Boat and Ferry Travel

Boats are the most common means of transportation in Bocas del Toro, and the town of Bocas has several water-taxi companies and dozens of boatmen who provide transportation between Islas Colón, Carenero, and Bastimentos, as well as day tours. The water-taxi companies Bocas Marine Tours and Taxi 25 have trips every 30 minutes between Bocas and Almirante ($6), where you can catch a bus to David. It takes 25 minutes to reach Almirante, with departures every half-hour from 6 am to 6 pm. Most boat companies provide transport to Red Frog Beach and nearby islands, as do independent boatmen who depart from the dock next to the Farmacia Rosa Blanca, on Calle 3 in Bocas. The fare to Carenero is $1.50; to Old Bank, $2.

If you are heading to Isla Carenero or Bastimentos, it can be less expensive to do as the locals do and travel with boatmen who wait at the dock next to Farmacia Rosa Blanca. Most boat trips cost between $2 and $25, though the farthest lodges can be much more expensive to reach.

A car is of little use here. No in-town hotel has parking and although roads were paved in 2010, they are mostly used by taxis and a few locals with transportation. Bocas Town can easily be explored by foot or bike. A car ferry, run by Transbordadores Marinos, travels between Almirante and Bocas daily except Monday, departing from Almirante at 7 am and Bocas at 3 pm. The trip takes an hour and costs $25–$55, depending on the size of the vehicle.

Contacts

Bocas Marine Tours. Calle 3, at Av. C, Bocas del Toro, 507/757–9033.

Taxi 25. Calle 1, at Av. Central, Bocas del Toro, 507/757–9028.

Transbordadores Marinos. Town port, Almirante, 507/391–1754; 507/391–0350; www.ferrybocas.com.