Now that you have spent some time riding the waves and relaxing on the beaches of Playa Venao, you’ll be ready to head back to the vibrant and lively capital, Panama City.
Get ready to explore the city’s many interesting and informative museums, visit the diverse art galleries and see what the beaches and rainforests in the surrounding area have to offer. Not to mention, in Panama City you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Panama Canal, the attached museum and even take a boat trip to see this amazing feat of engineering.
How do I get from Playa Venao to Panama City?
Playa Venao to Panama City is about 359 km and 5 hours and 20 minutes driving time.
When travelling from Playa Venao to Panama City, there are a few options available depending on your preference and priorities. The options are to take a local bus, travel by air from nearby Chitre, or arrange private transportation.
The fastest way to travel from Playa Venao to Panama City is to travel by plane, as the journey is around 30 minutes from Chitre, and a further 60-90 minutes drive to get there. For budget-conscious travellers, the bus is the most cost effective option, and the cheapest way to travel from Playa Venao to Panama City. If convenience is your priority, the best way to travel from Playa Venao to Panama City is by private car.
Playa Venao to Panama City by bus
To get from Playa Venao to Panama City by bus, it’s not possible to do so 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 $4 USD per person and departs at infrequent (and not often timetabled) intervals from 6 AM until late. From there, you’ll need to switch terminals and go to the main station, where you’ll catch a 5 hour bus to Panama City. These depart every hour until 7 PM, and cost around $10 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 intervals | Hourly |
| First/Last departure | 6 AM / 7 PM |
| Avg. Price 2 persons | $28 USD |
| Duration | ~6-8 hrs |
| Operating Companies | Expreso Santa Librada |
Playa Venao to Panama City by air
It may sound like the quickest option, because the flight from Chitre to Panama City is only 30 minutes in duration. However, you’ll need to find a way of getting to Chitre, either by bus, private transfer or rental car, for the initial 1.5 – 2 hour journey. 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 intervals | Daily |
| First/Last departure | 7:55 AM |
| Avg. Price 2 persons | $160 – $240 USD |
| Duration | ~30 mins + driving time to Chitre |
| Operating Companies | Air Panama |
Playa Venao to Panama City 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 Playa Venao and be driven to your destination in Panama City. 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 Playa Venao to Panama City can include stops at…
- St. Athanasius Church
- Santiago
- Chorro Macho
- Miraflores Visitor Center
- Templo Baha’i
With comfort, convenience, and adventure, it is clear that a private transfer is the best option!