Panama
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From Drive the Americas
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[edit] Basic Facts
- Population: 3,309,679
- Capital: Panama City
- Fun fact: By the time the Panama canal was completed, a total of 27,500 workmen are estimated to have died. (OK, not so "fun")
[edit] Border Crossing Information
[edit] Entry Requirements
[edit] Necessary documents
- Passport
- Vehicle Title
- One photocopy of each
[edit] Costs
- $1 sticker for passport
- $10 tourist card
- $1 fumigation
[edit] Procedure
At the migracion window you will need to pay $1 for a sticker for your passport, as well as $10 for the 'tarjeta de tourista.' After filling out the tarjeta and presenting your paperwork and passports to the Panama Tourism Bureau or Instituto Panameno de Tourismo officials, you can proceed to the aduana to start the car import process. They need a photocopy of your title and passport, as well as the originals. If more than one person will be driving the car, make sure to give them photocopies of their passports as well. They will process your paperwork and give you your vehicle import permit, which should not cost anything. A D.F.A. official will then inspect your car with your paperwork before you can finalize the process. You will also need to pay $1 at a separate window for the fumigation station.
[edit] Exit Requirements
For information about shipping your car from Panama to South America around the Darien Gap, please see the Darien Gap page.
[edit] Individual Experiences
People's experiences vary depending on crowds at the border, corrupt or honest border officials, and rules can also change. People's individual experiences are included here.
[edit] Roads and Driving
The Pan-American Highway is the main road in Panama. In general it's in good condition, well paved, wide, with shoulders. Apparently they don't really believe in signs in Panama though, so get ready to do a lot of stopping and asking around.
[edit] Camping and Hotels
Boquete
Pension Topas (Av Belisario Porras) will let you camp on their grassy lawn and use the shared shower/bathroom. It's a lovely spot with nice gardens and a swimming pool. Hot water, $5/person/night. schoeb@chiriqui.com
Santa Catalina
Oasis Surf Camp is at the end of the road heading east along the coast after coming to Santa Catalina. It has a beautiful long beach with fantastic camp spots sheltered by palm trees. Cool water showers only, and a small restaurant with water and food. You actually have to drive across a small section of the beach to get there, and if the tides are really high you might not be able to get across. $5/person.
El Valle de Anton
Swami's campground is a funky but a nice place to stay if you don't mind patchouli and drum circles. As far as we can tell it's the only place to camp in the whole town. It's not well marked; drive from the Pan American highway through town and it's out towards the hot springs. Ask around for Swamis and people will direct you there. It has cold showers and a kind of dirty vegeterian (only) shared kitchen for cooking. $5/person.
Panama City
Hostal Villa Michelle is a nice quiet hostel located in the Altos de Golf area (near Restaurant Waikiki). It has a gated parking area in front of the house with electronically controlled doors and two fierce watch dogs. It has high speed internet access, a pool, about 8 guest rooms that share 4 bathrooms, and two kitchen areas that the guests can use. The hostess, Yvonne, is a little nuts but overall it's a nice place to stay. Around $30/2 people, depends on the room and the length of time you're staying.
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