Hi... does anyone have any tips for how to make the trip from Drake Bay to Boquete to Bocas del Toro? Without knowing much about the bus routes, etc, I'm assuming the boarding crossing would happen at Paso Canoas... and thinking of flying from David to Bocas del Toro... but has anyone made any/all legs of this itinerary? Thanks!

Haven't done the bus from Drakes, I drove my own car but I am sure there are local buses to get you Paso Canoa... Then there are buses from the border into David... Then local buses to get you up to Boquete (about 1/2 hour from David) I am actually writing this from there right now...
Then the flight from David to Bocas leaves at 9:00 am (Aeroperlas) there's also Turismo Aereo that flies that route... You would need to be in David 40 minutes before the flight...
I am doing the flight again on Wednesday and then flying to Panama on Thurday evening... It's a good triangle...

Cheers,
Andrew

I flew to Drakes Bay and arranged transfer to my hotel. Driving there is EXTREMELY difficult and you will ultimately need to take a boat anyway.

Thanks AndrewW, great to have a report from someone who's actually there "as they type!" And you're right, Darlow, driving to Drake isn't worth it, been there many times. Will start this part of journey from Palmar.

Anyone know anything about crossing the border at Rio Sereno? Andrew, how long did it take you to cross at Paso Canoas?

Just replied to your earlier post - thought I had seen this one before!!!!
Anyway, Paso Canoa can be anywhere from 30 minutes up to many hours... If going by bus then they look after things but I guess you won't be on a bus that goes all the way so it will take a bit longer. There are always helpers there but don't give them money to go do something for you, go with them and pay them their fee at the very end.
From what I hear from others, an hour to hour and a half is probably average. The last time I did it was on Carnaval Saturday (not good planning) and it was over 4 hours to get through both borders but we were driving our own car which was a nightmare of paperwork!!!
Cheers,
Andrew