Chaos of Panama City streets: A few tips for survival

(examiner.com) For the first-timer in Panama City, Panama, you may find yourself in a moment of chaos. Although the city is relatively small, it is filled with looping streets, one-ways, places where you drive on the wrong side, and a near complete absence of street signs. Streets that are marked may change their name as they cross into another part of town. Traffic is congested and taxi drivers are aggressive in their maneuvers. Here are a few tips to help you survive the craziness.

In general, the major East-to-West street in Panama City is Avenida Balboa, which runs along the waterfront and was recently redone into a 6-lane road. Balboa will head you towards Casco Viejo and Tocumen International Airport, and is the easiest way to transverse the city.

Consider whether you need to drive or not. Panama City is filled with taxis and the rest of the country can be accessed by reliable and frequent buses. If you choose to rent a car, take a good look at a map before venturing out. Use your horn when changing lanes or passing a bus or taxi unloading its passengers and edge out into traffic when trying to enter a busy street. Do not be afraid to ask for directions or hail a cab and pay them the fare to lead you to your designation.

Regardless of if you are driving or not, have good directions to where you are going and where you are staying, Pick up a business card at your hotel before venturing out so you can show it to a taxi driver, if needed. Try to provide the name of landmarks or crossroads near your designation so the taxi driver can deliver you to the correct address. It also is help to have the name of the place written down so the driver can read it; even if you speak Spanish, they may have difficulty understanding your accent or pronunciation.

Maps of Panama City are available at the IPAT (Tourism) desk at Tocumen International Airport, in the publication Focus found in many hotels and restaurants, or in many guide books including those published by Lonely Planet, Frommer’s, and Moon.

Drive safe and be prepared. The chaos may fade after a day or two!

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Original Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-12916-Norfolk-Panama-Travel-Examiner~y2009m9d3-Chaos-of-Panama-City-streets-A-few-tips-for-survival
Date Retrieved: September 11, 2009