Driving in Altos del Maria
About Getting Around in Altos del Maria
Altos del María is a beautiful mountain community with steep, winding roads and changing elevations—part of what makes it so scenic and peaceful.
While this terrain is manageable for most confident drivers, it can feel challenging for visitors who are unfamiliar with mountain driving, especially in wet or misty conditions.
For this reason, we strongly recommend not renting a basic or compact hire car, as these often lack the power and ground clearance needed for the terrain.
While an SUV is preferred for added comfort and confidence, it is not strictly necessary—just avoid the smallest, low-powered models.
Driving in Panama & Staying Connected
Driving in Panama is straightforward for confident drivers, with generally good main highways but variable road conditions in rural and mountain areas—so drive defensively, allow extra time, and expect the unexpected (slow vehicles, potholes, livestock).
For navigation, we strongly recommend using Waze, which is the most accurate and widely used app locally for real-time traffic, road closures, and police checkpoints.
To make this work smoothly, you’ll need a reliable local 4G connection—on arrival at Tocumen International Airport you can easily buy a prepaid SIM card from providers like Mas +Movil, or Tigo at the airport kiosks in the arrivals hall; the plans are inexpensive, quick to activate, and will keep you connected throughout your stay.
