Welcome to panama.
Panama city, is like something you would expect to see in the USA, all sky rised building blocks, shiney in the sun. Lots and lots of twisting roads, all with shiney new cars on them. Its weird but every car i have seen today, has been brand new. There is plenty of American influence in this city, Mcdonalds, Dennys (whatever that is?) Pizza hut, KFC, Subway, ok so Costa rica has all this, but not on every single corner, thats new. The weather is about the same as Costa rica, maybe i expected something more hotter? The hotel is hmmmmm, well i am not too sure on the hotel yet, it screams "unsafe" but the guide books quoted it as being ideal for backpackers and safe, clean and has a tv. Plus it worked out cheaper than staying in a dorm, which was more money?? Internet is cheap in panama city, 50cent which 25p ha ha the cheapest i have ever paid in my life, god knows how much a dinner is gonna cost us, there is a place next door that does food, and also there is one across the street, we shall investigate.
I was sad to leave costa rica, 3months is a long time in one place, but i liked it there, i am not sure on Panama yet, the guy at immigration was a pig!! so bloody rude, and thinking just because he controls the ins and outs on the boarder, that makes him god or something... one thing i cant stand is arsey bloody ppl who think just because they got a tiny bit of power, they are aloud to be rude. Well we are off to find some food, and then sleep til morning, 18hours is a hell of a journey.
San Jose - Panama city
the trip will cost you $25 or in colones with tax that is 13,000c one way ticket, double that for a return ticket. The Tica bus office in San jose is easy to find, its by the Sanfransico church. Getting your ticket is easy, remember to bring your passport. depending on when you want to leave, you should try get it a few days in advance, for instance, when travelling to Granada in Nicaragua, we got our ticket two weeks in advance, that was just before new years tho. Coming back to San Jose we got it three days in advance, and coming to Panama city, we got it five days in advance, plus we was the last two seats. The bus leaves Tica bus at 10pm. Get there 45mins before hand, check in, get your immigration forms, and place bags into the bus. It gets to Costa ricas exit at 4.30am, tho the office opens at 6am, you have to wait outside the window until it opens, get your exit stamp, walk down the road to the Panama entrance, and buy a panama postage type stamp, its $1 you do need this, remember to bring a dollar!!! next get your stamp for entry, now i will warn you, the ppl who run this entry post are bloody rude, and if your slow gettin to the window, they will treat you like a stupid idiot. They will ask you how long your staying and where, then finally you get your stamp.
If your like me, born in UK and Europe, then cheer, we dont need those panama tourist cards, which cost $8. but if your a American, sorry $8 please...
You then grab your bag, take it to be search, which means, open it up a little, let the old bloke look at your knickers and then leave, get back on Tica bus, all finished by 8.45am... Panama immigration was by far the worse boarder crossing, Nicaragua was fine, and so is Costa rica. Its very long winded and boring, and by the time your being barked at by the Neo nazi behind the entry booth, you wish you went by air.
You arrive in Panama city at about 4pm, at the main bus station, a taxi to the city cost us only $2 which is what the books do say. All in all, Tica bus is a very well run bus service, they give you all the needed documents, and tell you what to expect.
best advice i can give, is dont forget to bring american dollars with you thru all boarders, because all boarders are different, some cost money to enter, and some cost to exit, Nicaragua, cost $8 each way thru, Costa rica doesnt cost anything, and Panama costs $1 for that postage stamp thing, and if your american it also costs you extra $8.
