Transportation in Panama is fairly well developed. The majority of the trips are done by car while a great part in public transport. The public transportation system is in need of modernization and other improvements.
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Main articles: Rail transport in Panama, Panama Railway
total: 355 km
broad gauge: 0 km 5 ft (1,524 mm) gauge (2000) converted to standard gauge
standard gauge: 76 km 4 ft 81⁄2 in (1,435 mm) gauge (2000) converted from broad gauge
narrow gauge: 279 km 3 ft (914 mm) gauge (No longer in service)[1]
(from North to South)
Costa Rica - no (there was a break-of-gauge from 3 ft (914 mm) since Costa Rica uses 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge)
Colombia - noA July 5, 2008 meeting between Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador regarding a railway for freight and passengers to link the three countries, and the Pacific ocean with the Atlantic ocean was held.[3]
total: 11,258 km
paved: 3,783 km (including 30 km of expressways)
unpaved: 7,475 km (1999 est.)
Highways are somewhat well developed for Central America. In Panama City are 6 highways working being that the Panama-Arraijan Bridge of the Americas, Panama-Arraijan Centennial Bridge, Arraijan-Chorrera, Corredor Norte, Corredor Sur, and Autopista Alberto Motta
Panama's roads, traffic and transportation systems are generally safe, but traffic lights often do not exist, even at busy intersections. Driving is often hazardous and demanding due to dense traffic, undisciplined driving habits, poorly maintained streets, and a lack of effective signs and traffic signals. On roads where poor lighting and driving conditions prevail, night driving is difficult. Night driving is particularly hazardous on the old Panama City – Colon highway.[4]
Buses and taxis are not always maintained in a safe operating condition due to lack of regulatory enforcement. Since 2007, auto insurance is mandatory in Panama.[5] If an accident occurs, the law requires that the vehicles remain in place until a police officer responds to investigate. Traffic in Panama moves on the right, and Panamanian law requires that drivers and passengers wear seat belts.[4]
Flooding during the April to December rainy season occasionally makes city streets impassible and washes out some roads in the interior of the country. In addition, rural areas are often poorly maintained and lack illumination at night. Such roads are generally less traveled and the availability of emergency roadside assistance is very limited. Road travel is more dangerous during the rainy season and in the interior from Carnival through Good Friday. Carnival starts the Saturday prior to Ash Wednesday and goes on for four days.[4]
800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 km Panama Canal
crude oil 130 km
total: 5,005 ships (1,000 gross register tons (GRT) or over) totaling 122,960,929 GRT/183,615,337 metric tons deadweight (DWT)
ships by type: (June 2005 Update est.)
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note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 71 countries among which are (2005 update)
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Foreign Owned Ships: 4,388
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117 (2006 est.)
total: 53
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 18
under 914 m: 28 (2006 est.)
total: 64
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 53 (2006 est.)
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the CIA World Factbook.
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  | Copa Airlines - Copa Airlines, Airline Tickets, Last minute airfare to Latin America, travel to Central America. |
| | Copa Airlines UK Site - The national airline of Panama - copaairlines.co.uk - Copa UK Sales |
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