Getting to Panama City from Playa Venao is fairly easy as you can get to Panama City by air and land. You could consider rental cars, taxi, private shuttles, and public transportation.
We built this transportation guide for you to find the cheapest, fastest, most comfortable, or convenient way for your trip.
Playa Venao is located on the Azuero Peninsula in Los Santos Province of Panamá. Las Tablas and Chitre are the main cities to jump off to several cities on the Azuero province and the rest of Panama.
Private Shuttle from Playa Venao to Panama City
A private shuttle is the most comfortable option for groups and solo travelers. Venao Tours offers trips for groups and solo travelers. They can pick you up at your hotel and drop you at some hotels in Panama City or at the Tocumen Airport in Panama City. This trip should take you around 5 to 6 hours.
Selina transfer is also a convenient option to head back to Panama City. The bus departs from Selina’s Playa Venao Hostel and drops you at either Selina Casco Viejo or in Tocumen Airport in Panama City.
They make stops for snacking and toilet trips. For that reason, the trip could last approx. 6 hours. Departure days are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Likewise, Beach Break Private Shuttle also offers its shuttle services to Panama City as well as Tocumen Airport. Ideal for groups traveling.
Shuttle Prices:
Selina Shuttle: $50.00
Beach Break Shuttle: $180 (for 1-4 persons)
What to expect from the trip:
This is the most comfortable option, hop in the shuttle and relax all the way to Panama City!
How to get from Playa Venao to Panama City by Air
You will have to catch a local bus, drive or take a shuttle bus from Playa Venao to Chitre that could take 1:45 to 2 hours.
So, make sure you step out at Chitré’s Alonso Valderrama Airport. Your flight should take 30 minutes to Panama City’s Marcos A. Gelabert Airport.
Domestic flights to Chitre are operated by Air Panama. So, go ahead and book your flights online.
Flight Prices:
Flight Chitre – Panama $80-$120
What to expect from the trip:
Make sure to plan your trip in advance as it may take you longer than expected taking the bus in Playa Venao to Chitré’s Airport. The trip could become quite lengthy but it is still a comfortable way to head back from Playa Venao to Panama City.
Public transportation in Playa Venao is not very reliable. Thus, we highly recommend you to be there in advance, so you can also arrive earlier at the airport.
There are also Car Rental services at the Marcos A. Gelabert Airport if you would like to hire a car to get your way around Panama City.
How to get from Playa Venao to Panama City by Land
Take a bus to Chitré and Rent a Car
It is most likely you will prefer to take the whole 5 hour-ride to Panama City from Playa Venao because it is very comfortable. Above all, the trip to Panama city is very straightforward, with paved streets. However, you need to figure out how to get to Chitré.
Our recommendation is to rent a 4×4 car when traveling in Panama because you may encounter some potholes on the streets. And of course, it also gives you more flexibility in case you want to visit any other cities between.
Where to find Car Rentals in Chitré.
Hop on a bus to Chitré and pick your preferred Car Rental Service to drive to Panama City. There are several Car Rentals services to choose from in Chitre.
If you took a flight to Chitré you can rent a car with Thrifty Car Rental right at the Chitré’s Alonso Valderrama Airport. However, you have many other options in downtown Chitre like Avis Rent A Car, Dollar Car Rental, Sixt Rent a Car, and Hertz.
What to expect from the trip:
Beware with speed limits and radar on the road!
Local buses from Playa Venao to Las Tablas to Panama City
If you are looking for the cheapest transportation, make sure to catch a bus From Playa Venao to Las Tablas bus terminal.
Beware! Buses may not be on schedule so be at least 1 hour before your departure.
Lastly, catch a 5-hour bus to Panama City that will drop you off at the La Gran Terminal de Albrook. Check out the bus schedules here.
Public Transportation Prices
Bus from Playa Venao to Las Tablas: aprox.$2.50 – $4
Bus from Las Tablas to Panama City: aprox $10.
What to expect from the trip:
There are waiting times and possible delays, so expect an 8-hour journey all the way from Playa Venao to Panama City.
Hire a taxi from Playa Venao to Panama City
Another comfortable way to get from Playa Venao to Panama City is by hiring a taxi. If you got there by taxi and you know your return date, try fixing a date for a round trip and get a better rate.
You could also consider hiring a taxi to take you to the airport.
Taxi Prices:
Playa Venao to Panama City: $200-$300.
Playa Venao to Chitré Airport: $50-$65
What you should know before heading back to Panama City
To sum up, getting from Playa Venao to Panama City by land is more comfortable in general. Taking a private shuttle or Taxi is your best bet. If you don’t plan on making any other stops in any other city! Renting a car is also a great option, most people get to Playa Venao by car.
- If you are taking a taxi, we recommend you to have some change with you.
- Beware, there are no ATMs near Playa Venao so make sure you find one in Pedasí.