Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bus
You can take a bus to just about any community in Panama that is reachable by road.
Some of the buses are huge, new Mercedes Benzes equipped with air-con, movie
screens and reclining seats. These top-of-the-line buses generally cruise long stretches of
highway.
More frequently used - and often seen on the Carretera Interamericana - are Toyota
Coaster buses that can seat 28 people. These are affectionately called
chivas,
and are
not as comfortable as the Mercedes Benzes, but they aren't bad and they're less expens-
ive. They are an excellent way to visit towns on the Península de Azuero and along the
Interamericana.
Panama City is phasing out its converted school buses known as
diablos rojos
(red
devils). Replacing them is the Metrobus system. Riders can obtain swipe cards at the Al-
brook Terminal or main bus stops. Official bus stops are used and the buses are air-condi-
tioned.
Subway
Panama City has been tearing up concrete and pavement all over town in the creation of
a new subway system known as Metro.
With its first phase expected to be finished in 2014, the line will link Albrook with Vía
Transitsmica, Vía España and Caledonia. Later plans are to extend it to Tocumen Interna-
tional Airport. The terminal, under construction at the time of writing, is across from the Al-
brook Bus Terminal. Fares will be paid with the same cards used for the Metro bus sys-
tem.
Car & Motorcycle
Few tourists drive to Panama in their own vehicles, though it is certainly possible to do so.
Renting a car is also a possibility. Because of difficult driving conditions, there are speed
limits of 80km per hour on all primary roads and 60km per hour or less on secondary
roads. Drivers should carry their passports as well as driver's licenses.
If you are involved in an accident, you should not move the vehicles (even if they're
blocking traffic) until after the police have arrived and made a report. This is essential for
all insurance claims.
If you see oncoming cars with headlights flashing, it often means that there is some
kind of road problem or a police speed trap ahead. Slow down immediately. Also be on
the lookout for a pile of branches placed on the road near an edge; this often means that
a vehicle is broken down just ahead.
