What's it like to drive in Marbella, Panama City?

At the present time (April 2013) the driving in Panama City, Panama is difficult to describe, but to say the least it is certainly not for the feint of heart.  I know a number of ExPats who absolutely refuse to drive here in Panama City.  I say that there are only two types of vehicles in Panama City = 1. The dented & 2. The soon to be dented.  I have lived in Panama for more than 6 years now and I can honestly say that traffic has improved and I feel...

At the present time (April 2013) the driving in Panama City, Panama is difficult to describe, but to say the least it is certainly not for the feint of heart.  I know a number of ExPats who absolutely refuse to drive here in Panama City.  I say that there are only two types of vehicles in Panama City = 1. The dented & 2. The soon to be dented.  I have lived in Panama for more than 6 years now and I can honestly say that traffic has improved and I feel confident that changes are being made to further improve traffic flow.  I am originally from Chicago and when I first tried to maneuver my vehicle in and around and thru Panama traffic I would find myself having heart to heart chats with myself.  I would say to myself be a man - if you were able to drive while in a big city like Chicago then you should be able to drive in a much smaller city like Panama City... but sometimes myself would respond with "yea but in Chicago there were street signs... in English."  At one time here in Panama there were many intersections with no traffic lights so whoever was the bravest driver had the right of way - traffic lights have been now added at these intersections.  Overpasses and underpasses are being added to areas known to frequently have gridlock.  At one time there were about 3,000 Red Devils (colorfully painted older busses) prowling the streets of Panama but just about all of the Red Devils have been removed from the roads.  And the new mass transit system when it is completed in February 2014 will help a bunch.

Driving in Marbella has its challenges, as it´s a very heavy traffic area.  But in general, patience is a great virtue, and you get wherever you intend to.  If you live in the area or stay in a hotel in Marbella, walking is perfect, and you avoid all that stress.  Besides, Panamá has beautiful weather and you can enjoy a perfect exercise by walking.

 

But if you compare it with other cities, for example, in Boston... ...

Driving in Marbella has its challenges, as it´s a very heavy traffic area.  But in general, patience is a great virtue, and you get wherever you intend to.  If you live in the area or stay in a hotel in Marbella, walking is perfect, and you avoid all that stress.  Besides, Panamá has beautiful weather and you can enjoy a perfect exercise by walking.

 

But if you compare it with other cities, for example, in Boston...  It can get crazy.  Streets are always blocked either with bridges, canals or buildings; not marked in the map or GPS.  And for visitors who don't speak English, it is a great challenge.  In some other cities, it is the snow that blocks your path.  So, in general, I think driving in Marbella is not more and not less difficult than driving in any other cosmopolitan city.  But the difference is, Marbella is surrounded by a beautiful ocean view everywhere you look.

First of all, when driving in Marbella, you need to know that everyone's horn works but their blinkers don't. I was told not to use my blinkers, because if you do the person in the other lane behind you will speed up to fill the gap.  90%of the time that is true.  Lines on the streets and  roads, stop signs and speed limits are merely suggestions.  Metro buses and taxi drivers are the ones to beware of (tonnage rules), as in SUV or...

First of all, when driving in Marbella, you need to know that everyone's horn works but their blinkers don't. I was told not to use my blinkers, because if you do the person in the other lane behind you will speed up to fill the gap.  90%of the time that is true.  Lines on the streets and  roads, stop signs and speed limits are merely suggestions.  Metro buses and taxi drivers are the ones to beware of (tonnage rules), as in SUV or bigger. Driving here is a game of chicken and a contact sport;;;;;;

Panama has developed the roads in such a way that even if places are far from each other, it’s very easy to get from one place to another. You can even hit the resort Pacific beaches within an hour from the Marbella area of Panama City, where I live. It is far in terms of mileage, but the roads make it easy to get there. I personally go to the beaches in the morning and come back in the afternoon. It is very convenient and easy to get to places in Panama.

Panama has developed the roads in such a way that even if places are far from each other, it’s very easy to get from one place to another. You can even hit the resort Pacific beaches within an hour from the Marbella area of Panama City, where I live. It is far in terms of mileage, but the roads make it easy to get there. I personally go to the beaches in the morning and come back in the afternoon. It is very convenient and easy to get to places in Panama.