The Sixaola-Guabito border is the main land route from Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean coast into Panama; if you’re beginning in Puerto Viejo and finishing in Bocas del Toro, this is the one you’ll use.

This guide explains how to reach the border by bus or shuttle, how to pay the mandatory Costa Rica exit tax, what Panama may ask for when you enter, and the most practical ways to continue onwards to Bocas del Toro, David, or elsewhere in Panama.

Updated October 2025

The Border Crossing Essentials

· You’ll exit Costa Rica first, walk across the bridge, and then enter Panama.

· Pay Costa Rica’s $8 USD exit tax online and in advance (but you can pay at the border if you forget - it just costs a little more)

· Panama immigration almost always asks for proof of onward travel and occasionally evidence of $500 USD in funds.

· Panama is one hour ahead - be sure to bear this in mind when planning which boat you’ll take to Bocas!

· Border offices are open daily from around 7am to 5pm - 8am to 6pm Panama time - but everything slows down over lunch and on Sundays.

· Most travellers are heading for Bocas del Toro, and several shuttle companies now make that trip seamless - see options on Bookaway

· Get inspired with our 11 Wonderful Things To Do in Panama

#1 | Getting to the Border

Public Bus

From Puerto Viejo & further along the Caribbean coast | The MEPE bus remains the easiest and most affordable option. You don't need to buy a ticket in advance, simply turn up around thirty minutes before departure.

There are departures roughly every hour from 6.30am, travelling through Cahuita, Bribri, and Manzanillo, taking around an hour to reach Sixaola. Tickets cost approximately 2,200 colones (approx $5 USD). The bus will drop you off very close to the border: just head back towards the main road and walk left towards the border crossing.

If you plan to continue all the way to Bocas del Toro the same day, try to arrive before 11.30am - both immigration offices slow for lunch, and Panama is one hour ahead, so time slips away quickly.

From San José | If you are travelling directly from San José, buses to Sixaola also run with MEPE (first departure is at 6am, then it’s every two hours until 6pm). The journey takes 6 - 6.5 hours and note that only the early departure reliably allows you to continue to Bocas the same day.

Shuttle

If you’d rather someone else handled the logistics, consider booking a door-to-door shuttle. These start from your accommodation in Puerto Viejo, guide you through the border on foot, then continue by road to Almirante, where you’ll take a boat to Bocas Town (it’s a van + shuttle combo - both should be included in the price).

There are no shortage of companies offering this combo, and your accommodation will likely be able to point you in the right direction. We tend to cross borders independently so don’t have a personal recommendation, but you can find lots of options, compare prices and book easily on Bookaway.

There are also several available here on 12Go.

All companies offer at least two departures per day (usually around 8am and 12pm) but some do have more. Prices can vary quite considerably, so expect to pay anywhere from $25 to $35 USD.

Travel Tip // When walking towards the immigration border, be wary of overly friendly strangers offering to assist you with the border crossing process, just smile and say no thank you, even if they insist.

#2 | Pay the Costa Rica Exit Tax

Before you leave Costa Rica you must pay (and provide proof that you have paid) the impuesto de salida, the exit tax applied to all land departures.

In 2025, this costs US$8 - 9, depending on where you pay. The lower price applies if you pay online in advance; the slightly higher amount is charged at the border itself.

· Best option / Pay online through Banco de Costa Rica and save or screenshot your receipt barcode to show when exiting. This is obviously best done in advance, but there are also QR codes available at immigration that should direct you to the website.

· Alternative / Pay in person upon arrival at the border. There is a machine at the official immigration building but this only accepts cards and often doesn’t work. Therefore, your most convenient option is to visit one of the many places on the left hand side before the office where you can pay the exit fee of $8USD plus $1USD admin charge (also payable in local currency).

You'll be issued with a receipt of payment.

Once you’ve paid, simply make your way over to the small immigration building and join the queue.

Travel Tip // Unlike other borders in Central America, we found there to be no armies of money exchangers on either side here, so you may wish to change any left over colones into USD with the kiosks kiosks that process the departure tax.

#3 | Exit Costa Rica

Unfortunately, at this border crossing there is only one small immigration office where they process both incoming and outgoing tourists, with just two members of staff. This is a super popular crossing (with tourists at least), so there are often quite lengthy queues.

Present your passport and exit payment receipt to the immigration officer and receive your exit stamp.

From here, it’s as simple as walking across the bridge. The collapsing railway bridge that once defined this crossing lives unfortunately only in traveller folklore now; in its place is a solid pedestrian walkway and a smooth road.

It’s a five-minute walk across the river, with no intermediate checks until you reach Panama.

Know // You used to be required to fill in a departure form but we believe that this is no longer necessary - we’d love to hear from you in the comments if you experience otherwise.

#4 | Enter Panama

On the Panama side, the Servicio Nacional de Migración building is just ahead and well signposted - join the queue indoors.

Most western travellers (including those from the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) are granted 180 days visa-free entry, but there are a few things the officer may ask for:

· Proof of onward travel | This means a booked bus or flight out of Panama. This is almost always requested, so be prepared. For long-term backpackers, you won’t necessarily have one, and there a few options. One is Onwardticket, but we also have a short explainer post on alternatives: How To Provide Proof of Onward Travel

· Proof of funds | Occasionally travellers are asked for evidence of at least $500 USD (bank statement or credit card is fine).

· Arrival form | Sometimes paper, sometimes digital.

There is no longer a entry fee for Panama, despite rumours and blogs insisting it still exists. Anyone telling you otherwise is wrong or working a hustle.

Once stamped in, you are now officially in Panama - probably the most underrated country in Central America.

Important // Panama is one hour ahead, so be sure to take note of this is you don’t have data on your phone for it to automatically update.

#6 | Onward Travel To Bocas del Toro (and Beyond)

Once you’ve crossed over into Panama, there are three simple steps to reach Bocas del Toro.

Avoid any mini-bus or taxi touts as it's very easy to make your way independently to your onward destination in Panama, it just takes a little more time.

Step One / Guabito to Changuinola

The only buses that come by here, pretty frequently, are old school buses direct to Changuinola costing $1 USD and taking 30 minutes. Ask the driver to drop you off by the buses for David or Almirante.

You can also take a shared taxi to Changuinola for $2-3 USD.

Alternatively, you can take a shared taxi directly from Guabito to Almirante. This should cost no more than $10 USD, and deliver you to Almirante in around an hour.

Step Two / Changuinola to Almirante

Shared minibuses leave Changuinola when full (usually every 30 - 45 minutes) and cost $1.50 USD.

Journey time is around 30 minutes to 45 minutes depending upon traffic.

The buses will drop you off at the bus station in Almirante where you'll find taxi drivers waiting. It's $1 per person to do the 5 min drive to dock. You could easily do the walk in 15-20 minutes, but the $1 might be worth the time save overall if it means you make the next boat.

Step Three / Almirante to Bocas Town

Each taxi driver is usually in cahoots with a specific boat company, so you’ll be dropped off at one of several businesses that line the water. The prices are the same, but if that particular business is super busy, feel free to wander to the next.

Boats leave approximately every 30 minutes (although we were waiting for closer to an hour) from 6am to 6pm, cost $6 USD one way, and take about 30 minutes.

If you started in Puerto Viejo that morning, you’ll likely be on Bocas with enough light left for a dip and a drink.

There is also a slower, less frequenty ferry available.

We’ve written a complete guide on the boats, the hustlers, and getting to Bocas del Toro, so you can find more information on this leg of trip in that dedicated guide.

Heading to Boquete instead? // If Bocas isn’t in your plans, then just follow the first step of this route to Changuinola. There, you’ll find buses to David. The minibuses leave once full and it takes at least four hours to reach David. This is a really picturesque bus ride through winding mountains roads, so try not to sleep through it.

From David you can transfer on to a bus to Boquete (1her) or elsewhere in Panama.

Get prepped on the best hikes, coffee spots, and places to stay with our Boquete travel guide.

However, before firming up your plans, you may wish to break up the journey with a wildcard stay along the way at Lost + Found Hostel

Got No Plans Yet? Get inspired with 11 Wonderful Things To Do in Panama