I have used thrifty often in the past........and suggest it for my visitors. NEVER

a problem!

Take a good map. Thrifty had NONE last week. If you opt for the GPS be careful, it will send you the wrong way on one way sreets. Lots of construction on the highway down the peninsula to Pedasi. plan for extra time and unless you have business in Chitre , take the route that goes around the town instead of thru it.If you stay in Pedasi try Posada Destiladeros. Awesome beach, friendly people, amazing food, good wine.Paid $150 a nite but we were on a bluff with the ocean steps away,very private.

Holey Moley ! $150 a nite in Panama, no less in Pedasi, yet i Off season!! That has "gringo" all over it ! There are other possibilities near or on the ocean much much less money..............

We are staying at the ocean lofts and our plan was to rent the car as soon as we arrive at the airport - and park it at the hotel for the night - cab it around PC and then the next a.m. head out to Pedasi because I hear it will take about 6 to 8 hours due to construction on the highway. Same on the way back - park the car for the night at the hotel in PC and cab it around and return the car on our way to the airport to go home.

Unfortunately I am not sure if we can do the canal tour because of the traffic and travel times to Pedasi - but I we will try.

Thanks for the suggestions on the car. I have been to Costa Rica several times and the first time we did not know and took all the insurance. But quickly learned to only take the basic on future rentals. Thanks for the picture suggestion also.

You won't be able to get out of the mandatory liablilty - so add about $12 a day for that - the roads in Panama are much better than CR - only difficult place to drive is the city - and once you are used to it is not too bad - biggest problem is that it is always congested - also very few road signs

My biggest concern about the car rental in Panama is the insurance. In CR the streets were good in most areas - but the first time we traveled to CR and went to Thrifty - we almost got the feeling if we did not take their insurance they would call ahead to the thugs down the street to do something to the car. They told us a story about a people telling you the car has a flat and when you pull over they break the windows to get your stuff - or that if you park someplace for dinner or shopping - that your car could be damaged. They even made us sign a statement saying we were told of the dangers... so the first time we took all the insurance. We later learned our lesson and took only the basic. And on our second, third and fourth trip - there was no signing anything and all the warnings. Maybe someone complained.??

Where in Pedasi?

Only place I ever had a problem with a car was CR - broken into at the beach - so maybe the stories were partly true - plus CR has a lot more tourists and alot more bad guys targeting them - easy pickings.

We have used Hertz several times with no problems. Once you're out of the city, the roads are in decent shape and fairly well signed. Avoid heading out of the city on Fri evening and back into the city on Sun evening. You'll be sitting in traffic for a long time along with all the Panamanians who escape to their beach or mountain houses for the weekend.

In the city, unless you know your way around and have alternate routes planned in case of traffic snarls, taxis are highly recommended. They are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Ask in advance of others (not the driver) what you should pay for your destination. Taxis are not metered, so upon arrival if you ask what you owe, the driver knows that you are uninformed and likely will quote a price 2 or 3 times what you should pay. Know the appropriate fare in advance, and upon arrival just hand the driver that amount, say "gracias" with a smile and get out. Be prepared to tell the taxi where you want to go by naming a nearby, well-known hotel, restaurant or store. Addresses are not very helpful as streets are seldom marked. Also, be prepared for the driver to stop to pick up other passengers along the way if they are headed in the same direction. Realize that once in a while the driver will decline to take you because your destination is not in a direction he wants to go. Don't take it personally. Just flag down the next taxi.