Getting Around Panama in 2025: Transportation Guide
Getting around Panama can be easy due to its well-connected and organized transit system if you have the right guide to follow. You can travel through Panama by metro, bus, taxi, plane, boat, bicycle or walking. While there are many forms of transportation throughout the country, there are only a minimal number of transit maps available. You can use this transit guide to assist you in how to get around in Panama.
Is it Easy to Get Around in Panama?
Having been to Panama twice (once in 2018 and again recently in 2022), I find it easy to moderate difficulty to get around in Panama. The first time I went, it was a bit overwhelming, so I searched for as much information during my Panama trips: from bus stations, locals, and other sources to create this transportation guide; so that you don’t have to struggle the way I first did.
It is not that the system for transportation in Panama is too difficult to navigate; it is the lack of online information and not knowing where to find schedules to plan your travels, a contrast from countries like Canada, the USA, or Japan where you can book in advance and there is tons of information available. I have gathered info from destinations within the country I have visited to make your travel planning easier. Getting around in Panama, I experienced multiple modes of transportation. I rode buses, taxis, water taxis, and private shuttles, and took a flight to travel around the various regions of Panama.
With this resource, translator/Spanish skills, a map, and patience, you can learn to travel around Panama with ease.
Money Tip: The currency of Panama is the Panamanian Balboa, however, they also use USD as their second currency. All prices in this Panama transportation guide are in USD.
Is Public Transportation Good in Panama?
Panama has a good public transportation system and is reliable overall. The bus system is well-connected and will take you to most places within the country’s mainland, and you can get to the neighbouring country of Costa Rica. Flights are available from Panama’s local airports to fly you domestically or to nearby countries in Central and South America.
Do You Need a Car in Panama?
You do not need a car to get around Panama, however, if you want the freedom to travel outside of public transportation routes and schedules, it would be beneficial. Highways in Panama are well-paved, making for good driving. Car rentals are available at airports in Panama City and David and at car rental locations in larger cities. Get a car rental before going to a remote destination without public transportation, as rentals aren’t available in smaller towns.
When would you not want a car rental? If you are planning to travel onwards to Columbia, no roads go through the jungle connecting Panama and Columbia, so a car rental will not work for that purpose. Also, for the islands in Bocas del Toro, bringing a car rental is expensive and not recommended; get around the islands by foot, taxi, or bus.
Buses in Panama
Buses are the primary way to get around Panama, used by Panamanians and travellers alike. The bus system is affordable and frequent, with most routes running daily from dusk to dawn. There are a variety of types of buses available, from short buses pictured above, to school buses, or coach buses depending on the bus route and distance. For longer journeys, night buses are available, a great option to combine transit and accommodation. Most buses are not express, so they will stop along the route to pick up and drop off passengers or refuel. Try to get an express bus if your schedule works to save extra time. Panama bus tickets are available for same-day only.
Taxis in Panama
The taxis in Panama are licensed; most are yellow in colour, although some are white. In cities, most taxis are cars, although you will find trucks and SUVs as well. Taxi fares are up for negotiation with the driver, so practise your negotiation skills. You can negotiate rates better for multiple passengers. Describe to them your destination, or show it on a map if you cannot describe it to negotiate your fare. During my visit, I found offline google maps helpful to show the driver where I wanted to go.
Negotiate the price before you get inside the cab, and if you are unsure how much the prices should be, it’s a good idea to inquire with local businesses about the usual fare amounts. I would ask my accommodations about taxi pricing in the area; so I knew I was getting a fair quote.
During my trip, here are the taxi fares I found in Panama. Note: All fares mentioned included two passengers.
Panama City: $30 from Tocumen airport to downtown Panama City, $10 from Albrook Mall to Casco Viejo, $5 from Casco Viejo to Albrook Mall, $6 from Albrook Mall to downtown Panama City, $5 from Albrook Mall to Albrook Airport, $3 from Casco Viejo to Cerro Ancon Reserve, $3 from Cerro Ancon Reserve to Albrook Mall, and $25 from downtown Panama or Casco Viejo to Tocumen airport.
Bocas del Toro: $4 from Bocas airport to the city center, $6 from Bocas town to Paunch Beach area, and $8 from Paunch Beach to Bocas town.
Boquete: $5 from Boquete town to San Ramon waterfall, $2 from Boquete Selina to El Sabroson Restaurant.
Flying in Panama
Thinking of flying within Panama? Panama has a few airports that fly domestically and across Central and South America. For domestic flights in Panama, the main airport is Albrook Gelabert International Airport, in Panama City, with flights from Air Panama to Bocas del Toro, David, Darien, Guna Yala, and Pearl Islands. The planes are small, but flights are short, only an hour or so.
How to Get to Downtown from Panama City Airport
When I arrive in a new country, I try to experience transportation like a local. I challenge myself to find ways to arrive at my accommodation from the airport without taking a taxi and paying extra fare because I’m a tourist. Most of the time, this includes taking public transportation such as a train or bus. To get to Albrook Terminal from Panama City Airport, take a bus and taxi, and soon you will also have the option of the metro (opening a station at the airport in late 2023).
By Bus
A few years, Panama was challenging to leave the airport, as you couldn’t buy a transit card at the airport, but I was happy to learn more recently at Tocumen that you can buy transit cards at the airport. Once you have bought your metro card, exit the airport and walk right, following signs for the metro bus. You will spot a small cafe Nikos, and need to walk the path alongside it to exit the airport. Continue walking until you reach the roundabout. Cross over the road carefully, and wait for the bus. The bus will end up at Albrook. You can double-check with the locals about the direction of the bus as they are friendly and helpful.
Buying a Metro Card at Tocumen
To buy a metro card from the airport, when you are ready to leave, there are two Travel Data Global booths (one at P2 and one at P5). Each travel booth has a machine where you can buy a metro card for $5. You only need one Rapi-Pass card, for a group of up to six people. You can tap multiple times, paying once for each person, as you pay per trip. There is no unlimited day passes in Panama.
By Taxi
To get to downtown Panama City from Panama City Airport, as soon as you walk outside, there will be taxis waiting. You tell the driver where you need to go, and they will give you a price. Make sure you finalize the price before you get in the taxi; agree on the price or find another one waiting. Fares are a fixed rate from Panama Airport to downtown Panama City. To get downtown from the airport by taxi is $30 and takes 20-30 minutes. To take a taxi to the airport, it will cost about $25-40, depending on your starting destination. On both of my trips to Panama, my taxi ride to the airport cost $25.
How to Get Around Panama City, Panama
The capital of Panama, Panama City, is a metropolis with most attractions not in walking distance from each other, except within Casco Viejo. Casco Viejo is a walkable neighbourhood, so you can walk or take a taxi. Getting around Panama City, you have a few options with the best ways to get around Panama City being by bus, metro, or taxi.
By Bus
Buses are a cost-effective way to travel around Panama City, Panama. The bus fare costs $0.25 to reach most destinations in the city, including the famous Panama Canal. Wave a bus down to get it to stop, and look at the route number to see its destination. Almost every bus in Panama City ends up at Albrook Terminal, so if you find it easiest: taxi to Albrook and catch your bus from there. I would always double-check the destination with the driver that they were driving where I needed to go.
Here is a bus map of Panama City for your convenience.
By Metro
The metro is a rapid way to get around Panama City. Since 2014, Panama’s metro system consists of 2 lines that operate 29 stations across the city. Since my first visit, I have seen the metro system quickly develop, and there are plans to open a station at the Tocumen airport in late 2023, making it even easier to get around Panama City. Once you have a Panama metro card, you can use it at any metro station in Panama City. A single ride is $0.35.
Here is a Panama City metro map for your convenience.
By Taxi
In Panama City, taking taxis is the easiest way to get around. They are quick, and you don’t have to worry about routes, times, or if there is a better way to get to your destination. They know the best ways to get around the busy city traffic, and you get to relax. The taxi fare typically costs $1-5 to get around Panama City, including getting to Casco Viejo from Albrook.
How to Get Around in Panama by Bus
There are so many beautiful places in Panama, so you won’t want to stay in one spot your whole trip, and will need to transport around. In Panama City, buses depart from La Gran Terminal Nacional de Transporte de Panamá at Albrook Mall from the terminal attached to the mall. Albrook Bus Terminal is the central hub for all public buses in Panama, and from here run 52 inter-provincial routes, 50 suburban routes, and two international bus lines. Other bus hubs include Santiago and David.
Every bus destination has a dedicated window to check schedules and purchase tickets. Find the dedicated window for your desired Purchase tickets on-site day of departure for the next available bus. Arrive early to buy tickets, especially if you are aiming for a particular departure time. Although there is a schedule, the bus will often wait until they are at capacity before departing, so be flexible with arriving at your next destination.
You will need a 3-in-1 Rapi-Pass to pay $0.10 to enter the bus departure area at Albrook Terminal or pay a local to swipe their tri-pass card. Rapi-Passes are available at Tocumen Airport, a metro station, or Albrook Terminal from a dedicated kiosk. Once purchased, the 3-in-1 passes are valid for metro, buses, and trains. To load a card with funds, use a kiosk machine at a metro station, bus terminal, or airport.
How to Get to the Panama Canal from Panama City
From Albrook Mall, head to the area with the local buses. Walk down D platform until the very last platform. Look for a bus heading to Miraflores, the bus you need to get to the Panama Canal. The cost is $0.25 to ride the bus from Albrook to the Panama Canal. If you are unsure, you can ask one of the terminal attendants on the platform, and they will guide you.
How to Get to El Valle de Anton from Panama City
You will need to head to Albrook Mall Bus Terminal to catch a bus to El Valle de Anton. The bus from Panama City to El Valle de Anton starts at 6:30 am. Bus drivers wait until all seats are full before departing. Arrive early to secure your spot and prepare to wait. The bus fare to El Valle de Anton is $4.25 per person.
Wondering why to go to El Valle? Check out the unforgettable hiking at Cerro Iguana or other hiking trails.
To return to Panama City from El Valle de Anton, there are two different bus routes available. You can take the direct bus to Panama City or ride any bus out from El Valle de Anton and transfer buses in Las Uvas to catch a bus heading into Panama City. The bus driver will let you know where your stop is. The cost is $1 to take a bus from El Valle de Anton to Las Uvas and $3 from Las Uvas into Panama City. Either of the two bus routes will end up at Albrook Mall. During my trip, I transferred buses in Las Uvas to avoid waiting for the direct bus to Panama City.
How to Get to Bocas del Toro From Panama City
To get to Bocas del Toro from Panama City, the most common ways to get there include flying or taking a bus.
By Flying
Flying is a quick and easy way to get to Bocas del Toro. Flights operate from Panama City out of the Albrook Airport, run by Air Panama. Flights start at $70 per person per direction and include only a personal item. Additional luggage costs are extra. During my second trip, I chose to fly to Bocas del Toro and take the bus back.
By Bus
The best bus to Bocas del Toro is the night bus, as it’s express and saves you extra time travelling. Buses depart from Panama City’s Albrook Mall in the evening for the overnight journey to Bocas del Toro, Panama. The express trip costs approximately $34.35 per person each way and includes a bus ride and a water taxi. During my first trip, I took the night bus from Panama City to Bocas del Toro and again back.
Note: There is a taxi required to transfer from the bus to the water taxi; not included with your ticket. The taxi fare in Almirante to the water taxi is $1.50 per person.
Wondering why to go to Bocas del Toro? Explore the underwater world, visit beautiful overwater hotels, see monkeys and do a variety of on-land and water activities.
How to Get Around Bocas Del Toro
To get around Bocas del Toro, you can walk, bicycle, bus, taxi, or use a water taxi. You will often need to use a water taxi to reach various hotels and other attractions to get from island to island. While on the islands, the most common ways to get around are walking and bicycling.
When you arrive in Bocas del Toro, water taxi fares depend on which islands you are going to. Carenero Island is $1 per person daytime and $2 per person at night. Bastimentos is $5. Further islands will have a higher cost.
Tip: Shop around for water taxi prices and tour prices as you may find a cheaper rate.
Looking for ideas for what to do in Bocas? Here are some fun activities in Bocas del Toro.
How to Get to Starfish Beach from Bocas del Toro
You can get to Playa Del Drago from Bocas town by bus, taxi, or bicycle. The most recommended way to reach Starfish Beach is via bus.
Take the bus in Bocas town for $2.50 per person, each way to Playa del Drago. The bus stop is behind Simon Bolivar Park, where you will see a mini-bus marked with writing saying Playa del Drago in the window or marked on the side. From the Playa del Drago bus stop, walk towards the water until the end, and then around the houses. Past the houses, you will see a dirt path. Walk along the path with jungle vibes for approximately 15 minutes, and you will arrive at Starfish Beach.
Tip: Go early to avoid crowds. During our visit, we got lucky and had the beach almost all to ourselves.
How to Get From Bocas del Toro to Boquete
There is no direct bus from Bocas del Toro to Boquete. The best way to reach Boquete is to ride a water taxi to Almirante and transfer to a private shuttle for the rest of the journey for $30 per person. Make arrangements in advance for a private shuttle with any hotel or tour operator.
Alternative options are to take a ferry to Chiriqui and taxi the rest of the way or to take a water taxi to Almirante, a bus to David and take another bus to Boquete. You catch the water taxi at the water ferry station in Bocas Town, and it will take you to the Panama mainland, where you meet up with your next method of transportation. The bus takes approximately 7-9 hours, and a water taxi/shuttle takes about 4 hours.
During my visit, there was a strike on the mainland, so I had to take a water taxi to Chiriqui, and my private shuttle met me there to bring me to Boquete.
Wondering why to go to Boquete? Go on a world-famous coffee tour, see the sunrise at the top of Volcan Baru, and do plenty of other nature activities.
How to Get From Boquete to David
To get from Boquete to David, buses are either school bus-style or coach-style, and the main bus stop is beside Parque Domingo Medica on Avenue Belisario Porras. Buses run about every 20 minutes until 6 pm. There are no night buses to David. The bus fare from Boquete to David is under $2 per person and is an hour in duration.
How to Get From David to Panama City
The quickest route to Panama City from David is to take the night bus. The express night bus from David to Panama City costs $18.15 and takes approximately 5.5 hours. You will end up at Albrook Terminal in Panama City.
Here are the times and prices for buses from David to Panama City:
Additional Panama Transportation Resources
Bus Pricing From David:
Getting around Panama doesn’t have to be difficult. If you need additional help when in Panama, you can ask locals, and they may be able to guide you; they were helpful during my visit to Panama; just be prepared with a translator app if you don’t speak Spanish. Have fun, go with the flow, and plan ahead whenever possible for your transportation.
Hope this information helps you with getting around Panama.
Happy travelling!
