Many readers plan a Central American trip that touches both Costa Rica and Panama. Bocas del Toro sits close to the border, and Casa Cayuco’s own getting-there pages describe how guests arrive from San José, Panama City and Boquete. We lean on those pages here and keep other details high-level; check schedules before you book, because flight days change.
A Panama and Costa Rica itinerary works well when Bocas del Toro is the link between the two: you can fly San José to Bocas (Sansa, currently Tuesdays and Thursdays per the lodge) or take the Caribe Shuttle overland, spend at least three nights at Casa Cayuco4% off · HungryTravelPanama on Isla Bastimentos, then continue to Panama City or Boquete. Book through our link and the code HungryTravelPanama gives you 4% off.
Our pick · 4% off with code HungryTravelPanama
Pelicano Beachfront Bungalow at Casa Cayuco
Beachfront bungalow · sleeps 2 · 1 queen bed. All meals and the boat transfer from Bocas Town included · 3-night minimum.
A simple shape for the trip
The cleanest version is an arc: arrive in one country, cross at or near the Caribbean coast, end in the other. For example, fly into San José, spend time in Costa Rica, cross to Bocas del Toro for the lodge stay, then fly or travel on to Panama City before flying home. Or run it in reverse. Because Casa Cayuco has a three-night minimum, plan at least four nights in the area so travel days do not eat the stay.
A sample ten-day shape: three or four nights in Costa Rica, a travel day to Bocas, four nights at the lodge, a travel day, and two nights in Panama City. Our Panama 10-day itinerary has the all-Panama version.
Costa Rica to Bocas del Toro: fly or shuttle
According to Casa Cayuco’s getting-there page, you can fly Sansa from San José to Bocas del Toro (currently Tuesdays and Thursdays, about 50 minutes) or take the Caribe Shuttle overland. Because the lodge’s boat transfer meets specific flights, tell the lodge your arrival details on the pre-arrival form.
Overland is slower but gives you a different view of the region; the flight is quicker. Our dedicated guide to Costa Rica to Bocas del Toro covers both routes.
Bocas del Toro and Casa Cayuco: what to plan
Casa Cayuco is on Isla Bastimentos, about 30–35 minutes by speedboat from Bocas Town. One scheduled boat a day is included: pickup at Bocas airport at 2:00 pm for the recommended flights, the boat leaving the lodge’s dock in Bocas Town at 3:00 pm; return from the lodge around 12:30 pm. Other times are a paid private transfer, and early pickups are not available. Check-in is 3:00 pm and check-out is 12:30 pm.
On arrival you choose excursions with the in-house guides, such as Isla Zapatillas ($80) or mangrove snorkelling ($85), with the Salt Creek village tour included. Read our how many nights in Bocas del Toro guide.
Bocas del Toro to Panama City or Boquete
Most guests fly from Bocas to Panama City (Albrook) with Air Panama. The lodge recommends Flight 981, leaving Bocas around 2:30 pm, because it matches the return boat. For cheaper overland travel, the lodge mentions an overnight bus from Panama City to Almirante (leaving 8 pm, arriving 6 am), followed by a 30-minute water taxi. From Boquete, a bus transfer via Almirante takes about four hours including the water taxi. In Panama City, Casa Cayuco guests get special rates at American Trade Hotel in Casco Viejo; see our Panama City stopover guide.
Book direct · 4% off with HungryTravelPanama
Pelicano Beachfront Bungalow at Casa Cayuco
Live availability and rates on Casa Cayuco’s own booking page — our link fills in the code for you.
A 12-day Panama and Costa Rica sample
- Days 1–4: Costa Rica (your choice of region)
- Day 5: San José to Bocas del Toro by Sansa flight or overland; wait in town (Bibi’s on the Beach or La Buga on the water per the lodge); 3:00 pm boat to the lodge
- Days 5–9: Casa Cayuco — Salt Creek tour, snorkelling, jungle trail, sloths
- Day 9: boat back around 12:30 pm; Air Panama flight to Panama City
- Days 9–11: Panama City and Casco Viejo
- Day 12: fly home
Nothing here is tied to a particular year’s flight schedule, so reconfirm days with the airlines. Our 7-day itinerary offers a shorter option.
Which room for this trip
For a couple at the end of a big trip, Pelicano Beachfront Bungalow4% off · HungryTravelPanama (sleeps two, thatched roof) or Loro Lodge Suite4% off · HungryTravelPanama (sleeps two, sea views) give a restful base; the new Starfish Beachfront Bungalow4% off · HungryTravelPanama opens for stays from 15 December 2026. A family of four might choose Cangrejo Beachfront Cabaña4% off · HungryTravelPanama (new, two bedrooms). Photos of Starfish and Cangrejo are design renderings.
How to book Casa Cayuco with our 4% discount
Casa Cayuco’s own site says the best rate is by reserving directly, and that is exactly where our link goes. We are Casa Cayuco’s partner and earn a small commission when you book with our code, at no extra cost to you. Because the discount is tracked by the code alone, please follow these steps in order:
- Open our booking link (any of the buttons on this page). It opens Casa Cayuco’s own booking engine.
- Check that HungryTravelPanama is showing in the promo box before you search. If the box is empty, type the code in yourself — it gives 4% off.
- Choose your dates (minimum three nights; check-in 3:00 pm, check-out 12:30 pm) and pick your room. Live rates are shown there — the lodge does not publish nightly prices elsewhere.
- Confirm with the 50% deposit. The balance is paid on site by cash, bank transfer or card.
On cancellations: more than 60 days before check-in the deposit is refunded minus a $100 admin fee, 45–60 days out half of the deposit is forfeited, and under 45 days the deposit is forfeited in full. The lodge strongly recommends travel insurance.
Who Casa Cayuco is not for
We would rather you book the right place than our place. Casa Cayuco is probably not your fit if you are travelling with children under 5 (the lodge does not accept guests under 5 because of the remote location), if you can only stay one or two nights (the minimum is three), if you want air conditioning everywhere (only the Estrella De Mar villa has it; every other room is open-air with a high-powered fan), or if you want nightlife — Bocas Town is a 30–35 minute boat ride away and the lodge’s own boat runs on a schedule.
FAQ
Can I go from Costa Rica to Bocas del Toro easily?
Yes. The lodge lists a Sansa flight from San José (currently Tuesdays and Thursdays) and the Caribe Shuttle overland. Check current schedules.
How many nights should I add for Bocas?
The lodge’s minimum stay is three nights. We would suggest four or five.
Is there a direct bus from Panama City to Bocas?
The lodge describes an overnight bus to Almirante (8 pm to 6 am) followed by a water taxi of about 30 minutes.
What currency is used?
US dollars. Panama’s balboa is pegged to the dollar and Panama uses US paper money.
Is the boat transfer included?
Yes, the scheduled round-trip transfer from Bocas Town is included. Other times are a private transfer for a fee.
Do I need to book excursions ahead?
No. Activities are planned on arrival with the in-house guides.
Our Honest Final Word
Bocas del Toro is the natural bridge between Costa Rica and Panama, and a few nights at a lodge on Isla Bastimentos can be the calm centre of a busy trip. Build the transfers first, then choose the room.
Check live rates through Casa Cayuco4% off · HungryTravelPanama — our link pre-fills the code HungryTravelPanama for 4% off — and see our Where to stay in Panama guide.
Where we would stay between the two countries
Tap a room to see live rates. Our link pre-fills HungryTravelPanama in the promo box for 4% off your stay.
Beachfront bungalow · sleeps 2Pelicano Beachfront BungalowAll meals + boat transfer includedCheck rates with 4% off →
Lodge suite · sleeps 2Loro Lodge SuiteAll meals + boat transfer includedCheck rates with 4% off →
New two-bedroom beachfront cabaña · sleeps 4Cangrejo Beachfront CabañaNew · from 15 Dec 2026Check rates with 4% off →Code HungryTravelPanama gives 4% off stays booked directly with Casa Cayuco. We are Casa Cayuco’s partner and earn a small commission when you book with our code. All our Panama stay guides →
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