Thread: We survived our first Panamanian road trip!

Now that we're safetly back home in the US, I though I'd share my thoughts about our first Panamanian road trip for the possible benefit of those that may come after us. Much of what follows is not new information and has been posted here before.

First, I'm happy to report that so far I haven't met a Panamanian that I didn't like. We found them to be a very friendly and helpful sort, especially for someone relying of high school Spanish lessons taken 35 years ago.

Despite what we've read, I found driving in Panama, including Panama City, to be quite easy. We did over 1,5oo km in six days, from PC to El Valle, Santiago, Boquette, Vulcan and Pedasi. We did have one close call with a cab, but since we were only going a half a mile an hour, it was no big deal. If the cab driver knew how heavily insured I was, I'm sure he woud have backed down.

Navigating, now that was a bitch, even with a GPS. Even if we could load a destination that the GPS would recognize, half the time it didn't work due to not being able to locate a satellite due to cloud cover. A special thanks to Jorge whom we accosted when he jogged by when we were helplessly lost in PC. We would probably still be lost in Old Panama if he hadn't led us about three miles to the expressway

Navigating Rule No. 1 - Follow the other traffic. They know where they are going.

Navigation Rule No. 2 - If you are lost, hire a cab to lead you where you want to go. After searching almost an hour for the Budget rental car return in Chitre, a cab led us right to it for $1.25.

Navigation Rule No. 3 - As posted by others, "Retorno" is truely your firend.

If the car in front of you slows to the posted reduced speed limit near towns, the driver is a tourist.

If oncoming drivers flash their lights, there is a cop up ahead so slow down.

When you ask for "café con hielo", the waitress will look at you like you are crazy and the manager will come out to make sure the waitress didn't misunderstand your order.
For about $2.00, Clos wine (by the box) is exceptional.

The Boquette Garden Inn is a fabulous place to stay. Make sure to enjoy their fresh baked bread of the day.

I would be interested in your experiences in the areas you mention. What was the general feel, what surprised you and what did you like, not like.

We have been to David, Boquette and Boca's and we want to try Volcan, Pedasi and Santiago as well as some other places.

Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

When you ask for "café con hielo", the waitress will look at you like you are crazy and the manager will come out to make sure the waitress didn't misunderstand your order.

Truth - I've almost had to go behind the bar and show them how to make it - I think i might just give up and drink hot coffee on a hot day. It's not worth the effort!

None of the locals have ever heard of making iced coffee. Only a crazy foreigner would do something so silly like adding ice to their coffee, lol. Sure it's 100 degrees outside, hot coffee anyone? A few months ago I introduced a 60 year old local to his first waffle and he was blown away.

Originally Posted by snohobo

Truth - I've almost had to go behind the bar and show them how to make it - I think i might just give up and drink hot coffee on a hot day. It's not worth the effort!

if you are ready to give up ice coffee just because of that it is really going to kill you when or if you ever move here . like the guy in the crows nest said , Captain i SEE A SMALL ICEBURG DEAD AHEAD lol

It's very easy to get ice coffee in Panama- Just stop in at any "On the Run"- they serve it there (although I prefer my coffee hot).

Originally Posted by nakedguydb

if you are ready to give up ice coffee just because of that it is really going to kill you when or if you ever move here . like the guy in the crows nest said , Captain i SEE A SMALL ICEBURG DEAD AHEAD lol

Hah!

I live here bud and I'm not dead yet.

I can handle living here - ask me in a year though and maybe my story will have changed.

For me the ticket is knowing what can and cannot be done. I'm happy if I get two things done in one day. I'm not going to waste my time training a girl who hates her job how to please me with an iced coffee.

Originally Posted by snohobo

For me the ticket is knowing what can and cannot be done. I'm happy if I get two things done in one day. I'm not going to waste my time training a girl who hates her job how to please me with an iced coffee.

That's great! How sensible.

Reminds me of my first trip to Panama, met a couple from the UK and hung with them off-and-on. She insisted on "tonic" with her gin and sent back drink after drink because whatever she was getting it wasn't "tonic." (Marriott was one place this happened--no one claimed to know what "tonic" was.) I saw this play out multiple times with drink, food, etc. On their last day, they confidently announced they could never live in Panama. I smiled and agreed with them that Panama wasn't right for them.

Always repeat: "Goos-fraba, goos-fraba...."