The STA travelbuzz guest posts are currently like buses, which is convenient since this one from Odila of Bragas’ Snapshots and Flashes features buses – the buses of Panama to be exact. Odila is a Brazilian now living in Panama, but as you can see from where she learnt to drive she’s travelled quite a bit…

Traffic here is “interesting”! I am glad my husband and I took our driving undergraduate studies in Rio with a post-graduation in Italy… we are comfortable here, lol!

The Panamanians do have an extra-special love of their horns and they definitely blow them slightly too much. They are so expert in doing so, that they manage to honk it mili-seconds before the light turning green.

They have buses going up and down everywhere, that although not for everyone, is marvelous because it allows us, car drivers, a more ‘flowy’ street with fewer cars on. The buses here are the cutest thing ever, really typical of Central America and may be North of South America too. They are all old American school buses that gain a whole new look down here – VERY colorful, with ribbons flying everywhere.

The taxis, some newer than others, work on a “sharing system”, reminding me of my days in Washington DC. In other words, you hop into a taxi and tell the driver you where you want to go. A few blocks down the road, your taxi stops for a person also flagging a taxi. The driver asks where they want to go and if the direction is the same, this other person hops in and away you go. However, it’s good to point out that the first customer to hop into a taxi, has the right to say “no” to other clients. The prices are ridiculously cheap by any means of comparison. It varies according to zones, but a very expensive taxi ride costs something around U$ 3.50 per person. If two people are travelling together, the second person doesn’t pay twice as much, but just a small increase.

Parking is not a problem at all and for now, the vast majority is for free. When paid, the parking places charge by the minute, which is again, great, because you pay exactly the length of you stay.

Thanks to Odila for her thoughts and tips on navigating the roads of Panama – I want to ride on a colourful bus! Got any transport stories you would like to share? Then do so by leaving us a comment.