We each paid $18 for our tickets and hurried to our bus lane. An archipelago made up of 378 islands, they are home to a unique indigenous population and are the closest thing to paradise islands that most of us will ever find. But you after reading this, won't pay more than $6 USD! How To Travel From San Jose, Costa Rica To Panama City, Panama. San Jose: It's possible to take the bus to San Jose, Costa Rica's biggest city, although honestly I'd get this from the border or David, Panama instead; it costs more but you'll save a lot of time and faff. The first step to crossing the Panama/Costa Rica border and getting to Puerto Viejo is to get a bus from Panama City to the city of David. You are now officially at the Costa Rica Panama border! Proof of sufficient funds (at least 500 USD for 3 months' worth) – this can be in cash or a credit card that bears your name. For more bus travel guide for Central America, please visit: Happy travels! But first, you need to choose the route you'll be taking….
The Costa Rica immigration building will be on your righthand side. Buy your ticket ahead of time if you can. This is a Tourist Bus for 50 PAX with TICA BUS from San Jose to Panama city. We heard about this trick from other travelers and it worked perfectly for us! What Documents Do You Need for the Panama to Costa Rica Border Crossing? Now, where do you want to go in Costa Rica? If you are heading to Bocas del Toro head up to the big parking lot next to the customs office. Upon verification, the agent will stamp an exit stamp on your passport, and you'll be good to head to Panama's Migration offices. They will give you a ticket once you pay. Passport– it should be valid for at least 6 months from entry. This line was outside in direct sunlight. She told us to cross the road and go up the steps (there is a raised section of land) to pay our tax. The travel time to the Panama border is about five hours. Getting from Costa Rica to Panama: the complete guide. You will see lots of white shuttle buses with both Paso Canoas and Frontera written on the windshields.
Thomas took our passports and went to go pay it while I waited in line…and he came back… we waited some more… some more. Step 4: Border to Puerto Viejo. Currently, USA and UK citizens can enter Costa Rica visa-free for 90 days. Time: 1 hour 40 minutes. HOURS | Note that the Paso Canoas border is NOT open 24 hours a day. How the Rio Sereno Border Crossing Works. Bus from costa rica to paname ensemble. It takes approximately 12h 26m to drive from Costa Rica to Panama City. It's the most remote and therefore least busy of these three border crossing locations. On this route, Tica Bus offers the fastest service. The bus from Sixaola to San Jose leaves at 6 am, 8 am, 10 am, and 15:00. If you are looking for a party scene, Bocas Town is a hot spot for some of the best party hostels in all of Central America. Check out my other border crossing guides…. The bus will drop you off right before the border.
Just ask around for the bus to Guabito or La Frontera. We asked a girl about it and she said there is an entry tax of $4 that we need to pay first. Today, Bocas is a relaxed community of West Indians, Latinos and resident gringos with a friendly atmosphere that easily rubs off on visitors.
Costa Rica to Panama City bus services, operated by Expreso Panamá, arrive at Panama City station. On Tica Bus, an economy ticket costs US$37 one way and US$74 return. We figured it was good to have a seat already reserved and we could then show our bus tickets at customs as proof we were leaving the country. Get from Bocas del Toro to Almirante. The immigration officer will send you back to those shops so it's easier to just pay at the first counter you see. After that, if you don't pay, the reservation is canceled. So for half the price, and arriving two hours later, making the journey on our own was worth it. On this route, you'll cross at the Sixaola-Guabito border. This bus leaves at 6:30am, 9:30am, 1pm, 3pm, and 4:30pm and takes about an hour. Fly from Tambor (TMU) to Panama City (PTY). Journey Duration: 1 hour 18 minutes. Buses from San Jose to Panama City from CRC 47,619 Mar 2023 ✅. We were pleasantly surprised that the bus actually left on time, was pretty comfortable, and had air conditioning. From here, it's $ 3USD to Puerto Veijo.
Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. This is the Costa Rica immigration building. It was past eight o'clock and nightfall glowed with streetlights and beaming vehicles. Neither Thomas or I had ever done the whole Central America border crossing thing before so we were a little nervous (OK a lotta nervous). Major national holidays, long weekends, or peak season periods may cause delays both in departures and arrivals – plan accordingly to avoid disappointment, especially if you have further connections and a tight schedule. We stayed here two nights. We seriously bought beer, went to our hotel, and chugged beers under a cold shower. If she were wrong, then I could still make Manuel's advised bus. Aside from your personal documents, you will need an exit permit to bring your car onwards. Bus from panama city to san jose costa rica. You need to remember that Panama is an hour ahead of Costa Rica as far as time zones go. There is an enormous flow of people moving through the Costa Rica- Panama border.
Also, Bocas del Toro was possibly my favorite place I've ever been in my life besides Amsterdam. This service provider is known for its comfortable buses and reportedly safe travels. Get 3 extra months free of ExpressVPN when signing up for a 1-year plan. You'll likely have to take the 4:30pm or 5:45pm bus. 30 pm but the timezone in Panama is one hour ahead. We talked to other people who had to give copies of their passport (make sure to bring two copies of your personal info page on your passport just in case), hotel booking proof, and departure proof. From David bus station, you will need to get on another bus to Paso Canoas / Frontera. We booked this cute (and relatively cheap) beach hostel in Dominical and it was great. Bus from costa rica to panama city beach. Literally, in less time than it takes to drive from San Jose or Puerto Viejo to Arenal, our Caribbean shuttles can transport you to the Bocas Del Toro and your next adventure in Panama! Our team visits these countries often to be sure that we bring you the most current and updated information on accommodations, activities, restaurants and more.
The trip to where the boat leaves took about 45 minutes through some curvy hilly back roads. Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Panama. Best day tours in Panama City, Panama. There will be a lot of small buses there with men offering to take you to the boat launch. Aside from chilling, Bocas serves as a convenient base for exploring Panama's archipelago. It takes 16 hours and the single fare is US$35. We spent our last days in Costa Rica between Cahuita and Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast. Now, when imagining a Central American bus, experienced travellers may cringe at old memories of over-crowded 'chicken' bus rides, with rickety squeaking brakes and worn down wheels. Costa Rica has two major international airports: San Juan Santamaria (near San Jose), and Liberia (near the towns of Tamarindo, Santa Teresa and Nosara).
That I was able to communicate in Spanish (all interactions during this experience were conducted in Spanish – no one encountered spoke English). You need to have proof of onward travel to enter both Panama and Costa Rica. The cheapest way to get from Costa Rica to Panama City is to bus via Fernandez de Cordoba which costs R$ 290 - R$ 420 and takes 16h 22m. WORLD WIDE +1-210-858-6640. Remember, though, that tickets offering the shortest travel time are normally the most expensive ones. On this journey, you'll cross at the Paso Canoas border. A single ticket is US$35 while return tickets are US$70. It gets even worse, especially for those who are detained at the immigration offices for lacking any of the necessary documents. Guabito: The eastern-most border crossing that connects popular travel destinations Bocas del Toro (in Panama) and Puerto Viejo (in Costa Rica). Continue down the road and you'll see a nicer building on the right-hand side with people lined up.