Getting to Bocas del Toro

Hi All,

Looking to start a trip in Bocas and head south. Flying from Canada, would it be faster to fly into San Jose CR than into Panama City?

Does anyone know if you can get a direct bus to Bocas from San Jose? I'm assuming its easy enough from Panama City.

Thanks for any advice.

Daniel

Wow thanks for so much detail. Do you know anything about getting there from Panama City? Would be good to compare my options.

Thanks again.

I dont know. On this website of a popular hostel in PC says there is a 8pm bus arriving at 7am, or to go via David. I think either way is about 11 hours ish...

[http://www.mamallena.com/destinations-in-panama.html]

Maybe this has some info for the David options-

[http://www.hablayapanama.com/faqs/how-to-get-to-boquete/#bocasboquetebus]

Try reading some hotel/hostel websites for BDT lodging and see if they have a "Getting There" tab for transport options from PC. or Email them.

I have to think that it is easier and quicker to go from San Jose. PC is a long long way from Almirante however you cut it. Here are a couple sites that have it all from San Jose. Plus if you came from the south you would probably miss such awe inspiring places such as Changuinola, Sixaola, or Limon City.
http://gocentralamerica.about.com/od/transportanditineraries/a/San-Jose-To-Bocas-Del-Toro.htm

http://www.puertoviejosatellite.com/transport_bocas.php

By the way the famous old railroad bridge across the Rio Sixaola at the border has been replaced for vehicle traffic by a new bridge. Well sort of. It is a Bailey bridge maybe used last by Patton's army. Although pedestrians still get to use the old bridge so don't fret.

Bus from PC is about 11 hours. Bus from San Jose CR to Puerto Viejo, CR about 5-6 hours and then connect to
border crossing into Panama and Bocas del Toro You'll save TIME arriving from San Jose- PRICE may be a different matter depending on where you fly in from. Nature Air has pricey flights from San Jose. Air Panama flies in from PC. thebusschedule.com flyairpanama.com natureair.com Pura Vida!

I'm pretty sure there is a private shuttle you can take for $51 from San Jose... I plan to head down to bocas early sept, I'm in Costa Rica right now. When are you planning to go?

I'm wont be there until later this year. Just looking into some things before I decide on anything.

I will correct solohobo one last time... The last water taxi (not ferry, although there is one) leaves Almirante at 6:30 not 3:30-4. Why would they stop running mid afternoon?? Anyway, the direct bus leaves San Jose at 10 in the morning and only goes to Changuinola. You are at risk of missing the last water taxi if the ride is slow. If you choose this option, leave the bus at the border and grab a taxi to Almirante. I got a collectivo a couple of weeks ago for 5 dollars. There are a couple of direct buses from panama city but you want the night one which leaves at 8. If you choose this option, you can easily take a bus to David and then a bus to Almirante if the direct is sold out. Your best option for time and money is the first bus from San Jose at 6 and then taxi from the border to Almirante. If you get a super cheap flight to Panama City, do that bus dress very warm for the bus. They like their AC freezing.

Correcting Solohobo is a never-ending story.

It all depends on your vaction time. For a fast connection: Try COPA from Toronto YYZ to Panama City PTY - direct 5.0 hour flight and then Air Panama to Bocas del Toro 1.0 hr. Leave Toronto in the the morning and be sitting ocean side in Bocas for a late lunch. Saves hours of vacation time over bus travel.
FYI stuff - Keep in mind that Canadian mining firms/affiliates are about to dig up Panama's minerals - the natives are restless and have blocked major highways this year several times in protest. I ran into many tourists that have been stranded in places they didn't want to be for days due to highway closures. Also, It may not be a good time to show your CDN colours - the maple leaf just doesn't represent a tree-hugger nation in Central America.
Note: Not that that the domestic/international air travel is NOT very reliable either - Panama's Aeroperlas stranded many tourists in Bocas when they ran into finacial problems, and, USA based Spirit Airlines stranded hundreds in Panama City. Roll the dice...you're on vaction, happy trails.