Hi! I saw your post about immigration info for Panama. I would love to have that info! Please post here or e-mail me at [email protected]. Thanks!

I wanted to give you a "heads up" on the immigration procedure at Sixaola. The officials are asking for a "continuation ticket" to be presented at the time of your exit from CR. Coninuation ticket is the tix that shows your exit out of Costa Rica (ie: your plane tix back to the states) I guess this doesn't apply to you since you're crossing over at P.V. but I'm curious where you're going to go thru customs? Are you boating from P.V. to Bocas? Drop a line and let me know how you're going about this, sounds interesting! Also, re: your questions driving time Arenal to M.A. One year ago we did this drive around Lake Arenal and it took a brutal 7 hours (but we made three stops) We're going back in August and will not take the route around the lake but head back towards SanRamon and take the alternate route. I anticipate it will take no more than 6 hours.

I'd also like to post a note to the several people who I've been in contact with re: Manuel Antonio. I've had a MAJOR virus (the computer not me!) which totally wiped out my inbox. I'd like to apologize for not having the ability to respond to those of you and if you'd like to resend your questions, I'd be more than happy to help out. The computer is "behaving" again.

Lisa,
Thanks for the update! We'll by crossing by land at Sixaola, going to Bocas for a couple days, and then crossing back into CR. We have e-tickets, but we also have "official" looking receipts printed at the airport, so I'm hoping that will be sufficient proof of an onward ticket. Do you know if they are checking for $400 cash per person or whatever that amount was?

I've not experienced any monetary requirement in my crossings bet. CR and Panama so I wouldn't worry. Be aware that once you exit CR, walk across the Sixaola bridge and enter Panama, you'll be required to pay $5/person tourist visa. Then you'll move onto the next official who will stamp you into Panama. Keep the tourist visa w/ your passport as we were expected to present it upon our departure from Panama. You're aware there is a long bridge you walk across between CR and Panama at Sixaola and then pick up a cab to Changinola? The water taxi to Bocas is actually fun and certainly a Kodak moment! Email or repost if you'd like further info re: M.A. or Bocas.

Thanks again for the info. I was wondering where or how we obtain the tourist card. I've heard horror stories about that bridge! How long and creepy is it???

I also heard the horror stories re: the Sixaola bridge and very honestly, it was nothing nearly as frightening as I imagined! While walking the first half of the bridge (CR to Panama), you'll share the road with cars, trucks etc., so when the crossing is good (nothing coming your way), walk briskly. On the other half, there is an exterior walkway so that's pretty simple. I envisioned falling thru the bridge slats or holding on for dear life while vehicles passed by, so anything less life threatening was tame compared to my wild imagination of "what might happen!" It was pretty simple, just a little 2 min. bridge walk. We met up with some very nice guys who carried our bags and helped us thru the immigration process on both the CR and Panama side. For $2/helper-person, it was worth it. On the CR side, you'll "check out" of CR, walk the bridge, then on the other side go into your first little building on the left side after you cross the bridge where you will purchase your tourist visa and get stamped into Panama. It's only a little room, maybe 15x15, the purchase of the tourist visa is the gal at the first desk in the room (immediately to the left when you walk in). Then in the same room, present your tourist visa and passport to the next agent (there's only two of them in there so it's not difficult to figure out who's who). Very easy!

Can someone tell me the best way to get to Manuel Antonio from SJ? Is it possible by bus/shuttle and how long is the trip? We're wanting to go to Drake Bay & MA and trying to find the best way to get around and get back to SJ to fly in/out? We'll have approx. 12 days to spend in CR. If it matters, we'll be traveling w/ 2 kids (6 & 11).

Lisa,
Thanks again for all the great info!

Hi Lisa -

Not to hijack the thread, but I had some questions about MA. Specifically, we've booked into Las Tres Banderas over the Christmas holiday - can you provide any input about the hotel? It was the only one available at this late date. I assume MA will be full of folks on holiday; mostly foreigners, Ticos (we hope!), or a combination? Aside from WW rafting, the Park trails, canopy tours, and the beaches (we're beach people) are there things we should see? We haven't booked a car; would you recommend it? Thanks for any info you can provide!

Best regards, Jeff

Msgs for Pumpy and Jeff:

Pumpy: The very quickest way to get from SJO to Quepos is via small puddle jumper plane (14 pass.) Sansa or NatureAir. For approx. $50/person, the flight is only 20 minutes. Both Sansa and NatureAir have websites, so do a quick websearch for their schedules.

Interbus offers service for approx. $25/person. (see www.interbusonline.com. Small passenger van, and the ride is 4 hours. I believe there are two options (times) avail. out of SJO to Quepos but the website will assist with that.

You can also hire private transport, approx. $150/trip (not per person).

Drake ... I think the intra-country airlines (Sansa and NatureAir) fly this route but I'm not sure, sorry! I've not yet been there so hopefully someone else will give you some better advise.

Jeff: Tres Banderas is on the mountain located between Quepos and M.A. Parque. The rooms are very neat, modern, with A/C, hot water and a small porch. There is a restaurant and small bar on site, pool and very large jacuzzi tub. Prior to moving to CR, we stayed at T. Banderas several times and at that time a great place to stay for the $$. There is a covered bus stop at the entrance so you'll be fine taking buses or private taxi. The public bus runs every 1/2 hour from Quepos and is only 100 colones. Taxis are plentiful also. Unless you plan to travel toward Dominical (and points south) or Jaco (and points further north), I think you can save your $$ and opt out of the rental car esp. if you plan to stay in the immediate area of Quepos/Manuel Antonio. If you simply just prefer your own wheels, then rent a vehicle and you won't be subject to the bus schedules and/or taxis. The Christmas/New Years holiday is BUSY so book your car (if you decide) and tours early. RE: Activities ... Horseback riding, 4x4 (ATV) tour, and of course THE very best sportfishing!

Lisa

Lisa,
About that fishing...
The prices are pretty steep for two people to go out for a day. Any suggestions on finding others that may be interested in sharing a charter with us?

LaF: What dates will you be in Quepos/Manuel Antonio? I'll put the word out you're looking for a share and see what we come up with!

Lisa

Lisa,
We'd be able to do the fishing on July 22 or 23. We're leaving L.A. this Saturday and will be staying at Villas Nicolas in MA. Thanks!

Not to interrupt, but want to take the opportunity to tell you, LA FadeAway, to have a great trip! We leave the 31st...so I'll look forward to seeing your report after we all get back, Joyce

You too Joyce!! I'm getting so excited, I can hardly concentrate at work
I look forward to reading your report too.

LAFadeAway,
Hope you have a great time! We just returned today (will post report later) and I am jealous of you! We've talked so much about your plans, and I just know you will have a wonderful time! Enjoy!

Thanks Shillmac! I look forward to reading your report after I get back. I'm sure I'll have a nice long one to write too. Thanks again for all your help with my planning!

For any crossing at Sixaola:

We just made this crossing last week. We were required to pay the $5.00 each when we entered Panama and then the lady made us pay another $10.00 each when we were coming back through because we "didn't stay 3 days". We were in Panama--At Bocas-- for only 2 days, so she said we had to pay. I hadn't read anything about this anywhere. Oh well, live and learn.

We were never asked for any continuation ticket, coming or going. Nor was any of our luggage inspected. They also never asked us for any proof of cash we were carrying, or to see a credit card, as we had been told that they might.. All they wanted was our $5.00 going into Panama and $10.00 coming out.

Also, the bridge is rather interesting. I thought it was a great adventure! My husband and I are approaching 50 and carried all our own luggage across, so it's not that hard It was a little tricky coming back, however as it was pouring down rain.

The one thing that you don't want to do is get stuck in Sixaola. We arrived after the border closed (of course I kept telling my husband that it closed at 6:00 and he wouldn't believe me)... So... we ended up staying at Cabinas Sanchez. It smelled so bad I hardly slept all night. It was only $13.00 but I'm a little more particular about my accommodations than that. Sixaola is a hole.

I agree that the boat ride from Changuinola to Bocas is a trip.

Have fun!