Puerto Viejo to Bocas Del Toro Transportation Guide

Getting to Bocas Del Toro from Puerto Viejo can be a bit of a challenge, but don't worry, I've got you covered. The journey typically takes around 8-12 hours, depending on the mode of transportation you choose.

You can take a bus from Puerto Viejo to Almirante, which is the main hub for ferries to Bocas Del Toro. The bus ride itself takes around 6-8 hours and costs around $20-$30 USD.

From Almirante, you can take a ferry to Colón, which is a major port city in Panama. The ferry ride takes around 1-2 hours and costs around $10-$20 USD.

Getting to Bocas del Toro is relatively easy, and you have several options to choose from. You can take a shuttle trip by van and boat, which is the easiest way as it includes guided transfers and border formalities.

Booking a complete package with transport, hotel, and tours is an excellent option, especially for a quick trip. This way, you can have everything taken care of in one go.

If you want to travel independently, you can take a bus, shared taxi, and boat. There are detailed instructions available for this option.

Flights are also available from San Jose or Panama City. This is a great option if you're short on time.

If you have a car, you can drive to the border or even possibly to Bocas on the car ferry. This is a good option if you're traveling with a group or have a lot of luggage.

Companies like Pleasure Ride and Green Gold operate from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Bocas del Toro, offering shared and private minivan services, as well as ferry services. They also provide border crossing services from Costa Rica to Panama.

You can also consider alternative ways to get from Puerto Viejo to Bocas Del Toro, such as taking a water taxi from Almirante.

Related reading: El Viejo Post Office

Traveling from Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro can be done in various ways, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

The easiest way to get to Bocas del Toro is by taking a shuttle trip by van and boat, which will guide you through the transfers and border formalities.

If you're looking for more flexibility, you can rent a car and drive to the border at Sixaola, taking around 3-4 hours depending on traffic and road conditions.

However, be aware that rental cars typically cannot cross into Panama, so you'll need to park your car on the Costa Rican side and catch a bus or taxi to Almirante.

Hiring a taxi is also an option, but it can be expensive, ranging from $160 to $240.

If you do decide to drive, consider renting a 4x4 if you want to get closer to nature.

Booking a complete package with transport, hotel, and tours is another excellent option, especially for a quick trip.

Here are some travel schedule options from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Bocas del Toro:

If you're planning to drive, it's essential to book well in advance to save money and to contact your credit card company to see if your car is insured as a benefit on your card.

The boat crossing from Almirante to Bocas del Toro is a quick and scenic ride that takes no more than 30 minutes. You'll get to see the banana shipping containers being filled and ready to set sail around the world.

The boat crew will take care of transferring your bags and getting everyone settled in. You'll be given a life jacket to wear as a precaution, but don't worry, the journey is very smooth.

The boat ride offers great views of the surrounding area, making it a great way to start your trip to Bocas del Toro.

Here are some practical tips to keep in mind:

If you're planning to take the boat, be sure to book well in advance to save money, just like you would with any other mode of transportation.

Traveling from Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro by public transportation is an option, but it involves multiple buses and a water taxi. The journey starts with a 90-minute bus ride from Puerto Viejo to Sixaola, which costs around $3 and departs hourly from 6:30 AM.

You'll need to obtain an exit stamp at the Costa Rican immigration office in Sixaola and pay the entry fee of CRC 2000.00 to cross into Panama. From there, look for a bus headed to Almirante, which is where you'll board a boat to Bocas del Toro.

If you prefer a more relaxed experience, you can use a shared shuttle service, which typically takes 3-4 hours and costs between $35 to $40 per person.

Taking the public bus from Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro is a budget-friendly option, but it's not the quickest way to get there.

The first leg of the journey takes around 1.5 hours and costs $4-5, taking you from Puerto Viejo to Sixaola, the border town. You'll need to ask the bus driver to drop you off at the border.

Upon arrival in Sixaola, you'll need to pay the exit tax and walk over to enter Panama. The total cost of taking the public bus from Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro is around $15 (plus border taxes).

To reach Bocas del Toro from Sixaola, you'll need to take two more buses: one from Sixola to Changuinola ($2), and another from Changuinola to Almirante ($3). The journey takes around 3.5 hours in total.

Here's a breakdown of the bus fares:

Note that there are also private shuttles available, but they may not be the most cost-effective option.

A shared shuttle is a great way to get to Bocas del Toro from Puerto Viejo, and it's our most recommended option.

The journey usually takes about 3-4 hours and prices typically range from $35 to $40 per person. This option is great for those who want a hassle-free experience without the stress of driving.

You can book in advance as these shuttles can fill up, so don't wait until the last minute. Be aware of baggage restrictions, as surfboards and additional suitcases may cost extra.

Here are the shuttle schedules for Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro:

You can book these shuttles directly with either Gecko Trail Costa Rica or Caribe Shuttle using the buttons below.

If you're looking for a hassle-free transfer from Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro, consider hiring a private taxi. This option can be expensive, ranging from $160 to $240, but it's a more relaxed way to travel, especially if you're not comfortable with public transportation.

You'll need to hire one taxi to get to the border town of Sixola, then cross the border on foot and hire a new cab in Panama to get you to Almirante, where you'll board a boat to Bocas del Toro.

To save money, book your private taxi well in advance, and consider using a 4x4 for a more nature-filled experience.

Pleasure Ride is based in Limón, Costa Rica, and offers shared and private minivan and ferry services from Puerto Viejo to various locations in Costa Rica and even border crossing services to Panamá.

Green Gold is a local company in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, providing affordable minivan services to several destinations including Bocas del Toro, Tortuguero, and San Jose.

You can rely on these companies to get you from Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro with ease, and they also offer activities and tours connecting Costa Rica and Panama.

Pleasure Ride, based in Limón, Costa Rica, offers shared and private minivan and ferry services from Puerto Viejo to most of Costa Rica's locations, as well as border crossing services to Panamá.

Green Gold, based in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, provides affordable minivan services to various destinations, including Bocas del Toro, Tortuguero, and San Jose.

Pleasure Ride and Green Gold both offer services connecting Costa Rica and Panamá.

In the world of transportation, some stations stand out from the rest.

The Tokyo Metro in Japan has a staggering 9 lines and over 300 stations, making it one of the busiest and most extensive networks in the world.

One of the most famous stations is Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, with over 3.5 million passengers per day.

The London Underground in the UK has a network of 11 lines and over 270 stations, serving millions of commuters every day.

The famous King's Cross Station in London is a major transportation hub, with over 50 million passengers per year.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, check out Surfari Bocas, a clean and comfortable spot near the centre of town.

Selina is another great choice, with stylish hostels in Bocas, including a waterfront location in Bocastown with a dock for swimming or hanging out.

Their Bocastown location has a happening bar, while their Isla Bastimentos spot is situated at Red Frog Beach.

Dorms at Selina start from $45 US, and private rooms are available from $90 US.

Luxury overwater bungalows are also an option in Bocas Del Toro, located in a secluded bay on a short boat ride from the main town.

For more insights, see: Mail to Puerto Rico from Us

Taking the public bus from Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro is an adventure, but it's a safe option. You can also take the Bocas del Toro shuttle service, which makes crossing the border hassle-free.

The Bocas del Toro shuttle service is a great alternative to the public bus, with reasonably priced options available.

Make sure you're prepared to get wet, as this is a common experience when crossing the border.

For your interest: Puerto Natales to Torres Del Paine Bus