Living In El Cangrejo Panama
Welcome to El Cangrejo. One of Panama City’s trendiest, most bohemian and multicultural neighborhoods. El Cangrejo gets its name from the web of streets that spread out like a crab’s claws. It has become an expat haven and for good reason.
Its European flair attracts those seeking a vibrant and artsy neighborhood. It boasts bakeries, outdoor cafes and restaurants lining its winding, picturesque streets. It is also a hub of activity for the whole family. With Christmas fairs and snow storm parties and year-round festivals.
El Cangrejo is arguably the most walkable, convenient neighborhood in the Panamanian capital. Almost everything you need for the day-to-day lies within walking distance. In addition, the metro line stops in two different sections of El Cangrejo.
Other Panama City neighborhoods may offer more luxury, history or stunning scenery. Yet, no neighborhood in Panama City has as much personality as El Cangrejo.
Grocery Shopping in El Cangrejo
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El Cangrejo has a big U.S.-style grocery store within a short walking distance called Pricesmart.
You’ll find higher-quality options at Casa de la Carne, a local supermarket chain. They have great fresh fish and meat counters, a host of imported goods, as well as an excellent bakery.
Lastly, El Rey is well stocked with fresh produce and baked goods. Bonus: El Rey is even open 24/7.
Fruteria Mimi is THE place to try the tropical fruits and produce Panama is known for (ever tasted guanabanas?).
El Motete is a one-stop-shop for everything eco-friendly and organic. From groceries and natural foods to beauty and household products. This store is former Peace Corps volunteers, Will Ridlehoover and Megan Vose’s dream project. They opened the store as a way to empower local producers and agricultural communities. As well as bridging the gap between rural and urban Panama.
Finally, don’t miss the chinitos on virtually every street corner. These stores are usually owned by Chinese immigrants. And it’s said that at the beginning of the 20th century the entire country relied on provisions from their stores. Not much has changed – they stock everything.
Eating Out in El Cangrejo
El Trapiche Restaurant in El Cangrejo
El Cangrejo is chock full of excellent restaurant options. From Italian, French, Argentine, Mexican, Lebanese, Japanese, Chinese. And the list goes on!
For a coffee or quick breakfast, El Venezolano is a perfect start to the day. Or go to New York Bagel, which is packed with locals and expats alike. Many enjoy the bottomless coffee while they work which you can pair with a good bagel.
More of a pastry and coffee person? The upscale French macaron-maker La Duree is nearby.
For local Panamanian cuisine check out El Trapiche. Make sure to try the bistec picado, which at just over $6 will fill you up for the whole day. Del Prado (where the Cuban sandwich is served 24/7), or Manolo’s (taste the Corvina a lo macho with patacones).
For Afro-Caribbean fare check out El Caribe. Here homemade coconut oil and scotch bonnet pepper-based sauces are a great base for everything. Try the octopus in coconut sauce and go on a Friday for karaoke or the last Saturday of the month for live jazz.
For more upscale dining, whether for a date-night or business dinner, head to Rincon Suizo. Rincon Suizo features a rich Swiss-German menu, delicious meats, and elegant seafood selections. The Chef, Willy Diggelmann, has established himself as one of Panama’s top restaurateurs. He also has three different restaurants under his belt in El Cangrejo. The average entree runs upwards of $22.00. Meaning Rincon Suizo is one of the pricier restaurants in El Cangrejo.
For more drool-worthy restaurants, check out our recent article on the best restaurants to enjoy in El Cangrejo.
A Perfect Saturday in El Cangrejo
10:00 am | Mentiritas Blancas
Start the day with brunch at Mentiritas Blancas. The coffee here is serious business! You can also choose to savor it with home-made local pastries or empanadas.
11:00 am | Parque Andres Bello
Head to Parque Andres Bello for a leisurely stroll or a workout. The park is a hub of activity on weekends. You’ll find yoga and Zumba classes, walking, running and tai-chi clubs and much more. The park also hosts festivals, fairs, and dance performances.
01:00 pm | Chez Titi Tea Room
Chez Titi Tea Room serves up delicious salmon crepes and other healthy lunch options. Gluten-free too! In addition, they serve freshly squeezed juices and indulgent French pastries.
03:00 pm | Weil Art Gallery
Explore the local art scene at the Weil Art Gallery (a 20-minute walk towards Casco Viejo). This gallery showcases a range of remarkable paintings and sculptures. This includes handicrafts, including contemporary pieces crafted by the indigenous Wounaan, Embera and Guna tribes of Panama.
Alternatively, walk to Priori Art Gallery (a 12-minute walk). They have a rich collection of photographs, paintings, and sculptures. As well as a permanent collection of masterpieces principally from Panama and Latin America.
A Perfect Saturday Evening in El Cangrejo
05:00 pm | La Rana Dorada
Head to La Rana Dorada to sample some microbrews on the terrace (a great people-watching spot). Try out the Istmo Brew Pub! This pub is the first microbrewery in the country with 4 beers on tap, all named after Panamanian provinces.
09:00pm | Tsugoi
Dinner at Tsugoi, one of Panama’s best sushi spots.
11:00pm | El Pavo Real
For live music, check out El Pavo Real. a real El Cangrejo establishment with a dizzying line-up of rock concerts. Alternatively, visit The Wine Bar. Here you will find live jazz with an award-winning selection of over 200 wines. All selected by Chef Willy Diggelmann.
Entertainment & Going Out in El Cangrejo
El Cangrejo has bars and pubs, live music venues, as well as theaters, nightclubs, and casinos.
To sample Panama’s budding microbrewery scene, check out Istmo Brew Pub or La Rana Dorada. La Rana’s Casco Viejo location is home to the actual brewery inside the bar. The Biergarten has a lush garden with big screens for sports.
For live music, check out El Apartamento-Sotano. This venue is a relaxed art and cultural space with a cocktail bar and restaurant. It always hosts great alternative music, from punk rock to hip hop.
El Pavo Real is a real El Cangrejo establishment from the 1980s. An English pub with pool tables, darts, pints and pub grub, and they often host live music. The Panama Zen Hotel has a stunning rooftop bar with views over the city skyline. As does AltaBar, even better for dancing and martinis on the rooftop terrace.
Know that El Cangrejo is also Panama City’s Red Light District (legal in Panama). If this bothers you, avoid the Veneto and surrounding area. The trade, while present, is not ubiquitous. We and fellow expats have raised families in El Cangrejo and would recommend it without hesitation.
Sports & Outdoors in El Cangrejo
Parque Andres Bello is a hub of activity for all ages. It hosts kids’ sports clubs, Zumba, yoga, tai-chi classes. It also has nature paths and jogging trails, as well as pick-up basketball and soccer.
The nearby Parque Metropolitano is a paradise within the city for adults and kids alike. And is only a 10-minute drive away. There is great wildlife spotting (sloths, monkeys, and birds!), and jungle gyms. Not to mention the beautiful views of the city skyline.
Tennis courts are a short walk away in El Carmen, crossing Via Brazil and near the Episcopal School. And the Cinta Costera is a straight shot down Federico Boyd. There you will find nearly 15km of running and bike trails along the water.
For gyms, check out PowerClub (high-end, membership is just under $100/month). It has great equipment and personal trainers on location. Or if you like CrossFit then try CrossFit 507 (where membership is ~$30/month).
If you like to mix your running with drinking, sign up to join the Hash House Harriers. This is a drinking club with a running problem and loved by expats and locals alike. The club usually departs from El Pavo Real or other nearby bars.
Getting Around El Cangrejo
Uber and Cabify will cost you $2-4 for a ride to the surrounding neighborhoods (~5km). It is a safer and much more pleasant option than the old yellow cabs, which often overcharge foreigners.
The metro station within minutes from the heart of El Cangrejo
El Cangrejo is also a good hub for public transportation. There are two metro stops in El Cangrejo: at Via España and Iglesia del Carmen. A one-way ride will cost you 35 cents and the line gets you directly to Albrook Mall. (Home to 500+ shops and restaurants). Alternatively, hop off earlier at Santo Tomas to visit the Cinta Costera. Or walk from there to the Contemporary Art Museum and Mercado de Mariscos (15-20 minutes). The Metrobus, too, can get you all over the city, with stops at Via España and Crown Plaza.
For a day trip outside Panama City, a host of car rental companies are in the area around Via Veneto. Including, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Ancon, and Rent-A-Car. Renting a car will cost ~ $40/ day, including insurance.
Clinics, Hospitals & Pharmacies in El Cangrejo
El Cangrejo is home to Clinica Einstein. Here you will find world-class specialists, available six days a week, with no appointment required. An extensive check-up (30 minutes) costs you under $50 and is reimbursed by insurance.
Panama City’s Johns Hopkins – affiliated Hospital Punta Pacifica is a 10-minute taxi ride away. As is Hospital Nacional and Hospital Paitilla, which are as close and just as good. For pharmacies, Farmacias Arrocha and Farmacias Metro stock everything you might need.
Raising Kids in El Cangrejo
We raised our families in El Cangrejo and can say it’s great for kids. It has a host of options from bilingual daycares all the way through to excellent high schools. Parque Andres Bello is our go-to spot on weekday afternoons. Here you’ll find families from all over the world playing on brand new equipment. Including my 4 year old’s favorite, the kid-friendly zip line!
Even families with very young children will appreciate El Cangrejo’s decent sidewalks. El Cangrejo’s sidewalks are leaps and bounds better to the rest of the city but not quite first world yet. That said, cars, for the most part, are very respectful when they see a stroller. And safety’s a non-issue in El Cangrejo, given the hotels, buildings, and tourist activity going on 24/ 7.
Happy Kids (4 months – 6 years) and Tu Guia (1 – 4 years) are both bilingual daycares and kindergarten. The Oxford School (20 months – 18 years) uses the British curriculum and offers IGCSEs and AICEs for grades 9 – 12. Both the IGCSEs and AICEs are accredited by the University of Cambridge International Exam Standards. It’s particularly strong in the sciences, IT and business and has excellent facilities, a pool and after-school/weekend sports programs.
Also check out Lincoln Academy and the Episcopal School of Panama, both smaller bilingual college prep schools. Episcopal School of Panama has intensive French and Japanese instruction as well as Colegio de la Salle (a Catholic school).
So there’s no need to leave your kids in boarding school back home while you enjoy life on the Isthmus 🙂
Hotels in El Cangrejo
El Cangrejo is home to most international hotel chains. As a first-time visitor to El Cangrejo, consider staying at the Best Western Plus Panama Zen. It has a fantastic rooftop, a pool, cool modern design and a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor. The Via España metro stop is a 5-minute walk away.
Shopping in El Cangrejo
Via España is home to all your shopping needs. From international men’s and women’s fashion and footwear to home furnishings, and kitchenware. Check out Felix B Maduro, Collins and PieX nearby. The area is also host to great department stores.
Postal Service & Deliveries in El Cangrejo
If receiving stuff by mail is important for you or your business, be prepared. It’s a challenge, no matter where you go in Panama (or the region, for that matter). PO Boxes were introduced to solve the problem but it’s not cheap ($3-5 per pound). The good news is that there are good options for this in El Cangrejo, at Mailboxes Etc and Airbox Express.
Real Estate in El Cangrejo
At the high end, furnished rentals for a two-bedroom apartment in a new luxury building with a swimming pool, a full-time concierge and spectacular city views go for $1,600 per month. For example, at the Luxor 300 or Cangrejo Bay. Units in older buildings with less modern finishes and amenities go for $1,000-1,200 a month. For more information on properties for sale in El Cangrejo, visit this page.
Marlene Robinson
on said
This sounds like the place for me.