GETTING HERE
People find their way to Cambutal in many different ways and all have there own benefits and drawbacks. Basically, there is no right or wrong way to get to Cambutal including getting lost along the way. After arriving in Panama City, you can travel to Cambutal and the Los Santos province by rental car, bus, taxi, private car, plane or a combination of all options. The following explains the different options in terms of convenience, affordability and speed.
Renting a Car:
Renting a car and exploring Panama on your way to Cambutal is likely the most convenient option for guests on a limited vacation timeline or that want to have the maximum amount of freedom and options upon arrival to the beach and full access to all of the surfing and exploring options that Panama, the Azuero and Cambutal have on offer.
There are multiple international reputable car rental services at the Panama City Tocumen Airport with additional locations throughout the City (many near hotels). Reserving a car prior to arrival will save you money and time. If you are staying in the City first to explore the canal, Casco Viejo and the Panama City night life and do not want the hassles of having a car in the city, we suggest taking a taxi or hotel shuttle to your hotel and renting a car when you are ready to leave the city. Taxi is the cheapest and easiest way around Panama City.
Car rental insurance is the most expensive part of renting a car in Panama, so investigating whether your credit card or domestic insurance provides coverage prior to arrival will save you money and allow you to waive the full coverage options the car rental companies charge as a default. All types of vehicles from a Toyota Hilux Pickup truck to a little gas efficient two-door car will get you to and around in Cambutal. Those who have traveled to and stayed in Cambutal will tell you that the best and must fun option is a 4×4 that will give you full access to the wilds of the ocean coastline of the Azuero Peninsula and beaches of Cambutal.
Driving Directions:
Please note when driving in Panama that it is a very well policed country and all driving laws and speeds should be observed during your travels. The Google Maps app is great for Panama and is a must for your international enabled cell phone with GPS for car travel in Panama. It is not a bad idea to print out Google Map Directions from Panama City to Cambutal.
Your route is as follows: Panama City to Chitre, Chitre to Las Tablas, Las Tablas to Tonosi, Tonosi to Cambutal.
The road to Cambutal starts by leaving Panama City via the Bridge of the Americas – Puente de las Américas on the Inter-American (Inter Americana) Highway a part of the Pan American Highway system. As you approach Arraijan look for and take the ramp for the Autopista Arraijan-La Chorrera which is a bypass of the downtown of Chorrera. If you miss the autopista, you will take a slower route through Chorrera, but still be headed in the correct direction.
Your first turn off the Inter Americana will be in Divisa (about 250 KM and 3 hours from Panama City depending on traffic), after passing through Chame, Penonome and Aqua Dulce. Penonome is a good stopping place for food, gas and bathrooms.
From Divisa, you will take the exit ramp on the right as you enter Divisa for Av. Dr. Belisario Porras / Route 2 for Chitre/Las Tablas that takes you above the highway and onto Route 2. Chitre is approximately 48 KM or 45 minutes on Route 2. Chitre is the cheapest place to get gas on Route 2 and the prices will get more expensive in each town as you approach Cambutal. There is a bypass of Chitre (Av Roberto Ramirez De Diego) on the right upon arriving in Chitre. If you take the bypass, turn right for Las Tablas at a four point stoplight after the ServiCentro with Hotel Hong Kong on left and Banco National on right.
From Chitre you travel to Las Tablas about 37 KM or half hour drive. Continue straight on the main in road in Las Tablas until you come to a stop sign with the town square and church on your right and a light green building directly in front of you. Go straight. Turning left at the stop sign will take you through the shopping district of Las Tablas (banks with ATMs, restaurants, small local hotels, and the last large grocery store Super Carne). Continue to T intersection where you will see a blue sign on left with a wave and “Tonosi”. Turn Left, then take first Right which puts you back on Route 2 to Valle Rico. Las Tablas to Cambutal is the most beautiful and pastoral part of your drive taking you up and down a mountain, over rivers and through hills ultimately bringing you to Playa Cambutal and the Pacific Ocean.
From Las Tablas you travel to Tonosi for just over an hour and about 61 KM. You will go up and down one of the highest mountains on the Azuero and when you wind down the backside of the hill you will come to a T-junction stop with bus stand on right. Turn Left. Continue to the next T-junction and stop. Turn Right. In approximately 5 minutes you will enter the town of Tonosi. Tonosi is the last stop to get groceries, fuel or cash from an ATM.
After entering Tonosi you will come to a T-Junction stop with bank (last ATM) on left and town square and bus plaza on right. Turn Right. You will continue past the shopping area and enter an open triangle intersection, continue straight with police station on your left. If you go right you will see rodeo grounds, bars and eventually a gas station. You will cross a bridge and pass a lagoon filled with resident crocodiles. There is a police checkpoint/station on outskirts of town. Drive the speed limit past it and stay left at fork.
From Tonosi you are on your way to Cambutal and will arrive in approximately 20 minutes. You will see a Bienvenudos Cambutal sign on Right (see home page scrolling images) painted by local artist and owner of Luna Negra resort upon entering town. Continue on into town passing the elementary school, clinic, and finally the plaza on left. You will come to a T-Junction Turn Right. The T-Junction has a local store (Beer, diapers, cell phone recharge cards) on far right corner. If the road turns to dirt and you come down to a river bed you missed the turn. You will go over a concrete bridge without guard rails and wind your way to the beach staying on the concrete paved road. Follow the paved road to Luna Negra and you have arrived at the Cambutal Beach Homes managers location for check-in.
BUS:
Taking a bus is the most affordable option for getting to Cambutal. Buses in Panama are privately owned and operated and generally clean and air-conditioned. If you get an express bus from Panama City, you will only stop once or twice for food and bathroom use and can arrive in Las Tablas as fast as around 4 hours depending on day and time of departure (and how crazy fast your bus driver drives).
Panama City to Chitre/Las Tablas/Tonosi/Cambutal.
From the Airport or your hotel, take a taxi or metro to the Albrook Bus Terminal at the Albrook Mall. Here you have a couple of options. The fastest way is to get an express ticket to Las Tablas and either take a taxi or bus to Tonosi/Cambutal. The bus ticket will be around $20 USD to Las Tablas and a taxi from Las Tablas to Cambutal will be around $40-60 USD. Alternatively, you can continue by bus from Las Tablas to Cambutal ($10-20 USD). However, you will have to change buses and bus stop locations in Las Tablas. Upon arrival, ask for directions from your driver or take a taxi requesting the Tonosi bus, via Cambutal.
Private Van/Driver Service:
There are a number of transportation services in Panama City that will drive to Cambutal. Contact us and we will help make arrangements if this is your preferred method of travel.
Airplane:
If jet setting is your style, you can fly to the Azuero Peninsula through Pedasi or Tonosi.
Charter a private flight to Tonosi from Panama City. This is the fastest and most expensive way to get to Cambutal. Interestingly, flying used to be the only way to get to the fishing village of Cambutal before the road was built. The flight is under an hour wheels up and down.
Contact:
My Flight Corporation
507.315.0433 or 507.67.076407
A flight to Pedasi flies out of the the Albrook Airport (requires transit from Tocumen to Albrook in Panama City). Pedasi is near Las Tablas and about 1.5 hours from Cambutal. Flying to Pedasi requires taking a taxi, bus or renting a car in Chitre to continue to Cambutal.
Contact:
Air Panama
507.316.9000
