Bocas del Toro from Costa Rica

At GPS we love to help you plan your trip, so here you will find a guide to get to Bocas del Toro from San José, Costa Rica. There are 3 ways by car, by bus and by plane:

By Car

You can take the car at the airport, we have all kinds of options to suit your needs and budget, from mini suv, sedans, 4×4, up to 7 passengers… You have to go to Sixaola (5 hours driving)

TIP: To enjoy your stay in Costa Rica to the fullest, we recommend that your itinerary be:
You arrive at the airport (it depends on the time your flight arrives, it would be best to be in Alajuela that night ) the next day go to Puerto Viejo, stay 3 nights there, for you to visit: Cahuita National Park, Refugio Nacional Gandoca-Manzanillo, Puerto Viejo Beach Cocles Beach, Punta Uva… And by the way you can visit Jaguar Rescue Center. And then go to Sixaola. If you have several days in Costa Rica, it will be a pleasure to make your personalized itinerary, making the most of your time in the country (remember that it is a free service for the rental with GPS).

When your arrive to Sixaola. You can:
-Leave the car in a parking lot (there are several parking options) the days you go to Bocas del Toro, and when you return to Costa Rica, return it at the Juan Santa Maria Airport, the day of your flight (this is the cheapest option).
– Or return it in Sixaola the day you leave for Panama.

At Sixaola, you go through immigration, you must pay the departure tax $8, I recommend you to pay it online here. Then, go through immigration in Panama. Once you have the exit stamp of the country in Costa Rica and the entrance to Panama, you take a bus to Almirante, to take a boat to Bocas. Its very easy.

By Bus

Take a Bus from SJO to Sixaola, and through immigration. Then, go through immigration in Panama. Once you have the exit stamp of the country in Costa Rica and the entrance to Panama, you take a bus to Almirante, to take a boat to Bocas.

By Plane

You can buy your ticket online, this is the faster way to get to Bocas del Toro if you aren’t near to Sixaola.

TIP: To enjoy your stay in Costa Rica to the fullest, we recommend that your itinerary be:

Enjoy all for Costa Rica first (por example: La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Conchal Beach, Tortuguero… ), and then, go to San Jose, to the airport, and take the plane at Domestic Terminal.

If you want to start your trip to Bocas del Toro from somewhere else in Costa Rica don’t hesitate to ask us, we can give you the information depending on where you are!