How to get there?

Location

The STRI lab is located just outside the town of Bocas del Toro on Isla Colon, in Bocas del Toro Province, Panama . Isla Colon, a 61 sq km island, is situated in the Archipielago de Bocas del Toro along the Caribbean coast just 35 km from Panama ’s boarder with Costa Rica and is part of an archipelago of more than 68 islands and numerous mangrove keys.

Driving

From Panama City take the Interamerican Highway up to the entrance to Gualaca, Chiriqui Province (6-7 hours , 404 Km)  you will see a Texaco gas station. Then turn right and drive to the end of the road to Chiriqui Grande (98 Km), at Punta Peña, then follow the road to Almirante 3 hours (68 km), where you can leave the car in a parking area. The roads are in good condition. See Map

Bus

Take the bus to Almirante from the terminal in Panama City 9-11 hours. The approximate cost is $ 25.00.

From Almirante

In Almirante take a water taxi to Bocas del Toro, which is a 30 minutes ride and costs $4.00. There are 2 water taxi companies (Bocas Marine Tour and Taxi 25) in close proximity. The car ferry from Almirante to Bocas del Toro runs on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but the schedule change often.  For more information call to Bocas Station prior your departure.

Flights to Bocas

Getting to Bocas del Toro from Panama City requires a short flight trip. We suggest you know your exact time of arrival to Panama City, in order to book your flight to Bocas del Toro. Two airline companies provide service to Bocas del Toro from Panama City:  Aeroperlas and Air Panama (also Air Panama has a flight from Costa Rica every week, see their website).  The round trip in both companies is around $ 200.00. If you arrive to Panama City in the morning, you may be able to flight to Bocas del Toro that same afternoon, provided you’ve previously purchased your ticket. If you arrive to Panama City in the afternoon, you would have to stay overnight (http://www.panamainfo.com/), and fly to Bocas del Toro the following day. You may use the extra time to visit STRI; visitor’s office in Panama City, although you could register once in Bocas as well.

The Tocumen International Airport is located on the outskirts of Panama City, about 20 minutes from the city center. However, flights to Bocas del Toro leave from Albrook Airport, which operates all domestic flights. Albrook Airport is located on the Canal Zone, 5-10 minutes from the city center, close to Albrook Mall and to Panama City’s Terminal Bus Station.  Taxi fare from Tocumen Airport to any location within the city limits range from $25 to $30 per trip.