My husband and I will be arriving in Panama on Sat December 30 and renting for several months in Boquete as possible place to retire permanently. I have several questions about how to make the transfer in PTY and getting from David airport to Boquete. Hopefully someone on this forum has been in similar situation and can provide guidance.
First, our direct flight from Boston arrives in PTY at 2:13 PM and our connecting flight to David leaves at 4:01. I'm concerned about whether this is enough time to (a) get off the plane (b) collect baggage and go through customs and (c) get to connecting gate for flight to David. An additional challenge is that my husband recently underwent knee surgery so will be using a wheel chair inside the airports. We'll also be bringing several large bags with us.
So my questions:
1) are we crazy to think a 1 3/4 hour layover in PTY is enough time to make our connection?
2) Is it possible to hire someone in Tocumen ahead of time (at an agreed price) to meet us at the plane with a wheel chair and help us with luggage and getting through customs and to connecting gate?
3) Are there people in Boquete we could hire to pick us up at Malek and drive us to Boquete (we're renting at Casa Valhalla)?
Many many thanks for any and all advice!
Sara
Replies
Leaving for David at 4:01 is the last flight of the day. If your flight from Boston is Copa, I'd bet on a smooth transfer thru PTY. Be sure to get a wheelchair assistant! Trust me, you will want to tip. They make it so easy.
I personally think that 1-3/4 hours is plenty of time to make the connection, particularly with wheelchair service. Others make it in far less.
thanks!
I would suggest taking a later flight to David. I think there is a 5:45 one more or less. Much less stressing over the time. The airport isn't large, so if everything goes smoothly, your 1:45 time should be OK, but to be sure, go later. The suggestion to stay overnight at the Riande is another good solution. The Riande has a shuttle to and from Tocumen. So does the Crown Plaza.
Regarding checked-through bags, my bag was checked through, but it was off-loaded at Tocumen baggage. If I hadn't waited for it (I didn't trust it would go to David), it would have been circulating on the baggage belt while I was on the plane to David.
I'll check on later flight but one didn't come up when I originally booked.
I've found it helpful to provide the baggage info to the domestic check-in agent so that they can chase down bags that are going on to David. So far, me and baggage have arrived in David at the same time.
By "domestic check-in agent", you mean when we get to gate for flight to Malek?
Flew in last month on Copa Air. Our bags were checked through to David so getting through customs was pretty quick. I think even with a wheelchair. I suggest you check with your airlines to see if they will check your bags through. Check with Casa Valhalla they probably can arrange airport transport. Our hotel did at $35.
Thanks Grant. Good to know it worked for you recently.
Thanks to my husband having broken numerous limbs since living here, we have made the trip through Tocumen and Malek in a wheel chair many times. You will love! They totally take care of you. Just let the airlines know you need assistance. You will be met at the plane, taken a special route using elevators, help with luggage ( book your bags through to David and 50% of the time they announce to go through immigration without your bags and they will go straight though to David. For me, I'm batting .75 on not having to get my luggage, I usually travel on Mondays). The same person will stay with you from the time you are met at the plane in Tocumen until you are boarding your plane for David. You will often be waved to the front of the line. They will take you to a restroom if needed. Your chance is very good that you will make your connection, because you will get the extra help. The person assigned to help us has always spoken English. We do tip our helper about $10-20 for staying with us for 2-3 hours, but that is up to you, and certainly not required.
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