Area guide · Panama City
Living in San Francisco: Parque Omar, Restaurants and Everything Within Walking Distance
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.
What is it like to live in San Francisco?
San Francisco is the residential and dining neighborhood of the district of the same name, in east-central Panama City. It began in the 1920s as San Francisco de La Caleta and today lies between Vía España, Vía Porras, Calle 50 and Vía Israel, with Parque Omar —55.6 hectares of a former golf club— as its green heart.
Its appeal is being able to do almost everything on foot: supermarkets open late, the Social Security (CSS) clinic, schools, specialty cafés and dozens of restaurants on Calles 69 to 75, with Multiplaza and two private hospitals less than 1.5 km away. It costs more than El Dorado or Condado del Rey, but less than the waterfront towers of Punta Pacífica, Paitilla or Coco del Mar.
Housing is almost all apartments in 15- to 35-story towers (Tao Tower, Plaza Real, Citrus, Premium Tower, Harmony, Terrazas del Pacífico, Palma de Mallorca), several with views of Parque Omar or the sea, plus new buildings aimed at short-term-rental investors and some houses in Carrasquilla, Altos del Golf and Loma Alegre.
Pros
- Parque Omar, the city's largest and most visited urban park, with a dog park, pool and courts.
- Supermarkets, pharmacies, cafés and restaurants within walking distance.
- Minutes from Multiplaza, the banking district and the Corredor Sur entrance.
- Two private hospitals with 24/7 emergency rooms less than 1.5 km away and a Social Security (CSS) clinic in the neighborhood.
- Plenty of furnished apartments and towers with full amenities.
Things to know
- Heavy rush-hour traffic on Vía Porras, Vía Israel and Calle 50.
- No Metro station: the nearest is ~1.4 km away.
- Pricier than areas such as El Dorado or Condado del Rey: 2-bedrooms from ~$1,000 a month.
- Many new towers and construction sites; some streets get busy at night because of the nightlife.
Reference prices · October 2026
Apartments for rent in San Francisco: prices
| Type | Asking range /month | Most common |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (50–104 m²) | $1,125 – $1,700 | — |
| 2-bedroom apartment (70–166 m²) | $1,000 – $2,600 | ~$1,150 – $1,400 |
| 3-bedroom apartment (143–305 m²) | $1,400 – $3,000 | — |
Apartments and houses for sale in San Francisco: prices
| Type | Asking range |
|---|---|
| 2-bedroom apartment (52–165 m²) | $115,000 – $335,000 (typical ~$160,000–230,000; San Francisco Bay $156,750–175,500; Quartier Atlapa $220,000–225,000; new The Hub $280,000–335,000) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (112–372 m²) | $155,000 – $530,000 (typical ~$300,000–370,000 (Tao Tower, Citrus, The Towers)) |
| Asking price per m² (2-bedrooms) | $1,650 – $4,350 / m² (San Francisco Bay ~$1,650/m²; Vista Verde ~$1,970/m²; new units on Vía Porras ~$2,200/m²; The Hub ~$3,950–4,350/m²) |
Asking-price ranges from listings checked in October 2026; they are not closing prices or an appraisal. Portals group the whole district under "San Francisco": we excluded listings in Punta Pacífica, Punta Paitilla and Coco del Mar, and mislabeled ones from other areas (Marbella, El Cangrejo/Vía Argentina). Few houses are for sale in the neighborhood, so we do not publish a range for them.
Sources (listings checked in October 2026): Encuentra24 – apartamentos de 2 recámaras en alquiler en San Francisco, Encuentra24 – apartamentos de 2 recámaras en venta en San Francisco, Compreoalquile – apartamentos en alquiler en San Francisco, Compreoalquile – apartamentos de 2 recámaras en venta en San Francisco, Compreoalquile – apartamentos de 3 recámaras en venta en San Francisco, Casas24 – apartamentos en alquiler en San Francisco.
Getting around San Francisco
- Buses: route C941 (Albrook–Calle 50–Vía Porras–Vía España) stops at Rey Calle 50 and Parque Omar, route C641 (Albrook–Cincuentenario–Panamá Viejo) also stops at Parque Omar, and route C640 (Albrook–Cinta Costera–Panamá Viejo) runs along Vía Israel past Atlapa and Multiplaza (routes per OpenStreetMap). Fares are paid with the Metro card.
- Metro: there is no station in San Francisco. The closest are Fernández de Córdoba (~1.4 km from the center of the neighborhood) and Vía Argentina (~1.7 km), both on Line 1. Fare B/. 0.35.
- Car: Vía Israel leads to the Corredor Sur entrance at Atlapa (towards Tocumen airport and Costa del Este), and Calle 50 and Vía Porras connect with Obarrio, the banking district and Vía España. Rush-hour traffic is heavy on Vía Porras, Vía Israel and Calle 50.
Utilities in San Francisco
- 💡Electricity
- Naturgy (Edemet)
Naturgy (Edemet): the San Francisco district is in its concession. - 🚰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 San Francisco
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Condo buildings (PH) and gated communities in San Francisco
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 Citrus — Condo building (PH)
- PH Harmony San Francisco — Condo building (PH)
- PH Joy Tower — Condo building (PH)
- PH Lexus Tower — Condo building (PH)
- PH Marina Plaza — Condo building (PH)
- PH Montemar — Condo building (PH)
- PH Palma de Mallorca — Condo building (PH)
- PH Park Loft — Condo building (PH)
- PH Plaza Real — Condo building (PH)
- PH Premium Tower — Condo building (PH)
- PH Serenity at the Bay — Condo building (PH)
- PH Tao Tower — Condo building (PH)
- PH Terrazas del Pacífico — Condo building (PH)
- PH The Cosmopolitan — Condo building (PH)
- PH The Hub — Condo building (PH)
- PH Vista Verde Tower — Condo building (PH)
Places in San Francisco
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 San Francisco
- Instituto Alberto Einstein — Trilingual Jewish school, ages 2–18; IB World School (PYP, MYP and Diploma). Fees not published.
- Instituto Italiano Enrico Fermi — Italian-tradition school (Italian, Spanish, English), since 1963. Fees: contact the school.
- Wisdom Kids Academy — Preschool near Multiplaza. Fees: contact the school.
- Instituto Técnico Don Bosco — Salesian, preschool to 12th grade, industrial tracks. 2027 elementary annual fee $1,850.
- Colegio Adventista Metropolitano — Adventist, preschool to high school with an IT focus. 2027 elementary annual fee $1,300.
Supermarkets in San Francisco
- Riba Smith Multiplaza — Imported/gourmet supermarket at Multiplaza. Mon–Sat 7–22, Sun 8–22.
- Supermercados Rey Calle 50 — Two-story Rey on Calle 50, ~0.5 km from the center. Hours: check.
- Super 99 Vía Porras — Sun–Thu 6 am–11 pm; Fri–Sat until midnight. ~1 km from the center.
- Super 99 San Francisco — Daily 6 am–11 pm, on Calle 78 Este. ~0.9 km from the center.
Transport in San Francisco
- Paradas MiBus Multiplaza (I y R) — Routes C640, C642, C938, C952, I182, I202 and V180 (Cinta Costera, Panamá Viejo, Vía España, Los Andes Metro).
- 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 Fernández de Córdoba (Metro Línea 1) — Line 1 heading south; ~1.9 km from central El Dorado. Fare $0.35.
- Paradas MiBus Parque Omar (I y R) — Routes C941 (Calle 50–Vía Porras–Vía España) and C641 (Cincuentenario–Panamá Viejo). ~0.5 km from the center.
- Parada MiBus Rey Calle 50 — Route C941 Albrook–Calle 50–Vía Porras–Vía España. ~0.5 km from the center.
- Paradas MiBus Atlapa (I y R) — Route C640 Albrook–Cinta Costera–Panamá Viejo along Vía Israel. ~0.9 km from the center.
Gyms & sports in San Francisco
- Bio Ritmo Multiplaza — Premium gym at Multiplaza. Mon–Fri 5–22, Sat–Sun 7–19. Price on its website.
- PowerClub San Francisco — Gym Pass $49/month (all clubs and classes); Plus $59/month. Mon–Fri 5 am–10 pm.
Parks & recreation in San Francisco
- Parque infantil de la Vía Israel
- Parque Recreativo y Cultural Omar (Parque Omar) — 55.6 ha, 3.5 km path, pool and courts. Free entry, 4 am–10 pm.
- Parque canino del Parque Omar — More than 1,000 m² fenced, off-leash dogs, 7 am–6 pm. Free entry.
- Parque Carrasquilla — Carrasquilla neighborhood park, ~1.1 km from the center. Free access.
Clinics & health in San Francisco
- Hospital Pacífica Salud – Punta Pacífica — Private hospital affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine International; 24/7 adult and pediatric ER (204-8184).
- Clínica Hospital San Fernando — Private hospital with a 24/7 emergency room, ~1.9 km from central El Dorado.
- Policlínica Dr. Carlos N. Brin (CSS San Francisco) — Social Security (CSS) clinic; ER Monday–Saturday 7 am–7 pm. ~0.6 km from the center.
- Farmacias Arrocha Calle 50 (San Francisco) — Chain pharmacy on Calle 50, ~0.1 km from the center. Hours: check.
Restaurants in San Francisco
- Casa Escondida — International cuisine in a house on Calle 72; pet-friendly terrace. ~$34 per person.
- Cuquita Cookita — Chef-driven restaurant and pastry shop; brunch and a dog-friendly terrace. ~$25 per person.
- Sugoi San Francisco (Plaza 75) — Caribbean-style fusion sushi; dog friendly, with parking. ~$23 per person.
- El Trapiche San Francisco — Traditional Panamanian food with a pet-friendly terrace. ~$18 per person.
- Esa Flaca Rica San Francisco — Burgers with Panamanian flavors; two-level pet-friendly terrace. ~$17 per person.
- Pastelería Venecia (SF69 Plaza) — Neighborhood bakery and café, daily 6:30 am–8 pm. ~$13 per person.
Pet friendly
- Parque canino del Parque Omar — More than 1,000 m² fenced, off-leash dogs, 7 am–6 pm. Free entry.
- Casa Escondida — International cuisine in a house on Calle 72; pet-friendly terrace. ~$34 per person.
- Cuquita Cookita — Chef-driven restaurant and pastry shop; brunch and a dog-friendly terrace. ~$25 per person.
- Sugoi San Francisco (Plaza 75) — Caribbean-style fusion sushi; dog friendly, with parking. ~$23 per person.
- El Trapiche San Francisco — Traditional Panamanian food with a pet-friendly terrace. ~$18 per person.
- Esa Flaca Rica San Francisco — Burgers with Panamanian flavors; two-level pet-friendly terrace. ~$17 per person.
- Leto Coffee San Francisco — Specialty coffee with a terrace; dogs on a leash. Mon–Fri 7 am–5 pm.
- Siete Granos Specialty Coffee — Specialty coffee on Calle 68; pet-friendly terrace. Mon–Sat 7 am–7 pm.
- Cervecería Central (taproom San Francisco) — Craft beer taproom with a pet-friendly terrace. Fri–Sat until 2 am.
🐾 Pet friendly
Pet-friendly San Francisco
San Francisco is the most pet-friendly part of the city: Parque Omar has the only public dog park where dogs can be off leash (more than 1,000 m² fenced, 7 am to 6 pm), and Pet Friendly Panamá lists 44 verified places in the district, including restaurants, cafés and bars with terraces. Many towers allow pets under their bylaws: if you need a dog-friendly apartment, tell us in your request.
- Parque canino del Parque Omar · petfriendlypanama.com
- Casa Escondida · petfriendlypanama.com
- Cuquita Cookita · petfriendlypanama.com
- Sugoi San Francisco (Plaza 75) · petfriendlypanama.com
- El Trapiche San Francisco · petfriendlypanama.com
- Esa Flaca Rica San Francisco · petfriendlypanama.com
- Leto Coffee San Francisco · petfriendlypanama.com
- Siete Granos Specialty Coffee · petfriendlypanama.com
- Cervecería Central (taproom San Francisco) · petfriendlypanama.com
Neighboring areas
Living in Punta Pacífica
San Francisco district, Panama City: a bayfront peninsula between Punta Paitilla (west), Vía Israel and Multiplaza (north) and the Corredor Sur and Boca La Caja (east).
Rent in Punta Pacífica · Buy in Punta Pacífica · Area guide →
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 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. 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.
San Francisco FAQ
How much does it cost to rent in San Francisco?
In October 2026, 2-bedroom apartments were listed at about $1,000–$2,600 per month (typical ~$1,150–1,400), 1-bedrooms at $1,125–$1,700 and 3-bedrooms at $1,400–$3,000. Many are rented furnished. These are asking prices, not closing prices.
How much does it cost to buy in San Francisco?
In listings, 2-bedroom apartments ask $115,000–335,000 (typical ~$160,000–230,000) and 3-bedrooms $155,000–530,000 (typical ~$300,000–370,000). Per m², 2-bedrooms ask ~$1,650–4,350; new buildings aimed at short-term rentals are the priciest.
Is there a Metro station in San Francisco?
No. The closest stations are Fernández de Córdoba (~1.4 km from the center of the neighborhood) and Vía Argentina (~1.7 km), on Line 1. Within the neighborhood people use the buses on Vía Porras, Calle 50 and Vía Israel, such as routes C941, C641 and C640.
Is San Francisco the same as Punta Pacífica or Coco del Mar?
They belong to the same district, but they are different neighborhoods: Punta Pacífica and Punta Paitilla are the waterfront tower peninsulas south of Vía Israel, and Coco del Mar lies to the east, on Av. Cincuentenario. That is why portals mix their listings with San Francisco's; in this guide we keep them apart.
Which schools are in San Francisco?
Instituto Técnico Don Bosco (Salesian, Vía Israel; 2027 elementary annual fee $1,850), Colegio Adventista Metropolitano (Carrasquilla; 2027 elementary annual fee $1,300), and, on the border with Punta Pacífica, Instituto Italiano Enrico Fermi, Instituto Alberto Einstein and Wisdom Kids Academy.
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