Panama City to Pedasi by car

[LISA B.]

We are thinking of renting a car and driving from Panama City to Pedasi. Are we crazy? It looks like it might be a nice drive, but I wanted to check with the experts on the state of the roads between those two places. Also, I think I read it was about a 4-hr drive…does that sound right?

Or are we better off flying?

Thank you!
Lisa

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi Lisa,

No you’re not crazy. Driving in Panama City is not for the faint of heart, but once you get out of the city it’s tough to get lost and the roads are fine, see this section of your Panama Insider website: https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/panama/insider-tips/#city)

I like to drive because I like to stop and buy fruit etc and see the countryside, so depends on how much you want to see vs how quickly you want to get there.

Last time I drove it took me a good 5 hours to get to Pedasi…budget 5-6 hours from wherever you’re staying in the city.

Hope this helps and you have a great time! Don’t hesitate to post again.

IL Panama Editor Jessica Ramesch

More:
Driving in Panama on a tourist visa
Tourists can drive in Panama for up to 90 days—if asked by a traffic police officer, you should be prepared to show your valid home country driver’s license and your passport—both the photo ID page and the page bearing your entry stamp, so officials can calculate how many days you have been in the country.
There are no exceptions to the 90-day rule. Even if you apply for a change in status—for example, if you begin the residence application process and are allowed to stay in Panama past the 90-day mark—you cannot continue to drive on your home license. You can, however, visit the Autoridad de Transito y Transporte Terrestre (Transit Authority, or ATTT) and apply for a local permit. The attorney processing your change of status will help you with this, as you’ll need to show proof that you are a resident or that you have applied for a change of status.

[BOB SHAPLAND]

My wife and I have driven from Panama City to Pedasi several times now. We choose to rent from the Albrook airport because at that point, you’re almost out of town and don’t have to deal with as much crazy traffic. GPS is highly recommended, but after two rentals in which we reserved a car and requested a GPS, we got there only to find that no GPS was available. So we ended up buying a GPS here in the U.S. and purchasing a Panama chip to install in it. Works great, other than the fact that many roads there aren’t named, so the GPS will say “Turn right on road”. Which road? Still highly recommend it and yes, I’d allow at least 5 hours. The roads are as good (or better) than in the U.S.

[JASON S.]

I am still in Asia so am speaking theoretically since I don’t have actual boots on the ground experience in Panama. That said . . . If you have a smart phone and regular service, there are GPS aps using Google maps readily available. I can attest that they are quite accurate – here in Thailand and in the States where I use them.

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Good stuff, thanks for the comments everyone!

Best,

Jessica

Your IL Panama Editor Jessica Ramesch

[Yves Sautter]

I have been making this trip and I also confirm that the roads are in very good shape.

One point on GPS in Panama: the Garmin GPS & map I used was ok outside Panama City. In this city, it was way below US standards: for example it was not able to locate the International School of Panama’s location. Seems it was last updated years ago.

Most people here prefer Waze which can be downloaded on an iphone.

Hope this helps.

Yves

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Yes, I use Waze and it’s always clear where to turn. Should be available on any smart phone; I use it on my Samsungs (Android operating system)

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Very true, I use Waze as well, Yves, and it seems to be the best in terms of clearly telling you where to turn. The app should be available on any smart phone…I use it on my Samsungs (Android operating system).

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