Costa Rica Sixaola

You will need proof of leaving Panama, meaning a flight out, or a bus ticket to Costa Rica.

I am not sure of border hours there, but it is not advised to travel at night overall, also, you would need to cross border in time to insure you make the last water taxi to BDT which I think is 3:30-4PM..you don't want to stay in any of the towns in Panama, especially Almirate.

Pt Viejo is about 1 hour north of the Sixoala Border.

If your arriving in PV around 4:30 I'd just stay for the night, you also lose an hour at the border.
There are travel agents in PV that will set up all you need, onward ticket, shuttle and water taxi to Bocas, if that's where your heading at a reasonable cost.
I believe a credit card will be suffice for funds.

You probably dont have time. I am not sure when they close but it is around 6 pm. The last water taxi is at 6:00 PM.
If you are going to Bocas islands and you arrive after the last water taxi leaves, the "big"mainland town in Bocas, Changuinola, is fine to spend the night. There are a bunch of hotels on the main street where the bus station is. If you go all the way to Almirante and get stuck there, there is a nicer hotel now that is fine to stay at, just dont wander around Almirante at night. First poster, what towns are you talking about when you say,"you don't want to stay in any of the towns in Panama, especially Almirate."? Thats a pretty broad statement, which towns are you talking about?? Did you go there and have a bad experience?

I was speaking to the towns between Sixoala and the water taxi to BDT...obviously.

Have you been to Changuinola? It is fine to spend the night in and much better than Sixiolla. it doesnt have much to offer the common tourist besides manatees and the entrence to Amistad international park. It has a number of restaurants and all the cheap clothing stores you could hope for. The only other non panamanians you will see there are Peace Corps people and ex pats from the bocas islands doing shopping. If you do get stuck there go to Ebony restuarant, it has great caribbean food. There are also a couple of "clubs" that can be fun if you are into some very local color. I like Costa Verde or even The Sniper Carwash Restaurant and Lounge. Changuinola is the only town besides Almirante so I dont know what you mean when you say all the towns. There is a community called Guabito on the border but it is part of Changuinola. Where are you talking about? Are you sure it was between the border and Almirante?

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