Isla Colón Getting there & around

Getting there & away

Boat

If you don’t fly into Bocas you’ll have to take a water taxi to Changuinola on mainland Bocas. The majority of travelers prefer to use Changuinola as a jumping-off point for the archipelago.

The boat ride to Changuinola goes through the old canal formerly used by the banana plantations – it’s a scenic trip that’s well worth taking. Bocas Marine & Tours has a regular boat service to Changuinola (one-way US$5, 45 minutes, eight daily); the first departs at 7am, the last at 5:20pm.

Boats coming from either direction can let you off in Boca del Drago (one-way US$3), but make sure your captain knows you’re going there. If you go for the day, be sure to arrange a pick-up time with the secretary and the driver.

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Air

Bocas del Toro has a fine airport that’s the pride of the town. Aeroperlas (757 9341) and Air Panama (757 9841) offer daily flights connecting Bocas with Panama City (US$74, one hour, one to two per day). Aeroperlas also has flights from David to Bocas (US$35, 50 minutes, one daily from Monday to Friday). Air Panama also has flights from San José, Costa Rica to Bocas (US$100, 1½ hours, one per day on Monday, Wednesday and Friday).

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