Exiting Panama City, Panama via rental car can be difficult

Escaping the maze that is Panama City via rental car is one of the biggest challenges facing a first time visitor to Panama.  Streets aren’t well marked, the path to the Bridge isn’t clear and there are plenty of one way streets, crazy drivers and other assorted obstacles that can ruin the start to your vacation.

For this exercise, we video taped the entire trip, starting at the Bristol Hotel just off Calle 50.  There are plenty of ways to get out of Panama City, but in this case we tried to show the route that we believe to be the easiest to follow.  Written instructions and a map are provided below, in addition to our 3 part video documentary. I suggest that anybody coming to Panama take a quick look at these clips to get a visual understanding of where you’re trying to go, as it can be very difficult to find your way in Panama City without some visual reference points.  If any readers with experience in Panama have suggestions on how I might improve the written instructions, feel free to opine.  I hope this helps a lot of folks avoid getting lost in Chorillo (a common mistake I’ve made myself!).

INTRO: Greetings from Panama!

PART I: Getting to Balboa Avenue and the Cinta Costera

PART II: Balboa Ave to the Martyres Exit

PART III: Crossing the Bridge

Leaving Panama City via Bridge of the Americas:

1. Get to Balboa Avenue (Cinta Costera) and turn RIGHT (ocean on your LEFT)

You will pass:
- Hotel Le Meridian on RIGHT
- Intercontinental Hotel on LEFT
- Pacific Ocean will be on your LEFT
- Lots of new buildings in construction on RIGHT

2. Merge into the farthest Left set of lanes

You will pass:
- Statue of Balboa the explorer on LEFT
- Fewer and fewer high rises as you approach exit

3. Look for LEFT Exit Sign that reads, “Ave Omar Torrijos / Los Martires”

4. Take ramp up and turning Right over highway
- See Ancon Hill
- Confort Hotel Sign

5. Follow signs, stay LEFT to “Ave Los Martires” NOT Omar Torrijos on RT!
- Follow Curve Left
- See Martyrs statue on Left (kids raising flag)
- Ancon Hill on RT

6. Continue straight approaching The Bridge
You will pass:
- Scary looking neighborhood (Chorillo) on LEFT
- Esso Gas station on LEFT

7. Stay in Left Lane
- follow sign to Chorrera (NOT RIGHT hand lane, leading up Amador)
- see The Bridge in distance
- start heading uphill to The Bridge
- signs read to PanAmerican Highway!

Our Path, as marked on a Google Map.

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Filed under: Country Guide on April 12th, 2010