Intercity Bus Travel

[ROBERT JORDAN]

Are there any recommended Intercity Bus Lines, between Panama City and David? Boquete? If so, how does one obtain Bus Schedules?

[JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Robert,

Yes there are domestic routes from Panama City to David and from David to Boquete (you would have to change buses in David). The transit authority does not publish bus schedules online but last time I checked the frequencies were as below (subject to change at any time, bus companies are very “relaxed” about staying on schedule).

Terminales bus line
Panama City to David, departure times:
5:30 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:30 17:00 18:30 20:00 22:45 (Express) 0:00 (Express)
Local tel: 314-6228

Padafront Bus line
Panama City to David, departure times:
7:00 8:30 10:00 11:30 12:55 14:00 16:30 18:00 20:00 23:00 (Express) 0:00 (Express)
Local tel: 314-6264

You can inquire/buy tickets at the piquera (bus station). In Panama City that would be the Gran Terminal Nacional in Albrook. Most don’t buy tickets ahead of time, there’s usually plenty of room on each bus if you arrive at least an hour before your desired departure time. There is a large mall with food court and cinema at Albrook, plenty of ways to pass the time. The trip takes 5-7 hours depending on traffic and whether express (no stops) or not (stops in towns along the way). I have often taken the midnight bus from Panama City to David (good if you’d rather sleep the journey away).

Prices are about $15 to $18.

Once in David there are buses like every 15 minutes to Boquete, which is about 30 minutes by bus. Cost is really low, a couple bucks or less.

The Terminales bus line will drop you off at the David bus terminal from which you can catch a bus to Boquete.

Padafront will drop you off at a bus stop from which you can take nearly any passing bus (or taxi, about $1) to the Terminal de David.

Buses are air conditioned and quite cold at night. Dress in layers.

Fridays, long weekends, holidays: buses can get full, so buy tickets early.

You need ID (passport) to buy a ticket.

There are assigned seats so check your ticket for your seat number (asiento = seat).

In Panama City you will also have to buy a card (Rapi Pass, sold at various spots along the highway/corridor or at bus terminals) which will allow you to pass through the turnstile to the boarding area. It’s about $1.25, $1 for the pass and $.25 to get through at least one turnstyle.

You can “check” any larger than carry-on size luggage at the side of the bus, you’ll get a ticket which you must use to reclaim your baggage at the end.

Vendors often board the bus before departure to sell water, soft drinks, or snacks. Buses may or may not have tiny bathrooms, but if you time your liquid intake/bathroom visit before boarding you won’t need them. Buses will often stop in Santiago for bathroom breaks and/or meals, figure about 2.5 to 3 hours from Panama City to Santiago.

Have lots of small bills/change for purchase of food, drink, incidentals, bus/taxi, bathrooms (often $0.25 at rest stops), etc.

Some buses will play a movie or music for part of the trip. If you are tolerant it can be a fun “local” type of experience. If you are sensitive to noise bring earplugs just in case. Midnight bus is usually quiet as it’s understood passengers want to sleep.

Close to David, the bus will stop at an official checkpoint. This is routine, officials board to check IDs and perhaps ask a few questions (how long you plan to stay, etc.)

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

P.S. for “type A” personalities, this post by a random blogger is a fun (very detailed) read: http://blog.thepanamaadventure.com/2013/09/18/navigating-albrook-the-panama-city-bus-station/

[Author]

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