After three trips to Panama, we figured we had the process down pat, but every trip presents its own challenges. Fortunately, the travel aspects of fourth trip were remarkably smooth. Because it wasn’t eventful, it may not be extremely helpful to document it, but if our experiences help any future travelers avoid problems, it’ll be worth it.

Copa continues to make it easier for North American anglers to get to Panama. Over the past year they’ve added direct flights between Panama City’s Tocumen Airport and US cities including Austin and Baltimore. Now they’re at it again, adding direct flights between Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and Panama City.

One of the things that make fishing trips to Panama so easy is the wealth of direct flights between the United States and Tocumen Airport. Later this year Copa will start flights between Panama City (PTY) and Austin, Texas (AUS) on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.