This one will save you a lot of time and frustration. Driving into Panama City from the interior is a breeze but it's like a Lobster Trap, once you're in, there is only a small opening to find your way out! If you want to take a day trip to the great Panama Beaches on the Pacific coast it's a lovely drive. It will take you about 90 minutes, providing you can find your way out of the city!

Of course you want to make sure you have a trusty road map handy. Although you likely won't find one in Panama until it's too late! I recommend ordering a Map to be delivered to your home before you leave on your trip. You can get a good one Here

Now your Map will be handy once you are on the Pan-American Highway outside of the city but it's pretty much useless for helping you find your way out. Make note of these directions and you will be on your way across the Bridge of the Americas in no time!

Here you go...

Take AVENIDA BALBOA southwest along the Bay of Panama (BAHIA DE PANAMA). As you approach CASCO VIEJO watch for a Shell Gas Station on your right. Just past and beside the station take a right turn (N/NW). You will come to a busy intersection with a traffic light. Once you pass through the intersection get in the left hand lane and take the on-ramp. It seems a little odd because the ramp is on your left. It feels like you are going the wrong way up an exit ramp. Above you will see a sign, PUENTE DE LAS AMERICAS. The ramp will loop around and you will be traveling south west again along, AVENIDA DE LOS MARTIRES which will take you to PUENTE DE LAS AMERICAS (The Bridge of the Americas). This highway turns into the Pan-American highway and it will take you to the beaches, Azuero, Chiriqui, Boquete, Bocas or Costa Rica if you stay on till the end!

For more information about living in Panama and our journey from Canada check our our free newletter at LearnAboutPanama.

This page has some great resources for planning a trip to Panama. Whether it's for a vacation, investment or scouting out a Panama Retirement these tools will help you get to know Panama before you go.

Learn about Panama
Panama Trip Planning Tools