Thread: Is Driving Advisable?

Yes, is it possible / advisable in Panama City? Assuming the person is a proficient driver in the US (but not a daredevil one :LOL!)
Or should we take a cab everywhere? Is it easy to get a cab streetside? Is it safe? With kids during daytime.
How do the costs compare - driving (ie, factor in car price, fuel etc) compared to taking cabs?
Is it driveable in the suburbs, say Clayton?
Thank you!

The cabs in Panama city are plentiful and relatively safe. If you want to get a rental car order it online from a major car rental agency. They will then give a confirmation # and you can pick it up at the location you chose. This eliminates the gringo gouging. Don't buy the online insurance option because You are going to have to buy Panama insurance anyway. Saved me $250.00 on a rental. Hope this helps.

Thks fleeted. Thks for the tip abt rental cars.
If I am staying in PC and need to run errands, send kids to school, etc on a daily basis, is it more economical to own a car, or flag down a cab everytime? I wonder how it adds up on a longer term.

I recommend you ride the bus or take a taxi for awhile when you get here. The Kamikaze style of driving here can give you ulcers. If you feel comfortable after a time, then get a car.

Originally Posted by Liont

Thks fleeted. Thks for the tip abt rental cars.
If I am staying in PC and need to run errands, send kids to school, etc on a daily basis, is it more economical to own a car, or flag down a cab everytime? I wonder how it adds up on a longer term.

I can only speak about my impression while in the city. Others may have other suggestions. The traffic in Panama city is nuts, the people drive like idiots and I saw several crashes. Taxi drivers, diablo rojos, and commuters jockey for position in what can only be described as automotive frogger. I have also read on some blogs about the pain in the butt of the Panama legal system if you are involved in an accident. Did not seem like you would want to deal with that. In the city cabs are everywhere and cheap. If you lived there you could develop a business realtionship with several trusted ones and call when you need them. If I lived in the interior, David, Boquete, Pedasi etc.. I might consider driving as I am not much of a bus person. I had my rental car parked at allbrook mall and had to go out and retrieve something. I exited a different door and was looking for the car only minutes before the police stopped and questioned me, as I looked suspcious. Luckily I spotted the car and showed them I was legit. Parking in the city is something else to consider. When I did an Open Heart contract in San Francisco Ca I brought my car. I struggled to find a place to park it everytime I left home. I think others who drive in the city would be better suited to answer some of your questions and this is just my 2 cents worth. Have a wonderful day!

i do not live in the city , but the more i visit and drive in it the easier it gets , when you learn the city you just start to fit in , i have 2 cars , one big , one small , the small one is great for the city ,nimble is the answer , because you have to be on the ball when you are driving , there is no cell talking , makeup , eating etc , as people are coming at you from all directions , but to be very honest once you start driving the same way the locals do it becomes fun ,if you are going to live in the city you really need a car if you can afford one , buy a good used small car and give it a try , if the corners get rounded off it, is not the end of the world and you can always fix and sell it if you decide driving is not for you ,if you are a very nervos driver in the states , just do the cab thing as it will scare you to death here , , but if you can go with the flow it can be exciting ,very much like the go cart tracks up home , you never know what the others are doing to do . , but one thing , never take eye contact as anything meaningful , they might see you but that does not mean they are thinking ,

Thks everyone. These are really good tips!
" if the corners get rounded off it, is not the end of the world"
I love that bit!
My husband would defintely need a car to get to work. So I probably stick to cabs for a while, and practice with his car until I decide on a permanent arrangement.

Oh what about flooding? I heard it floods pretty much when in season, and a taller car is advisable?

Originally Posted by nakedguydb

i do not live in the city , but the more i visit and drive in it the easier it gets , when you learn the city you just start to fit in , i have 2 cars , one big , one small , the small one is great for the city ,nimble is the answer , because you have to be on the ball when you are driving , there is no cell talking , makeup , eating etc , as people are coming at you from all directions , but to be very honest once you start driving the same way the locals do it becomes fun ,if you are going to live in the city you really need a car if you can afford one , buy a good used small car and give it a try , if the corners get rounded off it, is not the end of the world and you can always fix and sell it if you decide driving is not for you ,if you are a very nervos driver in the states , just do the cab thing as it will scare you to death here , , but if you can go with the flow it can be exciting ,very much like the go cart tracks up home , you never know what the others are doing to do . , but one thing , never take eye contact as anything meaningful , they might see you but that does not mean they are thinking ,

Excellent info. I see nothing has changed!

ive been in panama city for 4 days now, and have been out n about a bit. i have to say, i expected the driving to be way worse. if youve ever driven in one of the big european cities, you can drive here as well without any problem. i would say its better then driving in paris for example.

Jan is right -- the traffic "feels" crazy at first. But if you're used to intense, or heavy city traffic it's fine.

I personally took cabs the first few months I lived here and I've been driving ever since.

The "Diablo rojos" buses are probably the biggest threat on the streets (be cautious when you're around them).

Matt

Be cautious when you're around taxis as well

I have just returned from Panama and had one of my most bizarre driving experiences last week. I was going from Miraflores to Calle Israel and didn't have a clue how to get there so....I was talking on a cell getting directions and driving thru rush hour! I was quite an experience. I am a former professional racer so have lots of high pressure driving under my belt but this was a challenge! My son was "pushing his imaginary brake pedal" a few times and he's a prety laid back passenger. Matt is right...the Diablo Rojo's were the BIGGEST hazards on the road and just bullied their way past...usually from the shoulder! I have driven in many major cities so have seen alot but this was one for the memory bank.

There are certain understandings and conventions - so driving is easier after you get used to it. I'll drive in PC but I prefer not to and will only do it if I have a GPS.

I have proven beyond any doubt that the Diablo Rojos wait for me to come along and then pull out in front of me.

Driving in the areas outside PC is fine.

Ah yes, talking about GPS, does anyone know if Panama maps are available for downloads? I am using a Tomtom, and the tomtom website does not have Panama.

For pay maps for Garmin, free maps derived from openstreetmap.org data and google's maps are the ones I know of.

Thks jonr, that was what I thought too. I think I need to switch to Garmin, it has a more open interface, and can accept other party's maps.

Driving in PC is difficult but not at all impossible, as long as you are focused and pay attention to the drivers around you. In the states you can get into a habit of zoning out while driving, not here.
Tips:
1. Wait a few seconds after the light turns green (you will get honked at) but you wont get hit by the caps running red lights.
2. Be a little more aggressive than you are used to. It is expected. If you are courteous you will be waiting to take that left turn for hours.
3. Don't fight with the busses.
4. Stay focused.
5. Have fun with it. Its is challenging but can be a real adventure.

Originally Posted by jonr

For pay maps for Garmin, free maps derived from openstreetmap.org data and google's maps are the ones I know of.

do you know if any car brands use garmin as their standard built-in gps? ive been trying to find this on google, but no success yet.

I love driving in Panama city because it is so exciting. Just make sure you use your horn often. And be aggressive. If you don't the other drivers won't respect you.

Sounds a lot like Montreal or Buenos Aires. Gotta love a good mobile free for all !!!! lol As the saying goes "When in Rome..."

I have to say, PC isn't quite this bad: Vernon's Site - intersection_in_india.wmv

Hi!
I always tell travelers if you don't have Garmin GPS or are familiar with the city forget it. A lot of the "minor" streets aren't marked!! Also my standard reply is to "tourists" that want to drive in the city: "make sure you have your divorce papers ready to be signed because there will be a lot of yelling going on with the "navigator" reading the map" (LOL)!!

Mary
www.whypanama.com

This is the program to use in PC on your Garmin. PTY GPS Home