Costa Rica to Panama: One Week Itinerary
Happy Sunday Wanderers and welcome back to another blogpost! In this post I will be sharing with you the itinerary that I created, followed and improved for you guys about my trip from San José, Costa Rica to Bocas del Toro, Panama. It was so nice to have some time off of work before the busy nature of my summer schedule began. I had the pleasure of bringing one of my best friends from high school, Sarah, along with me on this trip and we had an awesome time. I hope this is a useful resource for those of you traveling to San José, Puerto Viejo, Bocas del Toro, or all three! It was an easy and exciting way to explore two countries in one week. Enjoy!
Barrio Escalante, San José
Day 1: San José
Arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
Taxi, Shuttle or Uber to Hostel Urbano ($15-$30 per car) this will take 30 minutes to an hour depending on traffic
Stay at Hostel Urbano in San Pedro ($10-$15)
Jade Museum ($15 per person) Open 10:00am-5:00pm
Grab drinks or food in Barrio Escalante
Veggie Burrito, Café Dreadnut
Day 2: San José-Puerto Viejo
8:00am, Mepe Bus: San José-Puerto Viejo de Limón, Terminal MEPE (Atlantico Norte Terminal)
(about $10 per person)
approximately 4.5 hour trip and the bus makes one 15 minute stop at the MEPE terminal in Limón for bathrooms and something to eat.
Café Recommendation in Puerto Viejo: Dreadnut
This is an awesome first stop if you get off of the bus feeling hungry! It was right across the street and had coffee and great sandwiches.
Selina Puerto Viejo (around $20 per person per night for 6 bed female dorm)
Check in from 3:00pm
Kaya’s Place Beachfront Hostel and Brewery Alternative Hostel or just a cool place to grab a beer
Located across the street from the stunning black sand beach Playa Negra
Sarah, Playa Negra
Day 3: Puerto Viejo
Bike rentals available on site ($8 per day)
Cafe Recommendation: GYPSEA
Enjoy delicous breakfast foods and plentiful vegan options. With coconut milk made on site, you can’t beat it!
After your meal, cross the street and take the magical path down to beautiful Playa Chiquita
GypSea Café, Puerto Viejo
Day 4: Puerto Viejo- Bocas del Toro
Selina Puerto Viejo Check out by 11:00am
8:00am-12:00pm, Caribe Shuttle: Puerto Viejo - Bocas del Toro
Wi-fi, AC, hotel pick up and border crossing help. 4 hours.
Be 20 minutes early
($33 per reservation + $8 CR exit fee + Possible $4 Panama entrance fee)
Palmar Beach Lodge (around $17 USD per person per night for 8 person mixed dorm)
Check in from 2:00pm
Located on Bastimentos Island on Red Frog Beach
The Palmar Shuttle boat leaves three times daily from the Bastimentos Dock on Isla Colon (on the main street next to Bocas Marine Tours) at around 10 am, 12 pm and 4 pm. This service is free for guests and limited spaces are given on a first come, first served basis. If you need any help with your luggage, please make sure to arrive on one of these shuttles. If you cannot make it at these times, hire a water taxi from one of the public docks, and ask to be taken to the Palmar Dock on Red Frog Beach ($8-10 per person).
Please note that if you take a private taxi, you will need to show proof of your reservation with us to avoid paying the $5 entrance fee. They will not ask for proof when arriving with our shuttle. From the dock, follow the trail signs for 10 minutes until you reach Palmar.
Reception is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Check-in time is at 2:00 pm, but we are happy to store your bags if you arrive early. If you are arriving after 6, please make sure to bring a flashlight! Our restaurant is open from 8 am to 10:30 am for breakfast, 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm for lunch, and 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm for dinner. Please plan accordingly if you are going to arrive late or leave early.
Palmar Beach Lodge, Isla Bastimentos
Day 5: Bocas del Toro
Palmar Beach Lodge: Hang out onsite and enjoy the beach
If you are feeling up to it, take advantage of the free shuttle to head the Isla Colon to do some shopping
Cafe Recommendation: Falafel Bocas
This cafe offered welcomed cover from a rainy afternoon. The staff was friendly, the interior was adorable and the food was on point.
Falafel Bocas, Isla Colon
Falafel Bocas, Interior
Day 6: Bocas del Toro
Palmar Beach Lodge Check out by 11:00am
Bambuda Lodge (around $20 per person per night for private room with a double bed)
Check in from 2:00pm
Located on Isla Solarte
Bar Recommendation: The Blue Coconut
With hammocks in the crystal clear water, I can’t think of a place I’d rather be
($4 per person round trip water taxi from Bambuda Lodge)
The Blue Coconut Restaurant, Isla Solarte
Day 7: Bocas del Toro-San José
8:00am - 6:00pm, Caribe Shuttle: Bocas del Toro- San Jose
Wi-fi, AC, boat pick up from Isla Colon and border crossing help
10 hour travel day
($76 per reservation + Possible $4 Panama exit fee)
Lunch stop on Caribe Shuttle
Day 8: San José
Taxi, Shuttle or Uber to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
($15-$30 per car) this will take 30 minutes to an hour depending on traffic
Map of Bocas with mentioned recommendations
Things to know:
Have your flights printed and screenshotted on your phone (especially the return); you may need it at Costa Rican customs and will definitely need it at the Panamanian border both times.
At Costa Rican customs be prepared for them to ask you where you will be staying (Hostel Urbano in Los Yoses, San Jose) and when you will leave Costa Rica. If you can easily answer these they likely won't ask for your return flight info.
Uber is technically illegal in Costa Rica. As the passenger you would not be penalized if your driver is caught however, it is a good thing to be aware off. Always ride in the passenger seat to avoid having your driver pulled over. Uber is the preferred method of transportation from the airport to your hostel or hotel because it is cheeper than taxis or prearranged shuttles and you do not need cash. If the police are at the airport, Uber drivers will prefer you walk down to the bus stop on the main road to order your car.
You will also need to know your destination in Bocas for your customs form in Panama.
Once in Costa Rica you can easily withdraw Costa Rican Colones from any ATM, but you will be able to pay with card a lot of the time. The current exchange rate is 1 Costa Rican Colon= 0.0017 USD.
I recommend bringing a decent amount of USD for Panama. Although there is a local currency, the Balboa, the exchange rate is exactly equal to the USD and USD is widely used. Cash was especially useful for the water taxis and certain cash only bars. I brought about $100 USD in cash.
This trip is not as expensive as you might think. My friend and I each spent $350 in total on this trip excluding her flights to and from San José.
Alternatively to our itinerary, you could take the Caribe Shuttle from Bocas del Toro to Panamá City and fly out straight from there.
If you are looking for vegan food recommendations for San José, check out this post:
If you are looking to take some fun Instagram Pictures while in San José check out this post:
As always, if you have any questions, let me know in the comments below.
Wander often & Wonder always,
