ForestJam
3/1/2017 00:48 EST
Coming to Panama to explore locations, in March '17. Curious to know if one could drive from El Valle to the Internamerican on Hwy 71. Or is there a better suggestion?
We plan to drive from Anton de Ville to David in one day. Would appreciate knowing if we should retrace our tracks south from AdV to Hwy 1 then proceed West. OR try to save time by cutting west thru Cocle countryside.
Sorry, I cannot tell from maps online the condition of the highways in question. Could anyone with local experience give me a heads up or suggestions???
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XSMEMORIES
3/1/2017 11:39 EST
Stay on the interamerican the road is good past Santiago there is some road work and a little near Aguadulce. Sheila
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Oldcameraman
3/1/2017 12:17 EST
That back route is possible. I travel often up to El Valle and to Penenome but never went that particular road. Friends who did drive it say it's "exciting" = challenging. Very curvey, steep and bumpy. So if you're used to driving back road Panama you'd be okay. Since you apparently are NOT used to Panama roads, the road between the Pan-American and El Valle will likely be exciting enough for your first trip. It's very scenic and well maintained and usually busy. Be very careful on the curves if you're not used to mountain driving. It only normally takes about 20-30 min back down from El Valle to the Pan-American so you likely won't be saving any time on your whole trip anyway by going the backroad. The drive between Las Uvas at the junction with the Pan-American to Penenome is smooth, level and interesting. It passes through nice farming country around Anton.
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Oldcameraman
3/1/2017 12:17 EST
That back route is possible. I travel often up to El Valle and to Penenome but never went that particular road. Friends who did drive it say it's "exciting" = challenging. Very curvey, steep and bumpy. So if you're used to driving back road Panama you'd be okay. Since you apparently are NOT used to Panama roads, the road between the Pan-American and El Valle will likely be exciting enough for your first trip. It's very scenic and well maintained and usually busy. Be very careful on the curves if you're not used to mountain driving. It only normally takes about 20-30 min back down from El Valle to the Pan-American so you likely won't be saving any time on your whole trip anyway by going the backroad. The drive between Las Uvas at the junction with the Pan-American to Penenome is smooth, level and interesting. It passes through nice farming country around Anton.
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Imprev88
3/1/2017 20:44 EST
I drive it all the time. Coming out of El Valle it is quite steep and windy for about 5 minutes but not bad after that. There are 3-4 possible routes but the easiest (but not the most beautiful or fastest) is just to stay straight on the road. It will save you 10-15 minutes and I think its more interesting than the hiway.
Don't leave Santiago on a low tank of fuel BTW.
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llseldon
3/1/2017 20:52 EST
Take a look at https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Penonome,+Cocl%C3%A9+Province,+Panama/Anton+Valley,+Panama/@8.5042514,-80.3167009,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x8fac4f37d08ca311:0xa9ea2d6c396c5052!2m2!1d-80.3547286!2d8.5503103!1m5!1m1!1s0x8fac58c0e8bc6925:0xaa27efb834833e4c!2m2!1d-80.1316927!2d8.6097836 I'd say you need a 4 wheel drive to take the route you're talking about. On the route from EV back to the PanAm Hwy, about 30 Km will take you about 45 minutes but a much better road. Think about it, there's no 911 to come pull you out of a ----!
Also just west of the turn off to EV on the PanAm Hwy about 15 Km west is a great restaurant to eat at, got to look for the entrance & easy to miss, but put this on your eating list in PTY. Info from my 13 pages of info on PTY:
Los Camisones, Pan American highway(typical Panama food +), 1.5 hour drive west of Panama City or about 15 kilometers past the entrance to ElValle, KM 104 MM, north side of the Pan American highway, look for a small sign, it’s easy to miss. The restaurant is on short one lane road up a hill. You will miss the sign on the Pan American highway if you are not alert looking for it. Check: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g780122-d1497711-Reviews-Los_Camisones_Restaurante-Santa_Clara_Panama_Province.html
Buena suerte.
Sonrisas PL
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augieman
3/1/2017 21:04 EST
Old camerama.
Please please please write in paragraphs. Otherwise must scroll long way over and back.
Those long sentences run right off the screen.
PLEASE???
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augieman
3/1/2017 21:06 EST
Actually that request goes to all on this thread.
most other threads are at least readable,up and down.
Not across and off the edge of the screen.
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ForestJam
3/1/2017 23:26 EST
Thank You, thank you to all
who replied to my question.
I will take your advice re: taking
the easier and more well-traveled
route to David from El Valle. I will save the exciting routes for the future, when I have more time and more experience in Panama.
experience,
Also the Las Camisones Restaurante is now on the Must-Stop list but will have to wait till the trip back to Panama City!
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llseldon
3/2/2017 05:35 EST
Also ForestJam top off your gas at Santiago, it's about a 3 hour drive between Santiago & David. The highway was recently widened I'm told & have not traveled it recently but there is little along that stretch of road except a police check point, have your passport handy. Re Santiago, gas, rest room & a bite to eat. Also bottle water, soap (hand sanitizer), toilet paper & Lysol spray are good to have with you. Just past Samtiago near the.3 "push buttons" is the house a friend from Texas since May 1999 lived for several years until he could sell it & move onto Colombia. Santiago is worth staying over night & a side trip to the montaña village of Santa Fe is a good day trip, like El Valle it is about an hour drive north of the PanAm Bwy. Remember Santiago, gas, potty & a meal recommended.
Sonrisas PL
P.S. Next. Is it take a side trip to Azuero Peninsular, turn left (south) at Divisa
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stgibson
3/2/2017 10:30 EST
I am assuming you will be driving a rental car so sticking to the Interamericana would be my suggestion. From El Valle to David is about a 5 hour drive and is mostly 4 lane with good roads. Panamanian back roads are beautiful but road conditions can change rapidly and are better of saved for another time when you can take your time and explore them in a pickup or SUV. If you have a problem with your rental it can lead to long delays.
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llseldon
3/2/2017 15:07 EST
If you get a rental car be sure & note all the dings on the car, rental car companies in Panama love to charge for "damages" FYI.
Sonrisas PL
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llseldon
3/2/2017 15:12 EST
About 3 KM north of the PanAm Hwy on the road to EV is the Paraiso Restaurant owned by Canadian if I remember correctly, stop in for a meal or beverage, good people. The Beach ExPat group often meets there or did in the past.
Map from PanAm Hwy to EV: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Anton+Valley,+Panama/8.4586674,-79.9954091/@8.5343203,-80.0720305,12.47z/data=!4m8!4m7!1m5!1m1!1s0x8fac58c0e8bc6925:0xaa27efb834833e4c!2m2!1d-80.1316927!2d8.6097836!1m0
Sonrisas PL
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llseldon
3/2/2017 15:12 EST
About 3 KM north of the PanAm Hwy on the road to EV is the Paraiso Restaurant owned by Canadian if I remember correctly, stop in for a meal or beverage, good people. The Beach ExPat group often meets there or did in the past.
Map from PanAm Hwy to EV: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Anton+Valley,+Panama/8.4586674,-79.9954091/@8.5343203,-80.0720305,12.47z/data=!4m8!4m7!1m5!1m1!1s0x8fac58c0e8bc6925:0xaa27efb834833e4c!2m2!1d-80.1316927!2d8.6097836!1m0
Sonrisas PL
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