Bus from Bocas del Toro to David
Bocas ferry + local bus · ~4-5 hours · US$14-30 combined · Direct Caribbean-to-Chiriquí transit
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The Bocas del Toro → David route is the standard transit for travelers continuing to Chiriquí highlands or onward Panama destinations.
Spring Bus connects you to operators on this route — Bocas ferry to Almirante + local bus to David ($14-30 USD combined, ~4-5 h).
Route details: Bocas del Toro to David
Travel time
4 h 30 min
Distance
260 km
Typical fare
$14 – $30 USD per person
Frequency
Multiple daily ferry + bus connections
First departure
Approx. 6:00 AM
Last departure
Approx. 2:00 PM
Operators on this route
Ferry to Almirante + local bus to David
Pickup at Bocas del Toro
Bocas Town on Isla Colón — ferry to Almirante for onward bus
Drop-off at David
David central bus terminal — onward to Panama City / Costa Rica / Boquete
About the journey
The Bocas del Toro → David return is the standard transit for travelers continuing from Caribbean Bocas to Chiriquí highlands (Boquete, Volcán) or onward Panama City Pullman or Costa Rica border.
Travel tips for Bocas del Toro → David
- Early ferry from Isla Colón (~6-8 AM) + connecting bus to David.
- Onward to Boquete — David transfer (~30-45 min, $2-5 USD).
- Onward to Volcán — David transfer (~1 h, $2-5 USD).
- Onward to Panama City — Pullman from David (~6-7 h, $15-25 USD).
- Onward to Costa Rica via Paso Canoas — local bus from David (~30 min, $3-8 USD).
- Currency: USD throughout.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry + bus from Bocas del Toro to David?
**About 4-5 hours combined** — ferry (~30 min) + bus (~3-4 h).
How much is the ferry + bus from Bocas del Toro to David?
**US$14-30 per person combined**.
What time do ferries leave Bocas del Toro for Almirante?
**Multiple daily — typically 6 AM, 7 AM, 8 AM, 10 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM** for connecting to Almirante + onward buses.
Can I continue to Boquete from Bocas the same day?
**Yes** — Bocas ferry → Almirante (~30 min) + Almirante → David (~3-4 h) + David → Boquete (~30-45 min). Total Bocas-Boquete ~5-6 hours same-day.
Can I continue to Costa Rica same-day from Bocas?
**Tight but possible.** Early Bocas ferry + bus to David + onward to Paso Canoas border + Costa Rica side buses. Total ~6-8 hours including border formalities. Most travelers overnight in David or Boquete first.
Going the other direction?