How To Get From Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo Best Way – You can go by bus, van, taxi and private transfer plus ferry.
What Is The Distance From Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo?
The distance from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo is 100 kilometers. Click here to book online Panama activities and day trips
The travel time by car from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo is around 3 hours. You will have to cross the border but it’s a really fast and easy process. Read here how to get from Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro the reverse way.
What Is The Best Way From Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo?
The best way from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo is by shared van plus ferry for $26 USD per person and 3 hours and 30 minutes of travel time and you can book online.
What Is The Cheapest Way From Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo?
The cheapest way from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo is by bus plus and ferry for $12 USD. The bus travel from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo is around 5 hours.
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.
Read here best Puerto Viejo Beaches and 3 Day Puerto Viejo Itinerary
Read here how to get from Puerto Viejo to San Jose, Boquete to Bocas del Toro and from Panama City airport to Bocas del Toro
WHERE TO STAY IN PUERTO VIEJO DE TALAMANCA
There are dormitory rooms where you can rent the bed for as low as $20 USD a night if you want the cheapest option in Puerto Viejo. A double room hostel can cost up to $30-40 USD a night while mid-range hotels cost more or less $80 USD a night.
Click here if you want to find the best deals with Booking in Puerto Viejo
BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE
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HOW TO GET FROM BOCAS DEL TORO TO PUERTO VIEJO
SHARED VAN FROM BOCAS DEL TORO TO PUERTO VIEJO (BEST WAY)
The best way from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo is by shared van plus ferry for $26 USD you can book online. For sure it will be the best decision to avoid the hassle to get a shared van!
The travel time from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo is 3 hours and 30 minutes. The vans are leaving at 7 50 am and 11 50 am from Bocas del Toro and you can book online.
BUS PLUS BOAT FROM BOCAS DEL TORO TO PUERTO VIEJO (CHEAPEST WAY)
The cheapest way from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo is by water taxi plus bus. There are no direct buses from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo 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.
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.
The total water taxi plus buses travel time from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca will be around 5 hours with the transfers and waiting time.
The total fare taxi boat and bus from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo is $12 USD. You will save $4 USD going on your own compared to book online but it will be an amazing adventure!
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 PUERTO VIEJO SHARED VAN VS PUBLIC BUSES
The best way from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo is by shared van and ferry for $26 USD you can book online for a total of 3 hours and 30 minutes of travel time and they will drop you at the hostel area in Bocas del Toro.
The best way from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo is by local buses for $12 USD if you go on a tight budget and it will take around 5 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.
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.