How To Get From Panama City Airport To Bocas Del Toro – All Possible Ways

Last updated on March 4th, 2023 at 10:18 am

We will tell you how to get from Panama city airport to Bocas del Toro. There are a few options since the distance from Tocumen International Airport to Bocas del Toro is 610 kilometers.

The travel time from Panama city airport to Bocas del Toro is around 10-12 hours depending on the traffic. Click here to book online Panama activities and day trips 

The cheapest way from Panama city airport to Bocas del Toro is around $40 USD by bus, plus metro, shuttle bus and water taxi too. Read here how to get from Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro

You can rent a car at Panama airport and you can hire Uber too.

SIM CARD AT PANAMA AIRPORT

I wouldn’t recommend you to buy a sim card at Panama airport. If you wish comfort you can buy eSim online and if you aren’t in a hurry just go around phone shops in the city and compare prices to buy the cheapest sim card in Panama. Panama sim card for tourist and best Panama eSim

You can find the cheapest Panama eSim with Airalo Panama eSim prepaid for $9 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days and for $18 USD with 3 GB data valid for 30 days. (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%).

Holafly Panama eSim for $44 USD if you use our code GAMINTRAVELER coming with 6 GB data valid for 15 days. Ubigi Panama eSim for $14 USD with 1 GB data valid for 30 days and for $38 USD with 3 GB data valid for 30 days. (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%).

Read here how to get from Panama airport to city center, Panamanian food, vegetarian food in Panama, Panamanian drinks, Panamanian breakfast, best restaurants in Panama City and Panama travel tips.

Also read here what to wear in Panama, most instagrammable places in Panama, budget travel in Panama and budget travel in Costa Rica

WHERE TO STAY IN PANAMA

Hostel and dorms can only cost $15 USD a night in Panama if you’re on budget travel. They are decent and quite comfortable.

There are also mid-range hotels in Panama. They can cost up to $50 USD a night if you want a more comfortable place to stay at while exploring Panama. If you prefer luxury will start from $100 USD per night.

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review

You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included

Click here to book online your transportation in Panama with Bookaway!

PANAMA CITY AIRPORT TO BOCAS DEL TORO

BUS FROM PANAMA CITY AIRPORT TO BOCAS DEL TORO (CHEAPEST WAY)

The cheapest way from Panama Airport to Bocas del Toro is by bus to Albrook Bus Station plus metro. You can get Bus Number E489 running every 20 minutes starting from 5 am until midnight.

The total travel time from Tocumen International Airport to Metro Pedregal is 20 minutes. You need to ride the metro until Albrook Metro Station at the end Line 1 that will take around 40 minutes. The total travel time bus from Panama city airport plus metro to Albrook Bus Terminal is around 1 hour.

The bus fare is $0.25 USD and the metro fare is $0.35 USD. You will have to pay with the RapiPass that costs $2 USD and it’s valid for 2 people (if you are traveling two of you which one you will manage).  Check here Bus Number E489 route and schedule!

SHUTTE BUS FROM PANAMA CITY TO BOCAS DEL TORO

The shuttle bus from Panama City to Bocas del Toro is leaving from Albrook Bus Station. The buses are leaving at 7 pm and 8 pm and you can buy the tickets at the bus terminal. The bus fare from Panama City to Almirante is around $30 USD and the travel time 10 hours to Almirante.

Once in Almirante you will have to get a taxi for $6 USD per person and 30 minutes drive to reach Bocas del Toro. And last a water taxi is around $2 USD to finally get to Bocas del Toro from Panama City airport. The total travel time can be around 12 hours with the waiting time and the fare can be around $40 USD per person.

EXPRESS BUS FROM PANAMA AIRPORT TO ALBROOK

You can also use the Express Bus from Panama airport to Albrook Bus Station that costs $1.25 USD. The bus is stopping at to Albrook where you can get a bus to Bocas del Toro The bus can take around 1 hour to reach Albrook Bus Terminal from Panama airport.

METROBUS OR RAPIPASS

MetroBus or RapiPass costs $2 USD and you can buy at the Bus station and in the airport. You can top up and you need the card to get the public transportation in Panama. One RapiPass is valid for 2 people. In case you don’t buy and you are inside the bus you can pay someone the bus fare and they will swipe the card since there are not bus tickets available in the bus.

METRO MAP PANAMA

There are two lines for Metro in Panama a single journey costs 0.35 USD. Estación Iglesia del Carmen and Estación 5 de Mayo can be your option if you are staying around city center.

You will have to get the Metro Line 2 if you are coming by bus from the airport and transfer to Metro Line 1. Make sure you are bringing MetroBus or RapiPass $2 USD to ride the metro.

PINEAPPLE SHUTTLE BUS PANAMA CITY AIRPORT TO ALBROOK BUS STATION

There is a Shuttle Bus from Panama airport to Albrook Bus Terminal running 5 times per day. It’s organized by the hostels but you can use if your destination is near. A great idea if you are traveling alone. The shuttle bus fare is $9 USD per person you will have wifi on board.

TAXI FROM PANAMA CITY AIRPORT TO BOCAS DEL TORO

If you go from Panama airport to Albrook Bus Terminal by taxi the most comfortable, available 24/7 and fastest way. The travel time by taxi is around 30 minutes.

The taxi fare from Tocumen International Airport to Albrook Bus Terminal is around $30 USD. The prices and travel time aren’t fixed and it will depend on traffic and your final destination.

UBER FROM PANAMA AIRPORT TO BOCAS DEL TORO

Uber App can be useful for traveling around Panama but they have similar fares than taxis going from the airport to Albrook Bus Terminal  $25-30 USD depending on the traffic or time of the day.

CAR RENTAL AT PANAMA AIRPORT

There are many options for renting a car in Panma’s airport. It’s the most convenient option if you have a place to park your car in Panama. But I will not consider to drive the car until Bocas del Toro since it’s too far and it will be hard to enter to the island. There are a few agencies like Hertz, Avis, Centauro available in the airport for $30 USD per day.

Get the best deals renting a car in Panama!

PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION PANAMA AIRPORT TO BOCAS DEL TORO

Hotel transfers are also very easy and convenient but can be a little bit pricey. The transfers are usually available 24 hours and is only ideal if you have the budget and you really want comfort after your flight to Panama. Prices are around $60-70 USD per person from the airport the most affordable. And they will take care of you!

Click here to get your discount booking online your private transfer with Klook!

WHERE TO STAY IN BOCAS DEL TORO

Hostel and dorms can only cost $15 USD a night in Panama which is a fair amount if you’re on a budget travel. They are decent and quite comfortable. Of course, there are also mid-range hotels in Panama. They can cost up to $50 USD a night if you want a more comfortable place to stay at while exploring Panama. If you prefer luxury will start from $100 USD per night.

Click here to book your accommodation in Panama!

FOOD BUDGET TRAVEL IN PANAMA

If you in local stands, a meal can cost up to $3-$4 USD. It can consists of rice, chicken, beans, and maybe another side plus a drink. You can also find cheap cafes and sandwich shops around for cheaper options of $5-$6 USD a meal. Beer is usually $1 USD during hostel happy hours while mixed drinks cost $2 USD.

BEST TIME TO VISIT PANAMA

The best time to visit Panama is during the summer dry season from mid-December to mid-April. The Panama Canal Zone has a tropical climate with high humidity year-round. You can also come to Panama in February, March, September and October for the least chance of rain.

Click here to know more about the weather in Panama

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Happy Travels!