The purpose of our trip was to enjoy three days out of Panama in neighboring Puerto Viejo Costa Rica where we were able to renew our Panama visa for another six months stay so to avoid the Caribbean hurricane season (June to November) in a very safe area - BOCAS DEL TORO PANAMA.
I want to make this easy for anyone thinking of doing this same trip so have numbered each item for a checkoff list. (Caution: you will likely get as many opinions as the number of persons you ask - YMMV)
1. Bocas Marine & Tours in downtown Bocas del Toro Panama (http://caribeshuttle.com/)
$25 per person one-way (as of 20130729) includes the boat from Bocas, ground transportation in a late model air-conditioned shuttle van, a guide to help you across the border to another air-conditioned shuttle van that will drop you off at your hotel in Puerto Viejo. THIS IS A GREAT SERVICE.
2. Border Crossing at Guabito Panama to Sixaola Costa Rica
You are required to pay US$3 for a Panama Exit stamp that is placed in your passport. Next, present yourself with your new stamp passport at the Immigration Office window for EXITING TO COSTA RICA - present your passport and they check their computer records - if approved, the Exit stamp will be ink-stamped with the day's date and you are ready to proceed ahead to walk across the bridge over the river.
3. Welcome to Costa Rica - NOTE: Time is one hour earlier than Panama's time zone.
After walking across the bridge, walk up to the ENTER COSTA RICA window and ask for a blank immigration form. Complete the form with name, passport number, citizenship details etc then get into the ENTER COSTA RICA line again. Present your passport and immigration form. Once again the official checks his computer and places a Costa Rica 90 day visa stamp in your passport. The Bocas Marine guide will direct you to the awaiting van for transportation to your hotel in Puerto Viejo.
4. Lodging in Puerto Viejo
We suggest only one hotel - Casa Verde (http://www.cabinascasaverde.com/)
WiFi in the lobby area, clean, comfortable, good Costa Rican coffee & fruit served throughout the day AND a nice swimming pool to cool off in. Enjoy the beautiful tropical gardens while relaxing in the open lobby area. Easy walking to shops, cafes and the beach.
5. Eating Establishments (Remember as of 20130801 the exchange rate was 500 Costa Rica Colonies per One U.S. Dollar - Dollars are preferred in Costa Rica but your change will be in Colonies. Use them while in Costa Rica - Panama will not accept Colonies.) (We would not recommend anything below unless we ate there and had no indigestion problems - all the following eating establishments served good food.)
Across the street from Casa Verde is Cafe El Rico - we enjoyed the fresh fruit bowl with yogurt and granola. (Be sure to check as you enter if they are going to be open the next day... strange days and hours you must check not assume.)
Flip Flops - good hamburgers, sea bass & shrimp seafood along with various curry dishes.
Bread & Chocolate - opens 6:30 for breakfast scrambled eggs, toast, bagel and brownies. Hot chocolate was delicious! The OJ was so-so.
Soda Taito - Wednesday is homemade soup, otherwise pork chop, fish and beef steak - with rice and black beans.
Pan Pay - next to the police station (next to the beach) - Cafe serves breakfasts - breads, croissants, etc.
Grocery Store:
Super Mercado (Walmart...lol) Has a great selection of coffee, snacks, drinks and fruits. NO DRY CAT FOOD just wet Whiskers in the small 'tuna' can size.
Suggestion: Travel light and bring back lots of delicious coffee in your suit case - we were not asked to open our suitcases for inspection - no limit and no duty if you can carry it yourself.
6. Documents: If you are a yacht cruiser and need to extend your visa for an additional 6 months you will need to take the following original documents with you:
- Original Panama Cruising Permit - shows owner's name and boat name along with the valid dates.
- Original Certificate of Vessel Documentation - shows owner's name and boat's name.
- Original Certified Crew List (stamped by the Bocas del Toro Port Captain) - showing the names of all crew members, passport numbers and citizenship.
When you return to enter Panama you must provide acceptable proof that you can depart the country when the time comes - no later than your cruising permit date. You will be required to present either a confirmed airline reservation email with passenger name(s) else the above vessel documents for each member of your boat party - your name must be on the certified crew list - the key for anyone other than the boat owner.
Photos from our trip:
Pay US$3 for your passport 'stamp'
Line up at the EXIT window with passport
Enjoy your walk across the bridge from hell - watch out for broken boards.
Banana plantations
The stalk of bananas are covered with a protective blue poly bag.
CASA VERDE - Best hotel in town!
Reception and WiFi and coffee lobby
Typical room cluster
Shared restroom and shower area.
More of the room clusters
Hammocks are very relaxing.
The swimming pool is the best way to cool off.
Red bamboo
Cacao (chocolate) bean
Cacao (chocolate) bean
Hey Captain,
ReplyDeleteLoved your pix....I saw the blue banana bags in the Caribbean islands....they refer to them there as the "blue banana condoms" lol Sounds like you will be put for awhile. I am loving retirement. Normally at this time in summer I would be back in my classroom gearing up for the next year. I cannot tell how nice it is to know I don't have to do that anymore. Retirement checks are deposited in my bank account. It feels weird to have a paycheck so to speak without having to go to school. Took a trip to Portland and Seattle. Had a great time. Did go to the locks and ate at Ray's Boathouse. Also found a to die for ice cream shop on NW23rd Street in Portland. I think I could easily become a gypsy and just travel, travel, travel. In about a month I board to the big ol cruise ship and head up the North Atlantic along the coast of Maine, up to Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and then end in Quebec for a few days. Sounds like all is well with you. X3gt
Rumor has it that you do not have to stay three days - some cruisers stay just one day in PV CR making it date wise two days out of the country - YMMV...
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