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SAL → PTY
Which side of the plane to sit from Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (San Salvador) to Tocumen International Airport (Panama City)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers spectacular coastal panoramas of the Pacific, including the rugged Nicoya and Osa Peninsulas, and a front-row seat to the Panama Canal's Pacific entrance during the approach.
Search flights from SAL to PTY
Gulf of Fonseca
The beautiful meeting point of El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, filled with volcanic islands.
Nicoya Peninsula
Vibrant turquoise waters and the jagged coastline of Costa Rica's famous Blue Zone.
Osa Peninsula
Deep emerald rainforests meeting the Pacific, home to Corcovado National Park.
Panama Canal Anchorage
Dozens of massive cargo ships anchored in the Pacific waiting for their turn to transit the canal.
Bridge of the Americas
A clear view of the iconic bridge spanning the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal.
The right side is superior for coastal photography. During the final 20 minutes of the flight, stay alert for the 'parking lot' of container ships in the Pacific; this is a unique sight specific to the PTY approach. Afternoon flights offer stunning sunsets over the ocean from this side.
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Nicaraguan Volcanic Chain
Dramatic views of the Maribios mountain range, including Momotombo and San Cristóbal volcanoes.
Lake Nicaragua
The massive expanse of 'Cocibolca' and the iconic twin peaks of Ometepe Island rising from the water.
Costa Rican Highlands
Dense, cloud-forested mountain ranges and the distant silhouette of the Arenal Volcano.
Panama City Skyline
The 'Miami of the South' featuring ultra-modern skyscrapers and the F&F Tower as you descend.
Sit on the left if you prefer inland scenery and volcanic geography. Morning flights are best for the left side to avoid harsh glare and see the volcanoes before cloud cover builds up. Look for the distinct shape of Ometepe Island shortly after crossing the Nicaraguan border.
Get eSIMs for El Salvador
Get eSIMs for PanamaDistance: 1,161 km (721 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 33 min
Departure: SAL (13.4409, -89.055702)
Arrival: PTY (9.0713596344, -79.3834991455)
Route Type: International
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