Bus from Panama City to Las Tablas
Bus · ~4 hr · $10–$16 USD · frequent departures
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The Panama City to Las Tablas bus carries travelers from the capital deep into the Azuero peninsula, to the Los Santos capital famous for Panama's most celebrated Carnival, the La Pollera dress, and the Santa Librada festival. From Albrook the route runs west on the Interamericana to the Divisa junction, then south through Chitré to Las Tablas. Departures are frequent through the day, fares run roughly $10–$16, and the journey takes about four hours. Because Las Tablas sits farther down the peninsula than Chitré, it's one of the longer Azuero-bound runs from the capital.
These are comfortable air-conditioned coaches on good highway, with the usual late-afternoon traffic getting out of Panama City being the main thing to plan around. An earlier departure means a smoother run. Bring a layer for the cold AC and cash for any roadside stop. If you're heading down for Carnival or Santa Librada, travel demand spikes and seats fill fast, so plan ahead. Las Tablas's terminal puts you at the center of the lower Azuero, with onward connections to Pedasí and the peninsula's beach towns.
Route details: Panama City to Las Tablas
Travel time
4 h
Distance
290 km
Typical fare
$10 – $16 USD per person
Frequency
Frequent departures through the day
First departure
Approx. 6:00 AM
Last departure
Approx. 8:00 PM
Operators on this route
Las Tablas–Panamá buses
Pickup at Panama City
Albrook Bus Terminal (Gran Terminal de Transporte) in Panama City
Drop-off at Las Tablas
Las Tablas bus terminal, the Los Santos capital on the Azuero peninsula
About the journey
Bound for the deep Azuero, the bus pulls out of Albrook and heads west on the Interamericana, leaving the capital's sprawl for the farming plains of Panamá Oeste and Coclé. The highway runs past Penonomé and Aguadulce, with sugarcane fields, rice paddies and coastal salt flats lining the road and the central mountains rising to the north. At Divisa the bus leaves the Pan-American Highway and turns south into the peninsula, passing through Chitré, the Herrera capital, before continuing to Las Tablas. This final stretch crosses the dry, rural heart of Los Santos province, a land of cattle pasture, small towns and deep folklore traditions. Las Tablas is the home of Panama's biggest Carnival and the La Pollera national dress, and the roughly 290 km journey takes about four hours, carrying you from the bustle of the capital to the festival heartland of the Azuero.
Travel tips for Panama City → Las Tablas
- Leave Albrook before the afternoon traffic. Outbound capital congestion peaks late in the day, so an earlier departure gets you onto the open Interamericana sooner.
- Plan ahead for festival travel. Around Carnival and the Santa Librada festival, demand for Las Tablas buses spikes, so reserve or arrive early to secure a seat.
- Pack a layer for the AC. The long coaches run strong air conditioning, so keep a sweater or jacket within reach for the four-hour ride.
- Bring small US dollars. Fares run $10–$16 in cash and Panama uses the US dollar, so have small bills for the ticket and snacks.
- Reach Albrook by Metro. Albrook terminal is on Panama City's Metro line, so you can get there easily from anywhere in the city without a taxi.
- Connect onward to Pedasí. From Las Tablas you can pick up a local bus to Pedasí and the beach towns of the lower Azuero, so check those times when you arrive.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Panama City to Las Tablas bus?
About four hours over roughly 290 km, running west on the Interamericana to Divisa, then south through Chitré to Las Tablas. Afternoon traffic leaving the capital can add time.
How much does the bus cost?
Fares run about $10–$16 USD in cash, a bit more than to Chitré since Las Tablas is farther down the peninsula. Panama uses the US dollar, so bring small bills.
How often do buses leave Panama City for Las Tablas?
Frequently through the day, from around 6:00 AM until about 8:00 PM, departing from Albrook terminal.
Is the bus busier during Carnival?
Yes. Las Tablas hosts Panama's biggest Carnival, so around festival season buses fill quickly. Plan ahead, reserve if you can, and arrive early at the terminal.
Can I continue to Pedasí from Las Tablas?
Yes. Las Tablas is the hub for the lower Azuero, with frequent local buses onward to Pedasí and the peninsula's beach towns, so it's an easy place to connect.
Going the other direction?
Bus from Las Tablas to Panama City
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