getting to Palmar
PALMAR SHUTTLE - 10AM, 12PM, & 4PM (FREE FOR GUESTS)
The Palmar Shuttle boat leaves three times daily from the dock at the Buena Vista Restaurant on the Main Street (next to Azul Paradise Hotel) at 10 am, 12 pm and 4 pm. If you arrive early, the restaurant is open daily with a selection of delicious food and beverages. The shuttle service is free for guests and limited spaces are offered on a first come, first served basis. Please have a digital copy of your reservation ready to show to our captain.
**If you need any help with your luggage, please make sure to arrive on one of these shuttles.
PRIVATE TAXI - 8AM TO 5PM ($8-10) ; ALL OTHER TIMES ($10-20)
If you can't take one of the shuttles, you can hire a water taxi from the public docks. Be sure to mention that you are going to Palmar on Red Frog. If you plan to arrive after 6 pm, please bring a flashlight. There is no illumination along the trail.
If you take a taxi, you will need to show proof of your reservation to avoid paying the $5 entrance fee. From the dock, follow the trail signs for 10 minutes until you reach Palmar.
getting to Bocas
FROM PANAMA CITY
FASTEST: Fly to Bocas on Air Panama (around $100 one way, 1 hour). Buy tickets at www.airpanama.com
CHEAPEST: Take bus departing from Albrook bus station to Almirante ($28 one way, 10 hours), and then a water taxi from Almirante to Bocas Town ($6 per person, 40 minutes). Busses leave around 7:30 am and 7:30 pm. You can only buy a ticket in person at the Albrook bus terminal.
TIP: Bring warm clothes -- the bus is very cold.
FROM DAVID, PANAMA
Take a bus to Almirante ($8 one way, 4.5 hours) and then a water taxi from Almirante to Bocas Town ($6 per person, 40 minutes).
FROM BOQUETE, PANAMA
FASTEST: Take the Mamallena shuttle ($30 including boat, 3.5 hours). Departs Boquete at 8 am. Departs Bocas at 11:30 am for return trip. You can make a reservation directly online by clicking here.
CHEAPEST: Take the public bus to David (departs near center Plaza). Then take public bus to Almirante, and finally water taxi to Bocas Town ($6 per person, 40 minutes)
FROM SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA
FASTEST: Fly to Bocas on Aerobell (around $110-150 one way, 1 hour). Only flies on Friday and Sunday. Book at www.aerobell.com
CHEAPEST: Take Bocatoreños Bus Line to Changuinola, Panama. Departs daily at 9 am from in front of Hotel Cocorí in San Jose ($14 one way, 6 hours). From Changuinola take a taxi to Almirante ($5-10 per person, 45 minutes) and then take a water taxi from Almirante to Bocas Town ($6 per person, 40 minutes).
ALSO CONSIDERABLE: Caribe Shuttle Bus directly to Almirante ($75 includes lunch, Wi-Fi, and boat to Bocas; 10 hours). Book below.
FROM PUERTO VIEJO, COSTA RICA
FASTEST: Caribe Shuttle directly to Almirante ($32 includes boat to Bocas, Wi-Fi; 3 hours). Book below.
CHEAPEST: Take a public bus to the border at Sixaola ($3, around 2 hours), then a bus from the border to Almirante ($3 per person, 1 hour 20 minutes), and then take a water taxi from Almirante to Bocas Town ($6 per person, 40 minutes).
