pahonex
3/30/2015 12:34 EST
I'll be visiting Panama for a few days and have spent some time searching this forum for information. I found quite a bit, but am looking for some updated information. This is my second trip (non-cruise) trip to Panama so I am a little familiar with how things work (or at least how they did five years ago). I've got a few questions:
I've confirmed that my credit card company provides coverage for damage to the rental car provided I do not take the local CDW. What other insurance is currently required, especially for liability? Last time I went with peace of mind and spent a fortune.
I'm renting a car at Tocumen International Airport just for convenience. Can anybody provide me with good directions or a map (or a link) on the best way to get from the airport to the Bridge of the Americas? Last time we got hecka lost and only found it because some kind ex pat got in his car and lead us to the right corridor on ramp, only to get hecka lost again in Casco Viejo.
I have PCMetro cell service in the states and they have a very cheap international calling plan to Panama. Does anybody have any first had experience with this provider (or their affiliates) in Panama?
Lastly, on a priot trip I rented a GPS unit that was basically no better than a paper weight due to the lack of signal and lack of road signs and addreses. Has the GPS ability gotten any better in the last five years?
Thanks in advance for any input.
Post a Reply
 0 0 abuse
|
|
lapapuja
3/30/2015 12:43 EST
Yes GPS and maps are much better. Also getting to the bridge is easier because of the new highways. Check google maps to see them.
Post a Reply
 0 0 abuse
|
|
|
|
lapapuja
3/30/2015 15:24 EST
If you do not have some sort of smart phone it would be well worth it to get one to use in Panama. Using GPS on my phone I can map directions to most anywhere. I can find shopping, restaurants, etc. using Four Square. Lately WiFi is available in many locations so a data plan may not be needed here. I live here and do not have one. Just pay as you go with MoviStar for telephone. Cards are available in many places.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
llseldon
3/30/2015 15:32 EST
GPS, haw, as the Panamaños say, "you just gotta' know where you're going" Watch out for one way streets, especially unmarked ones, if your driving down a 2-4 lane street & all the cars in ALL LANE are coming your way, you're on an UNA VIA street. Cuidado hombre. PL
P.S. remember NO U-TURNS, no talkie on cell phones & driving, no head lights during the day, keep a 5B with you driver's license.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
panamajames
3/31/2015 01:25 EST
If you are coming up from Panama City to Boquete, there is a very nice apartment available for 10 days, as some folks had to leave early to get back to the US and it is now vacant but maybe will be taken over again on the 11th or maybe later. Some folks wanted it on the 11th, but they are considering that they do not want to land in Panama City at that time because of the Security issues with 35 Presidents of the world, including Obama, coming to Panama City around that time.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
knoyes
4/1/2015 10:37 EST
Hi we just returned from 10 days in the country, driving a rental car from PTY to Boquete and dropping it off at David airport. GET THE WAZE App! GPS doesn't work, nor does a Google map printed at home. It SAVED OUR BUTTS! It knew every "Fix" when we missed exits. Can't say it enough. Get the app!!
Post a Reply
10abuse
|
|
|
|
pahonex
4/1/2015 12:29 EST
Thanks, I'll look into it. My problem is that while I'll have cellular phone service, I won't have data service.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phoenix15
4/1/2015 21:20 EST
First word of advice. Take 4-5 minutes and read what they hand you closely at the car rental counter. Even though you decline they will check the box for CDW and you will be on the hook for it. Make them reprint the contract without it.
We were in Panama in January and visited Coronado and PC. We got excellent directions from the person we rented from in Coronado. They took us through the maze of directions to get to the Bridge of the Americas without a hitch. The directions included photos out the fromt window of the car of landmarks and road signs you will see as you go. Nor perfect but incredibly good. We got them from Sarah at My Panama Real Estate. You can google their site. I am sure you can find the website and contact them and they can send them to you. Alternatively, send me your email and I will forward what they sent me.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
lastresort
4/2/2015 07:21 EST
Good Morning,
Can you please tell me what CDW is? Is that the liability insurance that you are required to carry while leasing a vehicle?
Thanks.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
tombseekers
4/2/2015 09:44 EST
WAZE - If you have a smartphone download it. You can program your route when you have wifi. the map will stay in your phone but it will not talk to you or give updates. The maps are great since they will not send you down a una via.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
pahonex
4/2/2015 11:56 EST
CDW is Collision Damage Waiver. It is insurance that covers damage to the rental car only. It does not cover damage to third parties (liability). CDW is optional. My VISA card provides CDW coverage if I use the card for the rental. Third party liability is mandatory
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
pahonex
4/2/2015 13:32 EST
I have an Iphone6 and downloaded WAZE. It says I need a full GPS signal for WAZE to function. Since I'll only have cell service (hopefully) and not internet/data service, am I out of luck? I also can't figure out how to load the maps for Panama.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
|
panamajames
4/2/2015 13:49 EST
Just go into your phone settings and turn on GPS. I have a Samsung so can't exactly tell you where the settings are.....
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
lastresort
4/2/2015 14:34 EST
pahonex,
Thanks for the info. I will have to check with my credit card company to see if I am covered.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
pahonex
4/2/2015 15:33 EST
I know how to turn on the phone's GPS. Problem is that requires data/internet service which my carrier doesn't have in Panama.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
TennVol
4/2/2015 16:12 EST
If your phone has a SIM card, just remove your current SIM card and purchase one from a carrier in Panama. We just got back from a two-week trip and that's what I did. The card was about $8 and I bought a $20 pre-paid data/calling card to use while we were there. Also, if you already have a GPS, there is an excellent Panam GPS program you can purchase and download to your Garmin GPS unit. It saved my butt several times in the city and it's well worth the money. PTY-GPS is the company. Link: http://www.panama-zone.com/
There are two competing companies offering the map and each one accuses the other of stealing their map. I don't know who stole from who, but PTY-GPS is the company I bought from and the map works like a champ!
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
TennVol
4/2/2015 16:19 EST
Also, as far as no headlights during the day, I'm not so sure. I drove over 2K kilometers in the two weeks I was there and I had my lights on all the time. I can't tell you how many police vehicles I encountered during that time and not ONE stopped me or looked at me funny. I drove on the PanAmerican Hwy every single day I was there with no problems at all. One other thing, there are a LOT of police running radar in the interior. During the day there are numerous motorcycle cops (sitting in the shade on the side of the road) running instant-on radar. My radar detector saved me a bunch of money on speeding tickets!
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
Rik61Penonome
4/2/2015 16:26 EST
Is your iphone unlocked?
If it is and you are not needing your original number just get a local sim card and buy time/data as needed.
I use a cable & wireless sim and just buy data when needed. $5 buys 7 days and if it's a quadriplica offer also leaves me $15 of call time.
Swap sims in and out for your own carrier and the c&w one when driving.
Rik
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
pahonex
4/3/2015 16:55 EST
Thanks for all the advice. I've downloaded WAZE and will hopefully be able to load my route using the WIFI at the hotel in Panama City before we leave for Pedasi.
Just in case, I'd sure appreciate it if you could send me the directions Phoenix15. Did you get the PM I sent you?
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
pahonex
4/3/2015 16:55 EST
Thanks for all the advice. I've downloaded WAZE and will hopefully be able to load my route using the WIFI at the hotel in Panama City before we leave for Pedasi.
Just in case, I'd sure appreciate it if you could send me the directions Phoenix15. Did you get the PM I sent you?
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
XSMEMORIES
4/3/2015 17:12 EST
Hi this Sheila @xs in Santa Clara. It's a good distance from the the city as I'm sure you know. We are located at km113, stop in grab a bite or homemade pie, and also a clean bathroom. xsmemories@hotmail.com
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
XSMEMORIES
4/3/2015 17:12 EST
Hi this Sheila @xs in Santa Clara. It's a good distance from the the city as I'm sure you know. We are located at km113, stop in grab a bite or homemade pie, and also a clean bathroom. xsmemories@hotmail.com
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
pahonex
4/5/2015 02:45 EST
Can someone please provide me with directions for the best way to get from the airport to the Bridge of the Americas?
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
MushroomMike
4/5/2015 21:30 EST
pahonex,
If you have a computer, and know how to use Google Maps, put "PTY" as your starting point and "ARRAIJAN" as your destination in Panama City, Panama. You can then zoom-in and follow the google suggestions for a route over the "Bridge of the Americas" than goes over the Pacific Ocean entrance to the Panama Canal at Balboa.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
TennVol
4/6/2015 11:51 EST
I would recommend Corredur Sur. You will need an electronic toll card to use the road, but it is the fastest and easiest way to get the bridge from the airport. There are two separate cards, one for Corredur Norte and one for Corredur Sur. Not sure why there are two separate cards, but that's the way they set it up.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
panamajames
4/6/2015 14:05 EST
We are all praying that one day, all the Panama transportation services, will be on one card.......I pull them all out and let them choose....I have a wallet full of cards right now..........
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
|
