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MAR → PTY
Which side of the plane to sit from La Chinita International Airport (Maracaibo) to Tocumen International Airport (Panama City)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a spectacular aerial tour of the Caribbean coast, including the desert landscapes of La Guajira and the world-famous San Blas turquoise islands.
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Guajira Peninsula
Witness the dramatic arid desert coastline where the yellow sand meets the deep blue Caribbean Sea.
San Blas Archipelago
Stunning turquoise waters and white-sand coral islands of the indigenous Guna Yala territory.
Panama City Skyline
A panoramic view of the dense skyscraper district along the Bay of Panama during the descent.
Gulf of Panama
Vast ocean views with numerous shipping vessels preparing for their scheduled canal transit.
The right side is significantly more scenic for this route. Aim for an afternoon flight to get the best lighting on the San Blas Islands. As the flight progresses, look out for the stark transition from the Venezuelan gulf to the Colombian deserts, followed by the tropical paradise of Guna Yala. The approach into PTY usually offers the best skyline views from this side.
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Rafael Urdaneta Bridge
View the massive bridge spanning Lake Maracaibo immediately after departure from the airport.
Sierra de Perijá
Rugged mountain scenery along the border between Venezuela and Colombia's northern frontier.
Darién Gap Jungle
Dense, impenetrable rainforest canopy visible as you enter Panamanian airspace from the east.
Panama Canal Access
Spot the Pacific entrance of the canal and large vessels waiting near the Amador Causeway.
Sit on the left for morning flights to avoid the harsh tropical sun. This side is better for seeing the industrial scale of Lake Maracaibo and the dense Darién rainforest. During the descent, you are more likely to see the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal if the plane follows the common southern arrival pattern.
Get eSIMs for Venezuela
Get eSIMs for PanamaDistance: 855 km (531 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 26 min
Departure: MAR (10.5582084656, -71.7278594971)
Arrival: PTY (9.0713596344, -79.3834991455)
Route Type: International
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