Getting There

By Plane

All international flights, except those from Costa Rica, land at the newly expanded Tocumen International Airport (PTY), located 21km (13 miles) from Panama City (tel. 238-2600). Flights from Costa Rica to Panama City land at Albrook Airport , and there is direct service from San José to David and Bocas del Toro airports.

There are IPAT visitors' kiosks inside Tocumen's arrival terminal (one in baggage claim and another through the Customs gate), with information about Panama City and some brochures; it's recommended, though, that travelers research accommodations and make reservations before their arrival because hotels are often booked.

The unit of currency in Panama is the U.S. dollar, so for those coming from the United States there is no need to exchange money. Euros can be exchanged at the Banco Nacional (tel. 238-4161; Mon-Fri 8am-5pm and Sat 10am-3pm) in the arrival terminal; this bank also has ATMs in the airport terminal.

A licensed taxi to Panama City costs $25, plus toll fees for a total of about $30. Many hotels offer free scheduled pickup and drop-off service, or you can arrange transportation for a cheaper price -- inquire when booking at your hotel. Your best bet for taxis is with Easy Travel Panama (tel. 617-4122; www.easytravelpanama.net). They offer high-quality vehicles and bilingual drivers, and cost about the same as regular taxis ($30 for one person, $35 for two, tolls included), but you must reserve ahead of time. Easy Travel offers personalized ground transportation anywhere; contact them for prices for long-distance destinations (the beaches outside of Panama City, for example).

All rental-car agencies have desks in the arrival terminal and are open 24 hours a day.

Domestic flights, flights to Costa Rica, and charter flights to the 150 or so airstrips located on Panama's islands and remote jungle areas leave from Marcos A. Gelabert Airport (PAC), which is more commonly referred to as Albrook Airport (tel. 315-0241). Albrook is located northwest of Cerro Ancón (Ancón Hill) off Avenue Omar Torrijos Herrera, near the canal. Rental-car agencies here are generally open from 8am to 6:30pm. Each company offers a key drop-box for customers who need to return a vehicle when rental desks aren't open.

Tip: Travelers who arrive at Tocumen Airport and plan to head directly to another destination in Panama via a domestic flight must transfer to Albrook Airport, about a 45-minute drive (or longer during rush hour) from Tocumen. A taxi costs about $30.

By Bus

If arriving by bus, you'll be dropped off at the Albrook bus terminal near the Albrook airport and shopping center. A taxi to town costs $2 to $3 and takes 10 to 15 minutes. A taxi to the Gamboa area costs $15 and takes 30 minutes.

By Car

Travelers arriving to Panama City by car will do so via the Pan-American Highway from the west, first crossing the canal on the Puente de las Américas (Bridge of the Americas) and arriving in the Balboa district of the city. Follow signs to Avenida Balboa to reach downtown. Drivers headed to Panama City from the west may also use the new Puente Centenario (Centennial Bridge), which crosses the canal near Paraíso, and avoid traffic congestion on the Bridge of the Americas. The road that crosses this bridge is also known as Vía Benedicto XVI, named after Pope Benedict XVI.

The Pan-American highway continues east toward Colombia and ends in Yaviza, in the Darién Region. It is not possible to reach Colombia by car, and at this book's publication there were no ferries for vehicles to Colombia, although there is talk that this service might be reinstated soon.