Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Santiago - from a terminal across the road from the main bus terminal (approximately every
1hr 30min, 5am-7.30pm; 3hr) or take one of the faster buses to Panama City; Soloy (approx
every 30min when full; 7am-7pm; 1hr 30min); Volcán (every 15min, 5am-8pm; 1hr 20min).
BUSES TO COSTA RICA
Tracopa
( 775 0585,
tracopacr.com
)
operates two daily services to San José, Costa
Rica, at 8.30am and noon (8-9hr; $21 one way). Buses leave from the main bus terminal,
where the company has an office. Tickets are available in advance and should definitely be
booked for peak holiday periods.
It is often quicker, though, to take one of the frequent
minibuses
from the bus terminal to
the border at
Paso Canoas
, walk across, getting exit and entry stamps at Panama and Costa
Rica immigration respectively, before hopping on one of the regular buses to San José. Re-
member that immigration for both countries are likely to ask to see proof of onward travel.
Tracopa also has an office at the border (daily 7am-4pm Costa Rica time, which is 1hr be-
hind Panama) between the two immigration offices, adjacent to the Banco de Costa Rica,
with two daily departures to San José, at 8am and 4.30pm, If you miss one, take a shuttle
to Ciudad Neily, the first sizeable population over the border 18km away, where there are
even more connections with the capital.
GETTING AROUND
By taxi
Taxis are plentiful and should not cost more than $2-3 for a ride in town.
By car
Car rental is available at the airport with Alamo (
721 0101), Avis (
774 7075),
Budget (
775 5597), Dollar (
721 1103), Hertz (
775 8471), Hilary (
775 5459), Na-
tional (
721 0974) and Thrifty (
721 2477).
INFORMATION
Tourist information
The tourist office (Mon-Fri 8.30am-3.30pm; 775 2839) on C Central
between avenidas 5 Este and 6 Este is friendly and courteous but thin on information.
ANAM office
On the road to the airport. For the latest information on Chiriquí's several na-
tional parks, contact the ANAM office (Mon-Fri 8.30am-3.30pm; 775 3163).
Immigration and consular services
The Costa Rican consulate (Mon-Fri 8am-3pm; 774
1923) is in Torre del Banco Universal, C “B” Norte and Av Primera (Mon-Fri 9am-1pm;
774 1923); Panamanian immigration (Mon-Fri 8.30am-3.30pm;
775 4515) is on C “C”
Sur at Av Central.
