Bocas del Toro Travel Forum

My husband and I with our two young girls would love to explore Bocas del Toro and I am having trouble finding an economical way to get there from Ohio, USA. I saw on this forum that some of you traveled to Costa Rica first and then crossed the border via boat/land to get there. Can you tell me what city would be best to fly into if I go through Costa Rica? Flights from Ohio to Panama City are pricey. Any ideas on getting there cheaply would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

If you go through Costa Rica you can fly direct from San Jose on either Sansa (www.flysansa.com) or Nature (www.natureair.com). Easy, fast and relatively inexpensive!

If you can find a deal to Ft Lauderdale there are some great deals on Spirit Air to Panama City and San Jose. Spirit flies out of Detroit. Be patient and wait for one of there $9 deals or $48 off on Tues/Wed.
I've crossed from Costa Rica to Bocas by bus/boat a couple of times. Pretty cheap and the buses are nice. Nice way to see some of the country.

Enjoy, Joe

Thanks for the info. Spirit Air pricing seems too good to be true. I read some unfavorable reviews about the airline (hidden costs, unfriendly, bad customer service, web site booking issues). I assume you have had good experience with Spirit Air to recommend them. I could drive 3 hours to Detroit, then fly to San Jose for about $182 per person. But the fine print shows various fees, one as high as an additional $150 per ticket.

I can't help but feel skeptical. If we weren't traveling with our kids, I would be more adventurous! Can you offer any reassurance based on your experience?

Thanks!

Spirit Air is definitely no frills. I read this morning that they are charging for assigned seating. I also read that they have notified their employee unions of upcoming layoffs. No bankruptcy, no shut down. Trying to deal with fuel costs like all airlines (and people) are. I've got tickets to PC in September.
My experience has been good. On time. I just don't expect any perks. I don't check my bag so that avoids a fee. Planes are new. Staff is friendly, if sparse. I understand your concern traveling with children.
If you fly into San Jose the bus to the border leaves at 6 am and costs $10-11 each. A cab at the border to get to the boat to Bocas is about $5-6 each. The boat is $6 each and well worth the money. Cool ride down the old banana company canal to open ocean then over to the island.
Let me know if I can answer any questions.

Enjoy, Joe

Hi,

Have yet to make our trip - we are leaving on the 20th of June for the states (Newark NJ) - I spent 3 or 4 months watching airfares go up - (foolish I know), originally we were going to fly Spirit to Costa Rica but got priced out of that trip, so turned our attention to Spirit flights to Panama - but were unable to get a cheap one for our family (mom/dad - 6 kids) - So with perserverance and constant checking found that Continental had the best fares - even better than Spirit and the flights are non-stop from Newark. 313/ RT including taxes and fees. I was unable to find that fare on the regular internet travel sites (Expedia, Orbitz, etc - I went right to the airlines website - however Kayak did have the fare listed, so they are a good option).

Good luck and enjoy your trip.

When are you going? We are going from the 20th of June until 4th of July. We will let you know how it goes. We are ending our trip in Bocas as well.

Noel and Susan