Transportation in Panama
While visiting Panama, the best option is to secure your transportation with a tourist company prior to arrival so you can travel with peace of mind. In Panama it is also easy to move to far destinations by plane, and you will find an airstrip almost anywhere in the country.
Private Transportation
Having a private transportation company driving you around Panama is the best option and the popular option. They will pick you at the airport and take you directly to the hotel, or from a hotel to the next hotel. The buses and cars used by these companies are in good shape and covered by special passenger insurance.
Local Flights
The main point of entry to Panama is the Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, but there is also an international airport in David. The Enrique Malek International Airport is an international airport serving David Sur, a city in the Chiriqui Province. There are airstrips in San Blas, Bocas del Toro, Chitre, Pearl Islands and Changuinola which can accommodate smaller aircraft. Some areas in San Blas are only reachable by plane. Make sure you do not return to Panama City on the same day you have your international flight in case of any flight cancellations or delays.
Car Rental
There are car rental locations at Tocumen International Airport and throughout the country especially in the main destinations. It is not that easy to drive in Panama because there are not many road signs and many streets do not have a name and GPS devices are not very reliable in rural areas. However renting a car in Panama will be helpful to save money if you are traveling on a budget.
Taxis
Taxis are cheap but they tend to overcharge tourists. Like the bus drivers, taxi drivers speak mostly Spanish. Taxis are old and not all of them cover a lot of routes. Some of them just stay in one part of the city and do not go to other parts of the city for anyone. Be prepared to stop several taxis until you find one that goes to your destination. Also, keep in mind that sometimes you will have to share a taxi, in Panama City they take more than one client at the same time.
