Getting Here
Buses from Panama City to Las Tablas and/or Chitré depart regularly from the Albrook Bus Terminal (tel: 303-3030) throughout the day. From Las Tablas there is one direct bus to Eco Venao which leaves around 1pm (see Local Bus Timetable below). This bus leaves from the main square in Las Tablas. There are many other buses in that travel between Las Tablas and Pedasí each with their own stop. Asking a local is the best advice we can give you.
There are three daily buses from Pedasí to Eco Venao (except Sundays). The Local Bus Timetable below illustrates the regular local bus service. The local buses often leave both early and late so it is advisable to arrive at the stop in good time and have alternative plan (see By Taxi section below).
| Local Bus Timetable | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Las Tablas >>> | Pedasí >>> | Eco Venao >>> | Cañas >>> | Cañas >>> | Eco Venao >>> | Pedasí >>> | Las Tablas >>> | |
| – | – | – | – | 07:00 | 07:15 | 08:00 | 09:00 | |
| 13:00 | 14:00 | 15:00 | 15:30 | – | – | |||
| – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| – | 07:00 | 08:00 | 08:15 | 09:00 | 09:15 | 10:15 | – | |
| – | 12:00 | 13:30 | 13:45 | 15:00 | 15:15 | 16:15 | – | |
It is usually easy to find a taxi from Pedasí, Las Tablas or Chitre directly to Eco Venao. A fare from Pedasí to Eco Venao will cost approximately $25 and a fare from Las Tablas to Eco Venao will cost approximately $35-$40. We can help arrange a taxi service from Panama City upon request.
Flights to Chitre Airport are almost every day and Air Panama has recently reintroduced direct flights from Panama to Pedasi. At the moment these are three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Check on: https://www.airpanama.com
Other questions
The official currency is the Balboa, which exists only in coin format. Paper money is the US Dollar which is also legal tender and used as the day-to-day currency in Panama. (One dollar is equal to one balboa.) The closest ATMs to Eco Venao are in Pedasi at the Caja de Ahorros or Banco Nacional where most major credit cards are accepted.
There are good, although small rural hospitals in Tonosí and in Pedasí, both of which are a 30 minute drive from Eco Venao. Both towns also have pharmacies stocked with most basic medicines. There have been no cases of Malaria or Dengue Fever in the immediate area. This is largely due to the absence of mosquitos. Thankfully, they are only occasional visitors here. Noseeums known locally as Chitras (sandflies) can be a nuisance during sunrise and sunset. Herbal repellants may be helpful to bring with you.
In recent years there have been a handful of cases of the rodent borne Hantavirus in the region. While travelling, or on your return, it is always advisable to seek medical advice for any high fever or other flu like symptoms.
Temperatures range between 24º and 33º Celsius (75º and 91º Fahrenheit) in both the rainy and dry seasons – so there is no need to bring woolly jumpers to Eco Venao. The dry season is from December to April/May and the rainy season is from May/June to November – approximately.
The dry season usually brings months of sunny days without a cloud in the sky. The rainy season is very unpredictable – a week of fine weather is not uncommon. The tropical rain can be an awesome spectacle. Both seasons have their magic.