Playa Venao to Panama City: Shuttle with WiFi & Pickup

4.70

(27 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The pink shuttle was already waiting when I dragged my sandy backpack out of the hostel — you really can’t miss it, honestly. Our driver, Luis, waved me over and helped stow my board on the roof rack (I always worry about that part, but he handled it like he’s done it a thousand times). The air inside was cool and smelled faintly of sunscreen and something floral — maybe someone’s shampoo? I flopped into a seat by the window, pillow already there, and tried not to fall asleep before we even left Playa Venao.

We rolled out just after sunrise, picking up a few more sleepy faces along the way. There was this quiet hum of people settling in — headphones going on, someone scrolling through photos using the onboard WiFi (which actually worked better than I expected), bags tucked under seats. Luis checked in with everyone about snacks or coffee before our break; he seemed to know which roadside stand had the best empanadas near Pedasí. When we finally stopped for a stretch, the air outside felt heavier and sweet — like wet earth after rain. I grabbed a coffee that tasted stronger than anything back home.

The road into Panama City is long but not boring if you’re half-awake and watching the landscape change out your window — green hills flattening out, more traffic, then suddenly skyscrapers poking through haze. At drop-off, Luis made sure nobody left gear behind (I almost forgot my charger under the seat). It’s funny how a simple shuttle ride can stick with you; I still think about that early morning light over Venao as we pulled away.