Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
believed to have been built around 1727, belies the wonderfully elaborate wooden interior,
with nine intricately carved Baroque altarpieces betraying both Spanish and indigenous in-
fluences. You are likely to have to ask around to get someone to open up.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: SANTIAGO
BY BUS
Panama City-David buses
The more luxurious buses running between Panama City and
David make their pit stops at one of two service areas, Centro Los Tucanes or the more pop-
ular Centro Piramidal, at Santiago's eastern and western exits to the Interamericana respect-
ively. If they have space, they will pick up extra passengers but at peak times - Friday after-
noons and holidays you are better off taking the less luxurious services from the main
termin-
Bus terminal
All other transport leaves from the bus terminal on C 10A Norte, often dubbed
Av Central, a 15min walk (or $1-2 taxi ride) from Los Tucanes. The terminal has a left-lug-
gage office and public toilets.
Destinations
Aguadulce (every 20min, 5am-10.45pm weekdays and until 7pm weekends);
Chitré (every 30min, 5.30am-9pm; 90min); David (every 1hr 30min, 6am-7pm); Santa Fé
(every 30min, 5am-7pm; 90min); and Soná (every 20min, 6am-7pm; 50min), where you
change bus for Santa Catalina.
GETTING AROUND AND INFORMATION
By taxi
Taxis are abundant and will ferry you to most places within town for a couple of dol-
lars.
Tourist information
The tourist office (Mon-Fri 8.30am-3.30pm;
998 3929) is on Plaza
Palermo.
ANAM office
The ANAM office (Mon-Fri 8.30am-3.30pm;
998 0615) is on the In-
teramericana.
ACCOMMODATION
Hostal de Veraguas
San Martín 958 9021.
A small hostel-cum-homestay house conver-
sion in an out-of-the way residential area behind the university. Some
of th
e rooms
are
rather
makeshift. Owner Lydia Jaramillo also offers Spanish lessons. Dorms
$10
, doubles
$28
Hotel Gran David
Interamericana, near Los Tucanes 998 1866.
This place is popular with
families on the move (so ofte
n fu
ll) and provides good value, offering nice rooms arranged
around flower-filled gardens.
$50
Hotel La Hacienda
Interamericana, 3km west of Santiago 958 8580.
A psychedelic
Mexican-style ranch, wit
h vi
brant, well-appointed rooms set round two courtyards with a
small pool and restaurant.
$83