Getting Around

By Taxi

Taxis are inexpensive, safe and plentiful -- except when it is raining during rush hour and it seems that every worker heading to, or leaving, work is trying to flag one down. Every so often a taxi will stop for another passenger if he or she is headed in your general direction, but the driver will deliver you to your destination first. Taxis charge $1 to $2 for most destinations within Panama City, but confirm the price beforehand as the "zones" that taxi drivers use for price reference are vague. Tip: Some taxis work directly for a hotel, and rip off guests by charging up to three times the going fare. These are the taxis that await guests directly at the front door. Simply walk out to the street and flag a taxi down for cheaper fare.

On Foot

Panama City is not easy to navigate on foot because of its interweaving streets, streets that are not signed, and lack of recognizable landmarks for visitors. To get around without a fuss, take a cab.

On the other hand, the best (really only) way to see Casco Viejo is on foot so that you can savor the neighborhood's colonial architecture, visit a museum, and stop for lunch. Avenida Balboa has a long seafront walkway that starts near Punta Paitilla and ends at the Mercado de Marisco (the fish market). The Calzada de Amador (Amador Causeway) was designed for walking, jogging, and bicycling, with some 6.5km (4 miles) of landscaped pedestrian trails.

By Bus

The traveler in Panama City will feel more comfortable getting around by taxi than by bus. There are no printed bus routes, but the name of the bus's destination appears on a sign in the front window. Panama City is currently overhauling its public transportation system, and beginning in 2007 the city's famous "Red Devils" will be replaced by a modern fleet of coaches. Red Devils are retired U.S. school buses that drivers individualize with electric graffiti art, flashing lights, and other knickknacks, and they are driven until the wheels fall off. It's a bittersweet adieu to the Red Devils because they are so emblematic of the funky, vibrant culture that makes Panama what it is. Because the phase-out process will happen slowly, there is a good chance that visitors will still be able to see a Red Devil or two throughout 2007.

By Car

You do not need or want a rental car while visiting just Panama City, considering how economical taxis are. Admittedly, there are a lot of destinations and attractions outside the city, and independent travelers who desire a vehicle to see the sights on their own will have better luck renting at one of the airport terminals and heading straight out of the city on a well-signed thoroughfare. Pay attention to every sign on the road because some road signs are small and easy to miss; other times there is no "official" sign for a turnoff, but a couple of commercial signs with the town name, giving you only a vague idea of where you are. Travelers who have a basic command of Spanish and who can ask for directions will have the easiest time. Bring a good map and ask the rental agency exactly how to get to your destination.

There are car rental kiosks at both the Tocumen and Albrook airports (car rental agencies at Tocumen are open 24 hr.; Albrook rental agencies are open 8am-6:30pm), and each agency has a few locations in town. If you are renting a car to visit outlying areas such as the canal, Portobelo, or the Panamanian interior, have your rental agency show you, in detail, the quickest and most efficient route to your destination.

Rental-car agencies in Panama City include Alamo (tel. 236-5777; www.alamopanama.com), Avis (tel. 278-9444; www.avis.com), Budget (tel. 263-8777; www.budgetpanama.com), Dollar (tel. 270-0355; www.dollar.com), Hertz (tel. 260-2111; www.hertz.com), National (tel. 265-2222; www.nationalpanama.com), and Thrifty (tel. 264-2613; www.thrifty.com).

Tips for Drivers in Panama City -- If for some reason you must drive through town, or are feeling bold on the road, consider the following advice.

On some busy streets, a raggedy, self-styled "parking guard" might ask to watch your car. Pay him or her around 50¢. Some parking guards will demand payment of $1 or $2 before you leave your car in neighborhoods such as Casco Viejo or Bella Vista.

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Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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				Frommer's Panama, 2nd Edition Author: Jisel Perilla Pub Date: December 22, 2008 Price: $21.99				Related Titles: Costa Rica For Dummies, 2nd Edition Frommer's Belize, 2nd Edition Frommer's Belize, 3rd Edition

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