Panama City To Bocas Del Toro: The EASIEST Routes To Get There
Bocas Del Toro town has gained popularity in recent years, as an exotic set of islands just off the coast of Panama, full of colorful buildings, hammocks, and incredible snorkeling.
These islands are known to be pure paradise on earth, and if you're looking to travel between Panama City and Bocas Del Toro, there are a couple of options to consider.
In this post, we'll be running you through how to access the town of Bocas Del Toro from Panama City, by plane and bus, as well as from other popular destinations in Central America.
Where Is Bocas Del Toro?
Bocas Del Toro is actually not just a set of islands, as many believe. It is a province in Panama, although most people confuse the province with the town of Bocas Del Toro on Isla Colón, which is also the capital of the region. To simplify matters, the town is also known as "Bocas" by the locals, and the territory itself is over 4,600 km²/ 2858 square miles.
The area of Bocas Del Toro includes a stretch of the mainland as well as 9 different islands, known for their bright blue water and relaxed lifestyle.
The area borders the Limón province of Costa Rica and sits on the Caribbean sea. While it is very close to the Costa Rican border and easy to access from the Costa Rican towns of Puerto Viejo De Talamanca and Cahuita, traveling from Panama City to Bocas Del Toro needs a little bit of planning. Traveling from Panama City to Bocas Del Toro can take anywhere between 1 hour and 12 hours, depending on your method of transport.
There are 615 kilometers/ 382 miles between the two destinations which makes it unsurprising that traveling by land takes a long time.
Panama itself is the most southern country in Central America and borders Colombia to the east, fusing Central and South America together.
Panama City To Bocas Del Toro By Plane
The easiest and quickest way to reach the province is by domestic flight. There is barely time to have a drink on your airplane before it's time to touch down again with this simple hour-long flight.
Flights leave from Albrook Gelabert Airport, which is one of 3 international airports near the capital city of Panama.
Up to 3 flights leave the airport for Bocas Del Toro per day and the main flight provider for this trip is Air Panama. Tickets cost between $90 and $150 for an economy seat.
If you are flying into Panama City, you will likely land at the Tocumen International Airport and need to switch to Albrook Gelabert Airport. You can get a taxi between the two for around $25 or a shuttle which is the more expensive option, costing around $37.
There are several airports near Panama City and airport codes can get confusing when booking your tickets. The international airport code for Albrook Gelabert is PAC and for Bocas Del Toro, it's BOC. Landing in the country from overseas, you will arrive at Tocumen, and the code is PTY.
When booking your flights, make sure you leave enough time for your transfer between the two airports in Panama City. A minimum of 4 hours between flights is sufficient.
Panama City To Bocas Del Toro By Bus
Although flying is the easiest way to access Bocas Del Toro, those who are looking to save money or enjoy seeing more of the country en route may choose to catch the bus.
The bus runs overnight meaning you won't miss out on an extra day of fun at your destination. Leaving between 7 PM and 8 PM from Albrook bus terminal, buses take between 10 and 12 hours and drop you to Almirante, where you'll take a quick 30-minute water taxi to the main island of Colón, where Bocas town is situated.
Bus tickets can't be booked in advance, so it's recommended to arrive at the Albrook bus terminal a little earlier in the day to purchase your ticket. The bus costs around $30, and the price of the following water taxi is $6.
Water taxis start running from 6 AM, so depending on the efficiency of the bus you travel on, there may be a bit of a wait when you arrive in Almirante.
Buses can get extremely chilly at night, so ensure you have extra layers on hand to keep you comfortable. Also, overnight buses rarely make stops for food and drink so stock up on water and snacks before boarding.
David To Bocas Del Toro
If you're traveling from David in Panama, head to the city's bus terminal and take the bus to Bocas Del Toro, which leaves very regularly. The bus makes several stops in the region, including Rambala, Almirante, and Changuinola.
Depart at Almirante, and take a water taxi to Bocas Town on Isla Colón. The bus takes 3.5 hours, followed by a 30-minute water taxi. The whole journey costs between $8 and $20.
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San José To Bocas Del Toro
Another popular tourist destination to access Bocas Del Toro from is San José, Costa Rica. Flights used to be direct into Bocas Del Toro, however, since the COVID-19 pandemic, this has been halted and is yet to restart.
At the moment, flying into Bocas Del Toro takes 2 flights and a change of airport, so we don't recommend it.
Casting aside the tricky flights, direct shuttle services run between San Jose and Bocas Del Toro and will pick you up from your hotel, or the Denny's near the airport. The shuttle bus departs between 5:30 and 6 AM and takes roughly 10 hours, including a 30-minute boat ride to the island of Colón. Tickets cost $78 and include a stop for lunch.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca To Bocas Del Toro
If you're further south in Costa Rica, you may wish to access Bocas town from Puerto Viejo. Again, direct shuttle services run between the two, which is the simplest way to travel.
The shuttle service takes just 4 hours, costs $34, and leaves at 6 AM, 8 AM, AND 12 PM.
Shuttle services to Bocas Del Toro are also available from San Juan Del Sur and Cahuita.
Final Thoughts On Traveling Between Panama City And Bocas Del Toro
There is a lot of ground to cover, but with some planning, traveling from Panama City to Bocas Del Toro can be incredibly easy. Although you'll see less of the country en route, traveling by plane is the easiest and quickest way to move between the two destinations.