Are you planning your trip and wondering how to get to Bocas del Toro from Costa Rica? Look no further! In this article, I’ll walk you through the various ways to reach Bocas del Toro from any location in Costa Rica, including popular spots like San José, La Fortuna (Arenal), Tortuguero, Puerto Viejo, and the neighboring towns of Cahuita, Manzanillo, and Punta Cocles. Whether you prefer transfers or taxis, minibuses, buses, cars, or even ferries, I’ve got you covered with all the details you need.
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Transport options to get to Bocas del Toro
When planning a trip to Bocas del Toro from Costa Rica, you have several transportation options to choose from, each with its own advantages. Below, I’ve provided a list of available options along with a brief description, and further down, you’ll find detailed information on each method of transportation.
- Transfer or minibus + Ferry: There are direct transportation services available from San José, Puerto Viejo area (including Cahuita, Manzanillo, and Punta Cocles), La Fortuna, and Tortuguero to the Almirante dock. From there, you can hop on a ferry that will take you to Bocas del Toro. This option offers convenience and comfort, making it the most popular choice for reaching Bocas del Toro.
- Bus and Ferry: If you’re up for a more adventurous journey, you can take a bus to Sixaola and then catch a ferry from the Almirante dock to Bocas del Toro. This option is more budget-friendly, but keep in mind that it takes longer and involves making some connections along the way.
- By Car: If you prefer the freedom of driving on your own, you have the option to either rent a car (👉check prices) or use your own vehicle. You can drive to Sixaola and then decide whether to park your car or continue driving to the dock for the ferry ride to Bocas del Toro.
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Getting by CAR to Bocas del Toro
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can travel with your own vehicle or rent a car to travel through Costa Rica by road. I’ll tell you all the details you need to make the journey and some useful information.
Renting a car in Costa Rica
Road trips are a fantastic option and, in Costa Rica, you have a variety of vehicles and pick-up locations to choose from to meet your needs. In case you decide to RENT A CAR, I’ve listed a few pick-up locations near your destination and tourist areas that you might want to visit on your trip.
Also, keep in mind that you have the option of picking up and dropping off the car at different locations. For instance, you can pick up the car in San José and return it in La Fortuna.
| Car rental in SAN JOSÉ | Car rental in LA FORTUNA |
| Car rental in LIMÓN | Car rental in TAMARINDO |
| Car rental in UVITA | Car rental in PUERTO JIMÉNEZ |
| Car rental in QUEPOS y MANUEL ANTONIO | Car rental in LIBERIA |
If your destination is not listed above, you can also check the availability of vehicles and prices using the following search engine:
Directions to go to Bocas del Toro by car
To reach Bocas del Toro by car, you’ll need to make your way to Sixaola. Once you arrive there, you’ll need to pass through customs to complete the necessary exit procedures for Costa Rica and entry procedures for Panama. You’ll also need to pay the corresponding fee of $10.
As for your car, you have two options:
Option 1: Leaving your car in Costa Rica
This is the most straightforward option. Upon arriving in Sixaola, you can park your car in a secure parking lot. The cost is around $10 per day.
After completing the necessary exit procedures for Costa Rica and entry procedures for Panama, you can hire a taxi to take you to the Almirante dock ($10). Once there, you can board the ferry that will transport you to Bocas del Toro. The boat ride costs approximately $6, and the journey takes about 30 minutes. The ferries operate every half hour from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Option 2: Procedures for taking your car to Panama
If you wish to bring your car into Panama, there are certain steps you need to follow. First, you’ll need to obtain an exit permit from the Registro Nacional (National Registry) in order to present it at the Costa Rican customs. Upon arriving in Panama, you’ll then need to process a temporary vehicle import permit at the Panamanian customs. It’s also important to note that you’ll be required to obtain third-party liability insurance.
Once all the necessary paperwork is complete, you can drive to the Almirante dock. There, you’ll find ferries available to transport vehicles to Isla Colón. Here are the prices (one-way) and schedules:
| Almirante – Colón island | Colón island – Almirante |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM, 12:00 PM | 10:00 AM, 3:00 PM |
Ferry schedules for vehicles going to Bocas del Toro
| Type of vehicle | Prices |
|---|---|
| Bicycle | 3.50$ |
| Motorbike | 10.00$ |
| Private cars up to 5 passengers | 35.00$ |
| Medium-sized 4×4 vehicles | 40.00$ |
| Large 4×4 vehicles | 45.00$ |
How to get from SAN JOSÉ & PUERTO VIEJO to Bocas del Toro
I’ll explain to you how to get to Bocas del Toro from both San José and Puerto Viejo using two different methods: by purchasing a transportation package that includes a minibus + ferry (recommended option), or by taking a public bus + ferry.
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How to go to Bocas del Toro by shuttle or transfer
Direct shuttles to Bocas del Toro typically depart from popular locations such as SAN JOSÉ (👉price & schedules), PUERTO VIEJO (👉price & schedules), as well as the neighboring towns of CAHUITA (👉price & schedules), MANZANILLO (👉price & schedules), and PUNTA COCLES (👉price & schedules). A convenient minivan will pick you up directly from your hotel and take you to the border town of Sixaola.
Upon reaching Sixaola, you’ll need to go through customs to complete the necessary exit procedures for Costa Rica and entry procedures for Panama. Don’t forget to have $10 in cash (in US dollars) to cover the corresponding fees. At Sixaola, another vehicle will be waiting to continue the journey to the ferry that will transport you to Bocas del Toro. The ferry fare is typically included in the transfer service.
Please keep in mind that at the border, you may be asked to provide documents that demonstrate you have plans to leave Panama, such as a return transfer reservation to Costa Rica or a flight ticket out of the country.
The travel time from Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro is approximately 4 hours, while if you’re departing from San José, the journey can take up to 10 hours.
How to reach Bocas del Toro by BUS + Ferry
In both cases, you will need to take a bus that will transport you to Sixaola. From there, the steps you need to follow will be the same. Now, let’s take a look at the bus schedules and prices for both scenarios:
Bus from San José to Sixaola
The journey starts at the MEPE Bus Terminal in San José, where you can board a bus to Sixaola. The ticket price is approximately 9,005 CRC, which is equivalent to around $17 USD. The bus ride takes about 6 hours, covering a distance of approximately 248 kilometers.
| Sixaola to San José | San José to Sixaola |
| 02:00 am | 06:00 am |
| 04:30 am | 08:00 am |
| 08:00 am | 10:00 am |
| 11:00 am | 02:00 pm |
| 03:00 pm | 04:00 pm |
Bus from Puerto Viejo to Sixaola
The bus that will take you from Puerto Viejo to Sixaola departs from the MEPE bus stop, located next to the beach. The ticket price is 1,690 CRC (around $3), and the journey takes approximately 1 hour to reach the destination.
From Monday to Saturday, the bus operates hourly from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM, with the last bus departing at 8:15 PM.
On Sundays and holidays, the bus runs every two hours from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, with the final bus departing at 8:15 PM.
From Sixaola to Bocas del Toro
Once you arrive in Sixaola, you will need to proceed through the border to complete the necessary exit procedures for Costa Rica and entry procedures for Panama. Please be prepared to pay the corresponding fees of $10 (in cash and in USD).
Please note that at the border checkpoint, you may be required to provide documentation that verifies your intention to leave Panama, such as a reservation for your return transfer to Costa Rica or a flight out of the country.
After crossing the border, proceed to the Almirante pier, where you can take a ferry to Bocas del Toro. You have two options for this journey:
- Shared taxi is the most comfortable and convenient option to reach the jetty, which takes about an hour and costs $10.
- Taxi+bus: this option is less practical but more affordable. At the border, you can take a taxi to Changuinola, which costs $5 per person. From Changuinola, you can take a bus to Almirante, which costs around $1.50.
Upon arriving at Almirante pier, you will need to take a ferry to Bocas del Toro. The boat fare is approximately $6, and the journey typically takes around 30 minutes. Boats depart every half hour from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
How to travel from TORTUGUERO to Bocas del Toro
There are two ways to reach Bocas del Toro from Tortuguero: by purchasing a transportation package that includes a shuttle and ferries (recommended option), or by taking public buses and ferries (this option involves multiple transfers).
Getting to Bocas del Toro by shuttle/transfer + ferry
From Tortuguero, the fastest and most direct way to reach Bocas del Toro is by purchasing a TRANSPORTATION PACKAGE (👉price and schedules). These packages include both road transportation in a minivan and the two necessary ferries for the journey.
Starting from Tortuguero, you will board the ferry that will take you to the Pavona dock. Upon arrival, a minibus (typically a minivan) will be waiting to transport you directly to the border town of Sixaola.
In Sixaola, you will go through customs to complete the necessary exit procedures for Costa Rica and entry procedures for Panama. Please ensure you have $10 in cash (in US dollars) to cover the corresponding fees. Once you have finished the procedures, another vehicle will be waiting to continue the journey to the ferry that will take you to Bocas del Toro.
Please keep in mind that at the border, they may request documentation to verify that you do not intend to stay in Panama permanently. Examples of such documents include a return transfer reservation to Costa Rica or a departure flight ticket from the country.
The journey from Tortuguero to Bocas del Toro typically takes around 7 hours.
Getting to Bocas del Toro by bus + ferry
Even though there is a considerable distance between the two places, it is possible to reach Bocas del Toro from Tortuguero on the same day if you use public transportation. However, I must warn you that the journey is long and challenging, and purchasing a transportation package is a much better option.
- The first step is to head to the Tortuguero dock early in the morning to catch a BOAT (👉price and schedule) that will take you to La Pavona. Keep in mind that you have a long journey ahead, and it’s important to leave early to ensure you reach the ferry to Bocas del Toro on time.
- From La Pavona, you will need to board a bus that will take you to Cariari.
- Once in Cariari, your next task is to catch a bus heading towards Guápiles (520 CRC).
- In Guápiles, purchase a ticket (3200 CRC) for the bus that travels to Limón. The ride will take a little under two hours.
- Upon reaching Limón, locate the bus that is bound for Sixaola. This town is situated on the border between Costa Rica and Panama. The bus ticket will cost you 4290 CRC.
From this point onwards, everything becomes easier.
De Sixaola a Bocas del Toro
Upon arrival at Sixaola, you will need to proceed through the border to complete the required exit procedures for Costa Rica and entry procedures for Panama. It is important to have $10 in cash (in US dollars) available to pay the corresponding fees.
Please note that at the border, it is possible that you may be asked to provide documentation as evidence that you do not intend to stay in Panama permanently. This could include a reservation for return transportation to Costa Rica or a flight ticket showing your departure from the country.
After crossing the border, you should proceed to the Almirante dock where you can board the ferry to Bocas del Toro. You have two options for this leg of the journey:
- Shared taxi is the most comfortable and convenient option to reach the jetty, which takes about an hour and costs $10.
- Taxi+bus: this option is less practical but more affordable. At the border, you can take a taxi to Changuinola, which costs $5 per person. From Changuinola, you can take a bus to Almirante, which costs around $1.50.
Once you reach Almirante, you will need to board a ferry that will take you to Bocas del Toro. The ferry ticket costs around $6, and the journey typically lasts about 30 minutes. The ferries operate every half hour, starting from 6:00 AM until 6:00 PM.
How to travel from LA FORTUNA (Arenal) to Bocas del Toro
If you’re in La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano), transportation options to Bocas del Toro are limited. While there are buses available for the journey between La Fortuna and Bocas del Toro, it becomes extremely challenging in practice due to the schedules.
Attempting to travel by bus is risky as it’s highly likely that you won’t make it in time for the last ferry to Bocas del Toro. In this case, your best option is to take a shuttle/shared transfer.
Let me explain how to get to Bocas del Toro using a shuttle, and if you still want to give it a try, I’ll provide information on the bus journey as well.
Getting to Bocas del Toro by shuttle + ferry
Desde La Fortuna deberás subir al minibús (tipo minivan) que te llevará directamente hasta la localidad fronteriza de Sixaola.
The quickest and safest way to reach Bocas del Toro from La Fortuna is by purchasing a TRANSPORTATION PACKAGE (👉price and schedules). These packages include road transportation in a minivan and the ferry for the journey.
Once in Sixaola, you will go through customs to complete the necessary exit procedures for Costa Rica and entry procedures for Panama. Please ensure you have $10 in cash (in US dollars) available to pay the corresponding fees. After completing the procedures, another vehicle will be waiting to continue the journey to the boat that will transport you to Bocas del Toro.
Please note that at the border, it is possible that you may be asked to provide documentation as evidence that you do not intend to stay in Panama permanently. This could include a reservation for return transportation to Costa Rica or a flight ticket showing your departure from the country.
From La Fortuna, the total travel time is approximately 7 hours.
Getting to Bocas del Toro by bus + ferry
To reach Bocas del Toro from La Fortuna, the first step is to get to San José. You have two options that will take you to the 7-10 Terminal in San José (located next to the bus terminal to Sixaola):
- Taking the direct bus from La Fortuna to San José. This bus journey takes approximately 4 hours and costs 3,000 CRC. The only inconvenience is that there is only one direct bus available, which departs at 2:45 PM, meaning you would need to spend the night in San José to reach Bocas del Toro the following day.
- Taking a bus to Quesada and then transfer to another bus heading to San José. This entire journey takes about 5 hours and costs 4,000 CRC. While this option is less comfortable, it offers the advantage of having more available schedules.
In the following link, you will find an explanation on how to get from San José to Bocas del Toro.
TOURS and activities in Bocas del Toro
Panama is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and idyllic beaches. In Bocas del Toro, visitors can indulge in an array of activities and tours, including diving into its crystalline waters, admiring the vibrant starfish, and lounging on the beach while savoring a refreshing coconut drink.
Popular transportation routes in Costa Rica
If you are planning your trip to Costa Rica, here you will find some of the most popular transportation routes to visit the country.
How to get from SAN JOSE to SANTA TERESA by shuttle, plane, car and bus
How to get to LA FORTUNA (Arenal) from SAN JOSÉ, Monteverde, Tamarindo & + by bus, shuttle & car
How to get from SAN JOSÉ to UVITA, DOMINICAL & Palmar Norte by shuttle and bus
How to get to Puerto Jiménez from San José & Drake Bay (bus, car and shuttle)
How to get to San José (city center) from Juan Santamaría airport SJO by bus and shuttle/transfer
How to get to Puerto Viejo from San José, la Fortuna & Manuel Antonio [bus, flight & shuttle]
How to get to TORTUGUERO from SAN JOSÉ, LA FORTUNA & PUERTO VIEJO by shuttle, plane, car or bus
How to get to Drake Bay from Sierpe, San José, Uvita and Manuel antonio
Is Costa Rica SAFE to Travel?
Costa Rica is a moderately dangerous country, where nothing should happen to you if you go carefully and take precautions. Remember to follow these recommendations:
- In case of robbery, do not resist physically.
- Do not show a high purchasing power, that is, do not go with jewels, bags, etc … that are expensive.
- Be careful if you go out at night, and stay in crowded places where you are surrounded by other people.
- Thefts are usual, so don’t go with the camera or mobile in your hand or hang out of your neck.
- Try to avoid carrying the backpack on the back. Put it in front of you, or use a belt pouch or a cross bag.
Personally, I spent 3 months traveling alone in Costa Rica (I visited San José, Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero, Dominical, Uvita, Bay Drake and Puerto Jiménez) and I did not find myself in any really serious situation.
Going down the street with the camera, several Costa Rican people approached and warned me that they were carefully with robberies, since they told me that they are very frequent.
In my case, during the trip they tried to steal 2 times and, luckily, I realized on time and I could avoid it. In any case, it is always a good idea to have travel insurance (👉5% discount) that can compensate you financially and help you if a medical emergency occurs.
If you are interested in traveling alone, I recommend this article about the reasons and benefits of traveling alone and this other article with tips for traveling alone being a woman. I encourage you to try it since it is a great and very profitable experience for oneself.
Eating VEGAN in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is not a country faced with vegan food. Anyway, they have some traditional dishes that are vegan or that you can ask without egg or sauces such as the pico of rooster (rice with beans for breakfast), black bean soup or rice with vegetables.
You should always ask if the purés or soups are made with some type of dairy product or meat broth, since at first glance they might seem vegan dishes but not be.
In San José you can find some vegan restaurants, but when you leave the capital the offer is very limited or non -existent. Next, I make three recommendations and in this link you can read tips to travel vegan.
- Try to stay in hotels that are characterized by cooking vegan and vegetarian dishes. This is the best option and the most practical for not having to be looking for places where to eat comfortable without always repeating the same dishes.
- Before going on a tour that includes a meal, always mention that you are vegan or vegetarian, so that they can adapt the food.
- Costa Rica is a country where you can find a variety of fresh products (fruits and vegetables) to prepare salads and breakfast with fruits. In any city or town, you will easily find some supermarket or stalls on the street where you can buy groceries.