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| PANAMA - General Info | |
| PANAMA - Travel Info | |
| PANAMA - Business Info | |
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Travel in Panama... Lots of good optionsTravel Panama By CarPanama
Road Conditions Traffic conditions can be tricky. Many vehicles are not well maintained, including buses and taxis, so driving can be hazardous. Effective use of brakes and signaling by Panamanian drivers are often both notoriously absent. Add to these factors dense traffic, poor or nonexistent signs or traffic signals, neglected street repairs, and many uninsured motorists (insurance is not mandatory in Panama), and you have a situation that should give pause to many travelers considering self-drive auto rental. Panama
Car rental Auto
Rental Numbers Alamo
265-3786 Panama Taxi service Taxis in Panama are abundant. You can recognize them Fares are determined by zones in Panama City, rather than meters. Drivers must have a zone chart with them at all times. In the event that a passenger does not feel the charges are correct, he/she may request that the zone chart is consulted. Because most cabs are not metered, you should settle the fare before embarking, which is a good time to ask the driver to show you the zone charges. The fares for traveling within city boundaries are quite reasonable, generally ranging between US$1 and US$2, which makes this good transportation for the business traveler. Radio
Taxi companies: Private "hotel taxis" can also be arranged by your hotel, prior to your arrival. For US$30 to $100 they offer a luxurious, though overpriced, ride in a large, air-conditioned American car directly to your hotel. Transportation in a hotel taxi, like the regular taxi, takes about 15 minutes door to door. Look for your hotel representative either holding a sign in the passenger arrivals area, or proceed outside and look for the parked cars behind the regular taxis. Travel Panama by Bus A
bus system services all accessible areas of the country. The traveler can take an overnight bus from Panama City to Bocas del Toro, Chiriqu í Grande, and Changuinola. This service is offered by Union de Buses Panamericanos (tel: [507] 229-6333), whose office is situated on Via Fernandez de Cordoba, next to a restaurant called Felicidad. The buses are air-conditioned and full service. Urban buses are easily recognized, painted in bright, colorful schemes. Most are the "school bus" variety, with seating that is sometimes lacking in comfort and air-conditioning, but they service almost every part of the city. Passengers pay a flat fare at the turnstile when boarding. Travel Panama by Boats Boats
are the primary means of transport in many regions Of course, the Panama Canal is the major shipping route for freight and passengers. Panama
canal transits: Panama Travel - Train serviceIn country passenger service is no longer offered by the Ferrocarril de Panama, which is currently operating freight trains only between Panama City and Colón. However, a tourist train can be taken from Panama City to Colon (along the Panama Canal). For additional information, go to the website at Anconexpeditions.com Panama Travel AssistanceDirector General de Imigracion IPAT (Institute of Tourism) |
easily
due to their bright, distinctive paint jobs. They also have a
number painted on them, which you may use to register any complaints
(or compliments). Taxis may be hailed in the street, engaged
at a taxi stand, or reserved by telephone. Many people share
cabs, called a colectivo ; there is a small surcharge for each
additional passenger.
Embarkation
from
Panama City to any of the major cities in the
interior, such as El Valle, Col ón, David, or Aton, requires
going to the new Gran Terminal de Albrook, located near the downtown
area. Buses leave throughout the day at hourly intervals or less,
depending on destination. It is not a rapid form of transportation,
but it is fairly comfortable and dependable.
of Panama,
particularly
between Bocas del Toro and San Blas archipelagos.
Also, Kuna Indian merchant ships carry both passengers and cargo
between Puerto Obald ía and Col ón along the San
Blas coast. Inquire locally to arrange passage.