How to Get to Bocas del Toro, Panama
Bocas del Toro Flights & Bus Routes
The fastest way to get to Bocas del Toro is a one-hour flight from Panama City’s Albrook airport to Isla Colón. The cheapest way is the overnight bus from Panama City to Almirante (about 10 hours), followed by a 30-minute water taxi to Bocas Town. You can also come by road from David and Boquete in Chiriquí, or cross the border from Costa Rica at Sixaola–Guabito.
- By plane: daily flights of about 1 hour from Albrook (Marcos A. Gelabert) airport in Panama City.
- By bus: about 10 hours overnight from Panama City to Almirante, then a water taxi.
- From Chiriquí: about 4 hours by road from David or Boquete, plus a boat from Almirante or Chiriquí Grande.
- From Costa Rica: a shuttle or bus from Puerto Viejo or San José through the Sixaola–Guabito border.
Once you land or step off the boat in Bocas Town, Saigon Bay Bed and Breakfast is about a 5-minute taxi ride away. Details for every option are below.
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Flights to Bocas del Toro
Flights from Panama City to Bocas del Toro
Flights to Bocas del Toro leave from Albrook (Marcos A. Gelabert) airport in Panama City, not from Tocumen International Airport, where most international flights land. The flight takes about an hour and lands at Bocas del Toro’s airport on Isla Colón, a few minutes from Saigon Bay.
Air Panama runs the most flights, with several departures a day. Flytrip also flies daily from Albrook on smaller planes. One-way fares are usually somewhere between $90 and $200, depending on the season and how early you book, and baggage limits on these small planes are strict, so check the allowance before you pack.
Getting from Tocumen to Albrook takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. If you want to fly to Bocas the same day you land in Panama, leave at least three hours between your international arrival and your domestic flight, or plan to spend a night in Panama City.
How to Get to Bocas del Toro by Bus
Overnight Bus from Panama City to Almirante
Buses to Almirante leave from the Albrook Bus Terminal in Panama City in the evening, usually around 7:00 to 8:00 pm, and arrive early the next morning after about 10 hours. Tickets cost roughly $30 to $45 one way and are sold at the terminal. In high season (December to April and July to August) it is a good idea to buy your ticket a day ahead.
The buses are kept very cold at night, so bring a sweater, long pants and socks. From the Almirante bus stop it is a short taxi ride (about $1 per person) to the water taxi docks.
Water taxi from Almirante to Bocas Town
Water taxis run from Almirante to Bocas Town about every 30 minutes from early morning until around 6:00 pm. The ride takes about 30 minutes and costs about $6 per person, paid in cash. There are no water taxis at night, so plan to arrive in Almirante before 5:30 pm.
From David, Chiriquí, to Almirante by Bus
If you are coming from western Panama, buses run regularly from the main bus terminal in David to Almirante, a scenic trip over the mountains of about 4 hours. From Almirante, take the water taxi to Bocas Town as described above.
You can also take the long-distance bus from Panama City to David and continue to Almirante from there, which lets you break up the trip with a stop in the Chiriquí highlands.
From Costa Rica to Bocas del Toro (Sixaola–Guabito Border)
Bocas del Toro is an easy hop from Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. The crossing is at Sixaola (Costa Rica) and Guabito (Panama).
- Shuttle: the simplest option. Shared shuttles from Puerto Viejo, and from San José, take you to the border, wait while you cross, and continue to the water taxi in Almirante, often with the boat to Bocas Town included.
- Public bus: take a bus from San José or Puerto Viejo to Sixaola, cross the bridge on foot, then take a bus or shared taxi from Guabito to Changuinola and on to Almirante.
At the border you pay a Costa Rica exit tax of about $8 to $9 (you can pay online in advance). Panama immigration usually asks for proof of onward travel, such as a bus or flight out of Panama, and sometimes proof of funds. The border is open roughly 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Panama time (Panama is one hour ahead of Costa Rica), and things slow down at lunchtime and on Sundays.
Shuttles from Boquete and David to Bocas del Toro
The Chiriquí highlands, including Boquete, Volcán and Cerro Punta, are a popular stop before or after Bocas del Toro, and door-to-door shuttles make the trip easy. A shared shuttle between Boquete or David and Bocas del Toro takes about 4 to 5 hours including the boat, and usually costs around $35 per person. These local companies run the route; message them to confirm times and availability:
Hello Travel Panama offers shuttle services between Boquete and Bocas del Toro price is about $35 per person. Contact via WhatsApp: +507 6771-0170
Panamá Adventours offers shuttle services. They offer shuttle services to both Boquete and David, Chiriqui at around $35/ per person. You can also contact their office via WhatsApp: +507 6879-5506
PanaBocas Express also offers shuttle services running between Chiriqui Grande and Boquete leaving both in mornings and afternoon, contact them via WhatsApp: +507 6030-8204
Drive to Chiriqui Grande, Bocas del Toro / Bus David, Chiriqui to Chiriqui Grande
Cut your trip down by a little over an hour with this option. Instead of driving all the way to Almirante keep going straight to the coastal town of Chiriquí Grande, Bocas del Toro. After passing the town of Rambala you will see a gas station where most buses on their way to Almirante stop at for bathroom break and snacks. Instead of turning left, keep going straight to Chiriquí Grande. Once arriving to the end of the road inside of the town there is a stoplight. Turn left and you will find a gas station with a dead end road leading to a public dock. The road has a chain, park near the chain. On the left side of the dock next to the water there is a Maritima office with the office of PanaBocas Express located inside. They offer secure parking for your auto at $3/ night as well as transportation service from Chiriquí Grande to Bocas Town, Isla Colón. The rate is $8/ per person and takes about 40 minutes to arrive. The ride is beautiful passing Loma Partida and the Solarte/ Isla Bastimentos mangrove islands. The service runs on a schedule, schedule your arrival a little before the next boat leaves. Waze works for most of the drive to Bocas, except when going over the highest parts of the mountains but once you arrive to Rambala it should work again. We recommend contacting PanaBocas Express via WhatsApp to confirm times and availability. WhatsApp Chiriquí Grande office: +507 6030-8204
From Bocas Town to Saigon Bay
Saigon Bay Bed and Breakfast is in the Saigon neighborhood, at Avenida G, El Final, Saigon Adentro. From the airport or the water taxi docks in Bocas Town it is about a 5-minute taxi ride (taxis are cheap and easy to find), or a 15-minute walk. Send us your arrival time on WhatsApp at +507 6354-0544 and we will help you get here. Check-in is from 3:00 pm.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to get to Bocas del Toro?
A direct flight from Albrook (Marcos A. Gelabert) airport in Panama City to Bocas del Toro takes about one hour. Air Panama and Flytrip fly the route daily.
Do flights to Bocas del Toro leave from Tocumen airport?
No. Domestic flights to Bocas del Toro leave from Albrook airport in Panama City. Allow 30 minutes to an hour to get from Tocumen to Albrook, and at least three hours between flights.
How long is the bus from Panama City to Bocas del Toro?
The overnight bus from Albrook Bus Terminal to Almirante takes about 10 hours. From Almirante, a water taxi to Bocas Town takes about 30 minutes.
How much is the water taxi from Almirante to Bocas Town?
About $6 per person, cash only. Boats run roughly every 30 minutes from early morning until about 6:00 pm.
Can I get to Bocas del Toro from Costa Rica?
Yes. Shuttles and buses from Puerto Viejo and San José cross the border at Sixaola–Guabito and continue to Almirante, where you take a water taxi to Bocas Town.
How do I get from Bocas Town to Saigon Bay Bed and Breakfast?
It is about a 5-minute taxi ride or a 15-minute walk from the center of Bocas Town and the airport.
