Getting to Bocas Bound on Isla Bastimentos is cheapest when coming here from Costa Rica. This is the most common route for backpackers in Central America coming to Bocas.
Directions:
- From San Jose, Costa Rica you can catch a bus to Sixaola, Costa Rica which lies on the border between Costa Rica and Panama. This bus makes its run to the border 4 times every day.
- Many travelers stop over and stay a night in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica before coming to Bocas del Toro the next day
- From Sixaola, you need to cross a wooden foot bridge which will get you from Costa Rica to the border of Panama. At this point you will need to have your paperwork ready. (Check with your country to see which paperwork is required, see below).
- From here you can catch a bus or Colectivo to Almirante, Panama.
- The water taxi ride from Almirante to Bocas Town on Isla Colon take about 45 minutes and costs $4.
- From Bocas Town it is a short 10 minute water taxi to Isla Bastimentos
Once in Bocas Town Water Taxis are available throughout the day. Tell the driver that you are going to Bocas Bound at Red Frog Beach. Standard price is typically $5 per person unless you are alone, then they will try and charge you more. If you are in group, try and negotiate for less than $5.
During designated times throughout the day you can pick up the RED FROG EXPRESS at the end of town near “The Reef” Restaurant. At 9:30, 11:30, 1:30 and 5:00 rides are offered to Red Frog Beach for $4 or $7 round trip — regardless of how many people are on the boat.
There is a shuttle that runs from San Jose and Puerto Viejo to Bocas: www.bocasshuttle.com
In order to Cross the Border you will need:
- passport
- tourist visa which you purchase there at the border
- customs form which they also give you at the border
- it’s also smart to have your flight itinerary to show proof of departure after 90 days and you will definitely need this if you are trying to cross the border to get back into Costa Rica.
- Check in on the Costa Rica side and on the Panama side. Be aware that both sides can close for up to 2 hours for lunch and Panama is an hour later than Costa Rica. Lines can be long and it rains a lot so take an umbrella.
Note: You can also catch flights from San Jose directly to Bocas del Toro on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with NatureAir.com
*The picture below is the infamous bridge that you cross into Panama to get to Bocas — don’t look down!!
