ~0.1 km from the center.
- La Rana Dorada (Vía Argentina) — Brewpub / bar food. ~$20 per person (Degusta). Pet friendly on the terrace. ~0.2 km from the center.
- Lucca Trattoria (El Cangrejo) — Italian. ~$26 per person (Degusta). Pet friendly on the terrace. ~0.3 km from the center.
- Sugoi (antes Tsugoi), El Cangrejo — Japanese / Caribbean sushi. ~$25 per person (Degusta). Pet friendly on the terrace. ~0.3 km from the center.
- Barrio Pizza (Vía Argentina) — Pizzeria. ~$20 per person (Degusta). Pet friendly on the terrace. ~0.2 km from the center.
- Parrillada Martín Fierro — Argentine steakhouse. ~$32 per person (Degusta). ~0.3 km from the center.
- Matsuei — Japanese. ~$29 per person (Degusta). ~0.3 km from the center.
- Annie & Motts — Pet-friendly terrace. Price: check. ~0.4 km from the center.
Pet friendly
- Área para perros del Parque Andrés Bello — Small fenced dog area. Free. ~0.1 km from the center.
- El Trapiche (Vía Argentina) — Panamanian. ~$16 per person (Degusta). Pet friendly on the terrace. ~0.1 km from the center.
- La Rana Dorada (Vía Argentina) — Brewpub / bar food. ~$20 per person (Degusta). Pet friendly on the terrace. ~0.2 km from the center.
- Lucca Trattoria (El Cangrejo) — Italian. ~$26 per person (Degusta). Pet friendly on the terrace. ~0.3 km from the center.
- Sugoi (antes Tsugoi), El Cangrejo — Japanese / Caribbean sushi. ~$25 per person (Degusta). Pet friendly on the terrace. ~0.3 km from the center.
- Barrio Pizza (Vía Argentina) — Pizzeria. ~$20 per person (Degusta). Pet friendly on the terrace. ~0.2 km from the center.
- Annie & Motts — Pet-friendly terrace. Price: check. ~0.4 km from the center.
- Güt (Vía Argentina) — Pet-friendly ice-cream shop by the park. Price: check. ~0.1 km from the center.
Banks in El Cangrejo
- St. Georges Bank – Calle 50
- Caja de Ahorros – Vía España (Iglesia del Carmen)
- Banco General – Vía Argentina
- Banco General – Vía España (El Cangrejo)
- Caja de Ahorros – Vía España (Vía Argentina)
- Banistmo – Vía España (Vía Argentina)
- Global Bank – Vía España (Vía Argentina)
- Banesco – Vía España (Vía Argentina)
- Credicorp Bank – Vía España (El Cangrejo)
🐾 Pet friendly
Pet-friendly El Cangrejo
El Cangrejo is one of the easiest neighborhoods to go out with a dog: Vía Argentina has tree-lined sidewalks and terraces, Parque Andrés Bello has a fenced dog area (small; residents have asked for it to be expanded) and Pet Friendly Panamá lists 10 verified places in the neighborhood, 9 restaurants and a café, all with pets on the terrace. Several buildings allow pets under their bylaws and some have a pet park: if you need a dog-friendly apartment, tell us in your request.
- Área para perros del Parque Andrés Bello
- El Trapiche (Vía Argentina) · petfriendlypanama.com
- La Rana Dorada (Vía Argentina) · petfriendlypanama.com
- Lucca Trattoria (El Cangrejo) · petfriendlypanama.com
- Sugoi (antes Tsugoi), El Cangrejo · petfriendlypanama.com
- Barrio Pizza (Vía Argentina) · petfriendlypanama.com
- Annie & Motts · petfriendlypanama.com
- Güt (Vía Argentina) · petfriendlypanama.com
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, the Cinta Costera, Marbella, La Cresta and traditional Bella Vista around Parque Urracá. 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), the Matasnillo river and Punta Paitilla 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 San Francisco
San Francisco district (corregimiento), Panama City. This guide covers the San Francisco neighborhood (Calles 63 to 78 between Vía Porras and Vía Israel), Carrasquilla south of Vía España, Villa Lilla, Altos del Golf and Loma Alegre. Practical limits: Vía España and Pueblo Nuevo (north), Coco del Mar and Atlapa (east), Vía Israel, Multiplaza and Punta Pacífica (south) and Obarrio and Vía Brasil (west). Punta Pacífica has its own guide; Punta Paitilla and Coco del Mar, in the same district, are not included.
El Cangrejo FAQ
How much does it cost to rent in El Cangrejo?
In October 2026, listings asked ~$1,300–1,600 a month for a 1-bedroom or loft, ~$1,250–1,750 for a 2-bedroom (range $950–2,500) and ~$1,500–2,450 for a 3-bedroom (range $1,100–2,950). Many are rented furnished. These are asking prices, not closing prices.
How much does it cost to buy in El Cangrejo?
In listings, a 1-bedroom or loft asks ~$130,000–220,000, a 2-bedroom ~$170,000–310,000 (median ~$2,575 per m²) and a 3-bedroom ~$220,000–375,000; off-plan small apartments start at ~$113,000 and penthouses go above $600,000.
Is there a Metro station in El Cangrejo?
Yes: Vía Argentina station on Line 1 is on Vía España, ~0.4 km from Parque Andrés Bello; Iglesia del Carmen is ~0.8 km away. MiBus routes C641, C941, V180 and V531 also run along Vía España.
Is El Cangrejo the same as Bella Vista?
El Cangrejo is a neighborhood in the Bella Vista district, which also includes Obarrio, the banking district, Campo Alegre, Marbella and Avenida Balboa. That is why some portals list it as "Bella Vista". In this guide, the strip south of Calle 50 is on the Avenida Balboa page.
Which company supplies electricity in El Cangrejo?
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).
Is El Cangrejo good for living with a dog?
Yes, with caveats: there is a (small) fenced dog area in Parque Andrés Bello and 10 restaurants and cafés verified by Pet Friendly Panamá that welcome dogs on the terrace. Outside the dog area, leashes and picking up after your dog are required.
Sign in with Google
One click, no password. With an account you can save favorites, get alerts for new listings and contact advertisers.
By signing in you accept the privacy policy (Panama Law 81 of 2019).