“You can’t get there from here:” the blunt response you’ll sometimes hear in small towns and rural communities, no matter where you are in the world, when you ask for directions. Backroads road-tripping from one tiny town to another is not always easy, and this holds true in Panama’s Chiriqui province.
However, the Panamanian government has taken serious strides in recent years to improve the country’s roads, and as a result, getting around in Panama is relatively easy compared to other Central American countries. You’ll find all the major roads in Panama to be well-maintained and delightfully devoid of potholes, and you can rely on the highways for access to most of this country’s must-see attractions. Plus, Panama offers a variety of transportation options (bus, plane, taxi, rental car) to help you reach more off-the-beaten-path destinations.
PROS |
CONS |
|
Rent a car |
Gives you the greatest flexibility and freedom. Rental costs comparable to US; there are car rental kiosks at both the Tocumen and Albrook airports. |
Gas is a little more expensive in Panama. |
Take a bus |
Relatively cheap; buses depart from Panama City at the Terminal de Buses by Albrook Airport. |
Slower than driving; not recommended if you’re trying to explore Panama City. |
Take a taxi |
Best option if you’re exploring Panama City. |
Gets expensive if you’re taking taxis everywhere you travel in Panama. |
Cruising the Inter-American Highway
Covering more than 3,000 miles, the Inter-American Highway is the longest road in the Chiriqui province. This highway provides Chiriqui travelers with an exceptionally reliable link to the rest of Panama – and to the rest of Central America, for that matter. The Inter-American traverses Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama; it also forms a part of the much larger Pan-American Highway which connects North and South America.
You’ll find the Inter-American Highway easy to navigate, with clearly-marked exits and smooth cruising over many recently repaved segments. The infrastructure is particularly good around the city of David in Panama. However, once you get off the highway, you might encounter some rough patches on the secondary roadways.
Backroads Rambling in Chiriqui
TAGS: Chiriqui Must Read Panama Panama Logistics TravelDon’t worry – it’s not as rustic as it sounds. The roads that serve Chiriqui’s larger towns are generally in good condition, even if they aren’t all examples of excellent infrastructure like the Inter-American Highway. Around the industrial hub of Puerto Armuelles (the province’s second-largest city), the roads are well-maintained, although you may find them a little confusing. But sometimes getting turned around in Chiriqui can be a blessing in disguise… beautiful waterfalls, scenic outlooks, and incredible rainforest wildlife-spotting opportunities make your wrong turn turn out all right.
If you’re driving near hotels, resorts, and the traveler-friendly towns of Chiriqui like Boquete and Volcan, you’ll find many freshly-paved roads in tip-top shape. Travelers should have no trouble transporting their luggage from the Enrique Malek Airport in David to their lodging on Isla Palenque. Depending on where your travels take you in Chiriqui, you might also do some driving on unpaved roads made of packed dirt and gravel. Surprisingly navigable, these roads cut winding paths through the lush countryside of the province.
