What's the best way to get around in the Panama City, Panama area of San Francisco?

Getting around in San Francisco, Panama City, Panama is rather straightforward since this vast section of the city is mostly residential. If you're coming to San Francisco (be sure to wear some flowers in your hair) you shouldn't have too many difficulties getting around since streets and avenues generally follow a grid-like pattern. Nevertheless, most of them are one-way streets and you have to guess most of the time which one is the correct way (your odds...

Getting around in San Francisco, Panama City, Panama is rather straightforward since this vast section of the city is mostly residential. If you're coming to San Francisco (be sure to wear some flowers in your hair) you shouldn't have too many difficulties getting around since streets and avenues generally follow a grid-like pattern. Nevertheless, most of them are one-way streets and you have to guess most of the time which one is the correct way (your odds are 50/50). (Clear road signage would most certainly spoil the fun). This is not, of course, specific to San Francisco although traffic is usually less congested in this part of town. I would recommend getting a GPS. All you need to do is purchase a GARMIN GPS. Then you simply insert a SD card (maps) which can be purchased locally in stores such as Multimax. In San Francisco, taxis are widely available and cheap (around $2.00) and buses a little less so, since they are usually found on larger avenues. Biking could work, but for short distances very close to home: don't attempt to pedal in heavy traffic. If you live close to a park such as the wonderful Parque Omar (on Via Porras) you could very well get around on foot. However you should pay close attention to uncovered manholes, as well as incoming cars...

The San Francisco area of Panama City, Panama has changed a lot in the past years, but it´s one the best neighborhood in which to live.  Nice, modern, not as noisy as others, and very charming.

 

If you are able, walking is the best way to get around on a non-rainy day.  If you want to avoid the sun and don´t have a car, you may want to take a small yellow taxi, which are around all day.  Just be aware that not all of them...

The San Francisco area of Panama City, Panama has changed a lot in the past years, but it´s one the best neighborhood in which to live.  Nice, modern, not as noisy as others, and very charming.

 

If you are able, walking is the best way to get around on a non-rainy day.  If you want to avoid the sun and don´t have a car, you may want to take a small yellow taxi, which are around all day.  Just be aware that not all of them stop, or will take you, even though they´re empty; traffic authorities are working on that.  Ask a local how much the fare should be before you take the taxi.  Another good way get around is via the metro-bus, which are new and nice buses..cost is $0.25 but you need to have a pass card purchased in advance.  You may go all the way to Albrook Mall in this bus from San Francisco for the same price.  Sometimes the bus is full, and you don´t find a seat, though.

 

If you are a visitor, you may like to go to Multiplaza Mall and take one private bus that takes you between malls, which I believe free of charge.  You may ask the employees at your hotel.  Get a map, for better orientation on the city.   If you prefer, hotels also have taxis available for you.  And if you are brave enough, and want to rent a car... take a pill of patience and get good directions, because sometimes driving can be frustrating...as Panama doesn´t have (yet) a good street directions, although traffic authorities are working on that, and construction works are everywhere, making the traffic a nightmare sometimes.  This will be the case until they're finished in 2014, and the city will be one of the nicest places to visit, not to mention that the metro will be finished middle of 2013, and it´s going to be a delightful trip across the city, at a very low price.

The best way to get around the  city is to wait until midnight! or take a helicopter..walking is faster than driving most of the week days.. but this is all due to change, not so much BECAUSE of the metro but because all the holes they dug to build the metro will be filled in and we can drive on the main streets and through the main intersections again!  

The best way to get around the  city is to wait until midnight! or take a helicopter..walking is faster than driving most of the week days.. but this is all due to change, not so much BECAUSE of the metro but because all the holes they dug to build the metro will be filled in and we can drive on the main streets and through the main intersections again!