How To Get From Bocas del Toro to San Jose Best Way – You can go by car, bus, van and private transfer.
What Is The Distance From Bocas del Toro to San Jose Airport?
The distance from Bocas del Toro to San Jose Airport is 308 kilometers. Click here to book online Bocas del Toro activities and Day Trips
The travel time by boat plus car is around 10-12 hours from Bocas del Toro to San Jose. Read here how to get from San Jose to Bocas del Toro the reverse way.
What Is The Cheapest Way From Bocas del Toro to San Jose?
The cheapest way from Bocas del Toro to San Jose is by boat plus bus for $28 USD and it will be around 14 hours.
What Is The Best Way From Bocas del Toro to San Jose?
The best way from Bocas del Toro to San Jose is by shared van plus boat for $80 USD you can book online per person and 10 hours travel time.
How Much Is The Crossing Border Taxes Between Panama and Costa Rica For Foreigners?
The Crossing Border Taxes between Panama and Costa Rica for foreigners is $3 USD when leaving Panama and when entering Costa Rica you don’t have to pay taxes but you will have to show proof of a flight out ticket or bus ticket within 90 days for leaving Costa Rica.
WHERE TO STAY IN SAN JOSE
There are dormitory rooms that you can rent the bed for as low as $8 USD a night if you want the cheapest option. AirBnb is also available, mostly for about $20-25 USD a night. Double-room hostels can cost up to $30-40 USD a night while mid-range hotels cost more or less $80 USD a night.
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BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE
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HOW TO GET FROM BOCAS DEL TORO TO SAN JOSE AIRPORT
BY SHARED VAN PLUS BOAT FROM BOCAS DEL TORO TO SAN JOSE (BEST WAY)
The best way from Bocas del Toro to San Jose is by boat plus shared van to San Jose 7-10 Bus Terminal.. The van travel time is around 10 hours.
The van fare from Bocas del Toro to San Jose airprot is $80 USD and you can book online. The van is leaving at 7 30 am and 11 30 from Bocas del Toro and gets to San Jose at 4 30 pm and 8 30 pm.
BOCAS DEL TORO TO SAN JOSE BY PLANE
The fastest way from Bocas del Toro to San Jose is by plane. It will take 45 minutes and the flight ticket is around $200 USD you can book online. If you have the budget go for it, you will save a long day on the road!
BOAT PLUS BUS FROM BOCAS DEL TORO TO SAN JOSE (CHEAPEST WAY)
The cheapest way from Bocas del Toro to San Jose is by water taxi plus bus. There are no direct buses from Bocas del Toro to San Jose only shared van shuttles that you can book online.
First, you will have to ride a water taxi from Bocas del Toro to Almirante. Once in Almirante local bus from to Changinola and from Changinola to Guabito. Once in Guabito the border you will cross the border to get the bus going from Sixaola to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and from Puerto Viejo to San Jose.
FERRY/WATER TAXI FROM BOCAS DEL TORO TO ALMIRANTE
The ferry or water taxi from Bocas del Toro to Almirante will take 20 minutes. The water taxi fare from Bocas del Toro to Almirante is $6 USD. Once in Almirante, you will have to take a few buses to cross the border and reach to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
BUS FROM ALMIRANTE TO CHANGINOLA
Once in Almirante, you will have to take a bus from Almirante to Changinola. The bus travel time from Almirante to Changinola is around 45 minutes. The bus fare from Almirante to Changinola is around $2 USD.You can also get a taxi or shared van direct from Almirante to the border Guabito for $10 USD and around 1 hour of travel time.
BUS FROM CHANGINOLA TO GUABITO
Once in Changinola, you will have to take a bus from Changinola to Guabito. The bus travel time from Changinola to Guabito is around 30 minutes and the bus fare from Changinola to Guabito is $1 USD.
BUS SCHEDULE FROM SIXAOLA TO PUERTO VIEJO
Once in Guabito, you will have to cross the border, paying taxes fee for leaving Panama $3 USD and for entering Costa Rica you have to show a flight out ticket leaving Panama or a bus ticket to return to Costa Rica.
The bus schedule from Sixaola to Puerto Viejo is leaving every hour starting at 6 30 am to 7 30 pm (the border closes at 5 pm).
The bus fare from Sixaola to Puerto Viejo is around $3 USD. The travel time from Sixaola to Puerto Viejo is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
BUS SCHEDULE FROM PUERTO VIEJO TO SAN JOSE COSTA RICA
The bus schedule from Puerto Viejo to San Jose is leaving 2-3 hours starting from 4 50 am, 7 30 am, 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm and 4 pm. Check here MEPE Bus schedule and route!
The bus fare from Puerto Viejo to San Jose is around $11 USD and the travel time from Puerto Viejo to San Jose is 5 hours and 30 minutes.
The total bus fare from Bocas del Toro to San Jose is $28 USD and the total travel time is around 14 hours. You will save $8 USD going on your own compared to book online but it will be an amazing adventure!
If you want to get in the same day you will have to take the first boat at 6 am and maybe you will have to get shared taxis to save time and get to San Jose in the same day.
SAN JOSE CITY CENTER TO SAN JOSE AIRPORT
There are two bus services running from the market in San Jose city center to San Jose airport: TUASA (Red and white buses) and Station Wagon (Yellow and orange buses). The buses run every 10 minutes starting from 4 am until 11 30 pm.
The bus travel time from San Jose city center to San José Juan Santamaría Airport is around 30-40 minutes. The bus fare is 675 CRC which is $1 USD for one way and you don’t have to pay extra for the luggage. You can buy the ticket direct to the bus driver.
CAR RENTAL IN PANAMA
There are many options for renting a car in Panama. But for this time with a border crossing between Panama and Costa Rica. I wouldn’t recommend renting a car and I would choose a shared van or a bus if you are on a budget. Or a private transfer if you wish for more comfort.
BEST WAY FROM BOCAS DEL TORO TO SAN JOSE SHARED VAN VS PUBLIC BUSES
The best way from Bocas del Toro to San Jose is by boat plus a shared van for $80 USD you can book online for a total of 10 hours of travel time and they will drop you at San Jose 7-10 Bus Terminal.
The fastest way from Bocas del Toro to San Jose is by plane. It will take 45 minutes and the flight ticket is around $200 USD you can book online
The best way from Bocas del Toro to San Jose is by water boat plus local buses for $28 USD if you go on a tight budget and it will take around 14 hours or even longer depending on the transfer and waiting time. You will have a great adventure!
The Crossing Border Taxes between Panama and Costa Rica for foreigners is $3 USD when leaving Panama and when entering to Costa Rica you don’t have to pay taxes but you will have to show proof of a flight out ticket or bus ticket within 90 days for leaving Costa Rica.
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Happy Travels!
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.