Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION: GUABITO AND THE COSTA RICA
BORDER
Getting to the border
To reach the border from Changuinola, take a
colectivo
or private taxi
($8) hanging around the bus terminal, or, if you're in no hurry, the lumbering bus marked for
Las Tablas (every 20min, 5.30am-7pm; 30min).
Onward travel in Costa Rica
After getting an exit stamp at Panamanian immigration
(8am-5.45pm; 759 7019), cross the border bridge to Costa Rican immigration (same hours
though note the hour's time difference) in Sixaola. There you can catch a through-bus to San
José (6am, 8am, 10am, 3pm) or to Puerto Viejo in southeastern Costa Rica (hourly; 90min).
Arriving from Costa Rica
You will need an exit stamp from Costa Rican immigration before
crossing the bridge to Panamanian immigration, where you may be asked to show proof of
onward travel and the ability to support yourself financially. Once through immigration, head
down the steps to wait for the bus to Changuinola, from where you can catch buses to other
destinations in Panama. The bus may well have “Las Tablas” on the windscreen whichever
direction it's headed, so be sure to check with the driver. Alternatively, cross back under the
bridge to find a taxi. The rate for a private taxi is $8 to Changuinola or around $20 to Almir-
ante; a shared taxi to Almirante is $5/person.
Immigration
office
The
immigration
office
is
located
on
the
railway
bridge
(daily
8am-5.45pm; 759 7019).
