How To Get To BOCAS DEL TORO, PANAMA from Costa Rica - FLYING

How To Get To BOCAS DEL TORO, PANAMA from Costa Rica

via FLYING

Flying (on NatureAir) is the ONLY way I see myself EVER going to Bocas del Toro, Panama any more. I did the bus once just to say I've done it and so I can share the info here but it's SOOOO NOT for me!!!

Let's see -

1 hour flight over AWESOMELY BEAUTIFUL/SCENIC trip over miles and miles of lush tropical jungle and beaches and in and out of immigration in less than 10 min.
vs
6 hours sitting on a bus with NO bathroom or air-conditioning (though beautiful scenery also but at eye level), walk across a wood slatted bridge to 3 different areas for immigrations (oh, did I mention the crop dusters flying overhead OFTEN spraying toxic/poisonous chemicals on the nearby bananas fields [which spread wherever the wind blows??]), bus or taxi to water taxi, water taxi to Isle Colon and pain/a stiff body for DAYS = 8+ hours - NOT!!!!!!!

My time, convenience and body are worth money!!!


Flying to Bocas del Toro, Panama from Costa Rica offers a FUN experience in an 19 passenger "puddle jumper planes"!! (I feel more safe on those than a big plane though even though my dad cross-over from fluke plane crashes - I have NO fears of flying [I'd even prefer that be my mode "to go" as long as it's fast like it usually is!! I'm not into suffering and I'm a bad patient!! Hey - when it's my time to go it's my time to go and though I have LOTS of other "Control Issues" - it isn't with planes!!]).

BRING A JACKET/WRAP as it gets COLD up in the wild blue yonder.


AIRLINES:
NatureAir
http://www.NatureAir.com
From the U.S. - 1-800-235-9272. From within Costa Rica - 299-6000

PRICE: If you’re flexible on your dates - Fares can be as low as $82 each way (plus tax - mainly in the low of low season) though this Peak Season it’s running around $160/ow (plus tax)

FROM WHERE:
Pavas - Tobias Bolanos Airport (SMALL, EASY to get to/from!!! I LOVE this airport as it's SOOOOO convenient!!) - in the Rohmesser / Pavas area just 5 min. West of San Jose. Airport Code: PVS
Please note that you are going in/out of PAVAS Airport. Do NOT NOT NOT confuse it with San Jose International Airport [Juan SantaMaria International Airport. Airport Code: SJO).
FYI - depending on traffic - Pavas Airport is about 20-25 minutes between SJO and Pavas Airport). Pavas Airport is about 10 minutes/4 miles from San Jose and 16 minutes / 9 miles from SJO Airport.

DAYS OF WEEK:
Sun., Mon., Wed. Fri.
Meaning, if you’re doing your 90-day, 72-hour Tourist Visa Run, the best day is Fri.-Mon. or Sun.-Wed.

FLIGHT TIMES
FROM San Jose/PAVAS Airport: Departing at 10am - Arriving at 12:10pm (Panama is 1 hour ahead of us – Eastern Time)
FROM Bocas to PAVAS: Departing at 1pm - Arriving at 2:05pm

I've done this run 8 times (so far - #9 coming up in June) and EVERY TIME I was REALLY PLEASED with the level of service I received from ALL people I dealt with at NatureAir!! EVERYONE I’ve ever spoken with at NatureAir spoke VERY clear English!
If you have Residency in Costa Rica you can get a discounted rate so ask!!

LUGGAGE:
Here’s what they “officially” say about luggage:
Each person gets ONE free piece of luggage – up to 30lbs. You pay $1 US$ per POUND for each pound thereafter!!!! (note they offer FREE storage to passengers at the Pavas Airport to store your extra luggage if you need to). You also get ONE carry-on weighing max 10 lbs. BUT – make it a backpack and when YOU STAND on the scales they won’t know how much the bag really is because they add it to your weight (and you don’t need to find out what your weight is that day! [unless you get back on to check like I do sometimes!]). They do this to calculate the amount of gas they need. Bags may not exceed 64 square inches in diameter. Bags that exceed the diameter and/or weight will be subject to space and weight availability, and will be sent in the next weight and space available flight. Surfboards, Golf, Fish Equipment and bicycles are subject to space availability at airport at the time of check in, charges or fee for this articles is $25 US$ per flight. Nature Air is not responsible for connecting sports equipments to international flight with other airlines. Passengers have to pay any additional cost for these articles.

Though it's an "International Flight" you REALLY only need to arrive ABOUT 60 minutes prior to departure (it's a TINY airport with only a couple flights going out at the same time - at the most. On that note they say the flight is closed 30 minutes before departure).

NOTE: They say that all Costa Rican passenger flying international need valid passport, good for at least 6 month more (this freaked me out as mine was to expire 2 months after my first trip but there was NO problemo!!).

WHEN CHECKING IN – Look for the cutie Mario at the desk & say “Hola” from Vicki!!

HINT: Check for your tickets online as sometimes you’ll find some AMAZING specials – ESPECIALLY last minute that you can’t find elsewhere!

PILOT: If you have the VERY HANDSOM pilot Marvin (with the sexy salt and pepper hair), tell him "Hola from Vicki!!! (and why hasn't he come over to try out my massage chair???)



AT PAVAS AIRPORT
When you arrive, BEFORE you go to the airline counter – make an IMMEDIATE Left (like going to the NatureAir counter) but instead make another immediate Left – to the place you pay your $26 Exit Tax (US$ or colones) to the glassed in Booth (I believe it says “Banco”). Give them your passport (remember your passport!! I say this as someone was on my flight that forgot his but luckily he lived close enough and arrived early enough!). Get the receipt and then go to the NatureAir counter to check in.


GETTING FROM THE AIRPORT:

Need a TAXI from/to Pavas Airport – Chalo (Gonzalo) is your man and he speaks REALLY GOOD English!!! (8-394-6683) (tell him Vicki sent ya! (FYI - Chalo is also a former champion and a Master Surfer!!)


ARRIVING BACK IN COSTA RICA VIA THE PAVAS AIRPORT
You’ll have to go through IMMIGRATIONS when you return. Look for my special friend - the cutie/hottie Eder (pronounced eah-dahr) and say “Hola” from Vicki!!



FLYING FROM SAN JOSE

AIR PANAMA www.FlyAirPanama.com
In Costa Rica – 2-222-0712 / 2-222-0753-fax / 8-392-4256 / 2-601-1007 – HOURS: 8am-5pm.
In Panama - 507-316-9000 / 507-315-0439)

FROM WHERE: Juan SantaMaria INTERNATIONAL Airport - the main airport in San Jose (actually Alejuela - which means LOTS more traffic and ya need to get there earlier).

WHAT DAYS OF WEEK: Mon., Wed. and Fri.

FLIGHT TIMES: 10am – arriving at 1:30pm (you MUST make a stop in David).

PRICE: Around $200 round trip (BUT - remember – it’s with a stop)
+: They allow up to 2 suitcases - 70-lbs total (plus a carry-on up to 10 lbs and 99¢/lb thereafter). They have 40 passenger plane with air-conditioning, free snacks, no penalties for changes and all tickets are fully refundable and you can change the route (though you must redeem within 30 days). Karol Vargas is the CR Rep.

FLYING FROM WITHIN PANAMA

AeroPerlas (owned by TACA and SANSA) flies into Bocas from WITHIN Panama in these funky planes that look like they’re from World War II (I want to try them just for the experience – it just made me smile!!).

Panama City to Bocas: Monday –Friday - 8.30am and 1pm. Saturday 7am and 2.30pm. Sunday 8am and 2.30pm.
Bocas to Panama City: Monday-Friday - 9am and 2.30pm. Saturday 8:10am and 4.30pm. Sunday: 9.50am and 4.30pm

Mapiex - Panama City to Bocas: Mondays to Friday: 8.40am. Saturday - 6.30am. Sunday - 1.30pm
Bocas to Panama City: Mondays – Fridays - 10am. Saturday - 8am. Sunday - 3pm

ARRIVING IN BOCAS DEL TORO, PANAMA

FLYING - The Landing is a trip as you land practically in people backyard!!

WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU ARRIVE INTO BOCAS AIRPORT

When you get off the plane you wait on the tarmack till everyone’s together and proceed inside (they usually bring your luggage in separately).
If you’re arriving from a flight that is NOT within Panama and you do NOT have a Panama Visa AND you are from the U.S. or Canada - IMMEDIATELY (well – after you’ve stopped by Café Bahia to get your Caribbean Chocolate Factory’s TongueGasmic Organic Chocolate [I LOVE the Almond one] from Sasha [though she’s been closed for lunch the past 2 trips I’ve made – boooo!!]) – go to NatureAir’s counter and pay Delmira (she’s there Tues.-Sun. from 8-4 6692-1983) or Enrique $13 for an Entry Stamp (this used to be good for 90 days but that’s changed & EVERYONE MUST pay each time).

Then collect your luggage, passport (and stamp) and the completed Immigracion Form to “Immigrations” and let Edwana or Pleneo search ALL your bags and either Guillermo or Virginia will register you and stamp your passport. Felix is there with the DGA, Andrew takes care of Quarantine situations and there’s Raul or Sam.

WHEN YOU’RE DEPARTING - First go to the office marked “Administracion” and pay Arturo Correa (he’s the Airport Administrator - 757-9208. Tell him “Hola” from Vicki – the Big Beautiful Blonde [now burgundy] Gringa from Costa Rica that comes every 3 months) - $15 /hour (I believe it’s called an “Impuesto de Salida” (Exit Stamp?).

(fyi – every time I’ve been in the public bathrooms at the airport they don’t have toilet paper so plan accordingly plus the water is naturally yellow)

There’s a card holder rack in the corner – check to see if you can find any cards for discounts as you often will (including for a FREE COOKIE at !

FYI – The airport is just 5 blocks from the main street of Bocas so heat towards down at to go to the main part – turn Right at El Lorito Restaurant (a block before is THE bank. See notes on banking below). ESPECIALLY if it’s hot, rainy or muddy – I ALWAYS take the “taxi” to where I’m going – even if it’s just 3 blocks away! Worth the $1!



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A BIG Reason to fly/support NatureAir - They have the World’s First Carbon Neutral Airline program!!!

100% of NatureAir's carbon emissions are compensated through the protection and reforestation of tropical forests in southern Costa Rica's rich biodiversity zones of the Osa Peninsula.

For more info go to:
http://www.NatureVacations.com/carbon_neutral.aspx

http://www.NatureAir.com/presentation/index.html





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NEEDING TO STAY IN A HOTEL CLOSE TO PAVAS AIRPORT?

The closest to Pavas Airport - check out:

THE FOUNTAINS GUESTHOUSE
(8-378-6679 / http://FountainsGuesthouse.com) - A MAGICAL TRANQUIL OASIS set on 2 acres of lush vegetation just 7 min. from Pavas Airport (depending on traffic) , on one of THE major roads in the Central Valley, yet set back 300 feet! Within 15 blocks either direction you have over 50 restaurants (and many deliver!) as well as markets, gyms, shops, dentists, doctors - just about anything you could need! LOTS of hammocks, FREE WiFi, FREE phone calls to the U.S. and Canada, FREE PARKING (even while you're out traveling) and FREE Storage (to store things from your shopping spree), computer to check your emails, FREE Welcome Tropical Smoothie and FREE Spin on our FABULOUS Massage Chair. 6 rooms. It's a real "Me Casa es Su Casa" kinda place where you have full roam of the house including a gourmet kitchen you can cook from! Beds can be on the hard side OR with a Memory Foam topper - some that you just melt into! Same with pillows - what YOUR needs are their desires!!! Details! Details! Details and QUALITY features are what The Fountains are about!! Cell Phone available to rent.
Your Host has access to good English-speaking taxi drivers, LOTS of helpful info for tourist and people thinking of moving to CR plus they have an in-house Travel Agency/Tour Operator (Frank Chicas' Enjoying Costa Rica Tours).
RATES: $45/$65/$90 (though they

Casa Roland
(2-231-6571 / 2-520-1900 / http://Casa-Roland.com) - A REALLY NICE hotel with queen beds (one has 2 twins and one has 2 queen beds), cable tv, mini-fridges, air-conditioning, 21 rooms and 2 adjacent 3-bedroom homes each with a jacuzzi, American-style breakfast from 7-10am, exercise room, just 5 min. to Pavas Airport in Rohrmoser. Paragon Restaurant on site. RATES: $95/$145/$200 + 16.39% tax

El Caracol B&B
(2-232-9864 / 2-231-7439) - Use of kitchen, parking, cable tv, private bathroom. Rohrmoser. RATES: $45 (includes continental breakfast)

Isla Verde
http://HotelIslaVerde.com - Chinese Restaurant (11:30am-10:30pm), WiFi in lobby. queen bed, 20 rooms, cable tv, private bathrooms. 500 meters West of the U.S. Embassy. Rohrmoser. RATES: $53 (includes breakfast)