THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Panama - page 329

BY BUS
From Costa Rica If you are arriving from the Costa Rican border at Guabito, take the bus
to Changuinola (every 25min, 5.30am-7pm; 30min) or taxi ( colectivo $1.25/person, private
$8), and transfer to a bus bound for Almirante.
From/to Panama City Tranceibosa runs the twice-daily bus service between Changuinola
and Panama City, picking up at Almirante, at the stop on the main road at 8.30am and 7pm
($28). Tickets can be bought at the Albrook Bus Terminal in Panama City and at its office
by Taxi 25 in Bocas Town (8am-noon, 1-5pm; closed Wed). Note that you will need warm
clothes to combat the invariably glacial a/c, especially on the overnight bus.
From/to David Buses run frequently between Changuinola and David, stopping at Almir-
ante, on the main road (“La Ye”) to pick up/drop off passengers (every 25min, 5am-7pm;
4hr). Shared taxis shuttle back and forth between here and the water-taxi terminal ($1/per-
son).
Caribe Shuttle The Caribe Shuttle (Bocas 757 7048, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica 2750
0626, caribeshuttle.com ) offers a hassle-free, door-to-door service between Puerto Viejo
(4hr; $32) or San José (10hr; $69) in Costa Rica and Bocas. Departures for Bocas from Puerto
Viejo are at 7.30am & noon, and from San José at 6am; departures from Bocas for Puerto
Viejo are at 8am & noon, and for San José at 8am.
BY BOAT
Water-taxis Two companies run water-taxis across the bay between Almirante and Bocas
(every 30min, 6am-6.30pm; 30min; $6); Taxi 25 has a dock by the Barco Hundido in Bocas,
while Bocas Marine Tours operates from the main jetty, further down C 3 (see map ) .
Ferries The unreliable and slow car ferry leaves Almirante at 8am (Tues-Sun) but should be
given a wide berth unless you're taking a bicycle ($3), or a motorbike ($10). The ferry docks
at the southern end of the main street, returning to Almirante at 4pm.
GETTING AROUND
By taxi Though everything in town is within easy walking distance, taxis are readily avail-
able ($1/person). Travelling further afield, a taxi to Boca del Drago usually costs around
$15-20, while a 4WD taxi to nearer Playa Bluff will set you back $8-10 depending on how
far up the beach you are going, and the road condition.
By bus Transporte Boca del Drago ( 774 9065) operates the island's only bus service to and
from Boca del Drago. It leaves from Parque Bolívar approximately hourly (7am-6pm; $2.50
one way) departing from outside Restaurante Yarisnori at similar intervals for the return trip.
In high season, private minibuses leave from just south of the park when full and charge the
same rates.