How do I get to Bocas?
If you're looking for an adventure brimming with tropical beaches, lush rainforests, warm, clear waters, and vibrant marine life, Bocas del Toro should be at the top of your travel list. Here's a guide on how to get to Isla Colon, the archipelago's main island on which Bocas Dive Center is located.
By plane
The quickest and most convenient way to reach Bocas del Toro is by air. You can catch a domestic flight from Albrook "Marcos A. Gelabert" International Airport (PAC) in Panama City to Bocas del Toro's Isla Colón.
Air Panama and FlyTrip (if you want to feel like a VIP!) operate daily flights, starting around $120 one-way. Flying to Bocas gives you stunning aerial views of Panama's diverse landscapes, and the flight takes about one hour.
Note: most international flights to Panama arrive at Panama City (PTY) which is a different airport and is located 18 miles (28 kms) away from Albrook Airport. You will need to take this into account when booking flights and leave sufficient time to cross the city (2+ hours minimum).
By Bus and Boat
For the adventurous souls, and for a cheaper journey, a combination of bus to Almirante (the gateway to Bocas del Toro on the mainland) and then water taxi is your best option.
From Panama City: depart from the Panama Albrook terminal to Almirante, Journey time is around 10 hours and you can choose to take a day bus or a night bus. Top tip: pack a warm sweater – they love to crank the air conditioning right up on these buses, so you might get chilly!
From David: depart from the city bus terminal to Almirante, with a journey time of 3.5 hours. Leave the bus in Almirante or Chirique Grande and take a taxi to the water taxis terminal.
From Costa Rica: take a bus from San Jose and Limon (departs every 2 hours) to Sixaola, which is the border town to Panama. Pay your Costa Rica departure tax, get your exit passport stamp, walk across the bridge over Sixaola River, head to the Panama immigration window to get your entry stamp. From there, you need to travel to Almirante and you can take either taxi ($30), a shared mini-bus (around $10) or a bus ($2).
Alternatively, you can take a shuttle all the way from San Jose to Bocas, the most popular company is Caribe Shuttle. You get picked up in San Jose at 5.30am, for the 10-hour journey ($80), which includes a shuttle to the border, a stop for lunch in Puerto Viejo, help crossing the border, a second shuttle once in Panama to take you to Almirante, and then the water taxi to Bocas. If you prefer to break up the journey, there’s two shuttles per day - morning and afternoon, from Puerto Viejo to Bocas.
Water taxi
Water taxis depart the port of Almirante every 30 minutes to Isla Colon, from around 6:00am to 6:30pm. The journey takes 30 minutes and costs $6 for a one-way journey. The journey offers a glimpse into the local way of life and treats you to breath-taking views of the Caribbean Sea.
There is also a further water taxi service from Chiriqui Grande by PanaBocas for $10 and they offer a bus, taxi and boat service from David for $20, or Boquete for $30.
By Car
For those preferring flexibility and autonomy in their travel, driving to Bocas del Toro is an option. The journey from Panama City to Almirante takes approximately 7-8 hours by car. Renting a vehicle provides the freedom to explore various attractions en route and enjoy the scenic landscapes along the Pan-American Highway.
You can then take the car on the ferry to Isla Colon. The journey takes roughly 2 hours, and the cost depends on the size of your car, starting from $25 each way. There are two ferries leaving Almirante per day, check the timetable here.
Alternatively, you can park your car in Almirante/Chiriqui Grande and take the quicker water taxi instead. Once you reach the islands, you’re more likely to want to explore different islands by water taxi, than need to have a car.
Once you arrive in Bocas, one of the best experiences here is to come dive in the tropical, warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. Get in touch today, and we can help you plan your journey!