Avenida Balboa
Avenida Balboa
4.4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Avenida Balboa
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
971 within 5 kms
Attractions
158 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.4
2,507 reviews
Excellent
1,345
Very good
868
Average
261
Poor
24
Terrible
9
USKosherTraveler
Baltimore, MD63 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
One of the highlights of our non-touring time in Panama City was Avenida Balboa. This is an open area with sidewalks for walking and riding. We saw the Pacific, people doing yoga, and so much more. There are playfgorunds and fields for some sports. And we were able to see the almost dmoesticated raccoons of the waterfront.
Written September 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vladimiramirela
Mississauga, Canada1,870 contributions
Jan 2020
I believe that visiting a city is incomplete without a few hours walk of its streets, especially by the water, if the subject location has any kind of shore. Panama City is no exception and while is informaticve to see both the beautiful and ugly sides of any place, I tend to accept that large cities will always try to hide their barrios and trash behind some derelict walls or fences. I am trying to get over this aspect, every time, and enjoy the urban beauty, preferring to keep as memories the amazing architecture and landscapes. If you want to do the same - Panama has a lot to show you and its best perspective can be admired from the Balboa Avenue, along the water. It has a pedestrian route lined with palm trees, it feels safe and it is quite clean.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LaraKZ
Prague, Czech Republic215 contributions
Feb 2020
If time allows you definitely get an hour walk to admire on one side the futuristic buildings of the new city and on the other get the taste of old in Casco Viejo. Best if you can do a double stroll as the day and the night view have each their charm.
Now if you drive there it can get a bit crazy even with a GPS on as the street is split in individual one-ways and in case you need to return there are only dedicated turns where you can do that.
Also during big events like the Carnival it gets partially closed . Normally they would close the part towards Casco Viejo so you will need a big detour on a parallel street to get back on the main avenue. We experienced such issue during last Carnival and we had to drive parallel up to Calle 42 to be able to past from south to north back into the Avenue.
Now if you drive there it can get a bit crazy even with a GPS on as the street is split in individual one-ways and in case you need to return there are only dedicated turns where you can do that.
Also during big events like the Carnival it gets partially closed . Normally they would close the part towards Casco Viejo so you will need a big detour on a parallel street to get back on the main avenue. We experienced such issue during last Carnival and we had to drive parallel up to Calle 42 to be able to past from south to north back into the Avenue.
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert C
25 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
Panama City is still a great place to visit and perhaps live. However, I've seen the growth from 70 years ago when the single tallest building was 10 stories and again around 15 years ago when most of the high rise buildings were on or near Av Balboa. There were still typical neighborhoods with shops and restaurants. Walking from Av Balboa to Via España we could still enjoy the charm of the city neighborhoods. Today, the neighborhoods have been replaced by high rises, many of the restaurants had to move into a big and beautiful mall. The Av Balboa road has doubled in size, there are flyover highways and a new Southern expressway, some of which is built in the Bay of Panama, all necessary to accommodate the population growth. Casco Viejo, is being restored to a high degree of authenticity and very touresty. Unfortunately, all at the cost of the City's charm. The one constant however, is the beauty of the Panamanian people, always kind, welcoming and helpful.
Written May 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ProsaicTraveller
Saskatoon, Canada324 contributions
Feb 2020
We had two evening walks along this promenade. Anyone visiting Panama City should take the time to explore this area. Wonderful city views and plenty of vendors along the path, if you get thirsty.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex K
54 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
In an electric city, such as Panama, this Avenue is the heart of the electricity. A beautiful strip of gorgeous and elegant buildings which are framed by the Pacific Ocean and gardens that stretch for a few miles along the boulevard. Here you can find some incredible restaurants and Hilton casino and shops. The views from the restaurants facing the bay are gorgeous at night. The avenue is certainly worth a stroll and a drive to see. Some elegant hotels are situated right on the boulevard, such as the Hilton. Don’t leave Panama without a visit.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian D
Asheville, NC1,710 contributions
Jan 2020
We visited Panama City during the holidays and Avenida Balboa was decorated beautifully. Lots of lights and Christmas decorations. Even during the non holiday times it would be beautiful with the water on one side and the city skyline on the other. Take some time to walk on the promenade.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimberly H
Colorado321 contributions
Mar 2022
You will likely find yourself traveling on Balboa Ave more than once while visiting Panama City. It connects many of the major sights in the city. There are numerous shops and restaurants along this stretch. Those interested in running, cycling, or just spending time outside can be found here.
Written March 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave
Canada505 contributions
Jan 2020
While in Panama City I did a few long walks along Avenida Balboa. It's basically one long linier park that runs along the waterfront, with both a walking path, as well as a bike track. It's a great way to go from the Panama sign, to the looping causeway, the fish market, and right into Old Panama ...well worth the walk.
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CharlieinTexas
Austin, TX5,226 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Nice to stroll along the water. Good people watching. Lots of vendors. 45 minute walk to Casco Vieja from the other end. Bike path and walking path. Nice photo ops.
Didn’t enjoy the smell at low tide, however.
Didn’t enjoy the smell at low tide, however.
Written February 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola gente. llegó a Panamá a las 18 hs y tengo 12 ha de escala....que se puede hacer en ese tiempo??? es segura la ciudad de noche ??? viajo con 2 chicos de 12años...
Written February 2, 2018
cuáles son los Molles de la ciuda
cuáles son los Molles de la ciudad mes recomendable
Written December 17, 2017
hola me voy a hospedar en el Riu hay líneas de subtes cerca
Written December 17, 2017
Nein, es ist keine Metro in der Nähe, am besten mit dem Bus oder Taxi
Written December 18, 2017
hola como estan? desearia saber si el hotel Riu Panama esta lejos del allbrook.mall,alguien sabe el precio dela play 4 pro?y donde nos recomiendan almorzar? algun super para comprar alimentos? saludos
Written July 16, 2017
Hola, el hotel Riu está a unos 20 mins de Albrook mall en taxi o uber. Cerca del área del hotel Riu (calle 50 y Marbella) hay muchos restaurantes a distancia caminable. Pregunte por el área de Plaza New York, a 3 mins del Riu caminando, encontrará restaurantes y comercios. Adicional en la parte de atrás se encuentra Calle Uruguay en donde hay muchos bares y otros restaurantes.
Written August 23, 2017
arqlemg
Mazamitla, Mexico
Hola, me gustaria saber cuanto tiempo recomiendas para recorrer toda la avenida?
Written March 11, 2016
Hola, si es una persona que le gusta, puede ir a hacer ejercicio temprano o cuanso baja el sol (no le recomendaría en horas de la tarde ni mediodía, por el sol tan fuerte. Si no quiere ir a correr u otro tipo de ejercicio, puede caminar relajadamente cerca del atardecer.
Written August 23, 2017
Showing results 1-5 of 5
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing