Colombia via Panama - Advice please...

Gator says on Aug 29, 2007, 08:20:

1. No visa needed. But be sure and ask about your status if you leave the airport. That is will you still be considered "in transit." If not you could be hit with an departure tax.

2. Go through PTY all the time and have never encountered any security issues.

3. The airport is fairly modern and loaded with "duty free" shops that IMHO had no real bargains.

4. Not that much to explore in a short amount of time-best bet would be to hit the canal.

FYI-currency is US Dollars. If you take a cabh set the price before getting in and make sure you have some small bills. Give the driver a $20 and you are sure to hear "No tengo cambio."

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Gomezman5 says on Aug 29, 2007, 08:56:

Your wasting your time. If you have a 6 hour layover in Panama, you would be crazy to leave the airport and risk losing missing your flight to Col. While Gator never encountered any security issues.....that is unimportant. What is important is that you have to go through security procedures all over again. No shortcuts. Things happen. Lines can be long, depending on how many travelers there are, and how well security is working that day. Also, there is NOTHING to see in Panama City except the Canal and the canal being a tourist site, has a lot of people, and it is not near the airport.

Lastly, if you have been to Miami....tell yourself you have been to Panama (but for the canal). They are so similar. You have to keep in mind that by tourism standards, Panama is at the bottom of the list. It's a commercial center, one of the most important commercial centers in all of Latin America. It's fuckin' hot and humid, and that's about it. Stay focused, and DON'T leave the airport. 6 hours will pass in no time. Keep in mind it's not really 6 hours because you should be there an hour and a half before hand anyway.....even if you are "in transit". You need to be at your gate an hour before the flight takes off. Hence, there is no reason to leave.

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RAAAY says on Aug 29, 2007, 09:30:

Go see the canal...................

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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gringoloid says on Aug 29, 2007, 10:12:

I agree with the above that there is not much to see in the city; but you figure a 45 minute ride to the canal from the airport; $10 tourist tax in leaving the airport; i think you can make your flight; but who knows.

Who are the three blind men?

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Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 29, 2007, 10:33:

I've had bad security lines coming into the Toucumen. I would not leave the airport during a 6 hour layover, especially given it's about an hour drive to anything of interest. Sadly, the Panama airport also sucks as a place to hang out. You can buy a 56 inch flat screen TV or some Gucci handbags, but good luck buying a cup of coffee or a bottle of water. There's only ONE restaurant in the whole place

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expatriate says on Aug 29, 2007, 14:10:

As I recall from my February trip to Panama City, that restaurant was a hot dog cart.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 29, 2007, 14:16:

No way, there wasn't even a hot dog cart I could find. I had to sit down in this shitty restaurant with no sign on the outside and wait FOREVER for a crappy sandwich that cost about $10. Give me El Dorado Airport any day over that place, even though they won't sell you a giant new home theater in El Dorado.

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shawkneesea says on Aug 29, 2007, 21:20:

I will email you my pictures of the canal so you can say you been there, ja ja ja. Panama City is nothing compared to Colombia though I haven't been to MDE, Bogota and Cartagena CRUSH anything that I saw in Panama. I wish I would have immediately boarded a plane to Colombia instead of going to Panama City.

The World Cup was actually better in Panama City than in Cartagena; the casino Venetto was rockin'. I was very surprised, and we had a blast watching the games.

Sean

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Man Tequila says on Aug 29, 2007, 22:50:

I remember getting a hot dog and a can of soda for $4 US. I'm with expatriate. There was also a pricey, crappy cafe.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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