GETTING TO PANAMA
From around the world.
International flights arrive in Panama at Tocumen International Airport. Many airlines fly into Panama City through Caribbean Islands, South American Countries or USA cities, such as New York, Miami, Atlanta, Houston etc. It takes about 3 hours flying from Miami to PC but only about 1 hour from Caracas, Venezuela. You then transfer to the domestic airport for the short flight to Bocas del Toro. Depending on your Tocumen arrival time, you may need to stay overnight in PC.
Hotels are not expensive in Panama City and if you have never visited before we recommend a few days to see the sights. There is plenty to do: visit the Canal, Casco Viejo, Gamboa Rainforest Reserve, Lake Gatun, art and craft museums and galleries, great restaurants and amazing night clubs. You may even catch Carnival! Then hop over to Bocas.
PANAMA CITY TO BOCAS
Arriving at Tocumen International Airport you have a number of travel options to Bocas. We recommend you fly unless you want to visit the Pacific coast or the mountains in which case you could take a bus or rent a car, but be prepared for a long, yet very scenic, haul.
After transferring from Tocumen International to Albrook (the former US Air Force Base now the domestic airport) it will take you approximately one hour to fly to Bocas Airport on Isla Colon. It is about a 40 minute taxi ride from airport to airport and costs only $25. Currently two airlines fly from PC to Bocas, Aeroperlas and Air Panama. The flight takes you over the City, Canal, Mountains, Caribbean and finally the Bocas Archipelago, it is spectacular. Captain Ron's photo shows Isla Solarte and Bastimento taken on base leg to land at Bocas Airport.
COSTA RICA TO BOCAS
Bocas Del Toro Airport has gone International. We now have flights to and from San Jose in Costa Rica on Nature Air. You may want to consider flying this route as many flights from Europe fly direct to San Jose and those from the USA may be quicker and cheaper than Panama City. Nature Air fly through the San Jose domestic airport so you will need to transfer from the International Airport to the domestic airport. The flight lasts about 45 minutes,
TRAVEL HELP
For personal help and attention many travellers and local gringos use the people below to help out:
- Jose Saenz: bocasfrog@yahoo.com, Phone (507) 614-7811
Web www.goldenfrog.net, Fax (507) 263-7604
is an excellent contact to assist you in Panama City. Jose or a taxi will charge $20-$25 from the airport to downtown. He can also take you from your hotel to the domestic airport at any hour. If you want to tour PC or shop he or one of his staff will drive you around PC for about $8/hour. They know where to get anything and we have found them very friendly and helpful! - Another great contact in PC is Tammy Liu: tammy@panoramicpanama.com, Phone (507) 314-1417, Web www.panoramicpanama.com,
Mobile (507) 651-6232, Fax (507) 314-1417
She can arrange all kinds of accomodation, side trips and transportation for you in and around Panama City. She even runs a very nice little hotel. Both Jose and Tammy are very reliable. - If you go to David or Boquete, you must contact Toby Braxton: services-toby25@hotmail.com, Phone (507) 617-8629, Fax (507) 775-1812
She can meet you and take you shopping or touring to Boquete, Volcan or wherever. She and her little girl Stevie are great fun and Toby is also extremely reliable and trustworthy. - Jose Palm is a travel agent in David with an excellent reputation. His phone number is (507) 774-1636