Transportation to and around Bocas del Toro
Flying to Bocas del Toro - Daily one hour flights are available from
Panama City aboard one or two competing local airlines. Sometimes flights stop
in Changuinola first. The Bocas landing strip is 3 blocks from Bocas town and
easily within walking distance to hotels and restaurants. If it is raining taxi's
will shuttle you for $1.00 or two.
Buses to Bocas from Panama - leave in the evening and arrive early morning
from Almirante or Changuinola, then you can take a water taxi to Isla Colon where
Bocas town is located. Buses to Bocas from David or Changuinola - Minibuses run between Changuinola
and David daily, passing Almirante on the way. David is one of the larger cities
here. David's local airport offers daily flights to and from Panama City, Changuinola
and Bocas del Toro. Bus rides between Changuinola and David take less than 5 hours,
cost $8.00 to $10.00 per person depending on starting point, and are fairly scenic.
They normally do not stop along the way for food or drink so bring refreshments. Your best connection between Costa Rica and Bocas del Toro, Panama is Bocas Marine & Tours, offering daily service between Changuinola - Bocas, Almirante - Bocas
Water taxi - You may find it strange but nearly everything in and around
this island paradise is done from water taxi's - sometimes nothing more than a
dugout canoe with an outboard motor attached, sometimes a full blown multi-seat
high speed boat with covers for shade. Taxi's run from Almirante all day. If you
are visiting from Costa Rica you'll probably choose to come in via Changuinola.
Amirante water taxis cost $3.00 and up each way per person for the 30 minute
ride. Changuinola water taxis cost $5.00 and up each way per person for the one
hour 1 ride to Isla Colon. If you are coming from Costa Rica this saves you time
and money because you won't need a taxi from Changuinola to Almirante in order
to get the shorter water taxi's ride.
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