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Getting Around PanamaGetting around Panama should be pleasant so carefully plan your itinerary and choose what's best for you. You may want to leave the driving to someone else, or you may choose to drive yourself. Car Rentals If you choose a Panama car rental, you will find all major international car rental companies are represented, in addition to a few individually owned outfits. Offices are dispersed throughout Panama City, at the airports, and inside some of the larger hotels. If you plan an itinerary to travel outside of the city, consider a 4x4 instead of a car as there are many interesting offroad areas that no car would be able to pass. Otherwise, if you want to spend time in the City, taxis are the fastest and safest means of transportation in Panama City.
Transportation in Panama Getting around Panama by Bus Seeing Panama by bus is efficient and affordable, with virtually every part of the country accessible. All buses in Panama City depart from the Albrook Bus Terminal, which is located just outside downtown city - a short 5 minute taxi ride. The standard taxi fare from Panama City to this airport is between $1.25 - $1.75, depending on where you depart from. Getting around Panama Internationally Outbound Two bus companies offer international bus service between Panama and Costa Rica - Panaline and Tica Bus. The trip between Panama City and San Jose, Costa Rica takes approx. 16 hours, with one-way tickets costing $25.00. David & Colon Large, comfortable, air-conditioned buses service the cities of David and Colon. Buses to David depart 24 hrs/day. Daytime trips normally take approx. 6-7 hours, however, the Express buses that depart during the evening hours can complete the trip in as little as 5 hours. Express and local buses to Colon depart regularly everyday. Express buses depart Panama every 30 minutes between 4:40 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. and cost $2.50 each way - the trip takes approximately 1.5 hours. Local buses depart between the hours of 3:50 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. and cost $1.80 one way - the trip takes about 2 - 2.5 hours. Getting around Panama 's Interior The medium sized, mini-buses that service the country’s interior, i.e. Santiago, Chitré, Las Tablas, etc., are comfortable, normally air conditioned, and depart regularly throughout the day at set times. Overnight transportation from Panama City to Bocas del Toro is also available. Buses depart Panama at 8:00 p.m., arriving Almirante at 6:00 a.m. (adults $23.00 one-way) and Changuinola at 7:00 a.m. (adults $24.00 one-way). Local Getting around Panama City by bus is with the old, school bus style that lack air conditioning. These are known as the Diablos Rojos 
or "Red Devils". Their schedules and itinerary are set around speed and volume. The more passengers they can pick up and the faster they go, the more money they can make.However, some of the more heavily traveled routes do use more comfortable, air conditioned buses. Public buses, including those that go to Tocumen International Airport, cost $0.25 - the air conditioned express buses to the airport cost $0.75. Three bus companies provide transportation between Panama City and David. The buses travel between these two cities almost every hour. The itinerary is subject to change without notice, so it is recommended to call beforehand. Reservations are not really necessary unless you want to catch one of the Express buses. These typically run between 10 pm and 3 am. TERMINAL DAVID - PANAMA PADAFRONT EXPRESSO 5 ESTRELLAS Panama City to David Taxis Getting around Panam by taxi is easy as they are plentiful, and can be easily recognized by their numbered markings. They come in all size, shapes and colors. All fares are based on zones or areas, and not determined by meters - cab drivers are required to carry a copy of the zone chart with them at all times. Most fares within the metropolitan area average between B/.1.50-B/.2.00, and for each addition person there is a B/.0.25 surcharge. Trips from Panama City to Tocumen International Airport cost approx. B/.25.00 per person, with each additional person paying B/.10.00. The standard hourly rate for taxi rental is B/.10.00, however, that can vary depending on the type of service you are requesting, so establish a price before departing. Railway The Panama Canal Railway, a 47.6-mile transcontinental railroad operating parallel to the Panama Canal, offers passenger service between Panama City and Colon Monday - Friday.
The train departs Panama City from Corozal at 7:15 a.m. and returns from Colon at 5:15 p.m., with the trip lasting approximately one hour. Tickets cost $22.00 one-way and $38.00 round-trip. You can’t reserve seats in the tourist car, which has a glass ceiling, however, if you arrive early you should be able to obtain tickets without too much difficulty - so arrive early. The standard taxi fare from Panama City to Corozal is approx. $5.00 one way. Leave Getting Around Panama...>Home
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