Bus and Shuttle Travel

Transporte Boca del Drago has a shuttle van that travels the length of Isla Colón, from Bocas del Toro to Boca del Drago. It leaves from Parque Simón Bolívar every hour and will pick up passengers from hotels in Bocas Town upon request. The cost is $5 per person.

Bocas del Toro can be reached from Panama City by land and water. The direct bus from Panama City to Almirante (and vice versa) takes nine hours but is comfortable and costs $30. If you're in Chiriquí you can take a bus or taxi from David or Boquete to Almirante (3½ hours), where water taxis depart for Bocas every half-hour.

Buses to David depart from Almirante every half-hour from the bus station on the other side of the train tracks from the water-taxi offices and charge $7. Unfortunately, Almirante is a 20-minute walk from the main road that connects David to Changuinola, and buses stop only at a crossroads on the main road. Although it is possible to walk from the water taxi to the crossroads, most travelers find it difficult to locate; it is best to take a taxi to the crossroads for 50¢. To catch a bus to Changuinola, head to the bus station in Almirante.

Contacts

Almirante Bus. 507/774–0585.

Transporte Boca del Drago. Bocas del Toro, 507/6388–5455.