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Back to Changuinola

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Voykit pocket guide · Panama

Changuinola

Pass through on the way to Bocas del Toro or the Costa Rica border: half a day for a meal and shopping, not an overnight stop.

Changuinola is a low-key transit town in Bocas del Toro province, used mainly as a bus connection between Costa Rica and the Bocas islands. It has cheap clothes markets and a manatee tour nearby, but most travellers move on the same day.

Panama CityAguadulceBalboaBastimentosBoca BravaBoca ChicaBocas del ToroBoqueteCambutalCerro PuntaColónCoronadoDavidEl Valle de AntónChanguinola50 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Panama
Best months
Sep–Oct, Feb–Mar
Avoid
Oct–Nov (rainy season peak)
Stay
0 nights

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
PAB
Money
Currency is the balboa (PAB), fixed 1 to 1 with the US dollar; US dollar notes are the paper money in use, with Panamanian coins.
Daily spend
Budget $20–35 (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Más Móvil, Tigo and Digicel SIMs at Tocumen and in malls; passport required.
Emergency
Police 104 · Fire 103 · Ambulance 911
Plugs
Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
Tipping
Restaurants: 10% if not added.; Guides and boat crews: US$5–10 per person.; Hotel porters: US$1–2 per bag.
Water
Tap water is safe in Panama City and most towns; drink bottled on the islands and in Bocas.
Toilets
Western toilets; basic outhouses on San Blas islands.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Bus to Almirante$1.45
Bus to Costa Rica border$1
Manatee tour$50 pp
Basic hotel room$25–50
Local meal$4–8

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

BOC · Bocas del Toro 'Isla Colón' International Airport
30–45 min by taxi + water taxi from Changuinola

Typical fares

Bus to Almirante
$1.45, 30–45 min
Bus to Costa Rica border
$1, 10–20 min
Taxi to manatee tour
check
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

Walkable centre; taxis for the manatee tour or to Almirante.

See and do

Known for

  • Cheap clothes markets
  • Manatee tours on the San San River
  • Bus junction to Costa Rica and Bocas del Toro

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Bocas del ToroBus to Almirante (30–45 min, $1.45), then water taxi to Isla Colón (about 30 min, $5–10)1.5–2 h
Costa Rica border (Sixaola/Guabito)Bus, 10–20 min, $130 min
BastimentosBus to Almirante, water taxi to Bocas, then boat to Bastimentos2–2.5 h
Isla CareneroBus to Almirante, water taxi to Bocas, then short boat to Carenero2 h

Sleep

Town centre
Basic hotels near the bus terminal; budget-only, no mid-range or high-end options.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
HelloHolaOH-lah
How much?¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAN-toh KWES-tah
Where is the bus to Almirante?¿Dónde está el bus a Almirante?DON-deh es-TAH el BOOS ah al-mee-RAN-teh
Thank youGraciasGRAH-see-ahs
The bill, pleaseLa cuenta, por favorlah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Handshake and 'buenos días'; avoid: Skipping greetings in shops
  • Dress: Long trousers in offices and churches; avoid: Beachwear in the city
  • Guna communities: Ask before photos, pay the fee; avoid: Walking into homes or ceremonies

Scams and watch-outs

  • Feels unsafe at night: avoid walking alone after dark.
  • Manatee tour requires a phone reservation in advance.
  • Hotels are basic and cash-only; bring US dollars.

Daytime is fine; at night the town feels unsafe. Stick to the main streets and avoid walking alone after dark.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Changuinola yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Cheap clothes markets
  • Manatee tours on the San San River
  • Bus junction to Costa Rica and Bocas del Toro

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Changuinola

A esta dirección, por favor

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

US dollars accepted everywhere; Panamanian coins are used as change.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/changuinola). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.