Lake Bayano is approximately an hour and a quarter's drive from Panama City, perhaps fifteen minutes more during weekdays when traffic is heavier in the city. It is less than an hour from Tocumen Airport and about 45 minutes from the "December 24" shopping area where the road to Cerro Azul begins. Just prior to reaching the turn-off to Chepo, there is a police checkpoint. Usually, they will just check the driver's license and wave you through. Once in a great while, they will ask expatriates to show their passports, but this is very routine and will take no more than a minute or two.