Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro: Border Crossing & Shuttle Guide

Bocas del Toro, Panama, is close enough to Puerto Viejo to visit for a few days without a flight. Getting there does mean crossing an international border, though, and that trips up more travellers than any other leg of a Costa Rica trip. The short version: bus or taxi to the Sixaola border, cross on foot into Guabito, taxi on to Almirante, then a short boat to the islands.

You can do every leg yourself for the lowest price, or book a door-to-door shuttle that handles the border for you. This guide walks through both, plus what Panama actually asks for at the crossing so you are not caught out.

Two Ways to Make the Trip

Prices and times are approximate, change with the season, and are always paid in cash. Use them to compare, not as exact quotes.

Step by Step: The DIY Route

Four legs, each a separate transaction. It is the cheapest way to go, but every connection is on you, so leave Puerto Viejo early enough that a delay on one leg does not strand you on the wrong side of the border after it closes.

See the full MEPE bus schedule and stops →

What You Will Need at the Border

Bring a passport valid for at least six months. Panama immigration commonly asks for proof of onward or return travel, and occasionally for proof of at least $500 in funds. A printed itinerary or a card with an available balance is usually enough. Travellers without an onward ticket have reported being able to buy a bus ticket out of Panama on the spot, at roughly $14, to satisfy the requirement.

Both sides charge a small cash fee: a Costa Rica exit tax (commonly quoted around $8–10) and a Panama entry/municipal tax (quoted anywhere from $4–8 depending on the source and when they last crossed). Carry small USD bills, since there are no reliable ATMs right at the crossing.

The Costa Rican border post keeps roughly 7am–5pm hours, and everything slows down around lunch and on Sundays. Panama's side is more flexible, but you cannot cross if the Costa Rican side is closed. Aim to reach Sixaola well before mid-afternoon.

The Easy Way: Private Door-to-Door Shuttles

A private shuttle picks you up at your hotel in Puerto Viejo (or Cahuita, Punta Uva or Manzanillo for a small extra fee) and takes care of the whole route: a guide walks you through the border, then a van and a boat carry you the rest of the way to Bocas Town. It costs a little more than doing it yourself, but you book once, pay once, and never have to find the next taxi.

Caribe Shuttle is the best-known operator on this route, with a few departures a day; a couple of other companies run comparable schedules. All must be booked in advance, and some departures only run if enough passengers have booked.

Which Should You Choose?

A quick way to decide:

• Comfortable navigating a border crossing yourself and want the cheapest option → the DIY bus, taxi and boat
• Want the border handled for you, one price, no changes → a private shuttle like Caribe Shuttle
• Travelling as a group, or with a lot of luggage → a private shuttle
• Short on time and want to guarantee same-day arrival → a private shuttle, so a missed connection cannot cost you the crossing

Key Takeaways

Either way, budget about half a day door-to-door and carry cash in small bills for the border taxes. The DIY route is cheapest but has four separate connections to manage; a private shuttle costs a little more and turns the whole trip into one booking. Confirm current prices and border tax amounts before you travel, since both change without much notice.