Barbara B. Says:
Hello,
I’m going to Panama in September and want to spend some time in Boquete as well as Panama City. Am I better off renting a car or taking a bus? Is it better to fly to David, then rent a car? Any advice would be most welcome. Thanks
IL Panama Editor Jessica Ramesch Says:
Hi Barbara,
I generally prefer to fly from Panama City to David, then rent a car. But let’s break it down so you can decide what works best for you.
By land: It’s an easy drive or bus ride from Panama City to David, which is where you’ll change buses or, if driving, turn off the PanAmerican Highway to head north into the Highlands. It takes at least five hours to get to David from Panama City by land, provided you’re not on a multi-stop bus.
I like the midnight express bus from Albrook (Gran Terminal Nacional) to David, as you can go to sleep in Panama City and wake up in David. Buses are usually freezing cold, so bundle up. To buy your ticket, go to Albrook Mall & Transport Terminal, buy a Rapi>Pass ($2.50), then buy your bus ticket.
By air: You can fly to David (Enrique Malek Airport) from either of Panama’s two major airports:
- Tocumen International Airport (PTY), on the eastern edge of Panama City, or
- The domestic hub at Albrook (Marcos A. Gelabert), on the western edge of Panama City.
If you’re flying into the country and want to go straight to Boquete, you’ll probably want to fly from Tocumen on Copa Airlines. These flights tend to be the cheapest with the best baggage allowances.
If you choose Albrook, you’ll fly with Air Panama.
There are several car rental outfits at the airport in David, I usually go with National because I’ve had good experiences with them in the past.
Bear in mind that September can be extremely rainy in Boquete. That said, this is an “El Niño” year, which generally means we get a lot less rain than is customary. You should have some sunny mornings and some showers (and possibly some storms).
These are usually easy to plan around, so check your weather apps and avoid the rain… or consider bringing a slicker. And lightweight gum boots, because they’re fun. Note that umbrellas aren’t always super helpful, as Boquete can get very windy. I actually enjoy this time of year in Panama’s mountain regions; it’s never too cold, so with the right gear it’s still fun to get out there and sightsee.
Splash away I say!
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