USEFUL TRAVEL TOOLS FOR PANAMA

Getting There

International flights arrive at Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City. Services arrive daily from the US, most of which are routed through Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, or Miami. You can also get to Panama from other Central and South American cities; KLM and Iberia fly from Amsterdam and Madrid, respectively. Flights from San José, in neighboring Costa Rica, often stop in David before continuing on to Panama City. You can cross into Panama by land from Costa Rica, but due to security concerns, it’s not possible to do so from Colombia. Instead, backpackers are increasingly booking passages by boat. Panama has three land routes from Costa Rica: the main border crossing along the Interamericana is at Paso Canoas, while a less-frequented border outpost is at Guabito, on the Caribbean coast, which allows for access to the Bocas archipelago. There’s a rarely used border post in the Chiriquí Highlands at Río Sereno (8 am–5 pm; reached by bus from Volcán). Though you can take local transport and switch buses at the border, the slightly costlier fares on international services run by Tica Bus (wticabus.com) give you a better shot at an efficient and hassle-free passage, though border waits can be long. Make sure your documents are in order to hurry up the process.

Getting Around

By Plane

Panama is reasonably well connected by domestic flights. Because Panama is so small, flights are generally quite short — the longest takes around an hour, not including interim stops. Popular routes can have several flights a day, while less traveled destinations will only be served once or twice a week. Domestic flights often make several stops along the way, so be sure to get off at the right place. Panama’s main domestic airport is in Panama City. This airport, Aeropuerto Marcos A. Gelabert, is near the Albrook Mall and bus terminal, not far from downtown. The majority of flights begin and end here. There is also a domestic terminal at the international Tocumen International Airport, although it’s used much less frequently than the Albrook Airport. This terminal is used mainly for international travelers connecting to destinations in western Panama.

Bus

Buses are the primary way that most Panamanians and many travelers, get around. They run frequently and are cheap and fast. Rural buses tend to only run from dawn to dusk, but there are night buses for longer treks. Very few routes are express, meaning that your bus will likely make several stops along the way. For longer journeys, your bus may stop at a roadside restaurant/cafeteria, allowing passengers to refuel with food and go to the bathroom. The country’s largest bus terminal is in Panama City. Known as the Gran Terminal de Transportes, this terminal is in the Albrook neighborhood. Buses from here go to every part of Panama. The two other largest bus hubs are in Santiago and David. The main bus terminals for the Azuero Peninsula are in Chitré and Las Tablas.

Boat

Boats are the main form of transportation in several parts of Panama, including the archipelagos of Bocas del Toro and Guna Yala (San Blas Islands), as well as parts of the Darién and mainland Bocas. Ferries and water taxis run between Panama City and Isla Taboga and Isla Contadora, and between Isla Colón and the mainland in Bocas del Toro. The Bocas archipelago is one of Panama’s hottest destinations, and as such has developed a relatively straightforward and cheap boat service. Almirante is the mainland port where travelers will depart to the Bocas archipelago — both water taxis and car ferries leave from here. In the rest of Panama, transportation by boat is less scheduled and commercial and may involve negotiating a price with a local boat owner. By and large, it’s easier to sign up with a reputable tour company like Va Expeditions.

Taxi

Taxis are everywhere in Panama. Even in small towns, you’ll see brightly painted yellow cars and trucks plying the streets. The taxis don’t have meters, but local zoning laws set some fares. Popular routes also tend to have set prices. Most fares are cheap, but it’s wise to establish a price before you leave. It’s also smart to clarify whether the price is per person or for the total amount. Most taxis within Panama City should cost around US$3, and less in small towns. Drivers do not expect a tip. Taxis run day and night. At night, however, you might want to call for a radio cab rather than wait around for one to show up — hotels and restaurants can usually do this for you.

Best time to Visit

For bright sunny days and rare showers, the best time to visit Panama runs from late December to mid-April. That is when Las Tablas Carnival for unbridled joy, Baru Volcano at its best, and coffee picking season are awaiting you. It is also the time when Panama is unbelievably packed with tourists, so be ready to pay an arm and a leg for hotels. The wet season from May to December is known for frequent rains, especially on the Caribbean coast. Well, more rain, means more fun on a rafting adventure! The rainy season also offers vibrant green landscapes, turtle-watching opportunities, and great surfing conditions.

Language

Spanish is the official language in Panama, however many people do speak English, especially in tourist regions and in Panama City. If you plan to get off the beaten path, then English speakers become harder to find. For this reason, and out of respect for the culture and country through which you are traveling, we suggest learning a few of the basic phrases. Such a fun part of traveling through a new country!

Money

The unit of currency in Panama is the U.S. dollar, but the Panamanian balboa, which is pegged to the dollar at a 1:1 ratio, also circulates in denominations of 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, and 50¢ coins. (U.S. coins are in circulation as well.) Balboa coins are sized similarly to their U.S. counterparts, and travelers will have no trouble identifying their value. Travelers with pounds or euros may exchange money at Banco Nacional, which has branches in the airport and across the nation. To save time, you may want to convert your money into dollars before arriving in Panama. Remember, when you exchange currencies, you'll be receiving US dollars.

ATMs

The easiest and best way to get cash away from home is from an ATM (automated teller machine), available in banks and supermarkets, and identifiable by a red SISTEMA CLAVE sign with a white key. ATMs, called "cajeros automáticos", can be found in larger towns only, so if you're visiting out-of-the-way destinations such as an offshore island, plan to bring extra cash. Remember that you can usually only take up to $500 a day out of an ATM in Panama, so if you need a large sum of money, you'll need to start withdrawing a few days in advance. To find ATM locations in Panama, check out here

Credit Cards

Businesses that accept credit cards always accept Visa and Mastercard and to a lesser extent American Express. Diners Club is not widely accepted. Most businesses in Panama City and other major commerce centers accept credit cards. In small towns and more remote destinations, be sure to bring enough cash.

Plug Sockets

For Panama there are two associated plug types, types A and B. Plug type A is the plug that has two flat parallel pins and plug type B is the plug that has two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin. Panama operates on a 120V supply voltage and 60Hz.

Safety

Panama is generally safe, but you should take precautions on the streets of major cities and after dark. Be wary of pickpockets and bear in mind that mugging and violent crime are also part of this country's street life. Places to take extra precautions are the port town of Colón, which is dangerous day and night. The northeastern region of the Darién Province near the Caribbean Sea is dangerous due to incidents of kidnapping, murder, and drug-running by Colombian guerrilla and paramilitary groups who have crossed the border into Panama. Other regions of the Darién are home to several lodges that are in a no-risk area. Panama City is generally safe, with low to moderate crime occurring mostly in neighborhoods such as El Chorrillo and Curundú; these neighborhoods should be avoided if possible. El Chorrillo surrounds Casco Viejo, and visitors should take a taxi instead of walking in this area.