Panama Forum

kevwfell
Joined 2016
Posts: 10

5 years ago

SUPER aggressive people trying to sell water taxis in Almirante!

5 years ago

We were on our way (driving) from Boquete to Bocas del Toro yesterday, and when we made the turn into Almirante, had a guy jump in front of the car, trying to aggressively waive us over to the side of the road.

Not knowing what he was up to, we swerved around him, and continued on the main road.

What creeped us out, was that he jumped on a bicycle, and pedaled quickly behind us, following us until we got to the ferry dock until the road ended and we had to stop in the parking lot of the restaurant there.

He pulled up beside us, with another man, and blocked us from turning around, wanting us to roll our window down.

Not knowing what he was up to, we stayed in the car as he and the other guy were UNCOMFORTABLY close to our car (1/2 a meter?), staring at us through the window, continuing to try to get our attention while we attempted to ignore them and get directions.

I finally rolled the window down an inch, and he says he wants to sell us a water taxi. I tell him we are not interested, and rolled the window back up. He backs off a few feet, but his buddy continues to stand in the same spot next to our front tire, with his bike blocking us from turning around.

SUPER sketchy! As I understand it, I believe these guys get paid a percentage of water-taxi fees, so economically it's in their best interest to "sell a seat"....I totally understand that concept...but to chase us on a bike nearly 1km and then stand at the car window staring at us while we were trying to get our directions straight, was WAY more than we were comfortable with.

We suddenly backed up between the two of them, and turned around quickly, while they both got on their bikes and continued to follow us AGAIN, making it obvious that they were watching us...riding along side of us all the way out of the area. We were able to increase speed as soon as we were out of the tight streets and got on the highway again.

What was THAT all about? We didn't know if we were going to be carjacked or robbed or what.

Again, no problem at all offering a service. I can say "no" and that's that. But to chase us down, and (what felt like to us) corner us in a parking lot at a dead-end road, standing in the way so that we would have to run them or their property over to move the car forward any further.

Has anyone else had a similar experience in Almirante, or were we the only "lucky" ones?

Thanks,
Kevin

Kovalenko & Vera Attorneys at Law in Panama

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