THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Panama - page 291

descript Iglesia de la Sagrada Familia . The park's curved stone seating maximizes the leafy
shade, making it a prime spot for watching urban life unfold.
Barrio Bolívar
A stroll three blocks southeast of Parque Cervantes down Calle “A” Norte takes you back
to the city's colonial past in Barrio Bolívar , where the district's ever decreasing sprinkling
of russet tiles, balconies and intricate wrought iron holds out against encroaching modern
architecture. The historic colonial mansion on the corner with Avenida 8 Este that houses
the Museo de Historia y Arte José de Obaldía is finally being restored after years of neg-
lect. The building was home to successive generations of the distinguished Obaldía family -
José Vicente was the president of New Granada (combined Colombia and Panama) and his
son José Domingo became the second president of Panama. Just east of here, a crumbling
bell tower stands over the messily restored nineteenth-century Catedral San José de David .
See what you make of the recently renovated colonial Romanesque facade and the interior's
gaudy murals.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: DAVID
BY PLANE
Airport Flights from Panama City, Bocas del Toro and San José, Costa Rica, arrive at the
Aeropuerto Enrique Malek, about 5km out of town, a $4 taxi ride away. Since the airport was
upgraded in 2012 there have been plans for direct flights with the US.
Flights Air Panama ( 316 9000, airpanama.com ) operates three daily flights to and from
Panama City ($158 one way). Air Panama also flies to San José (Mon, Wed, Fri; $192 one
way).
Airline offices Air Panama has an office at the airport and in town (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm;
775 0812), on C 2 in Plaza Oteima.
BY BUS
Bus terminal The main bus terminal, which serves long-distance routes, including to Costa
Rica , and local services is on Paseo Estudiante, a 15min walk from the town centre. It
has good facilities, including a self-service restaurant, toilets, a left-luggage office (daily
6am-8pm) and internet café.
Buses to Panama City Terminales David-Panama, with its own a/c waiting room at the
far end of the terminal is the main service provider. A newer company, Panachif ( 777
4217), has ten buses (7am-10.30pm) that depart from its own terminal in David on Av 1 Este
between calles “E” and “F” Norte ( map ) .
Other destinations Boquete (every 30min, 6.30am-9.45pm; 50min); Caldera (10 buses,
6am-7pm; 1hr); Cerro Punta (every 15min, 5am-8pm; 1hr 50min); Las Lajas (6.45am,
2.45pm; 1hr 30min); Puerto Armuelles (via the Costa Rican border at Paso Canoas; every
15min, 5.30am-10pm; 1hr 30min); Río Sereno (every 45min-1hr, 5am-5pm; 2hr 30min);