Taking A Bus in Panama

After driving into Panama City yesterday to drop our guests off at Tocumen for an evening flight; I have now confirmed unless there is no other option I will be taking the bus or flying to the city until the subway system is completed in Panama.

I have been taking the bus since we arrived in Panama almost 5 years ago.  Unless I am going shopping for some big items the bus can accommodate my shopping sprees of shoes, household items and clothing. They all have storage under and over the bus, 95% of the buses have a/c and some even come equipped with video entertainment.  The best part is it costs me a whopping $3 from the road in front of my gated community to Panama City; dropping me off at the Albrook Mall Terminal.  For those of you that want an almost stress free ride to and from the city here is how it is done:

Coronado and Surrounding Area to Panama City

1. You can catch all city bound buses in front of the Yogen Fruz Ice cream shop in Coronado.  This is in front of the Super 99 Plaza.  99% of the buses tha stop there are going to Panama.  This includes both the 30 seat white coaster buses and the large coach buses. The guy standing in the door of the bus (I will call him Door Guy) will ask where are you going and will confirm the bus is going to "Panama".  All Panama buses go to the Albrook Mall Bus Terminal.  Some buses take a loop into Chorrera.  If you are pressed for time then ask the Door Guy "Directo to Panama Si?".  He will confirm they are going straight to the city or doing a loop into Chorrera.


2.Board the bus and find a seat.  Once the seats on the bus are filled the bus will not stop to pick up more passengers.  You will not be asked for you money until the bus is over The Bridge of Americas.  At that time the Door Guy will come around and ask you for your $3 or sometimes $2.50 or sometimes $2.75.  He has a good memory and will remember when you got on the bus.

3. Once at the Terminal at Albrook, you can grab a taxi to your destination or proceed into the mall to do your shopping.  I will post another blog on taxi fares and the dos and must nots of taking a taxi in Panama.

* If you live in San Carlos or Chame or like I do in between; you can still catch the bus on the highway. I stand on the highway at the entrance of Costa Esmeralda and put my hand out as the bus is approaching and if they have room they will stop.

Panama City (Albrook) to Coronado

1.  Get back to the terminal via the doors outside of El Costco or down by the Cinemas in the Albrook Mall.  You can take the foot bridge which is located upstairs from the Food Court.

2.  If you think you are going to be a frequent bus user obtain a MetroCard so that you can get out on the platform where the buses are waiting faster, without having to explain to the platform lady that you are a tourist only to then dig out 5cents to get through.  The MetroCard is obtained at the MetroCard kiosks.  Put $1 on the card and that will take care of your entrance to and from the platforms for a long time.   If you are a one or two time bus user then just hand the platform lady her 5cents and have her let you through the turnstiles.

3.  Before getting to the platforms, go to the kiosk that says San Carlos or Anton.  Tell them where you are going (Coronado, Chame, Costa Esmeralda, San Jose or San Carlos etc.).  If you are travelling farther than San Carlos then you will of course need to take a Penonome bus or a Santiago bus etc.

4.  They will ask you for your $3 or $3.25 or $2.75.  You will then be issued a ticket with a number on it.  Do not pay any attention to the number...I repeat do not pay any attention to the number.

5.  Proceed to the platform and go through the turnstiles and proceed to your bus.  For the San Carlos bus that will stop at all stops requested until it reaches San Carlos you will proceed to platform #42.  The buses are all clearly marked on their windshield and if you are unsure ask one of the drivers that are standing out in front of their respected bus.

6. Board the bus.  Take out your book and enjoy the ride to the beach.  The Door Guy will yell out the stops before you get to your destination.  When you are disembarking you hand the Door Guy your ticket.

Tips and Edicate

• All Panamanian Bus Travelers will be wearing long pants or a skirt or a dress.  You will never see anyone on board with Shorts unless they are a foreigner.  You can wear whatever you want this is simply an observation that I have made and have been told is part of culture in traveling anywhere in Panama.
• When the passengers board the bus most will address the whole bus with a "Buenos" or "Buenos Dias".
• Most of the long haul passengers will fall asleep so watch out for a snoozing head hitting your shoulder.
• The A/C will be cold and the music will often be a little loud.  Bring a long sleeve something if you are sensitive to cold A/C
• Keep you hands on your purse and items at all times.  If you have too many bags have them store them under the bus rather than under someone's seat.

Congratulations...once your trip is complete pat yourself on the back as you are now a Central American Bus Traveler.