Do I need to own a car in Volcan and Cerro Punta, Chiriqui Province, Panama?
James David Audlin - Editores Volcán Barú
Unless you are physically disabled, you absolutely do not need a car in the Volcán and Cerro Punta area. The public bus system is superb and inexpensive. Even if you are laden with supermarket bags or suitcases, the "conductores" on the busses will be quick to assist you. (No tipping; that is their job!)
A car can be a convenience, especially if you live some distance from the bus route, or are going to a destination far from the route. I lived nearly a mile ...
A car can be a convenience, especially if you live some distance from the bus route, or are going to a destination far from the route. I lived nearly a mile ...
Unless you are physically disabled, you absolutely do not need a car in the Volcán and Cerro Punta area. The public bus system is superb and inexpensive. Even if you are laden with supermarket bags or suitcases, the "conductores" on the busses will be quick to assist you. (No tipping; that is their job!)
A car can be a convenience, especially if you live some distance from the bus route, or are going to a destination far from the route. I lived nearly a mile from the route in my first year here, but I loved the walk up to the bus stop - good exercise, stunning landscapes to enjoy (never leave home without your camera!), friendly people. But cars are one thing here that in terms of purchase and maintenance tend to approach the insanity of U.S. prices.
A car can be a convenience, especially if you live some distance from the bus route, or are going to a destination far from the route. I lived nearly a mile from the route in my first year here, but I loved the walk up to the bus stop - good exercise, stunning landscapes to enjoy (never leave home without your camera!), friendly people. But cars are one thing here that in terms of purchase and maintenance tend to approach the insanity of U.S. prices.
Posted December 17, 2013
John Gilbert - PanamaKeys
Unless you’re driving all over the province of Chiriquí like I do, there’s no reason to own a vehicle in Volcán. Almost every day I’m in some other city in Chiriquí because of the work that I do, so having a vehicle for me is necessary. If you’re a retiree, however, and you’re going to go to town once a week to buy groceries, or go out a couple of evenings a week to eat dinner, you do not need...Unless you’re driving all over the province of Chiriquí like I do, there’s no reason to own a vehicle in Volcán. Almost every day I’m in some other city in Chiriquí because of the work that I do, so having a vehicle for me is necessary. If you’re a retiree, however, and you’re going to go to town once a week to buy groceries, or go out a couple of evenings a week to eat dinner, you do not need to own a vehicle. The public transportation here in Volcán, throughout Chiriquí and throughout the whole country is excellent. You’d have your choice of public transportation: buses, both local and the ones that will take you from city to city; and a large number of cabs. At any time, when you’re in the city of Volcán and you’re looking around, you’ll find that there are a lot of taxis. You can stand out on one of the main roads in Volcán, and a taxi will drive by at least every 30-45 seconds, so it’s not a problem at all. The taxis are reasonably priced. You can go almost anywhere in town for $1.25.
All the cabs in Volcán are painted yellow. These cabs are all registered with the country of Panama, and are licensed and titled here in the province of Chiriquí. In Volcán, you’ll find approximately 5-10% of the cars being yellow painted.
Whenever I take my car to be worked on, like when I need new tires or new brakes, I don’t sit there and wait for my car to be done. I’ll take a taxi to go get a cup of coffee somewhere, and it costs anywhere from $0.75 - $1.25 no matter where you go in Volcán.
(Yellow taxi, Panama City, Panama, pictured.)
Posted April 8, 2017
Rafael Alvarado - Rafael Alvarado / Attorney / Real Estate Broker
You do not need a car in order to be around Volcán & Cerro Punta. There is a good transportation in that area. (Home in the cool highlands of Cerro Puento, Panama, pictured.)
You do not need a car in order to be around Volcán & Cerro Punta. There is a good transportation in that area. (Home in the cool highlands of Cerro Puento, Panama, pictured.)
Posted April 10, 2017