How to Get to Bocas del Toro: My Experience Traveling Overland

If you’re wondering how to get to Bocas del Toro from Panama City, you have a couple of options, but I traveled there by overnight bus and boat. The bus took me from Panama City to Almirante, and from there I continued by boat to Bocas del Toro. It’s not a direct journey, but it’s a straightforward way to get there without flying.

In this guide, I’ll explain how to get to Bocas del Toro from Panama City, what the journey was like for me, and the other options you have.

How to Get to Bocas del Toro From Panama City: Quick Answer

There are two main ways to get to Bocas del Toro from Panama City: by bus and boat or by plane.

• Overnight bus: Take a bus from Panama City to Almirante, then continue by boat to Bocas del Toro.
• Boat: The boats to Bocas del Toro leave from Almirante after the bus journey.
• Flying: You can also fly from Panama City directly to Bocas del Toro.
• What I did: I took the overnight bus from Panama City to Almirante and then the boat to Bocas del Toro.

How I Got to Bocas del Toro From Panama City

Overnight Bus From Panama City to Almirante

My friend and I were backpacking through Central America in three weeks, traveling through all eight countries by land, so we were taking buses whenever possible. To get to Bocas del Toro from Panama City, we took an overnight bus to Almirante.

We bought our tickets directly at the bus station and took the overnight bus from Panama City. The bus doesn’t actually take you to Bocas del Toro. It drops you off in Almirante, which is where you have to continue the journey by boat.

When we arrived in Almirante, there were people offering to take us from the bus station to the port. We decided to walk instead, and one man followed us for a while before more people joined. It felt like they were trying to get a commission from taking us there, so we continued walking and made our own way to the port.

Once we got there, we bought our boat tickets and continued the second part of the journey to Bocas del Toro.

From Almirante to Bocas del Toro by Boat

Once we reached the port in Almirante, we bought our tickets for the boat to Bocas del Toro. This was the second part of the journey after the overnight bus from Panama City.

The boat was small and wooden, and the journey took around an hour. I’m not a fan of boats at the best of times, so I was absolutely terrified during the crossing, but eventually we made it to Bocas del Toro.

How to get to Bocas del Toro from Costa Rica

If you’re traveling overland through Central America, getting to Bocas del Toro from Costa Rica is another popular option, especially if you’re coming from Puerto Viejo. I did this route in the opposite direction, going from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo, and the whole thing was completely improvised.

We took the boat back from Bocas del Toro to Almirante and then hitchhiked our way toward the Costa Rica border. We hadn’t booked the whole journey in advance, so we were figuring it out as we went and buying whatever tickets we needed along the way.

Crossing the border was actually easy and pretty quick. Once we were on the Costa Rican side, we took a bus to Puerto Viejo. It was a very straightforward way to travel between the two destinations without booking an organized transfer in advance, and it fit perfectly with how we were traveling through Central America at the time.

How to get to Bocas del Toro from Panama City by Flight

Yes, flying is another way to get to Bocas del Toro from Panama City if you want to avoid the overnight bus and boat journey. Flights take you directly to Bocas del Toro, making this the quicker and more convenient option.

I traveled overland, so I took the bus from Panama City to Almirante and then continued by boat. If you’re trying to keep your journey faster and simpler, flying is the alternative to consider.

Practical Information for Staying in Bocas del Toro

Where to Stay in Bocas del Toro

I stayed at Hostal Hansi in Bocas del Toro. It was a budget hostel with private rooms, shared kitchen and we paid $28 – which was pretty good for our budget trip in Central America.

Here are 4 great accommodation choices in Bocas del Toro according to your budget:

→ Backpacker: Bambuda Lodge

→ Budget: Hotel Palma Royale

→ Mid-Range: Tropical Suites Hotel

→ Luxury: La Coralina Island House

SIM Card vs eSIM for Bocas del Toro

If you want to have internet as soon as you arrive, an eSIM is the easiest option if your phone supports one. You can set it up before your trip instead of having to find a SIM card after arriving in Bocas del Toro.

→ Get an eSIM for Panama

Travel Insurance for Bocas del Toro

I always recommend having travel insurance when traveling, especially when you’re moving around by bus and boat and doing activities once you arrive. Check that your policy covers what you actually plan to do before buying it.

→ Get travel insurance for Panama

FAQs About How to Get to Bocas del Toro

What is the easiest way to get to Bocas del Toro?

Flying is the easiest and fastest way to get to Bocas del Toro from Panama City. If you book in advance you can find direct flights for about $60. If you want to travel overland, you can take the overnight bus to Almirante and then continue by boat to Bocas del Toro like I did.

What is the cheapest way to get to Bocas del Toro?

The overnight bus from Panama City to Almirante followed by the boat to Bocas del Toro is the cheapest way to get there. The journey costs about $35.

How long is the bus from Panama City to Almirante?

The bus from Panama City to Almirante takes around 10h.

How long is the boat from Almirante to Bocas del Toro?

The boat from Almirante to Bocas del Toro takes around 30–45 minutes, depending on the service and weather,

Is it better to fly or take the bus to Bocas del Toro?

If you want to get to Bocas del Toro as quickly and easily as possible, flying is the better option. If you’re backpacking through Central America overland or want to spend less, the overnight bus to Almirante followed by the boat is the better choice.

Can you get to Bocas del Toro from Costa Rica?

Yes. The main land route is through the Sixaola–Guabito border. From Costa Rica, you cross the border into Panama, continue to Almirante, and then take a boat to Bocas del Toro. This is also the route used by travelers going between Bocas del Toro and Puerto Viejo.

Final Thoughts on How to Get to Bocas del Toro

There are a few ways to get to Bocas del Toro, but the bus and boat route was the obvious choice for us since we were traveling through Central America overland. We bought our tickets as we went, dealt with whatever came up along the way, and eventually made it to Bocas without any organized transfer.

It wasn’t the easiest travel day of the trip, but it was part of the experience. For anyone backpacking through Central America overland, how to get to Bocas del Toro is really just a matter of getting yourself to Almirante and taking the boat from there. If you’d rather skip the long journey, flying is the simpler option.

Read my other Bocas del Toro Guides

Is Bocas del Toro Worth Visiting? My Honest Review in 2026

Is Bocas del Toro Safe? My Honest Experience (2026)

The Best Time to Visit Bocas del Toro (And When I’d Go Again) 2026

How Many Days in Bocas del Toro Do You Really Need (2026)