The Pan-Am Highway is a real treat by Central American standards, and in some cases even North American standards! It is well maintained and there are plenty of food and gas stops all the way across the Isthmus. The trickiest part of driving in Panama is in the cities and getting out of Panama City itself. Many vehicles, including buses and taxis, are not well maintained so city driving can be an adventure. Taxis are so cheap I recommend getting about by cab within the city and then picking up your rental car when you are just ready to leave.

Getting out of the city can be fun too! The first time we drove into Panama City from Boquete it was a lovely drive and a breeze to make our way right to the Miramar Hotel on Avenida Balboa overlooking the Bay of Panama. Getting out was another story! We found ourselves circling in and out of Casco Viejo for over an hour before a helpful Panamanian motioned for us to follow her and led us to the Bridge of the Americas. Later we were told the easy, but unmarked route directly out of the city.

Of course you want to make sure you have a trusty road map handy. Although you likely won't find one in Panama until it's too late! I recommend ordering a Panama Map to be delivered to your home before you leave on your trip. You can get a good one Here. Another great technological inovation which can be a God Send when traveling in Panama is the Travel GPS.

Now your Map will be handy once you are on the Pan-American Highway outside of the city but it's pretty much useless for helping you find your way out. Make note of these directions and you will be on your way across the Bridge of the Americas in no time!

Here you go: Take AVENIDA BALBOA southwest along the Bay of Panama (BAHIA DE PANAMA). As you approach CASCO VIEJO watch for a Shell Gas Station on your right. Just past and beside the station take a right turn (N/NW). You will come to a busy intersection with a traffic light. Once you pass through the intersection get in the left hand lane and take the on-ramp. It seems a little odd because the ramp is on your left. It feels like you are going the wrong way up an exit ramp. Above you will see a sign, PUENTE DE LAS AMERICAS. The ramp will loop around and you will be traveling south west again along, AVENIDA DE LOS MARTIRES which will take you to PUENTE DE LAS AMERICAS (The Bridge of the Americas). This highway turns into the Pan-American highway and if you stay on it you will end up in Costa Rica!

For North - South driving from the Pacific Coast to the Caribbean side, across the continental divide there are only two routes. The Trans-Isthmian Highway will take you from Panama City to Colón and Portobelo. Closer to the west end of the Isthmus there is a wonderful highway which runs from the town of Chiriqui, just east of David, across the divide to Chiriqui Grande, Almirante and Changuinola on the Caribbean. I'm not sure what the name is but it is fairly well marketed. You will see a sign for Chiriqui when you enter this small community on your right watch for a nice paved road and the sign for Chiriqui Grande.

In my next article, Getting Around Panama, I'll fill you in on the other transportation options you will want to take advantage of. Buen Viaje! Happy Travels!