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Published: March 26th 2014
Our Arrival
We arrived into the Albrook bus terminal in Panama City at 4:25am from David. As we arrived so early we waited in the terminal for a few hours until it turned light. Most things were closed when we arrived. Downstairs and towards the southern bus side of the terminal there was one office open selling cards which you need to use the metrobuses. Card cost $2 and you picked the amount to put on it. We bought one between the two of us.
Next we caught a bus to the City. We wanted to stay in Casco Viejo. We had read online to catch the Tocumen-Corridor Sur bus which left from zone E in the south side of the terminal. We caught that bus at 7:35am and it cost $1.25. Tap your card when you board the bus. We later found out when catching buses around the city that you can get any bus which has Via Espana in the route which leave from zone C in the south side of the terminal for 25 cents and it will drop you off in the same place.
We got off the bus at Cinco de Mayo Plaza. There are new metro stations being built there which have the name of the plaza on so get off when you see them after about 10 mins. Cross the road to Avenue Central which is a pedestrian street. Walk down Avenue Central until you reach 9th street. Turn right and you are in Plaza Herrera in Casco Viejo. Walk is about 15 mins.
Where We Stayed
When we arrived in Panama City we walked around Casco Viejo trying to find a place to stay but everywhere was full and booked for later that night as well. There is free internet in Plaza Herrera which we used when we had exhausted places in the Lonely Planet and couldn't find anywhere else. We found one hotel with rooms called the White Lion and checked in there and promptly booked our next couple of nights accommodation. Definately book ahead for Casco Viejo.
Hotel y Hostel White Lion - $35 for a double room with bathroom. They also have dorms beds for $15. Our room was round the back from reception with plasterboard walls and the TV didn't work. There was aircon and they did provide some breakfast. This was the most expensive place we have stayed in during our trip and we were expecting more for the money. Was suitable for one night however and we got checked into our room at about 9:30am.
Hospedaje Casco Viejo - $22 for a large double room with toilet and sink, the shower was shared. Toast and banana breakfast included. Good value for money.
What We Did
Walked around Casco Viejo and looked at all the restored buildings.
Visited Panama Viejo ruins - we caught the bus from the park behind the fish market. The bus route was 'Panama Viejo via Cinto Costera' and was a 25 cent metro bus. It took half an hour and we got off by the Coco Bay Hotel near the Tourist Centre. You can walk through a few ruins before reaching the artist market and museum and the majority of the ruins are after that. At the end of the ruins over the road are metrobus stops however we waited there to go back and no buses went past. We were then told that the bus goes back on another road behind so we walked back to where we were dropped off and waited at the stop near the garage.
Visited the Panama Canal at Miraflores Locks - We caught a metrobus to Albrook terminal and then a chicken bus to the locks. To catch the chicken bus from the terminal walk through the North end food court and go outside and right. Scan your metrocard for a 10cent fee to enter the waiting area at platforms 63/64. The bus to 'Paraiso' arrived in the last bay at 11am and left about 11:15. It took about 15 mins and cost 35 cents payable when you get off the bus. The locks are on your left and get off at the stop just after the sign and follow the path in. Entrance is now $15 for viewing platforms, museum and movie, there are no part tickets available any more. We arrived just as a ship was going through, walked around the museum for a bit and watched a few ships come through in the afternoon. There seemed to be a gap around lunch time when the canal direction changed and no ships came through. There is also a metrobus which goes to the locks which leaves for the terminal from the bus stop near the car park at the visitors centre. It doesn't seem to be too frequent and we waited over 1/2 hour for it. The metrobus also stopped at the bus stop on the road so it is probably best to wait there so you have more options with buses.
Climbed Cerro Ancon - at the end of Central Avenue turn left by the National Assembly and take the left fork. Go over the pedestrian bridge and cross over the road to the Panamerica highway. The hill entrance is on the right hand side by a welcome sign. There are nice views of the city and canal. We saw a toucan and a capybara during the walk.
Walked the causeway - from Alrbook terminal catch a bus to Amador from Zone E on the South side over the road nearer the mall. We stayed on the bus until it reached the island and walked back for nice City and bridge views. Behind the Beach House hotel is a research park (admission $5). We didn't go in however in the tree lined route to the research centre there was a sloth in a tree which we saw from the car park next to the entrance.
A tip when catching metrobuses - tap out when you are leaving the bus if you want to catch another bus and your next journey won't be charged as long as it is within about 40 mins.
Got a Yellow Fever Vaccination In Panama City
We will be heading to Columbia in a few months and thought that Panama City would be an easy place to get our yellow fever vaccinations. After various confusing posts on the internet about where to get it we walked into a clinic in Casco Viejo and spoke to a very helpful English speaking doctor who wrote down the one place in the city to get the vaccine.
We caught a taxi there and it cost $5. We showed the taxi driver a piece of paper with 'Region Metropolitana de Salud. Los Rios. Detras del SPI' which is the name, area and directions and he knew where it was and that we would be getting our 'vacunacion contra la fiebre amarilla.'
On arriving on your left is a buiding with a window where you register (bring a copy of your passport) and pay the $5 fee. Once you have a receipt head to another building on the other side of the entrance drive. Go into the 2nd door on your left and give your receipt and passport copy to the receptionist. Sign a couple of things and get your injection by the doctor. Whole thing took about 20 mins. The vaccination centre is open Monday-Friday 8am-12pm and 1pm-3:45pm. We arrived about 1:20pm and there was no-one else there.
Once vaccinated we walked back to the main road and crossed over to the bus stop. We waited a few mins and jumped on a bus heading back to the Albrook terminal. Cost was 25 cents. From there another bus back to 5 de Mayo (Route Tocumen Via Espana from zone C South) was 25 cents.
Where We Ate
There are cheap restaurants and food stalls on Central Avenue and towards the water. There is a cheap retaurant in Casco Viejo on Central Avenue in between the mini supermarkets and between the church and Cathedral ($2 for a massive plate of rice and chicken etc).
There is a big supermarket on Central Avenue with 57 cent beer.
Where We Went Next
We caught the Tica bus to San Jose Costa Rica. The bus left from the Albrook terminal at 23:55. We bought tickets the day before for $40 however the bus was nearly empty. You need to go back to the window to check in 45 mins before departure and you will get your immigration forms and bag tags.
We arrived at the border at 6:30am and parked up waiting for it to open. We moved into the queue at 7am but didn't get to the border until 7:30am.
First we had to go into a room where a roll call was done. When your name was called out you had to stand behind a table and line up leaving your bags in the middle where they were checked by a sniffer dog.
Next we queued up for an exit stamp. It was $1 for a sticker and the queue was huge. Being on Tica bus we got to skip a bit of the queue.
Then we walked to the Costa Rica side and queued up again. There was only 1 window open so it was quite slow. You had to hand in the immigration form and we were asked how long we wanted to stay in Costa Rica. No other proof was required and no fees.
Next we went into this cage and lined up whilst ourselves and bags were again checked by a sniffer dog. We then handed our customs forms in and our bags were briefly searched.
By the time we got back on the bus it was 9:50am however you gain an hour going back to Costa Rica. The bus got into San Jose at 2:20pm.
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Dave
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Yellow Fever Vaccination in Panama
Hi. Thanks for the good information about yellow fever vaccinations in Panama. I am currently in Panama City, flying back to the UK later this week, and then on to Thailand a week later. It was only yesterday afternoon that I realised that I will need yellow fever certification to enter Thailand, as it is less than ten days after I leave Panama. I had already asked at a local pharmacy and a hospital without success, the information you provided, and the address of the "Oficina de Vacunación Internacional" in Los Rios were just what I needed. I arrived at the vaccination centre at 8:00 in the morning, it took only 15 minutes to have the injection and receive the certificate which comes into effect one day before I fly to Thailand. Saved at the last minute!