Author: Sarah Hackman
As I mentioned in a previous blog, I have to leave Costa Rica every ninety days to renew my visa. I recently took a trip to Panama for my ‘visa run.’ 
After some planning with Lonely Planet and advice from those who had been there before, I was ready to pack my bag and head off to San Jose to begin my adventure! I arrived at the Tica Bus station at 10 pm as ready as I could be for my sixteen hour bus ride to Panama City. I’ve had my share of bus rides traveling for lacrosse, but sixteen hours was going to be a first! It was surprising manageable, being an overnight bus I slept through the night before arriving to the border at 5 am, Costa Rica time. The Costa Rica side of the border went quite smoothly. I waited, with a coffee and an empanada, with many Central Americans and other “backpackers” like myself for the offices to open. The Panama side of the border was a different story. It was packed with hurried travelers anxious to get their passports stamped and bags checked. 
After 5 hours, we finally left the border at 11 am Panama time. The bus played a lot of movies, one being Marley and Me and despite my best efforts, I was balling by the end. With a few more movies, the second half of the journey flew by. Finally arriving at the Panama City bus terminal later that afternoon, I was eager to get to my hostel and begin my travels in Panama! The first night I stayed in Cangrejo, a part of modern Panama city close to the many upscale hotels, restaurants, casinos, and skyscrapers. I planned some things to do for the days ahead, relaxed, and went to bed early for a much needed good night’s sleep!
More pictures of Panama city
