Panama’s Transportation System

Posted By: Panama Expertos on 31.03.2007
Views: 902, Published in sections: Life in Panama ::

If you intend to explore Panama from its Colombian tip to the Costa Rican tip, you would need to know how to do so. Even were you visiting for just a few days with no intention to do some extensive exploring, it is just common sense to investigate how to get around and about in any place that is not your home. Knowing the modes of transportation available in a place you are visiting is right up there with knowing where your country’s embassy is located, having a travel insurance, and having an emergency or hotline number to reach in case of any crisis.

Given the fact that Panama is aggressively marketing itself as one of the best Caribbean destinations and the fact that Panama is commercially inclined due to the Panama Canal, Panama has made sure that its transportation system is more than adequate for its visitors. Of course, you have to know beforehand where you want to go so you can set out to learn the means by which you could get there.

Panama has a sufficient airway system in place. To reach Panama, you will probably have to get an international flight to Panama City. From there you can fly to your intended island location because Panama currently has around a hundred airports, some of them paved but most of them unpaved. For island hopping purposes, this is more than enough.

Since Panama is located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, it is no wonder that the current favorite means of getting around in Panama is by boat. Going to Panama can be accomplished through a cruise liner because of its ports and harbors. You can get around Panama by riding a commercial ferry, renting out a private boat, or a combination of both. This is especially true if you plan to visit the outlying islands.

Panama has an adequate network of roads which you can use to explore the country. There is a total of 11,258 km of highways in Panama. Therefore, once you reach Panama, you can rent a car from among the many car rental agencies available especially in Panama City. This would give you the independence to go at will where you want to go. Most of these roads though are unpaved so you may be in for a rough ride. If you plan to go on a cross country drive, it would be better to rent an automobile with off-roading capabilities.

If you wish to get an eyeful of the countryside while not having to mind your own car, you can choose to buy train tickets instead. However, Panama Canal Railway Company is the only effectively operating rail company in Panama and the route of this railroad may be too limited for your preferences. It traverses exactly the route that the Panama Canal takes; that is Panama City to Colón. If you want to get from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, then Panama Railway is your best option.