FLYING

BY FAR MY PREFERENCE!!!

Flying to Bocas from Costa Rica offers a QUICK (just 1 hour!!!), AWESOMELY BEAUTIFUL/SCENIC trip (vs. a L-O-N-G bus &/or bus/boat road via the other option and I’ve heard from MANY – a GOOD 1 hour trek through Immigration when crossing the border often!!  YUKKK!!) over miles and miles of lush tropical jungle and beaches in an 18 passenger "puddle jumper planes"!!  (I feel more safe on those than a big plane though even though my dad and 2 boyfriends crossed-over from fluke plane crashes - I have NO fears of flying [I'd even prefer that be my mode "to go" as long as it's fast like it usually is!!  I'm not into suffering and I'm a bad patient!!  Hey - when it's my time to go it's my time to go and though I have LOTS of other "Control Issues" - it isn't with planes!!]).  BRING A JACKET/WRAP as it gets COLD up in the wild blue yonder.

 

Needing to stay in a hotel close to Pavas Airport? 

The HOUSE OF CONNECTIONS (http://HouseOfConnections.com [formerly called the Fountains Guesthouse - http://FountainsGuesthouse.com]) - is a MAGICAL TRANQUIL OASIS located in the MOST CONVENIENT AND SAFE area - Escazu (San Rafael) - just 7 minutes by taxi to Pavas Airport!!  Ask about their Last Minute Locals Rates for people living in Costa Rica or Panama FULL TIME (with proof) or any other Last Minute Specials!!  They can be VERY workable - especially if you're gifting back somehow!!).

CASA ROLAND - 2-520-1900  http://casa-roland.com - A REALLY NICE hotel just 5 min. to Pavas Airport.  Rooms $85/$135/$190    •   El Caracole Inn (2-232-9864 / 2-231-7439) has rooms around $50/n.  Isla Verde is about 500 meters West of the U.S. Embassy.

AIRLINES:

NatureAir  http://NatureAir.com  From the U.S. - 1-800-235-9272.  From within Costa Rica  -  2-299-6000

From the U.S. - 1-800-235-9272.  From within Costa Rica  -  2-299-6000. 

PRICE:  If you’re flexible on your dates - Fares can be as low as $78 each way (plus tax  - mainly in the low of low season)  though this Peak Season it’s running around $120/ow (plus tax)

FROM WHERE:  Pavas Airport (SMALL, EASY to get to/from!!!  I LOVE this airport as it's SOOOOO convenient!!) to Bocas 

WHAT DAYS OF WEEK: Sun., Mon., Wed. Fri. (meaning if you’re doing your 90-day run the best day is Fri.-Mon).  FROM San Jose/PAVAS Airport – Departing at 10am-Arriving at 12:05pm,  FROM Bocas to PAVAS – Departing at 2pm-Arriving at 2:05pm (they’re 1 hour ahead of us – Eastern Time)

I've done this run 5 times (so far) and EVERY TIME I was REALLY PLEASED with the level of service I received from ALL people I dealt with at NatureAir!!  Send my love to the cutie Mario at the check-in counter (EVERYONE I’ve ever spoken with at NatureAir spoke VERY clear English). If you have Residency in Costa Rica you can get a discounted rate so ask!!

 

LUGGAGE:  Here’s what they “officially” say about luggage:  Each person gets ONE free piece of luggage – up to 30lbs. You pay $1 US$per POUND for each pound thereafter!!!! (note they offer FREE storage to passengers at the Pavas Airport to store your extra luggage if you need to).  You also get ONE carry-on weighing max 10 lbs. BUT – make it a backpack and when YOU STAND on the scales they won’t know how much the bag really is because they add it to your weight (and you don’t need to find out what your weight is that day! [unless you get back on to check like I do sometimes!]).  They do this to calculate the amount of gas they need.  Bags may not exceed 64 square inches in diameter. Bags that exceed the diameter and/or weight will be subject to space and weight availability, and will be sent in the next weight and space available flight.  Surfboards, Golf, Fish Equipment and bicycles are subject to space availability at airport at the time of check in, charges or fee for this articles is $25 US$per flight. Nature Air is not responsible for connecting sports equipments to international flight with other airlines. Passengers have to pay any additional cost for these articles.

Though it's an "International Flight" you REALLY only need to arrive ABOUT 60 minutes prior to departure (it's a TINY airport with only a couple flights going out at the same time - MAYBE.  On that note they say the flight is closed 30 minutes before departure).  

NOTE:  They say that all Costa Rican passenger flying international need 6 month valid passport to leave the country and Visa to Granada, Nicaragua. Bocas del Toro in Panama only a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months on it.  (this freaked me out as mine was to expire 2 months after my first trip but there was NO problemo!!).

WHEN CHECKING IN – Look for the cutie Mario at the desk & say “Hola” from Vicki!!

HINT:  Check for your tickets online as sometimes you’ll find some AMAZING specials – ESPECIALLY last minute that you can’t find elsewhere!

 

FLYING OUT FROM COSTA RICA - WHERE YOU DEPART/RETURN FROM

when flying from near San Jose, Costa Rica to Bocas del Toro, Panama:

 

AT PAVAS AIRPORT  -  When you arrive, BEFORE you go to the airline counter – make an IMMEDIATE Left (like going to the NatureAir counter) but instead make another immediate Left – to the place you pay your $26 Exit Tax (US$or colones) to the glassed in Booth (I believe it says “Banco”).  Give them your passport (remember your passport!!  I say this as someone was on my flight that forgot his but luckily he lived close enough and arrived early enough!).  Get the receipt and then go to the NatureAir counter to check in.

 

Need a TAXI from/to Pavas Airport – Chalo (Gonzalo) is your man and he speaks REALLY GOOD English!!!  (8-394-6683) (tell him Vicki sent ya!    (FYI - Chalo is also a former champion and a Master Surfer!!)

 

ARRIVING BACK IN COSTA RICA VIA THE PAVAS AIRPORT

You’ll have to go through IMMIGRATIONS when you return.  Look for my special friend - the cutie/hottie Eder (pronounced eah-dahr) and say “Hola” from Vicki!!

 

 

AIR PANAMA  http://FlyAirPanama.com 

In Costa Rica – 296-8592 / 290-8413 / 296-8591 – HOURS:  8am-5pm. In Panama - 507-316-9000 / 507-315-0439)

FROM WHERE:  Juan SantaMaria INTERNATIONAL Airport - the main airport in San Jose (actually Alejuela - which means LOTS more traffic and ya need to get there earlier).

WHAT DAYS OF WEEK:  Mon., Wed. and Fri.

FLIGHT TIMES:  10am – arriving at 1:30pm (you MUST make a stop in David). 

PRICE:  Around $200 round trip (BUT - remember – it’s with a stop)

+:  They allow up to 2 suitcases - 70-lbs total (plus a carry-on up to 10 lbs and  99¢/lb thereafter).  They have 40 passenger plane with air-conditioning, free snacks, no penalties for changes and all tickets are fully refundable and you can change the route (though you must redeem within 30 days).  Karol Vargas is the CR Rep.

 

 

FLYING FROM WITHIN PANAMA

AeroPerlas (owned by TACA and SANSA) flies into Bocas from WITHIN Panama in these funky planes that look like they’re from World War II (I want to try them just for the experience – it just made me smile!!).

Panama City to Bocas:  Monday –Friday - 8.30am and 1pm.  Saturday 7am and 2.30pm.  Sunday 8am and 2.30pm.

Bocas to Panama City:  Monday-Friday - 9am and 2.30pm. Saturday 8:10am and 4.30pm.  Sunday: 9.50am and 4.30pm

 

Mapiex  -  Panama City to Bocas:  Mondays to Friday: 8.40am.  Saturday - 6.30am.  Sunday - 1.30pm

Bocas to Panama City:  Mondays – Fridays - 10am.  Saturday - 8am.  Sunday - 3pm

 

 

ARRIVING IN BOCAS DEL TORO, PANAMA

FLYING  -  The Landing is a trip as you land practically in people backyard!!

 

 

WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU ARRIVE INTO BOCAS AIRPORT

When you get of the plane you wait till everyone’s together (while you’re on the tarmac) and collect your luggage and proceed in (often they’ll bring it in separately). 

If you’re arriving from a flight that is NOT within Panama and you do NOT have a Panama Visa AND you are from the U.S. or Canada - IMMEDIATELY (well – after you’ve stopped by Café Bahia to get your Caribbean Chocolate Factory’s TongueGasmic Organic Chocolate [I LOVE the Almond one] from Sasha [though she’s been closed for lunch the past 2 trips I’ve made – boooo!!]) – go to NatureAir’s counter and pay Delmira (she’s there Tues.-Sun. from 8-4   6692-1983) or Enrique $13 for an Entry Stamp (this used to be good for 90 days but that’s changed & EVERYONE MUST pay each time). 

Then go with your luggage, passport (and stamp) and the completed Immigracion Form to “Immigrations” and let Edwana or Pleneo search ALL your bags and either Guillermo or Virginia will register you and stamp your passport.  Felix is there with the DGA, Andrew takes care of Quarantine situations and there’s Raul or Sam.

WHEN YOU’RE DEPARTING  -  First go to the office marked “Administracion” and pay Arturo Correa (he’s the Airport Administrator - 757-9208.  Tell him “Hola” from Vicki – the Big Beautiful Blonde [now burgundy] Gringa from Costa Rica that comes every 3 months)  - $15 /hour (I believe it’s called an “Impuesto de Salida” (Exit Stamp?).

 

(fyi – every time I’ve been in the public bathrooms at the airport they don’t have toilet paper so plan accordingly plus the water is naturally yellow)

 

There’s a card holder rack in the corner – check to see if you can find any cards for discounts as you often will!

 

FYI – The airport is just 5 blocks from the main street of Bocas so heat towards down at to go to the main part – turn Right at El Lorito Restaurant (a block before is THE bank.  See notes on banking below).  ESPECIALLY if it’s hot, rainy or muddy – I ALWAYS take the “taxi” to where I’m going – even if it’s just 3 blocks away!  Worth the $1! 

NON-FLYING:

8++ hours by car and boat

BUS

Vicki's #1 Choice (IF I were to bus it again [though I doubt it]) would be THE FASTER, EASIER, MOST DIRECT BUS that takes you from Downtown San Jose to CHANGUINOLA, Panama

BUS COMPANY: Transporte BocaTore (CR - 2-259-1325 / 8-385-7551 / Panama - 507-758-8127)

 

DEPARTS FROM: Downtown San Jose near the Hotel Cocori on Calle 14 between Avenida 3 and 5 (NOTE: It is NOT NOT NOT a good/safe area around here though I felt ok being there with the 2 gals I was waiting with!!!!)

 

DEPARTURE TIME: DAILY at 9am (often "ish").

 

WHEN TO ARRIVE TO GET THE BUS: Depending on the day of the week and holidays (obviously weekends [Fri.-Sun.] are more full. Thurs. and Mon. can be tighter), many people arrive about 30 or so min. before departure and just stand in line.

 

HOW/WHERE TO GET TICKETS: I've heard MANY versions of how you get tickets, the main one being you could only get it that day but that was NOT MY experience (luckily I trust my intuition!!). I went down the DAY BEFORE and waited for the bus. There were 2 ladies on it that sold tickets - one for going TO Changuinola and the other RETURN (2 totally different looking tickets). I was actually only taking the bus TO Panama (and flying back on NatureAir [more on that later]) but because at the Costa Rican border re-entering CR, they often ask you for proof that you are leaving CR within 90 days again (that is if you're not a resident). My understanding is that a ticket is good for 30 days so I bought a ticket for then. I HIGHLY welcome people to buy their ticket in advance as ya never know if a bus would be full and if you're on day 90 of your Tourist Visa Run, you're screwed (or have to pay for an expensive last minute airline ticket!!).

 

TIME: The bus take 6 hours, PLUS in Changuinola you take a taxi (find a few other people to share it that are going to the same boat dock) or bus/van to catch the water taxi so about another 1 1/2-2+ hours.

 

COST: Bus - $10 each way (plus other bus/taxi/water taxi costs in Panama).

 

ROUTE: The BEST PART of taking the bus is the scenic drive (though after about 2 hours of it I was ready to see other things but that's just me). The bus heads East to Limon (about 2 1/2 hours) a Cloud Forest (beautiful but it can VERY LIKELY be foggy and/or rainy [especially later in the day]) where it stops for a snack/bathroom break. Josh share that just outside the door (to the left) of the main stop/restaurant is a Mus Anni panaderia/bakery where you can get a nice bakery snack & drink for less than 2,000 colones.

Then South, along a beautiful drive along the Caribbean Coast (beautiful though at times it can be on a dirt road!!).

At Cahuita you go inland to Sixaola and DRIVE across the bridge in Panama and are dropped off at the Changuinola Bus Depot (more on what happens after that below).

 

 

SAN JOSE TO SIXAOLA, Costa Rica

NOTE: THIS BUS MAY BE CHEAPER (by about $1), but it's longer (with stops in Limon, Bri-Bri – ending in Sixaola on the Costa Rica side) AND IT’S LOTS MORE OF A HASSLE – ESPECIALLY IF IT’S RAINING - BUT, there are LOTS more choices on buses/times and you can get there earlier (hence can take Finca 63 Water Taxi which the route is is WAYYYY prettier but twice as long and $1 more).

 

NOTE: Need a GOOD ENGLISH-SPEAKING TAXI DRIVER TO TAKE YOU TO/FROM THE CARIBENO BUS TERMINAL (he's usually hanging there)?

James Francis Brown - 375-5558 / 245-2489 (JaimeFB@costaricense.cr) - REALLY GOOD English and a NICE person! HOURS: 8am-6pm++++ Mon.-Sat. 1-10pm-Sun. (he will work whatever hours he needs to if you make arrangements ahead of time). Tell him Vicki in Casa Naranja in Escazu referred you!

 

BUS:

DEPARTS FROM: Gran Terminal del Caribe / Caribeno Bus Terminal - In front of the Ulacit University on the main road to Tibas - on the East side of the Children's Museum/Museo de Ninos.

6am-Arrives around 2pm-ish - Direct to Sixaola

10am - LOTS of stops along the way including the entrance to Cahuita and Puerto Viejo

noon - Direct to Sixaola

2pm - Direct to Sixaola

4pm - Direct to Sixaola

TIME: Direct buses are 5 1/2 hours (plus the time to cross the border) and only "officially" stop at Cahuita Center (unless some passengers want to get off in between)

COST: 4,930-c /$10 (though the currency they use in Panama is the U.S. dollar, I think you can also pay with colones. If using dollars, please try to have the exact change. Their ticket booth is the last on on the right hand side of the terminal (hours pending). It will make your life MUCH easier!!).

CONTACT: San Jose (2-257-8129), Limon (2-758-1572), Sixaola (2-754-2097). HOURS: 5:30am-5pm.

 

Another Option:

Take the bus from San Jose to Limon (?).

Then catch a Route 725 bus to Sixaola from Radio Casino at: 5am, 7am, 8am, 10am, noon, 1pm, 4pm, 6pm.

COST: 1,465 (not poz on this new price as all buses have gone up)

TIME: 3 hours (from Limon)

 

NOTE: In the rainy season the bus schedule can EASILY change so you might want to call Transportes Mepe to verify the bus. San Jose (2-257-8129), Limon (2-758-1572), Sixaola (2-754-2097)

 

ROUTE: The BEST PART of taking the bus is the scenic drive (though after about 2 hours of it I was ready to see other things but that's just me). The bus heads East to Limon (about 2 1/2 hours) a Cloud Forest (beautiful but it can VERY LIKELY be foggy and/or rainy [especially later in the day]) where it stops for a snack/bathroom break. Josh share that just outside the door (to the left) of the main stop/restaurant is a Mus Anni panaderia/bakery where you can get a nice bakery snack & drink for less than 2,000 colones.

Then South, along a beautiful drive along the Caribbean Coast (beautiful though at times it can be on a dirt road!!) to Cahuita then Puerto Viejo and Bri Bri to let off passengers going to those points. Once you leave Bri, Bri you head to Sixaola and the border crossing.

 

 

THE BORDER - THE BRIDGE

In Costa Rica - you cross the boarder into Panama from Sixaola. On the Panama side, you arrive at Guabito.

 

WALKING ACROSS THE BRIDGE . . . This is a HORRIFIC BEYOND rickety bridge with slats of wood going across it so you can see the water below in between the horizontal wood slats (WATCH WHERE YOU'RE WALKING. Because you have to walk so carefully, it could take you 10 min. to cross. This is NOT good if you’re pulling a suitcase on wheels behind you or aren’t good at the balance bar at times) and railroad tracks down the middle. Also note, they are OFTEN spraying HORRIBLE POISONOUS/TOXIC pesticides overhead/by plane over the banana fields throughout the day and trust me, it DOES go EVERYWHERE (my heart goes out to all the workers in this area as they have to live with that day in and day out).

(when on one of these horrible bridges heading to Manuel Antonio a few years ago, I got a BIG "Ahhh haaaa" that in at LEAST a couple past lives I must have died somehow connected with bridges as I have VERY FEW fears in life but one of them is when crossing ANY bridge [even the Golden Gate which I did weekly when I lived in San Francisco], without realizing it, I hold my breath till it's over. Of course when you see some of these bridges, past life or not, you'll probably do the same thing!!!).

 

There are always English-speaking guys at the border/bridge willing to help you with your bags crossing the bridge and/or with the process. Most people I've spoken with tipped him $5-$10. Here are a couple:

Jairo Jimenez in CR (507-335-8881) - WONDERFUL Spirit!!

I used a guy I can't remember his name but he had one leg and used a bike to support him. A REAL sweetheart!

 

 

CRUCIAL CRUCIAL CRUCIAL INFORMATION!!

THE BRIDGE/BORDER HOURS!!

(see "Crucial Note" under each location below for hours)

 

IMMIGRATION - COSTA RICA

On the Costa Rica side, BocasToro Bus will drop you off right in front of Costa Rica's Immigration Office. Taking the Sixaola bus you just get off and walk to Immigration.

 

There you present them with your ORIGINAL Passport (don't laugh, I know a few people that have forgotten it) and they will have you fill out an Immigration Form and they will stamp your Passport with their exit stamp. MAKE SURE they STAMP YOUR PASSPORT OR your life could be quite a bit of hell when you're coming back into Costa Rica (a guy on one of my flights crossed the border when they were closed and Immigration MADE him go BACK to that border to deal with whatever it was he had to deal with it)(NOTE: I did NOT pay any Exit Tax leaving Costa Rica this way vs. the $26 exit fee you pay leaving Costa Rica by airplane).

 

CRUCIAL NOTE: The Costa Rican Immigration Office is ONLY OPEN from 7am-5pm and on Sat. and Sun. they close SOMETIME (??? of the hour) for lunch so ONLY go during those hours, especially if you're doing the Costa Rica Visa Run as you'll NEED that stamp/proof you've left CR.

 

If you take the BocaToro Bus, the driver (we had Elvis! He was a hoot!) usually gives you the option to walk across the bridge (note my description of that bridge below before choosing to walk across!) or he'll drive you over.

 

 

IMMIGRATION - PANAMA

You'll come to the Desarrollo Agropecuario building on your LEFT (a beige building).

First walk into the Ministerio de Gobierno - Migracion/Migration office where they stamp you.

If you're from countries withOUT agreements with Panama (like Canada, the U.S.), you then walk next door to IPAT - Instuituo Panameno de Turismo - Tourist Information where you pay a $5 Tourist Visa.

You then walk BACK to Migracion for the final stamp of approval (this is all WAYYYYY loosy goosy).

 

Josh said "Don't be shocked if the tourismo card has more than one name on it. Just make sure they have your passport # on it."

 

 

NOTE: Panama's Immigration office CLOSES EVERY DAY for lunch (not poz on time right now. I'll get that later) and from 6pm to 7am so you'll have to wait it out with everyone else (hope it's not toooo hot and toooo much of that poison going overhead). When I did this in March '08, it was a BREEZE!! NO wait other than the few gringos that were on the bus with us (it was 98.9% non-gringos).

 

If you're on the bus from San Jose to Changuinola, you get back on the bus again and your driver will take you to the Changuinola Bus Station/Terminal (Sincotavecop).

 

 

 

GETTING TO THE CHANGUINOLA BUS STATION / TERMINAL (Sincotavecop)

Unless you're on the SJ-Changuinola bus, the only way I know of so far to get to Changuinola is to take a "taxi" (it's usually one of those 4-door trucks [if it's raining, you may want to bring a BIG plastic bag like a big black trash bag, to cover it and/or you up]). After you've crossed the bridge and have done all your official stuff, keep walking forward and at the stairs, walk down the STEEP steps (with no railings [NOT fun when you're hauling luggage or in the rain!!]) to catch a taxi to take you to the Changuinola Bus Station/Terminal (Sincotavecop). I want to say that was about $3-$5 per person (NOTE: they will usually wait till they have 5 other people in the taxi before he goes]) OR you can hire the driver to take you directly to Finca 63 (I want to say that was $15-$2o or so depending on the driver I guess)

 

An EXCELLENT, VERY informative (ask him about how bananas are grown and processed [SCARY stuff!!]), English Speaking/VERY helpful TAXI DRIVER you can hire at the border (either privately or you can wait till he has 5 people to cram into his 4-door taxi truck) - JOSE (507-759-7909)!

 

 

WHAT YOU DO ONCE YOU'RE IN CHANGUINOLA

There are now water taxis that depart right from Changuinola en route to Isla Colon, Bocas. So, you really don't need to make the trip from Changuinola to Almirante. The water taxi takes about 1 hour each way and costs $5.00 per person.

Bocatoreno bus direct from from San Jose to the Bocas docks in Almirante and then a boat over -- From central Almirante it shouldn't cost more than $1.00 to get to the water taxi port. (This posting seems questionable as I could find no other reference for a direct bus to Almirante)

To reach Bocas islands there are also two ways, through Almirante or through Finca 63.

(THANX TicoCan Thor!!)

 

 

 

WATER TAXI TO ISLE COLON - BOCAS

There are 3 boat rides that take you to Isla Colon (the main island in Bocas del Toro).

 

FINCA 63 WATER TAXI

This is the SCENIC (as it travels SLOWLY through a BEAUTIFUL estuary / marsh filled with floating islands of water lettuce and water hyacinths [thanx Josh!]), ROUGHER (the bus takes you on REALLY BUMPY back roads [I have a BIG tush with LOTS of padding and MY tush/tailbone were sore!!!]), LONGER (the boat takes about an hour), more expensive route.

 

GETTING FROM CHANGUINOLA TO FINCA 63: At the bus depot in Changuinola you can catch a small van/bus marked "FINCA 63" which takes about 15 min. to the boat dock. COST FOR BUS: If memory serves me (I'll verify later) cost around $1. You can also take a taxi which I want to say is around $15.

At Finca 63 there is NOTHING nearby to eat most of the time (sometimes you'll get lucky and the little store will be open or a neighboring soda). Here you'll wait (and sometimes wait and wait) for this water taxi.

 

DIS-ADVANTAGES OF THIS WATER TAXI. This only comes every other hour or so (once I find it I'll post the schedule) and the last boat is at 5pm (so this does NOT work for people taking the BocaToro bus from San Jose to Changuinola). MOST IMPORTANTLY, I've also known of it to not show/break down (the one Josh took his first trip was a 2 hour delay and mine was 3 one of the ways) OR the tide be too low - so if time is NOT of importance - this is a cool option!

SCHEDULE: ___________ The last departure is at 5pm.

 

OR

 

ALMIRANTE

(Note: This is the ONLY Water Taxi you can take if you take the San Jose to Changuinola)

At the bus depot in Changuinola you can take a bus (I want to say it was 50¢) to Almirante which, if memory serves me, takes about 45 min. There you walk forward out of the depot and turn Right. Go down about 150 meters (1 1/2 blocks) to a dirt alley road and go LEFT to the docks.

OR you can hire a TAXI ($15) (find up to 3 others going there also to share the cost). This is MY preferred way as it takes you RIGHT to the dock.

There are now 2 Options for Water Taxis taking you to Isle Colon - the original Bocas Marine Tours which goes at ______

COST FOR WATER TAXI: $5

LENGTH OF TIME: 30 min. boat ride

 

Jampan is the new kid on the block.

DEPART ALMIRANTE AT: 6:30am, 8:30am, 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm, 7pm and 9pm.

On Isla Colon/Bocas island, their dock is a red with blue trip to the left of the center.

 

 

OR

 

The BIG SLOW Car/Transport Ferry - Ferry Palanga

(507-6615-6674 / 261-0350 / willifu@cableonda.net)

This is a trip!! Go on a transport ferry with the big trucks (and truckers girls!). It leaves Almirante at 8am (if you have a car – be there BY BY BY 7am since it can get packed) – arriving into Bocas-Isla Colon at 9:30am.

It doesn’t leave Bocas-Isla Colon until 4pm – arriving in Almirante at 5:30pm.

This is an interesting CHEAP THING TO DO if you're traveling through Panama and don't have much time or want to overnight in Bocas as you you can take the boat then choose to wander around this Port town and stay the night/go explore elsewhere or return on one of the Water Taxis. Almirante is the Port Town for this area so not much to do but you get to spend some cheap time on the water!!!

COST: Passengers - $1 each way (CHEAP ENTERTAINMENT!). Car $20 + $1 per person.

Note – to ensure your space – especially before 9:30am and from around 3-6pm – arrive early as the boat will go as soon as it’s full. Also, NEVER plan on catching the last boat unless you have time to stay where you’re at as – they break down! Personally, from what I’ve seen, I would plan on catching the last 2!!!

.

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Vicki Skinner (aka the "Sarong Goddess" in Escazu, Costa Rica)