Panama Taxi Drivers Always Ruin A Good Day
Many people visiting Panama rely on taxis to get around. This is the easiest way to ruin a trip. I’ve come to hate taxi drivers. Let me tell you why.
I own a car in Panama so I never used to rely much on taxis. My taxi experiences generally took place on Friday or Saturday nights when I knew that driving my own car was not the safest bet. After a fun night out at a Panama City bar, I would simply hail a cab and it would take me home. No problem.
Lately I have been taking a bus from the interior in to Panama City every week. That means I have to take a taxi from the bus terminal to my destination on Balboa Ave. The first issue that never fails to arise is that no taxi wants to take me from the Albrook area downtown. I usually have to ask about 15 taxi before I find one that is willing.
The next issue is the rate they try to charge. The government of Panama has enacted standard taxi fares based on zones. I know that from the bus terminal to Balboa Avenue the actual fare is $1.35. No taxi will take you there for that rate. I always pay at least $3. If there is heavy traffic I will pay $4. Many try to charge $7. I nearly got in to a fist fight once with a taxi driver because he threatened to kidnap me if I didn’t pay him $7.
Most tourist won’t be in the situation to challenge a taxi driver on the fares, since they don’t know the law. I have no problem paying a bit extra, since I think the government mandated fares are quite low. However, robbing someone blind is another story.
The other issue with taxis drivers in Panama City is that they are increasingly becoming involved in “express kidnappings”. At least once a week the local newspapers tell of tourists or locals being taken for an extended ride to a number of bank machines before they are released.
Or, they pick up other passengers who are in on the plan, and you get robbed by the other passenger.
In many cases taxis are a tourists first impression of Panama. This country needs to clean up the system before these rogue drivers ruin it for the bunch.
It would be great for tourists if taxis had meters installed. The only problem with that is the rates would likely be a lot higher than they are now, putting the price out of reach for many Panamanians.
| Written by Rebecca Tyre |  |
This post's rating:
(9 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5)
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Filed under: Country Guide, Culture, Living & Retirement, News on April 8th, 2009
I gotta say I’m of the 180-degree opposite opinion. Granted I’m not a tourist or woman or blonde. But Panamanian taxi drivers almost always make my day. Why? First off, a ride costs less than the initial base fare of any place I’ve lived in the States. Second, their cars are hilarious. Third, they are the quintessence of Panamanian simplicity. Fourth, many like to practice English or are fascinated that a gringo speaks decent Spanish. Word has it, there’s an email being passed around amongst Panamanian taxi drivers called “Canadian Girls Always Ruin My Day”
Dear Matt,
Interestingly there is a persistent email being circulated that reads “American boys are oblivious !”
From the perspective of another well-travelled woman (and a fluent spanish speaking gringa), it is evident to me that you have little idea as to the reality of single woman travelers. I thought that everyone was aware that women are subject to more crimes and often taken more advantage of, as they obviously have less defenses. It’s great that you enjoy your cab rides, carefree and without a concern to safety and personal security. Next time before responding so swiftly and without contemplation, you may want to ask your sister, mother or girlfriend how they would feel in the aforementioned circumstance.
After living in Mexico city and now in Costa Rica, having seen both extremes, an established system for fares is beneficial to all. If Panama is serious about developing its nascent tourism industry, then it would be wise to adopt policies that support and protect visitors. As a compromise, a two tiered taxi service could be established to protect against price increases for lower income Panamanians as in Mexico.
Good luck with the ladies!
We had the best services in Panama by taxi drivers, Hotel employees. Very cordial gentlemen. They can hold any conversation about politics and history. When we were aproching the Casco Viejo, they would secure all car doors and windows to protect us from being robbed. That was very kind and immpresive.
However, after they dropped us in Casco Viejo and reasured us to take precaution against would be robbers, we had our Visa card stolen by a restaurant employee or employees and did not notice untill we arrived in the States. They used our Visa Card to buy gasoline all over Panama and sorroundings. Over $7,000.00
I hope their stomachs turn in horrible pain full of worms.
This has caused the displesure of not wanting to go back to Panama. There is no way I can convinse my husband to return.
What a shame…..
It seems to me that a reasonable idea might be to, once you find a decent taxi man, take his phone number, and give him all your business. It’s up to you to have the discretion to pick the right one. [perhaps a recommendation from others,] Anyway I intend to carry a heavy walking stick with me at all times.
I did this in Boca Raton Florida for 3 months, and found it worked well, and I was always charged less, sometimes much less, than the meter rate.
I am traveling to Panama in January with my children 11 and 9. My husband is very worried about is traveling alone. I was wondering if you have any recommendations of a honest taxi driver who will take us from Tocumen to Albrook airport? I have the name and number of a driver who speaks some english that we used last time but I was with my husband then. We will be meeting up with my father in David. I don’t mind paying for an honest driver. It cost us $17 last time I don’t mind paying $30 to get us there safely. We will be traveling from Albrook to Tocumen again the following week alone. Any suggestions?
On my last two trips to Panama, the last ending just two days ago, I had to rely on taxis extensively. I never had any problems at all. However, one potential problem, that I’ve never seen mentioned, is that taxi drivers typically have no change, at least that’s what they will tell you. If the fare is $3 and all you have is a five, he will be very sorry but he does not have any change and you will pay $5. I learned to always keep plenty of singles on me.
Hi. First of all Im Panamenian, born and raised here, and let me tell you, the taxi fares are a problem even for us locals. Taxi drivers are supposed to have an Official Fare Sheet visual to the customers (they never found it). But I could tell you that an inner city fare will never go over $2.50, yes is cheap, so God Bless the one who pays $3.00 and up to $5.00.
The “NO CHANGE” think is an “innocent” way to scam you, don’t go with that. The “NO VOY” ( I don’t go that way) is also a problem, and mostly at RUSH HOUR times, and holidays. I love my country and really like when people say good things about us, but this is not one of those.
It amazes me every time I read the publications of our brothers from Costa Rica who are always talking something bad about our country: Panama! and even worse they invent things that are false. 50% of what you wrote in this publication is false. Greatly exaggerated information.
Well, finally you’re a journalist so what else can we do …you INVENTOR. The Panamanian government should sue you for talking trash like they always do with your newspapers. Good day.
What about buses in Panama? Are they any better?