if you want to visit the Bocas archipelago just across the Panamanian border after your stay around Puerto Viejo, these tips may help.

First, make sure you leave on the early bus to Sixaola. Panama's time zone is one hour later, so this can make you miss your connection to the islands. Departure Puerto Viejo to Sixaola is at 6:15, 8:15, and 9:15 in the morning. The trip will take you just over 2 hours. After you cross the border, taxi's and collectivos are waiting on the other site. To get to the dock in Almirante you have 4 options.

Depending on your budget there is the cheap option with a Taxi-collectivo to Changinola for $1 per person. Here you switch to one of the crazy mini buses which will bring you for another $1 to Almirante. The trip takes a little longer but is a trip in itself.

The other option is a taxi for about $20 straight to the dock of Almirante. Occasionally you have the luck to catch the small train which goes trough tiny little indigenous villages slowly to Almirante. If you have the chance and time to make this trip I can assure you, you won't regret it. The timetable is flexible and since there is only a one way railway, not much traffic.

Once you get to the dock, check out the three different agencies, before you buy your ticket. Everybody will try to convince you to go with them, and promise that they will be leaving first. Just use common sense and look at the position of the boats, and whether locals are waiting already. If you pick the wrong boat, you might end up waiting a long time to get to Bocas del Toro. The fare to the main island Isla Colon used to be $6 but I also saw it advertised for $3. A different but not as adventuresome way to get to Isla Colon is with The Bocas Marine & Tours organization ( 507) 757-4085 . They are located in the park in Changuinola, finca 60, surrounded by banana plantations. From here you will enjoy a 20 mile, 50-60 minute boat ride trough wetlands and jungle, down the old river, across the Changuinola river, where it meets the ocean and through a channel constructed by the fruit Company many years ago. It seems to be the fastest and least expensive passage to the main island of the archipelago, according to their flyer. They advertise Chanquinola-Isla Bocas one way for $5 and a round trip $9. From Almirante to the Islands their rate is $3 one way and $5 for a round trip.

Enjoy your trip!!