Bicyling in Panama

[Sharon Gerl]

What are the roads like for bicyling in Panama. Now touring but road riding for exercise particularly in the David or Boquete area Is the traffic respectful of bikes, are there even bike lanes or some such. and also for running. I am a triathlete and looking for an area where I can keep training.

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

P.S. Bike lanes are mostly non-existent with the exception of the Cinta Costera (a long promenade along the Panama Bay in Panama City).

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi Sharon,

Thanks for posting!

Bicycling is very popular here in Panama and you’ll see cyclists on the Cinta Costera in Panama City, at special events, in El Valle, other parts of the country, etc…there aren’t usually many cyclists on busy roads in the city or along the Panamerican highway. Unfortunately I have found that in much of the world including Panama there is some measure of danger to cyclists as many drivers don’t quite know how they should drive around cyclists.

David I’m not sure I can think of any area there where I might like to cycle…it is flat and there are some nice roads/areas just outside the city, but it’s also known as the hottest city in Panama. I’ll let our correspondent there, Linda Card, chime in.

Boquete offers beautiful views and good roads but remember it is extremely hilly! I imagine the Valle Escondido resort hotel/development might be a good spot in Boquete for cyclists. I’ll let Linda chime in.

Bottom line cycling is very popular here so if you want to cycle I am sure you can make it work and a visit will tell you which areas are best for your regimen.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Jessica
IL Panama Editor Jessica Ramesch

[COUNTRY EXPERT – LINDA CARD]

Hi Sharon- thanks for your inquiry. As Jessica says, cycling is a very popular sport in Panama. There are cycling tours and events around the country, and they are very common here in Chiriquí Province.

You won’t find any bicycle lanes at all, and I have no experience with cycling myself, so I’m not sure how respectful local drivers are of cyclists. But I can tell you there are plenty of cyclists on the road. They always have escort vehicles with them when there is a tour.

The main roads are the usual courses. They use the new four-lane Boquete highway a lot (it runs past my neighborhood) and occasionally they use the Pan American Highway. I just saw a group of cyclists when I was out earlier today! For the larger events they close the streets in town and use the main roads in David. As Jessica points out, Boquete is very hilly and I don’t see many cyclists there.

Running is popular here, too, and one favorite site for runners here in David is the airport- there’s a perimeter road that people use a lot. They also use the Boquete highway, which has a gradual climb in elevation.

Panama hosts an Iron Man competition every year in Panama City. There are a few gyms in David and Boquete, so all in all I think you’d find places to train here with no problem. And you can’t beat the scenery!!

Hope this helps, and best of luck! Linda

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Great info, thanks Linda! I’ll just add that although Iron Man is not held here every year (we did not have one in 2015) we have had several successful editions including in January 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 (the Pan American Pro Championship for the IRONMAN 70.3 Series).

[Sharon Gerl]

When i checked this list recently i realized my post never posted from months ago. Sorry and wanted to say thanks for the imput. I am finally going to coming to Panama either this January or February too check it out. While on the subject of triathlons what about pools for training. Are there any in Boquete or David the main place I am interested in

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