Is There Uber In Panama In 2024? Locations, Price & Reliability

Are you planning a trip to Panama and curious to know if there is Uber in any of the cities?

Luckily, the answer is yes…there is Uber in Panama in 2023, however, Uber is only available in Panama City and David. That said, it’s sometimes possible to arrange for your Uber driver to take you anywhere in the country.

If you’re visiting Panama you can use Uber as a convenient transportation option to get around and explore the area. We sure did! 

But now you know that there is Uber in Panama, are you wondering if it’s reliable? Or how affordable it is? I’m going to cover this and much more in this post.

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Is There Uber In Panama?

Good news, there is Uber In Panama in 2023. I’ll go over the best way to use Uber when visiting Panama, its affordability and reliability. I’m also going to quickly cover other transport options and make some suggestions about when you could use Uber and when you might like to use local transport.

When Jack and I visited Panama, I really have to admit that we were surprised to find that there was Uber. We were even more delighted to discover that they were affordable to use, although at times their reliability was questionable.

However, the international ride-share app only exists in Panama City and David, another large city. Therefore, it’s not possible to solely rely on Uber as your transportation option and they are not always going to be the best option. Why? Because Panama City also has a fantastic METRO line.

During our 2 weeks in Panama, we used every type of transportation available to get us around the country; train, bus, boat and of course Uber. We also rented bikes, sailed the San Blas Islands and booked standard yellow cabs in places such as Boquete.

If you’re planning to travel around Panama then you’ll want to utilise these transportation options too!

Cities In Panama That Have Uber

Panama City – David

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Is Uber Legal In Panama

Uber sure is legal in Panama! The Central American country joined the Uber craze back in 2014 and since then has been steadily growing in popularity.

There has been some contention between Panama City taxi drivers and Uber as the latter is directly competing with them. And, since Uber offers lower fares this has caused a divide, however, compared to other countries, such as Costa Rica and Colombia the protests have not been so bad.

Today, Uber has settled into the capital as a popular transportation option used by locals and tourists. The only time using Uber can sometimes cause an issue is around airports.

❗Travellers do get scammed by local taxi drivers, especially when arriving at the airports in Colombia. I recommend always taking a private shuttle service from the airport to your hotel ▶︎ Book Yours Now!

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Is Uber Safe In Panama

Uber pride itself on safety, it’s one of the reasons they have been doing so well globally. Each driver is background checked before being accepted by Uber and every detail of the ride is documented and tracked.

These safety precautions are in place to deter Uber drivers from committing a crime.

Using Uber at night time is also safe in Panama, for the same reasons noted above. Nevertheless, you should always check the registration matches your booking before getting in the taxi.

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Is There Uber In Panama City, Panama?

Yes, there is Uber in Panama City and it’s fantastic to use. It’s actually in Panama City that we used Uber but you can book travel in David as well.

It works exactly the same as it does back home (UK). While it’s an excellent option for getting around the capital, keep in mind that it may not be accessible in all parts of the country.

Pro Tip: Don’t speak Spanish? Check out Uber English!

Types Of Uber Vehicles

When it comes to using Uber in Panama, there are several options you can choose from. We normally stick to the basic UberX, but sometimes, (like if we’re heading to a fancy restaurant) we’ll book an Uber Black.

Is Uber Expensive In Panama?

One of the standout advantages of utilising Uber while you’re in Panama is its affordability. Considering how expensive Panama can be, we were pleasantly surprised by how budget-friendly Uber was.

Panamanian Uber has managed to keep its rates reasonable, even in a place like Panama City, where the cost of living sometimes rivalled that of our home country!

How Reliable Is Uber In Panama?

Most people will agree Uber is generally reliable in Panama City and in David. However, it’s a good idea to have alternative transportation options in mind in case Uber isn’t available in certain areas or during peak times.

For us, we found Uber to be reliable 9 times out of 10, however, there were a couple of “no-shows”. Luckily, no fees were taken only two very frustrated travellers!

The majority of our Ubers did arrive and we had a safe and comfortable experience which was available when we needed it. That said, we only used Uber in Panama City, (and Jaco Beach when we were travelling around in Costa Rica for the first time).

👉 The only time you really need to ensure your taxi arrives is when you’re heading to the airport. I recommend booking a private shuttle service from your hotel to the airport ▶︎ Book Yours Now!

Why Use Uber?

Overall, Uber is great and affordable but there are other reasons to use Uber while you’re in Panama. A feature that we love is the agreed fare, it just means no negotiating on price for smoother more transparent journeys. 

We’ve had some wild experiences with local taxi drivers’ and although this is part of the travelling experience, Uber helps to make moving around easier, especially if you don’t speak the language!

On top of that, Uber’s rate system is an effective way to ensure your driver is going to be reliable, just aim for 4+ stars. We always like to leave a review if we’ve had a good experience. 

You’ll find some Uber drivers have free bottles of water, many have tissues and antibac available to use too. Even though we have our reusable water bottles, it’s a thoughtful touch.

⭐Pro Tip: If you can, register your Uber app with a local number so you can receive phone calls from your driver while waiting without incurring additional fees. From experience, sometimes the location pin doesn’t send the correct spot! 

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Is There Public Transport In Panama?

Absolutely! In addition to Uber, Panama offers various public transportation options. You can consider using Yellow Taxis, Metro Bus services, the underground trains/subway (known as the METRO), and even Cabify – another taxi-hailing app – for your transportation needs.

Yellow Taxi

Although Uber reigns supreme in our minds and was definitely our preferred way (alongside the trains) to travel around Panama City the standard yellow taxis are also okay to use. 

The problem occurs when the meter is broken or when it’s quite obvious you’re being taken the wrong way…the long way! In truth, we didn’t find this a problem in Panama (probably because I speak Spanish and had my map out), although it does happen. 

There are a few things to watch out for such as “fake” taxi drivers; they should have insurance and a registration number on the dashboard. Since you can only use Uber via a mobile, if you’re out of battery a yellow taxi might be the best way home.

⭐ Pro Tip: To make sure you don’t get goaded it’s best to pre-negotiate the price before you get into the taxi and never pay upfront.

 Public Bus

Jack and I travelled around most of Panama on the buses and they really aren’t bad at all. More often than not you’ll end up in a minivan scurrying around between points A and B.

👉 We use Bookaway.com to book many of our bus journeys when travelling in South America because you can book online it’s super simple.

We didn’t use the buses in Panama City, as in all honesty, the Uber was so affordable that for an extra couple of dollars, we decided to ride in comfort. However, that’s not to say the buses shouldn’t be used. They are a great way of exploring Panama City. 

From what we can gather, all buses seem to depart from Albrook station. This is also where you’ll need to head if you’re planning to visit Playa Venao from Panama City.

For the Metro bus which navigates inside Panama City, they looked pretty comfortable with air conditioning. I’ve read that the cost is $0.25 for any one-way ride regardless of if you’re going one stop or to the end of the line.

⭐ Pro Tip: If you’re heading to the airport it’s $1.25 from central Panama City, an Uber is around $15. You’ll also need a MetroCard which costs $2.00 to use the bus and trains. You can buy these at the train station.

👉 To book BOOKAWAY ahead of time, go to Bookaway.com. (It’s best at least 4 days in advance).

Train/METRO

I loved using the trains and after Uber, getting around Panama City by train is the best option. These are super quick, clean, air-conditioned and easy to navigate since there’s only one line. 

A ride only costs $0.35 one way but you will need your MetroCard.

Other Taxi-Hailing Apps

You might want to try Cabify, it’s like Uber but has a unique pricing structure. Unlike Uber, which calculates fares based on both time spent and distance, Cabify charges passengers solely based on the distance of the predetermined route, no matter which route is taken.

This approach could translate into cost savings for passengers who opt for Cabify over Uber. We used Cabify in Colombia while we were travelling there and really got on well with them too.

Although we didn’t use them in Panama, it’s not a bad shout, especially if you’re on a tight budget.

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What Is The Best Way To Get Around In Panama?

The best way to get around Panama depends on your preferences and plans. Uber and public transportation can be quite convenient. Evaluate your itinerary to determine what suits you best.

For us, Uber and the METRO are the best ways of getting around Panama City. For Panama as a whole, public buses are the only way forward.

Renting a car is also an option, especially if you plan to explore more remote areas. We would have loved to road trip around Panama like we did in Bali, next time we visit this is likely how we will travel.

In Panama City and for those looking for an eco-friendly option, cycling around the city can be fun, but only on Sundays! 

Bike Around The City

If you’re up for a unique adventure in Panama City, you might want to consider hopping on a bike, but you’ll want to do this only on a Sunday. Navigating the traffic on two wheels can be quite a challenge, as drivers don’t always show the most respect for cyclists.

Sundays are your golden ticket to cycling bliss in Panama City! It’s because the government does something pretty cool. They shut down the Cinta Costera, creating a cyclist’s paradise that stretches all the way from Panama Viejo to Casco Viejo!

It’s like having your own car-free, scenic route through the heart of the city.

If you’re in Panama City on a Sunday, grab your bike and enjoy a relaxing ride along this stunning waterfront path – it’s an experience worth pedalling for – and one I wish we had known about before we visited!

👉 Don’t have a bike? You can rent bikes here at BURKE BIKES RENTAL SHOP. Not there on a Sunday? A bike tour around the city is the second best option; the best tours include stops at Cinta Costera and Casco Viejo. Check out this Panama Bike Tour which also stops at the Mercado de Mariscos – a local fish market.

Rent A Car In Panama

When it comes to renting a car in Panama, I think this is a great way to travel around. That said, you’re not going to need a rental in Panama City, Uber and public transport will do just fine.

Like always, there are a few things you need to watch out for when renting a car. Be sure to always read the fine print as many rental car companies in Panama like to add additional costs at the end, such as insurance.

When we rent cars we like to use DISCOVER CARS. They are a fantastic 3rd party car rental company and have ZERO hidden fees, you can also purchase insurance directly from them. We’ve written a whole article explaining why we love Discover Cars and recommend them to our readers, you, here.

⭐ Pro Tip: Rush hour is weekdays from 7:00 am to 9:30 am, midday, and from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Try not to drive around the city during this time!

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Tips For Using Uber In Panama

✅ SIM Card: When you arrive in Panama I would recommend getting a local SIM Card if you plan to use Uber.

✅ Download the Uber App: Before your trip to Panama, make sure to download the Uber app if you haven’t already. It’s user-friendly and available for both Android and iOS devices. 

✅ Set Up Your Payment Method: Link a payment method to your Uber account, such as a credit card or PayPal. This way, you can seamlessly pay for your rides through the app!

✅ Communicate with Your Driver: When requesting a ride, you can speak with your Uber driver through the app. Use this feature to specify your pickup location or ask any questions you might have about the ride.

✅ Take A Photo Of the Uber Driver’s License Plate: Verify that the driver and vehicle match the details shown in the app before getting in and consider sitting in the back seat for added security.

✅ Share-Ride: Uber has a “share-ride” feature that you can use to share your trip with friends and family.

✅ City Map: If you download a Panama City map on Google Maps you can track where you’re going. You can also use it offline but make sure to download it first while you do have signal!

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Uber In Panama FAQs

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Conclusion: Is There Uber In Panama?

Overall, I recommend using Uber in Panama. It’s undeniably an easy, affordable and for the most part, reliable way of moving around Panama City. The affordable fares were the biggest positive for us since we were backpacking, but the usability and responsiveness of the drivers were also a bonus. 

If you’re heading to Panama be sure to utilise Uber during your trip but don’t forget about public transport too and remember to consider your specific travel needs and preferences when making transportation decisions.