Now that our episode of “Island Hunters” has aired, I am putting together this advice about the best ways to get to Bocas from the USA.
Flights
In Northern California, flying from SFO directly to PTY on Copa Airlines is the easiest and a very affordable way to get here. When I checked, it is around $700 roundtrip.
Currently there are two airports in PTY — so you will have to arrive at the international airport (Tocumen) and then come to Bocas via the local airport (Albrook — the former US military base location and name). The cab or Uber ride (Lyft is only in the USA) is less than $40 from one airport to another because the international airport is way out of the city. (We also have a tour guide who will pick you up at the airport and be available all day for tours.)
There is only one airline currently that flies into Bocas — Panama Air. It is best to go on early flights since they are notorious for cancelling mid afternoon flights and moving everyone to an evening flight. That ends up being tricky on our end since we are traveling by boat in the twilight to our home!
Sometimes I send people on Copa on the overnight flight that arrives at 8 am and then hustle them on a taxi for a 10 am Air Panama flight at Albrook to Bocas. The local flight is around $200 roundtrip — but worth it. For any of our college friends — there is a bus that comes to Bocas — but it is a 9 hour ride and freezing!
Coming back from Bocas — I recommend going back a day early to Panama City and then using our guide there to take you to see the Panama Canal and the Children’s Museum (less then $100 for his services for the day) and spend the night. That way — if there are hiccups — you won’t miss your flight back to the USA.
Hotels in Panama City
Depending on when the flight arrives, you can spend the night in the Old Town (Casco Viejo) part of Panama City (Casa Antingua in Old Town is a good choice). We have also used our hotel points + $75 to stay at the Waldorf-Astoria which is downtown and very posh. We have stayed at the Albrook Inn when we needed to go do passport stuff because it is next to Albrook airport. Hotel Riande Granada is a newer hotel with a pool and brewery nearby for you hipsters ;-) Also — a Bennihana type place down the street that had great Japanese food (we don’t get out much!) For backpackers, Luna’s Castle Hostel is more affordable and in a good area of Old Town. I have never stayed there — but looks like it gets good reviews.
Other Ideas
Depending on how much time you have — there are other options you might consider. One is spending a few days and going to visit the Embera Indian village outside of Panama City. These are the descendants of the tribe members that taught NASA astronauts about jungle survival. We have not been on that trip — but we want to go and we know Anne if you are interested.
Costa Rica
We also have taken an 8 hour bus ride and then flown Southwest out of San Jose, Costa Rica because we had the airline points. The Caribe Shuttle bus ride is pretty comfortable and you could add Costa Rica to your trip. There currently are no planes flying from Bocas to San Jose, CR.
