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Arrival time in PC

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tbh
  10/15/2014 20:41 EST

I've been on the Costa Rica forum for several months but now I'm interested in Panama, too. Initially two questions, both unrelated to each other.

1) I'm planning the flight for my first visit and my choices for arrival times in PC are: about 3pm or 10pm. I plan to stay in a hotel in the PC area the first night, preferably around Albrook so I can get out of town the next day on the bus or by car. My question: because of the traffic I've already heard about, which of those times would be preferable. I'd rather cross the city during daytime but I don't want to sit in a traffic jam.

2) I've already read on various forums some political rants, usually extreme. I'd like to know if there is any generalization you can make regarding the expat position regarding values/politics. I'm sure there are many on each of right, center, and left but I'd like to know if it leans heavily one way or the other. I'm not fond of either extreme.

Thanks

Panama2017
  10/15/2014 20:56 EST

By the time you clear immigration and customs it will be 4pm or 4:30pm. Right in the middle of rush hour. No traffic at 10pm but dark, of course. Arriving around 1pm would be perfect. On the other hand, PC traffic is an interesting experience not to be missed! Just another adventure...

I have no particularly strong political views so I will defer to others on the Forum for that.

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jakeddoc
  10/16/2014 06:47 EST

just returned from PC this weekend. Traffic can be heavy but not as bad as when they were building the metro. If you arrive at 3PM and the lines at immigration airport are not bad you should on the road by 4 will probably miss the heavy traffic that starts from 5 to 730PM.

tjo50511
  10/16/2014 11:19 EST

You might want to stay at the Country Inns & Suites. It's right on the canal close to Allbrook. It's also next door to the Balboa Yacht Club, one of my favorite places to eat.

sastrunk
  10/16/2014 12:46 EST

We have arrived in Panama at both the times you mention. Others have explained that getting through Customs and Immigration can take an hour or more (usually less if you take the later flight). I would recommend taking a taxi to your hotel of choice, then finding a rental car outlet within the city to pick up your car - there are several. Trying to drive across the city to Albrook if you are unfamiliar with Panama City can be a nightmare! The traffic can certainly be an issue, but the bigger headache (for us, anyway) is that there are very few street signs, and it is easy to get lost. There is a toll road from the airport across the city (Corridor del Sur) but if you rent at the airport, make sure you buy a "fast pass" because there is NO tollbooth where you can pay cash. If you decide to rent at the airport, I'd strongly recommend the earlier arrival time because, even with the heavier traffic, you will at least have a chance of seeing where you're going!

splainin
  10/16/2014 13:58 EST

If you decide to rent a car at the airport, this video will show you how you get to the city. Avoid rush hour, like this person. Make it this far and you will be very close to the Bridge of Americas. No big deal.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d3lPkWdTlaw

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tbh
  10/16/2014 21:18 EST

Thanks to everyone for your comments, suggestions, and links. It all helps in planning my visit.

Of course, additional comments are still welcome.

Thanks again.

Panama2017
  10/16/2014 21:32 EST

We were in Panama last week and rented a GPS with the car. It was out of date with newer landmarks but recognized Albrook. Even with the GPS, we made a couple wrong turns driving from Costa del Este (near the airport) to Albrook. we course corrected but it would have been more difficult in the dark.

Not many streets have signs - but also were not in the GPS. There were lots of "turn left, then turn right, then turn left" type of instructions with no street names involved.

Only certain lanes accept certain toll cards - and the Sur has a different card than the Notre. The whole toll card system is...um...
interesting. And as sastrunk pointed out, you can't pay with cash.

Drivers in PC are aggressive - but it works because everyone is "hyper alert". The driving style would never work here in Chicago because too many drivers are texting. People hop in front of you and expect that you are not distracted and are able to react.

lapapuja
  10/17/2014 06:59 EST

There s rush hour traffic at the time you would leave the airport but mostly in the opposite direction. TO Tocumen.

tbh
  10/17/2014 14:05 EST

To be sure, I will take a taxi form PTY to the Albrook area. Thanks to all.

Panama2017
  10/17/2014 14:23 EST

Fyi - taxis have flat rates by zone. So for example, we took a taxi from Costa del Este to Migration during morning rush - it took 1.5 hours and the driver charged us $8. On the way home, midday, we made it home in 20 minutes. The driver also charged us $8. So rush hour shouldn't impact the cost of the trip.

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XSMEMORIES
  10/17/2014 19:45 EST

Yiu can get a bus from the airport to Albrook, and they have a hotel there. Then you can get a bus out to the interior, the buses are clean , both bus trips should be under $15.00. Renting a car is a nightmare. have a small motel here @ XS in Santa Clara, Cocle, from here if you really want to rent a car it's right here, and from here life is a whole lot easier, than trying to drive from the city, there's no signs no info. Take it easy ,take a bus.

tbh
  10/17/2014 22:58 EST

The many helpful comments and the video certainly made the case against trying to drive from Tocumen on my own! Local knowledge definitely required!

XSMemories: Are you saying that it is still difficult driving out of the city even from the Albrook area?
It looks like Santa Clara is just west of Bosque Protector de Arraiján (Google maps). Is that correct?

Another thing, anyone ... just west of the canal I see an area where rte. 1 and rte. 4 are roughly parallel to each other for 10+ miles -- is rte. 4 a tollway that requires a special card?

Again, thanks to all.

tbh
  10/18/2014 00:01 EST

XS: Now I see where you are, out by Scarlett Martinez.

davisodb
  10/19/2014 12:40 EST

We just got back from Panama night before last. We arrived on Oct 2 at night and our mini-bus taxi cost $30. We were first quoted $35, I said $25 and the individual then said the standard fare was $30. We went to the info desk, they told us it would be $30--standard.
At nearly 140 kph, the ride didn't last long except that the driver wasn't familiar with our hotel even though it was a major one.

GlamBabe
  10/19/2014 13:47 EST

Hi,

I think your arrival time is somewhat irrelevant since you will be staying near Albrook. I have been stuck in traffic at all times, from mid morning until late evening. I don't think it is as bad as some people make it sound, I lived in both N.Y. and L.A. and it was no worse then any large city. Definitely take a bus, they are clean, inexpensive and everyone is very polite. So please don't be concerned.

As for political views, I haven't really heard them talked about. It is not a common discussion. I think wherever you stand politically is fine and if you don't want to listen to an expat rant, simply excuse yourself. No one will think ill of you.

I can tell you my worst problem so far has been that it is more expensive then I anticipated and that my cell service is terrible. However, with those as my biggest concerns, I am very content. I am really loving it here. It is gorgeous and we finally found a great condo. So we are getting Along well. I will add my Panamanian phone number and if you have questions or concerns when you arrive just give me a call. I am sure if you're flexible about your expectations everything will go smoothly.

Warmly,
Marcia
6783-6364

GlamBabe
  10/19/2014 13:50 EST

Whoops that was supposed to be a PM. But since it was posted if you need anything call.....(Just a general expats helping expats thing)

tbh
  10/20/2014 23:04 EST

It's all settled. I chose the Delta flight arriving just before 10pm. It will be the most convenient considering everything from my home base to PTY. Staying the first night at the Country Inn, also the last 2 nights. I'll use the bus to get out to the David District and then I'll decide if I want to rent a car for local running around in Chiriqui province. Wingin' it for everything else, at least at this time.

So I followed a lot of the advice given to me here. Thanks for your help.

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