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Panama City

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Travel to Panama City

Flying to Panama City

Airlines flying from London to Panama City include British Airways, Delta, American Airlines, KLM, Continental, United and Iberia. Prices tend to be about the same all year round - the best option is to book two separate flights via the US. Flights to Panama City from the UK usually only involves one plane change.

Flight times: 

From London - 18 hours; New York - between 8-14 hours; Los Angeles - between 6 -10 hours; Toronto - between12-13 hours; Sydney - between 25 and 50 hours.
 

Travel by road

Summary:

All roads lead to Panama City – it is the geographical centre of Panama and it is hard to miss if you’re driving. Like most Central American countries, you drive on the right. Driving in the city can be chaotic. You need to be prepared to be pushy; keep your eyes peeled at all times and beep that horn as if your life depends on it. It is not for the faint-hearted, but the main roads through the city are slightly more manageable. Look out for the one-way systems.

Some basic things to note about driving: Theoretically you only need a license from your country, but the police can make things difficult for you if you’re stopped, so get hold of an International License if you possibly can. The speed limits are 40 km/h (25miles/hr) within cities and 100 km/h (62miles/hr) on the highways. Insurance is not mandatory in Panama – so drive very carefully.

Routes:

The decently-paved Panamerican Highway runs from one end of Panama to the other, stopped in its tracks only by dense rainforest at the Colombian end. Thus, you can get to just about everywhere worth seeing in Panama by stopping off along the way.

Driving times:

From Boquete - 6-7 hours; Bocas del Toro 9-12 hours; David - 7 hours.

Coaches:

Coach travel in Panama is recommended. Panama City’s Grand Terminal is large and modern and part of the Aldbrook shopping centre. Ticket prices vary depending on the standard of the coach, but they all tend to be air-conditioned. There will be many buses going to every destination.

Travel by rail

Services:

Rail travel from Panama City is limited, as it is for much of Central America.


Rail fans can enjoy a historic train route from Panama City to Colon along the famed canal. It is a luxury service generally providing beautiful views. The service departs Monday-Friday at 0730 from Corozal Station (just north of the Miraflores lock), which gives plenty of time to explore Colon before the return journey at 1715. It’s a good idea to buy your tickets in advance.


Operators:

The Panama Railway Company (tel: (507) 317 6070; www.panarail.com) operates services from Panama City to Colon and back. The train is very comfortable and the ticket price includes a snack box.

Journey times:

From Colon – 1 hour.

Travel over water

Summary:

From Panama City, you can travel to Colombia via the San Blas Islands, or on a transit, either full or partial, of the Panama Canal. The former involves travelling by private boat from the Island of Carti. Tickets can be booked within hostels in the city. The latter involves booking a seat with a tour company. The boats leave from Panama City’s main port of Balboa, or Flamenco Marina.

Ferry services:

For full or partial transit of the canal from Panama City, the following tour companies are recommended: Canal and Bay Tours (tel: (507) 209 2009 or 2010; www.canalandbaytours.com); Panama Canal Tours (tel: (507) 226 8917; www.pmatours.net) and Panama Jones (tel: 1 888 726 2621 ; www.panamacanal.com).

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