Charles W. H. Says:
I recently read it’s difficult to rent a car in Panama if you have turned 70. Is this true?
I’m planning on visiting Boquete, Panama in November and I turn 70 on November 17. Should I make a plan to get an Uber or public transportation from the airport in David to my hotel or Airbnb in Boquete?
IL Panama Editor Jessica Ramesch Says:
Hello Charles,
I’m glad you wrote in with this question. While the idea of a maximum age for car rentals may sound strange to anyone coming from the U.S. or Canada, they’re fairly common in other parts of the world, including Europe, Africa, and the Latin America/Caribbean region.
It’s true that some car rental companies in Panama will only rent to people between the ages of 23 and 70—especially the larger chains. (Some may not be too fussy if you start the rental period before your 70th birthday, so don’t hesitate to try your luck.)
That said, there are small outfits that either cap it at 75 or have no age limit at all. Where I live, in the Coronado region, Coronado Car Rental doesn’t have an age limit and Trinity’s age limit is 75. In the Chiriquí region, where you’re headed, Perfection Car Rental has no age max, just a minimum of 22 years of age.
Your license must be valid, of course. (And do bear in mind you can only drive on a foreign license during the first 90 days of your visit.)
If you decide not to drive, Uber is an option (in David). There are also inexpensive buses and taxis… plus you can always hire private drivers/shuttles. Some people will even buy a car to use over the course of an extended stay and then sell it when they leave (often with help from the expat grapevine).
If you have at least a bit of Spanish or are comfortable using Google Translate on your smartphone, it’s pretty easy to hire a taxi driver for exploration days. If you meet any taxi drivers you like, get their cell phone numbers so you can call or chat them for future rides. (Private drivers may be more likely to speak English than taxi drivers.)
To that end, I always recommend downloading the WhatsApp free messaging app to your smartphone before traveling—it’s widely used in Panama and a very convenient way to communicate with local providers, businesses, expats, etc. (The app allows you to make audio and video calls in addition to the simple messaging feature.)
If you’re hiring a realtor to show you properties, they may be able to pick you up and drop you off after the tour. If you enjoy walking, you can opt to stay in or close to the Boquete village center, so you can walk to restaurants etc.
For example, I was recently at the Boquete Blues and Jazz Festival at the Panamonte Hotel, and in the evening we were able to walk from there to a great little Spanish restaurant called La Taberna Española. Just watch where you walk and keep an eye out for hazards like uneven curbs, holes, tree roots, etc.
If you get out there and start making friends as soon as possible, you may well find you receive invitations (and lifts!) to restaurants or events, as well.
Enjoy your visit!
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