Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PAB
- Best months
- Sep–Oct, Feb–Mar
- avoid Oct–Nov (rainy season peak)
- Airport
- BOC
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Panama ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Panama's National Migration Service or a Panamanian consulate; proof of onward travel and funds may be asked for.
- Panama ↗Do not travel independently in the Darién; the UK and other governments warn against parts of it, and there is no road crossing to Colombia.
- Panama ↗Guna Yala (San Blas) is governed by the Guna people: visitor fees apply, and photography of people usually needs permission and payment. Book through Guna-run or licensed operators.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Changuinola104 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Changuinola, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?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.Panama-wide
- SIM or eSIMMás Móvil, Tigo and Digicel SIMs at Tocumen and in malls; passport required.Panama-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Panama City and most towns; drink bottled on the islands and in Bocas.Panama-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% if not added.Panama-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Panama-wide
- SafetyDaytime is fine; at night the town feels unsafe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; basic outhouses on San Blas islands.Panama-wide
- Emergency numbers104 police · 103 fire · 911 ambulance
- Sundays & holidayscheckCarnival and the November holidays close offices; Miraflores Locks open daily (check hours).Panama-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBOC Bocas del Toro 'Isla Colón' International Airport (30–45 min by taxi + water taxi from Changuinola).
- Getting aroundWalkable centre; taxis for the manatee tour or to Almirante.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Metro or bus rideBus to Almirante$1.45
- Budget bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomPAB 25
- Mid-range bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomPAB 35
- High-end bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomPAB 50
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PAB 25 · Mid PAB 40 · High PAB 60
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BOC Bocas del Toro 'Isla Colón' International Airport (30–45 min by taxi + water taxi from Changuinola)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Care
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Feb–Mar, Sep. Mixed: Oct. Avoid: Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jun (18 rain days), driest Mar (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Changuinola: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
17 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable centre; taxis for the manatee tour or to Almirante.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 1.5–2 h
Bus to Almirante (30–45 min, $1.45), then water taxi to Isla Colón (about 30 min, $5–10)
Most travellers use Changuinola only as the land leg to Bocas.
Costa Rica border (Sixaola/Guabito)
goDoor to door: 30 min
Bus, 10–20 min, $1
Border open 8:00–18:00; check Panama visa requirements before crossing.Border open 8:00 AM–6:00 PM; check Panama visa requirements before crossing.
Door to door: 2–2.5 h
Bus to Almirante, water taxi to Bocas, then boat to Bastimentos
Full-day trip from Changuinola.
Door to door: 2 h
Bus to Almirante, water taxi to Bocas, then short boat to Carenero
Quieter than Bocas town.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
Basic hotels near the bus terminal; budget-only, no mid-range or high-end options.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $20–35
Trip budget
| Basic hotel room1 × 1 night × PAB 25 | PAB 25 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × PAB 25 | PAB 25 |
| Bus to Almirante1 × PAB 1 | PAB 1 |
| Manatee tour1 × PAB 50 · check | PAB 50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PAB 10 |
| Trip total≈ PAB 111 per person per day, bed included | PAB 111 |
Cash only; check
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bus to Almirante | $1.45 |
| Bus to Costa Rica border | $1 |
| Manatee tourcheck | $50 pp |
| Basic hotel roomcheck | $25–50 |
| Local meal | $4–8 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 104
- Fire
- 103
- Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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ChanguinolaChanguinola
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police104
- Fire103
- Ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus to Almirante: $1.45, 30–45 min
- Bus to Costa Rica border: $1, 10–20 min
- Taxi to manatee tour: check
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el bus a Almirante? — Where is the bus to Almirante? (DON-deh es-TAH el BOOS ah al-mee-RAN-teh)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
US dollars accepted everywhere; Panamanian coins are used as change.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Changuinola. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Sep–Oct, Feb–Mar · avoid Oct–Nov (rainy season peak) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Changuinola
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