Difference between revisions of "Panama"
| Line 116: | Line 116: | ||
==Gasoline Availability / Frequency== | ==Gasoline Availability / Frequency== | ||
| − | + | Gasoline shortages in Panama are not a problem.<br /> | |
| − | Typically gas stations are not more than | + | Typically gas stations are not more than 100 - 100km apart. |
==Gasoline Quality== | ==Gasoline Quality== | ||
| − | + | Accepted to be good quality.<br /> | |
| + | Sulfur content of diesel is unknown. | ||
==External information about gasoline== | ==External information about gasoline== | ||
| − | + | * [http://gasoline-germany.com/international.phtml?land=159 gasoline-germany.com - International Gas / Petrol / Diesel prices - Panama] | |
| − | + | ||
=Safety / Security Considerations= | =Safety / Security Considerations= | ||
==Driving at night== | ==Driving at night== | ||
| − | Driving at night is generally not | + | Driving at night is generally not considered a problem in Panama. |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
==Vehicle parking== | ==Vehicle parking== | ||
| Line 137: | Line 134: | ||
==Special driving considerations== | ==Special driving considerations== | ||
| − | + | None. | |
| − | + | ||
==Security advisories and information== | ==Security advisories and information== | ||
| Line 145: | Line 141: | ||
=Camping= | =Camping= | ||
| − | Camping is | + | Camping is becoming more popular with local Panamanians and hostels in touristy areas have camping to cater for backpackers.<br /> |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | Being far away from major roads is preferable for wild camping. | |
==Camping guide books== | ==Camping guide books== | ||
| − | No specific book exists, though the usual backpacker guide books mention when a hostel | + | No specific book exists, though the usual backpacker guide books mention when a hostel has camping facilities. |
==Drinking water== | ==Drinking water== | ||
| − | Tap water in | + | Tap water in most of Panama is not safe to drink, though many hotels and hostels in Panama City advertise that it is safe. Every corner store sells 1 and 2 liter bottles, and 20 liter bottles can be bought at most large grocery stores. |
=Navigation= | =Navigation= | ||
==Paper maps== | ==Paper maps== | ||
| − | + | Purchase maps before arriving in Panama. | |
==GPS== | ==GPS== | ||
| − | + | * Open Street Map: Appears to have good coverage.<ref>[http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=8.88&lon=-79.62&zoom=8&layers=M OpenStreetMap Panama]</ref> | |
| − | * Open Street Map: Appears to have good coverage.<ref>[http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat= | + | * Garmin: Apparently no map of Panama. |
| − | * Garmin: | + | * TomTom: No map of Panama. <ref>[http://uk.support.tomtom.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9885/ TomTom Map availability]</ref> |
| − | * TomTom: No map of | + | |
==Directions and GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc.== | ==Directions and GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc.== | ||
| − | *[http://www.dare2go.com/ | + | *[http://www.dare2go.com/campingCA.html#Panama Camping Sites: Panama] - Detailed list of campsites and propane filling with description, directions and GPS co-ordinates. Some at hotels (lists facilities and price), some roadside and free. |
| − | + | ||
| + | HERE DAN | ||
| + | |||
*[http://www.questconnect.org/no_andes_camping.htm Andes Expedition camping Locations] - List of campsites, with basic directions and GPS co-ordinates. Mostly free sites. | *[http://www.questconnect.org/no_andes_camping.htm Andes Expedition camping Locations] - List of campsites, with basic directions and GPS co-ordinates. Mostly free sites. | ||
* [http://www.travelin-tortuga.com/Site/Camping_Log_2__South_America.html Camping Log 2: South America] - List of campsites, shopping, fuel, propane and border crossings with excellent descriptions and GPS co-ordinates. | * [http://www.travelin-tortuga.com/Site/Camping_Log_2__South_America.html Camping Log 2: South America] - List of campsites, shopping, fuel, propane and border crossings with excellent descriptions and GPS co-ordinates. | ||
Revision as of 18:21, 3 November 2011
Currency to display:
Contents
At the border
Correct as of: March 2010
Required Paperwork
- Passport of registered owner (original and 1 copy).
- Drivers license of registered owner (original and 1 copy).
- Vehicle registration (original and 1 copy).
Process at border
- The owner of the vehicle gains entry at immigration (migración), including a stamp in their Passport.
- Insurance for the vehicle must be purchased. (see below)
- The owner must show the new passport stamp, drivers license, the original vehicle registration and vehicle insurance to customs (aduana).
- The owner is issued a temporary import permit for the vehicle.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: If you plan to ship your vehicle out of Panama, make absolutely certain that everything written on your temporary import permit is correct. A single digit wrong in your VIN number or date of vehicle manufacture will be a problem later when you try to ship the vehicle. DO NOT let the customs people convince you it will be OK. It won't.
Cost of entry
Free.
Permitted length of stay
90 days.
Extension of stay
Unknown.
Describe the process to extend the permitted length of entry for the vehicle, if possible.
Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country
(unknown)
Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.
Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.
Exiting with a vehicle
By land to Costa Rica
- The registered owner is stamped out of Panama at immigration.
- The registered owner presents the temporary import paper to customs, where it is cancelled.
By Ship, probably to Colombia
See Shipping across the Darien Gap for details.
Overland Essentials
Vehicle Insurance
Insurance requirements
Insurance is mandatory in Panama and you will be forced to buy it at the border before you are allowed to enter. There are always agents at the border to buy from.
Cost of insurance
$15.00 USD for 3 months for a 4x4.
Where to purchase insurance
Right at the border. The customs guys will tell you exactly where to go.
Driving license
Technically an International Driving Permit is required.
In reality, showing a license from anywhere in the world seems to be good enough.
Driving side of road
Right.
Right hand drive vehicles are permitted without problem.
Mandatory items in vehicle
None.
Roads
General Road quality
Roads in Panama are generally of good quality, except in some of the smaller towns where the pavement is cracked and broken. Lesser roads are gravel and can be mud pits in the rainy season.
Road signs
Road signs are mostly common and clear.
Toll roads
The major highway from Panama City to Colón is tolled.
Bribery
Police bribery is not uncommon in Panama.
See the bribery tips page for advice.
Checkpoints
Police checkpoints are not common in Panama, though you may encounter them. You'll be asked to show your Passport, Vehicle registration, drivers license, vehicle insurance and the temporary import permit you were issued at the border.
Traveling with pets
Unknown.
List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.
Gasoline / Petrol / Diesel
Last updated: April 2010
Price
Currency and unit to display:
| Gasoline Grade | Price |
|---|---|
| Regular | €0.80 EUR per Liter [1] |
| Super (90) | ?? |
| Premium (95) | ?? |
| Ultra (97) | ?? |
| Normal Diesel | $0.72 USD per Liter[2] |
| Diesel (low sulfur) | ?? |
Gasoline Availability / Frequency
Gasoline shortages in Panama are not a problem.
Typically gas stations are not more than 100 - 100km apart.
Gasoline Quality
Accepted to be good quality.
Sulfur content of diesel is unknown.
External information about gasoline
Safety / Security Considerations
Driving at night
Driving at night is generally not considered a problem in Panama.
Vehicle parking
Parking vehicles on the street in smaller towns during the day is typically OK. Find a secure parking lot in big cities and at night.
Special driving considerations
None.
Security advisories and information
- Country Specific Information - U.S. Department of State
- Travel Reports and Warnings - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Travel advice by country - Foreign and Commonwealth office (U.K.)
- Travel Advice for Panama - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Camping
Camping is becoming more popular with local Panamanians and hostels in touristy areas have camping to cater for backpackers.
Being far away from major roads is preferable for wild camping.
Camping guide books
No specific book exists, though the usual backpacker guide books mention when a hostel has camping facilities.
Drinking water
Tap water in most of Panama is not safe to drink, though many hotels and hostels in Panama City advertise that it is safe. Every corner store sells 1 and 2 liter bottles, and 20 liter bottles can be bought at most large grocery stores.
Paper maps
Purchase maps before arriving in Panama.
GPS
- Open Street Map: Appears to have good coverage.[3]
- Garmin: Apparently no map of Panama.
- TomTom: No map of Panama. [4]
Directions and GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc.
- Camping Sites: Panama - Detailed list of campsites and propane filling with description, directions and GPS co-ordinates. Some at hotels (lists facilities and price), some roadside and free.
HERE DAN
- Andes Expedition camping Locations - List of campsites, with basic directions and GPS co-ordinates. Mostly free sites.
- Camping Log 2: South America - List of campsites, shopping, fuel, propane and border crossings with excellent descriptions and GPS co-ordinates.
- Hackney Travel SA Waypoints - Raw GPS data (in gdb or gpx format) for waypoints (including campsites, fuel, repairs, propane and more)
- The Silk Road Motocaravan Network - Raw GPS data for waypoints (camping, gas, propane, points of interest and more)
Overland Travel Interest
Special Overland interests
- Matchu Pitchu - It's not possible to drive all the way to Matchu Pitchu, but you can get pretty close and save yourself a lot of money by not catching the train. From the Cuzco area, drive through The Sacred Valley, passing Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Santa Maria and finally along a very narrow little track to the village of Santa Teresa. The last section of road is very narrow and windy, and requires a high-clearance vehicle. In Santa Teresa you can camp and safely leave your vehicle at the Inka Tour Hospedaje - the only campground in town. From Santa Teresa you can hike four hours, or catch a taxi to Hydroelectrica, where you can hike along the tracks or catch the train to Aguas Calientes which is the town at the base of Matchu Pitchu. Don't drive to Hydroelectrica - it's only a construction site and there is absolutely nowhere to park (even for motorbikes)[5].
Guide Books
Vehicle Maintenance
List Garages &/or dealerships for major vehicle manufacturers (including motorbikes).
Trusted mechanics can also be listed here.
Buying and selling vehicles
Buying a vehicle as a foreigner
A foreigner can buy and register a Peruvian vehicle and drive it outside Peru.
Details are unknown.
Selling a foreign-plated vehicle
Unknown.
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'
File:Example.jpg
References
- ↑ gasoline-germany.com - International Gas / Petrol / Diesel prices - Panama
- ↑ fuel price - anybody ? - The HUBB
- ↑ OpenStreetMap Panama
- ↑ TomTom Map availability
- ↑ Machu Picchu - The Road Chose Me
