Getting a cab in Panama City is sometimes challenging. Having found a taxi willing to go to your destination it is necessary to establish the fare. It is important to know that taxi fares have officially increased and taxi operators began charging the increases this week.

We offer you an explanation of the new rates, which were instated to offset the high cost of gasoline. Taxi drivers are supposed to carry a map with the new zoning, rates and extra charges, and just in case they do not have one handy, here is an explanation of how the new map works. This will help visitors understand what they should be paying for taxi transportation, even though what they are asked to pay may sometimes be more.

In the metropolitan area of the capital, there are seven zones, between the Causeway and all the way over past Panama Viejo. Minimum fare is $1.00, and it is fair enough for a short trip within a zone. Start handing over $1.25 if you travel “transversally” within a zone, which basically means a longer trip.

The extra charge to travel between zones has increased from $.25 to $.35. So if you are in San Francisico and cross over to a different zone in Marbella, or out to Panama Viejo, the cost will be $1.25 for your zone plus $.35 for the zone change, for a total of $1.60, which formerly cost $1.50

Farther out into the city and including San Miguelito, the different areas are divided into sectors, which contain Clayton and all the way out to the residential areas near the Tocumen International Airport.

Increases depend on the sector itself and it is necessary to refer to the two charts to calculate a fare.

Other changes include a new $.25 increase on Sundays and holidays, a $.25 nightime charge between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., $.50 for additional passengers, and $.40 for calling a cab in from the “piquera”, or taxi base.

Unless travelers are on a regular route and know their fare, it is recommendable for riders to establish a fare for the destination upon entering the cab.