Bocas del Toro Travel Forum

My brother in law has just built a hotel on Boca del Toro. The family wants to visit. Looking at the map, Boca is a lot closer to Costa Rica than to Panama City.

The family wants to tour Costa Rica on the way to/back from Panama.

Is there a reasonable and convenient way to get from Costa Rica to Boca del Toro? Is flying in to Costa Rica from Texas and either driving or taking public transport through southeastern Costa Rica a reasonable thing to do? Where do you find information about schedules and such?

We're a reasonably seasoned group of travellers, but the old folks are in their 70's so we need "low impact" conveyence. No ox carts or bicycles. Trains, busses, taxis or a rental car would be just fine.

Thanks a bunch, should you choose to help. You can write me directly at revill.dunn@gbronline, if that's more convenient.

Revill
Austin Texas

Hello,

I just came back from Bocas, and met some people who took the bus from Costa Rica... you can take a bus from San Jose, CR to Sixaola then to Changuinola, Panama, but I'm not sure how long the ride is. From changuinola, hop on a bus to Almirante, where you'll need a cab to drive you to the ferry terminal.

I've also met some people who came from Costa Rica through Paso Canoas-David-Almirante/Bocas. I guess it depends if and where you want to stop...

The city of David in Panama has an airport with flights to Bocas.

good luck, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask. By the way, i took the bus from panama city all the way to bocas.

judy =)

Revill:

Most people that travel to Bocas from Costa Rica via transportation other than airplane cross at the SE border through Sixiola. From there go down to Almirante and take either the ferry or one of the high speed boats to Bocas. Honestly it is alot easier and faster to fly to PC and then transfer to Aeroperlas for the 1 hour flight to Bocas.

What hotel did your family build in Bocas?

Mark

I agree with escapeartist, a bus from Costa Rica is a very long journey.

I flew to Bocas in March and will be going back in July. I fly in to Panama City and then take a short flight (45min) to Bocas. The have two flights per day.

What is the name of the hotel. Would love to check it out...

There is a great development on Redrog beach...

Maybe you have already gone but here is some info on Traveling btw Costa Rica and Panama:

I am currently planning a trip to Costa Rica/Bocas del Toro Panama. Bocas is closer to San Jose, Costa Rica. Most flights to San Jose are cheaper than to Panama City. It is pretty easy to get into Panama by bus from San Jose. The low impact way would be to take the direct bus from San Jose to Changuinola, Panama. It leaves around 10AM from the Terminal Caribe in San Jose and arrives at 6pm in Changuinola. This info is in most guide books as well as online (google bus service in Costa Rica).The bus is a large greyhound type bus, has AC and drives across the bridge at the border. On a non-direct bus you have to get out at the border and cary your bags across a railroad bridge into Panama.

You'd have to arrange to be picked up by boat in Changuinola at Finca 60 when you arrived or spend the night in a hotel and leave the next day for Bocas. The water taxis last boat is at 6:30 pm.

Also, have you asked you brother in law for help? Surely, he knows his way around Panama/Costa Rica pretty well. Just curious, you aren't talking about Tranquilo Bay are you? I met the Jim and Jay who built that hotel when I was in the Peace Corps. Very nice folks and very helpful.

Have fun in bocas,

nusi