Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: PANAMA CITY
Panama City is the country's transport hub for both international and national traffic, with an
international and a domestic airport, a port, a cruise ship terminal and a gigantic bus termin-
al. When it comes to moving on, most people use the country's efficient and extensive
bus
system
to travel around though internal
flights
are plentiful, reasonably priced and simple to
arrange. They're particularly useful for reaching Guna Yala, Bocas del Toro and remote areas
of the Darién.
Car rental
is also easy though fairly pricey, but worth it if you're heading off
the beaten track.
BY PLANE
TOCUMEN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
The entry point for most visitors to Panama is Tocumen international airport (Aeropuerto In-
ternacional de Tocumen 238 2703), located about 24km northeast of Panama City.
Facilities
The airport has a couple of helpful tourist information desks, a bank, ATMs, a left
luggage office, and a Cable and Wireless office upstairs providing internet and international
phone facilities.
Taxis into town
Most passengers take a private or
colectivo
taxi into the city. There are two
official taxi service providers, one of which maintains a desk in the entrance hall displaying
the official rates, which you should consult if in doubt. At the time of writing rates were $28
including toll fees on the Corredor Sur expressway, for one or two people to central Panama
City ($11/person for three or more passengers), and $33 for the Amador Causeway and Cerro
Ancón.
Buses into town
Unless you have been to Panama before and have a
Metrobus
card, you
can't travel into the city by bus since the cards are currently not sold at the airport. If
you do have a card, you can catch a bus into the city centre from a bus stop across the
main road outside the terminal. Metrobuses destined for Albrook bus terminal pass every
20-40min (6am-midnight; 45min-1hr, longer in rush hour). Make sure you take one labelled
“Corredor” that takes the faster toll road. If you arrive after dark, you should take a taxi since
hanging round the bus stop can be risky.
Getting to the airport
Metrobuses displaying “Tocumen Corredor” leave from the front of
Albrook bus terminal (every 20-40min 6am-midnight; 45min-1hr), picking up passengers at
the new Cinco de Mayo-Marañon metro station, and at stops along the Cinta Costera. Pas-
sengers alight at a bus stop 200m from the terminal entrance.
ALBROOK AIRPORT
Domestic flights from the country's one domestic carrier Air Panama touch down at low-
key Albrook airport (officially Aeropuerto International Marcos A. Gelabert;
238 2700).
Several car rental firms have offices here; there's also an ATM and a tourist desk.
