Panama has three different border crossings into Costa Rica. We chose the Sixaola option in the north, which is also the least busiest. 

We left Bocas Del Toro via water taxi back to the mainland to Almirante. We then took a $1 taxi from the pier to town. From here we waited approximately 30 minutes to hop on the bus that went to the border for $2.90 for all of us to get to Changuinola.  This ride took us about 1 hr on a minibus with the hot air blowing through the open windows.

Once we arrived at the final stop we disembarked and were then greeted with multiple taxis available to take us the final way to the border.

This cost $8. The taxi driver dropped us off right at the immigration office where we needed to stamp out of the country. Upon arrival we were waved right up to the window and within a few minutes our passports were stamped out of Panama and we were free to continue on. No exit fees to pay (Dec 2023).

We then headed the direction of the stairs leading up to the large metal bridge that crossed over the Sixaola river into Costa Rica. There were people coming and going, but it all seemed very casual. Once across this bridge we headed over to the immigration office. Again no lineup, and we handed over our passports and were stamped into Costa Rica in just minutes then free to carry on our merry way. No entry fees to pay here either (Dec 2023).

We then proceeded to wonder further until finding the bus terminal. Here we purchased four bus tickets for $18 US and had a 30-minute wait. The girls were hungry and, as luck would have it, there was a small restaurant right there at this tiny terminal, so we ordered four empanadas and a Coca Cola for $7.50 US. 

The bus arrived and we instantly knew it was going to be a sweaty hot ride to Puerto Viejo as all the windows were open. I was sitting in a pool of sweat while the girls had fallen fast asleep. I’m guessing this was more a product of the extreme heat then them actually being tired.

Once we arrived in Puerto Viejo we found the first restaurant that offered ice cold smoothies and beer to cool our core temperature down. We ordered a large pizza and relaxed and allowed our bodies to recover from the crazy heat we had just endured.

I then hung out with the girls at the restaurant while Tyson headed to the grocery store to pick up a few staples. Once we were recovered enough we then jumped in a tuk tuk and headed off to our nearby airconditioned hotel, Tasty Dayz 

Exchange rate Dec 2023 – $1US = 508 Colons, $1Can = 390 Colons, US Dollar.

The US dollar is accepted everywhere in Costa Rica, and most ATMs give you a US cash option as well.

Return back to Panama and Bocas Del Toro or continue on to Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

As well as other Central American boarder crossing:

• Panama to Costa Rica
• Costa Rica to Nicaragua
• Nicaragua through Honduras to El Salvador