Anyone who has ever lived in a city knows how easy it is to fall into a routine. If you come for a long term learning vacation to study Spanish in Panama City, after several months you could end up like I did: you go to Spanish class, go out to your favorite bar with your friends, dance at your favorite club on the weekends and do it all again... with some birthday highlights in the mix of course!
Since you're having such an amazing time, you can easily forget to exercise. Staying fit as a traveler and a student can be challenging, especially with the sheer number of hot dog, hamburger, and fresh street eat stands on every corner in Panama City. Before you know it, you’ve had a "raspao" (Panamanian snow cone), scarfed down a hotdog, and haggled the price down for some shredded coconut confections before you've even made it to the end of the block!
If you’re like me, however, you like to keep your body bikini ready regardless of whether or not you can get to the beach everyday. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to give up your fitness routine while you’re abroad. Luckily, Panama City has a wide array of cheap and free options for staying fit!
The only right way to spend your Saturday in Bocas...
Posted by Habla Ya Spanish Schools on Saturday, June 18, 2016
4. The YMCA Panama
Worldwide, the YMCA is well-known for making fitness accessible to all people. Panama City’s YMCA maintains a very active schedule. On Wednesday’s at 5:30pm, you can take cardio kickboxing classes for free with Andrea and sweat out all those raspaos. Saturday mornings, the YMCA hosts FREE boot camp classes as well at 10am. The classes cater to all levels. The environment is fun and relaxed as well as in doors for those who don’t like to exercise outside. All you need to bring with you is a good attitude and a willingness to sweat!
Un pequeño vistazo a nuestras clases gratis de Fitness y Kickboxing impartidas por Andreea Mihaela los miércoles a las 5:30pm y los sabados a las 10:00am, los esperamos!
A small peak into our free Fitness and Kickboxing classes taught by Andreea Mihaela wednesdays at 5:30pm and saturdays at 10:00am, see you there!
Posted by YMCA Panama on Monday, May 23, 2016
3. Amigos de Parque Omar
Panama’s First Lady’s Office organizes daily exercise activities in the beautiful "Parque Omar", Panama City’s central park. The activities range from yoga to toning classes. The park is a welcome respite from the busy city and provides a gorgeous backdrop for your fitness routine amongst its lush green trees. Classes are held daily and the schedules can be found on their Facebook page. They are also absolutely FREE!
Horarios de Clases gratis Parque Omar.
Posted by Amigos del Parque Omar on Saturday, January 16, 2016
2. Panama Bike Path (Ciclovía)
One of the most popular options for exercising, or just cruising around, is the Panama Bike Path. Every Sunday from 6am - 11am, the Cinta Costera becomes completely car-free as bikes take over the city from the Visitor Center in Panama Viejo to Cinta Costera III. The ability to enjoy the postcard perfect view of the city’s skyline and the Pacific Ocean as you ride around the Cinta Costera make the bike path really popular with tourists and locals alike. This is also an activity that’s fun for the entire family. You’ll often see kids on rollerblades and skateboards, or toddlers with training wheels zoom on the path. Simply rent a bike- or bring your own- and go!
Cinta Costera Panama Bike Path
This is the Cinta Costera (translated; shore belt) which goes around Casco Viejo, or Old Panama. The path is new and so far is a great addition to the City. Its popular and most days has foot and bike traffic on it. Today is very hot and sunny and the flowers are blooming very nicely. Maintenance and upkeep seem to be keeping up the appearance just fine. Enjoy.
Posted by Rick Montanari on Sunday, January 11, 2015
1. The Cinta Costera
When the sunsets in Panama City, the Cinta Costera comes alive with activity as people take full advantage of the tennis courts, basketball courts, jogging trails, and exercise equipment along the boardwalk that are all available for use for free. The variety of things to do here make it a great place to develop your own exercise routine that’s tailored to your needs. However, if you’re the type of person that enjoys group activities to stay motivated, you can drop in on Zumba, bootcamp, and other exercise classes for just $5.
Just in case you prefer to workout in a gym, you can check out our friend Joey's favorite gyms in Panama City...
Because rush hour in the city can be hectic, I'd also recommend checking out the two parks close to Habla Ya Panama City. Not only are they 2 of the city's best parks, they also provide plenty of opportunities to play team sports (tennis, basketball and soccer courts), join group classes such as zumba and yoga classes, jog, let the kids loose on the jungle gym, or simply sit on a park bench to practice your Spanish with the locals.
Now that you know where to go, there is no excuse for letting yourself go in Panama City. Not only are these classes cheap or free, they’re a great way to meet workout buddies and practice Spanish!
Which are your favorite ways to stay fit in Panama City? Please let us know!
And in case you're headed to Bocas del Toro and/or Boquete, check out these posts about how to stay fit in those locations:
- Are there any gyms in Bocas del Toro?
- Are there Gyms in Boquete? Where can I Excersie? Any Fitness Classes?
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