{"id":253,"date":"2020-02-15T14:07:34","date_gmt":"2020-02-15T14:07:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?p=253"},"modified":"2022-04-05T18:28:34","modified_gmt":"2022-04-05T18:28:34","slug":"getting-from-san-jose-costa-rica-to-bocas-del-toro-panama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/?p=253","title":{"rendered":"Getting From San Jose, Costa Rica to Bocas Del Toro, Panama"},"content":{"rendered":"

The journey from San Jose to Bocas Del Toro was keeping me (Judy) up at night for weeks before our trip. We could have taken a plane. We could have hired a private or shared shuttle that guided us to Bocas Del Toro and helped us through immigration. We chose to find our own way and it worked out perfectly.<\/p>\n

We took a bus, crossed the border on foot and found our way via taxi and water taxi to our accommodations in Bocas Del Toro. Partly because of budget and partly because we wanted the experience and adventure of doing it ourselves.\"\"<\/p>\n

For about $108 plus border crossing fees of $36, we got from San Jose to Bocas Del Toro. A private shuttle would have cost $76 per adult and $35 per kid plus border fees and the water taxis. When you are traveling full time on a budget, every dollar counts.<\/p>\n

It all worked out. It was not scary. many people take that trip every day.\u00a0\u00a0People are nice, for the most part.<\/p>\n

The Bus<\/h5>\n

When we asked the hotel concierge in San Jose about taking the public bus he discouraged us and tried to sell us a private shuttle. I am glad we did not cave in to that pressure.<\/p>\n

The day started with us racing to the bus station. Who knew traffic would be bad in San Jose at 5:30 a.m? Apparently everyone except us.<\/p>\n

We made it with 10 minutes to spare. It was enough time to grab snacks for the 6-hour bus ride to the border and one last pee break (no bathrooms on the bus).<\/p>\n

If you have never traveled to Central America be aware that many toilets require a payment to use them. There is an attendant that collects the money and gives you an allotted amount of toilet paper- wipe judiciously. The cost is usually $0.50 per person.<\/p>\n

The bus to Sixaola is a nice coach bus. Luckily our bus had air conditioning, but you don’t always get that luxury. Jackets or sweaters are good to bring along. The bus was on time and it cost about $13 per person.\"\"<\/p>\n

The bus ride took a little more than five hours. It stopped in Limon and a few other places. We had one 9-minute bathroom\/snack break about halfway through.<\/p>\n

The boys napped and did some school worksheets on the bus.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"Crossing the Border<\/h5>\n

We arrived in Sixaola at noon. Once we got off the bus a woman wearing a yellow vest who spoke English took us to pay our passport fee. She also took us to a restaurant nearby for lunch.<\/p>\n