So, you've landed at Tocumen International Airport and now you need to know how to get from Panama City to Pedasi, Playa Venao or Cañas.

I'll discuss your five options below, but first let's look at exactly where these special places are located.

Where is Pedasi...and Playa Venao...and Cañas?

Pedasi, Playa Venao and Cañas are located in southern Panamá on the Azuero Peninsula in the Los Santos Province of Panamá.

Here are their respective distances from Panama City:

• Pedasi — 326 kilometers (203 miles)
• Playa Venao — 360 kilometers (224 miles)
• Cañas — 352 kilometers (219 miles)

Pedasi is a quaint and colorful small town with a mix of Panamanians and expats (rough estimates are a 90/10 ratio). There are a few grocery stores (many of which stock "gringo" gluten-free and organic items), a couple of banks, several small hotels and hostels, cafés, restaurants and bars, and gas stations.

Playa Venao is one of a few surf communities on the Azuero and a popular tourist destination (especially for younger people and particularly when there's a music festival). Services are a bit limited, but improving—there is currently a gas station with a small general store, several hotels and hostels, and numerous restaurants and bars.

Cañas is a tiny countryside community with a small expat population, very limited services, and abundant nature. There is a small grocery store, a few small fondas (family owned restaurants), a skateboard park, and a couple of churches. This is where captains launch for fishing excursions.

There are several ways you can get to each place—by plane, bus, shuttle, car or private driver.

TIP ❶: Make sure you have WhatsApp and the Uber app set up before you arrive to Panama City. Uber is first choice...yellow taxis are okay in a pinch, but negotiate the fare before you get in the car!

How to Get from Panama City to Pedasi, Playa Venao & Cañas

Option 1: Rent a Car & Drive

Although it takes a bit more effort to drive yourself, we recommend renting a car and driving to Pedasi, Playa Venao and Cañas to get the most out our of your visit to the Azuero Peninsula.

There is a significant distance between communities on the peninsula and lots of fabulous things to see, so having a car will make your visit exponentially better.

It's not (usually) a difficult drive—the roads are paved and the highways are generally smooth. That being said, you definitely want to keep an eye out for potholes and speed traps, both of which show up more than you'd like!

TIP ❷: Use Waze (and watch for oncoming cars to flash their brights) to alert you of the many speed traps along the way.

On an obstacle-free day, it'll take you about five hours to get from Panama City to Pedasi, Playa Venao or Cañas — but, you always need to be mentally and physically prepared for delays because it's Central America.

Traffic is common and road blocking protests are not uncommon—both of these can turn the 5 hour trip into an 8+ hour trip.

If you do decide to rent a car and your flight arrives in the afternoon or evening, we suggest you wait until the next day to drive here. It’s best to be well rested and arrive before dark so you can find where you’re staying with as little stress as possible!

Casco Viejo, Panama City’s historical district, is an excellent place to spend a night or two! Check out our favorite places to stay on our Panama Travel channel.

TIP ❸: If you want to maximize your time on the Azuero Peninsula, we suggest taking a red eye flight that arrives at Tocumen early in the morning. You can pick up your rental car and arrive just after lunch so you have beach time on your first day!

To drive to Pedasi and Playa Venao, you'll take one route—through Las Tablas and Pocri into Pedasi and Venao. The faster way to Cañas is on a scenic back road that turns off of the main road in Las Tablas (not recommended at night or when it's raining as it can be a bit intimidating).

TIP ❹: Make sure you have plenty of food, water, patience, and a phone charger in case you hit an obstacle. 

On the Cañas route, slow down or stop at the three concrete bridges for some potential howler monkey sightings. They often come down out of the trees here!

TIP ❺: We recommend avoiding Corredor Sur in Panama City, opting instead for the slightly longer, but less busy, route on Corredor Norte. 

If you choose this option, you definitely need to read this post — 12 Tips for Renting a Car in Panamá (Don't miss the tip on the Panapass for local toll roads!)

Pros of Renting a Car and Driving:

1. Total freedom to explore the beautiful azuero peninsula

Cons of Renting a Car and Driving:

1. Can be pricey depending upon the length of your stay
2. Half day travel time

Option #2: Fly From Panama City to Pedasi

There are a few companies offering flights from Marcos A Gelabert Airport in the city (AKA Albrook Airport) to Pedasi, but this can change frequently.

Flights are only about 45 minutes, so this is a much faster way to get to the Azuero Peninsula.

❶ FlyTrip operates flights from Panama City to Pedasi for approximately $200 round trip or $100 one way. Be sure to check the flight schedule when booking your international ticket to ensure a smooth connection. Book directly on their website, contact them by phone (+507-123-4567), or email them for more information. 

❷ AMF offers a private charter option. You can reach them on WhatsApp (+507 6274 0454) or you can email them at vuelospedasi@amfcap.net.

❸ Morgan's Tours offers shared or private charter flights on 3, 5, 7 or 9 seater planes. Price for the standard shared flight typically range from $175-$345 depending on the number of passengers sharing the flight. You can reach them on WhatsApp (+507-6630-5733), by email, or on their website.

❹ Sky Ride offers three types of flights to Pedasí:

Private charter flight ($$$$) — You decide the time and date of your personal and exclusive flight. You have the option of allowing Sky Ride to sell your "Empty Legs", which will earn you 25% of the sales price. (An Empty Leg is the empty stretch—without cargo or passengers—that a charter flight has, so selling it has no impact on your flight experience.)

Shared flights ($$-$$$) — Share the costs of your flight by either joining an existing flight or starting your own flight. Sky Ride's system will automatically open the flight up to other passengers, as well as the "Empty Leg" created.

Empty legs ($$) — If you can adjust to what is available, you can take advantage of the "Empty Legs" created by other people's flights at a much lower cost. You cannot decide on the time and date.

Check the shared flight schedule, visit the Sky Ride website, email them, or call/WhatsApp them at +1 (213) 550-5194.

❺ Air Panama offers regularly scheduled flights from Panama City to Chitre for approximately $160 and one-way about $80. Chitre is about an hour from Pedasi and nearly two hours from Playa Venao. (You will have to take a bus or taxi from there.) Book your tickets directly on their website. Make sure you book your international ticket at a time that works with their flights if you plan on going with this option. You can also reach them by telephone (+507- 316-9000) or email (operadora@airpanama.com or reservaciones@airpanama.com).

If your ultimate destination is Playa Venao or Cañas, you'll have to hire a taxi to get you there or make transportation arrangements with your host.

Pros of Flying:

• Super fast travel time
• No risk of being impacted by protests

Cons of Flying:

• Expensive
• Limited ability of flights
• Tougher to rent a car down here

Option #3: Hire a Private Driver From Panama City to Pedasi, Playa Venao & Cañas

There are many private drivers who will transport you directly from your exact location in Panama City to your exact location in Pedasi, Playa Venao or Cañas.

If you don't mind the longer drive coupled with the high price tag (approximately $250), this is the most convenient and relaxing way to get here.

It's important to find a reliable one so you don't get into a "no show" situation! Contact us for a recommendation for a private driver who will be available at the time of your trip.

Pros of Hiring a Private Driver:

• Easy door-to-door service

Cons of Hiring a Private Driver:

• Slight risk of "no show"
• Long travel time
• At risk of being impacted by protests
• Expensive
• Tougher to rent a car down here

Option #4: Take a Shuttle From Panama City to Pedasi or Playa Venao

There are several shuttles offering service from Panama City to Pedasi and Playa Venao; some will pick you up at the airport, just be sure to inquire about your pick up location.

Our favorite shuttle operator is BeachBreak Shuttle — daily shuttle leaves the city at 9:00 a.m. (last I checked it was $60/per person, one way). Book on their website.

If your ultimate destination is Cañas, you'll have to make additional transportation arrangements with your host to get there from Playa Venao.

Pros of Taking a Shuttle:

• Moderate price

Cons of Taking a Shuttle:

• Departure times can be a little delayed
• Long travel time
• At risk of being impacted by protests
• Tougher to rent a car down here

Option 5: Take the Bus from Panama City to Pedasi, Playa Venao or Cañas

Although it's an option to take the bus from the city to the Azuero Peninsula, it's definitely for the more adventurous type as it takes some planning and a willingness to deal with transfers.

You can check the bus schedule here.

There are frequent buses departing from the Albrook Bus Terminal to Las Tablas, the closest bus terminal to Pedasi. This portion of the trip takes approximately five hours.

In Las Tablas, you will need to change busses in order to continue on to Pedasi, Playa Venao or Cañas (an additional 1 to 2 hours).

Some people choose to take a taxi from Las Tablas (at the time of this post, taxi fare to Venao was about $50.00).

TIP ❻: If you're continuing to Pedasi, Venao or Cañas by bus, make SURE you arrive in Las Tablas before 6 p.m. to catch the Playa Venao/Cañas bus AND be prepared to take a taxi from your arrival stop to your departure stop.

Be prepared for some serious A/C on the bus! We've heard stories of people freezing their bums off on the ride down here.

Pros of Taking a Bus:

• Super cheap

Cons of Taking a Bus:

• Long travel time
• At risk of being impacted by protests
• A bit more complicated
• Tougher to rent a car down here