Taxi Travel

Panamanian taxis range from sleek air-conditioned sedans to stuffy, banged-up rust buckets that seem to run off the sheer will of the driver. Hailing cabs on the street is widely considered safe during the day and is your cheapest option for private transportation around the city. Short hops are as little as $1; fares within town shouldn't top $3; a trip to an outlying area should run about $5. Airport taxis and hotel taxis are nicer but considerably more expensive, so check to see if your hotel has shuttle service. Don't feel obliged to tip, but city cab drivers who strictly adhere to low city fares are genuinely appreciative (and sometimes surprised by) the extra quarter or two. You may want to ask how much the fare is before getting aboard to avoid a tourist premium.