How to get from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica to Bocas del Toro, Panama

After our disaster performance at the Nicaragua/Costa Rica border, we were determined to have no problems crossing into Panama. We did our research and actually booked a flight out of the country before we even entered it! We’re flying to Colombia in late March – that’s the most pre-planning we’ve done so far on this trip! There are two places to cross into Panama from Costa Rica – one on the Pacific Coast & one on the Caribbean Coast. Here’s how to get from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica to Bocas del Toro, Panama:

Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

Catch a bus to Sixaola from the Mepe bus station downtown. The bus will take you back to the highway and into Bribri before arriving near the border.

Cost: $3.15/person. Time: ~1 hour.

While approaching the border, there will be a stall where you can pay your “exit fee” – $8. A guy tried to get us to pay there but it wasn’t very official looking. We ignored his pleas and continued up to the actual immigration office where we paid the fee (actually only $7) and got our exit stamps.

Walk across the rickety-ass bridge to get to Panama.

Cost: $7/person. Time: 1 minute in the border office before a 5 minute walk across the bridge.

Guabito, Panama

Once in Panama, go to the first official-looking office and pay the $3 entrance fee. Try paying in US Dollars as the exchange rate they give for colones is ridiculous. After the office, go down the hill and continue on the road between the minibus shuttles and collection of buildings. You’ll reach the Panama Immigration Security Office where you’ll receive your entrance stamp to Panama.

To get from the border to anywhere else in the country is semi-difficult. The public bus station is a good 15 minute walk away. We were with two fellow travelers and so the four of us split a minibus to take us to the port town of Alimente (where you can then catch water taxis – lanchas – to Bocas del Toro). The driver first gave us the quote of $30/couple (including the $6 lancha fee), but then quickly reduced it to $15/couple upon hearing that we’d rather catch a bus.

Cost: $10.50/person (to cross the border and for transportation to Alimente – doesn’t include $6 lancha fee). Time: ~1 hour to get to Alimente.