Categories
How to go

How to get from Panama City to Playa Venao

Now that you’ve spent some time in the capital, Panama City, you may be ready to relax and unwind and get away from the stress of the city. It’s time to head to one of Panama’s premium beach destinations, Playa Venao, which boats some of the country’s best surfing spots in a location where the jungle meets the sea.

Ride the waves, delve into the depths of the ocean or simply relax on the beach in Playa Venao, Panama’s hidden coastal jewel. But how do you get from Panama City to Playa Venao?

How do I get from Panama City to Playa Venao?

Panama City to Playa Venao is about 359 km and 5 hours and 20 minutes driving time.

When travelling from Panama City to Playa Venao, there are a few options available depending on your preference and priorities. The options are to take a local bus, travel by air to nearby Chitre, or arrange private transportation. 

The fastest way to travel from Panama City to Playa Venao is to travel by plane, as the journey is around 30 minutes to Chitre, and a further 60-90 minutes drive.  For budget-conscious travellers, the bus is the most cost effective option, and the cheapest way to travel from Panama City to Playa Venao. If convenience is your priority, the best way to travel from Panama City to Playa Venao is by private car.

Panama City to Playa Venao by bus

To get from Panama City to Playa by bus, you’ll need to head to Albrook Bus Terminal. It’s not possible to get there directly and you can’t book in advance, so you’ll need to take the risk and just turn up when you’re ready to go.

You’ll take the bus to Las Tablas, which costs around $10 USD per person and takes around 5 hours, departing every hour between 6 AM and 7 PM. From there, you’ll need to switch terminals and head to the main square to catch the bus to Playa Venao. There may be quite a wait as departures aren’t so frequent, and this portion of the trip takes around an hour and costs a further $4 USD per person.

Given wait times for your connecting bus, it is realistic that you should allow up to 8 hours for this journey.

Time intervalsHourly
First/Last departure6 AM / 7 PM
Avg. Price 2 persons$28 USD
Duration~6-8 hrs
Operating CompaniesExpreso Santa Librada

Panama City to Playa Venao by air

It may sound like the quickest option, because the flight from Panama City to Chitre is only 30 minutes in duration. However, you’ll need to find onward travel – such as a taxi or rental car – from Chitre to get to Playa Venao, which is a further 1.5 hours – 2 hours in duration. Adding the 2-3 hours prior to the flight departure that you’re recommended to get to the airport, it can actually turn into a pretty lengthy journey and it’s not so convenient for a distance that’s realistically not that far.

Air Panama has a daily flight early in the morning, which costs around $80 – $120 USD depending on how far in advance you book.

Time intervalsDaily
First/Last departure7:15 AM
Avg. Price 2 persons$160 – $240 USD
Duration~30 mins + driving time from Chitre
Operating CompaniesAir Panama

Panama City to Playa Venao by taxi

Taking a private car is recommended if you prefer a convenient and comfortable option for travelling between different cities. Using a trusted global service like Daytrip, you will be picked up at your accommodation in Panama City and be driven to your destination in Playa Venao. That means no bus stops, no crowds, and no confusion. Best of all, you’ll be transported by a knowledgeable, local driver and have the opportunity to make sightseeing stops along the way! A trip from Panama City to Playa Venao can include stops at…

  • Templo Baha’i
  • Miraflores Visitor Center
  • Chorro Macho
  • Santiago
  • St. Athanasius Church

With comfort, convenience, and adventure, it is clear that a private transfer is the best option!

Book a private transfer from Panama City to Playa Venao

2 replies on “How to get from Panama City to Playa Venao”

Hi Julie!
If you wish to travel by bus, the tickets would cost about 14 USD per person. Taking a flight, a ticket would cost around 100 USD. Private car transfer with a personal driver would cost anywhere around 350 to 500 USD, depending on the vehicle you choose and season.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *