You've just found a logistics comparison for the best Panama Itinerary Visit Coiba National Park, Santa Catalina, Boquete and Bocas del Toro.
The LOOP:
The Panama Loop gets you to the best of the two coastal destinations plus the nicest mountain town in the country. The Caribbean culture, water activities and night life of Bocas make it a major part of Panama tourism. Combine this experience with the wilder side of Coiba National Park and a Pacific feel of Santa Catalina and you have the best of both oceans. Boquete offers an elegant mountain experience with stunning hikes, waterfalls and, arguably, the best coffee in this small world.
If you're limited on time...the distance among these destinations is a little frustrating. A rental car has been the best option. But, that's still over 25 hours of driving. Public transportation can be rugged for even the most die hard budget travelers (36 hours). Most travelers want to weigh options with some consideration for both their time and comfort. Expense is also a consideration.
What has changed? Now there is the Lago Bay Airstrip!
If you start in the city and end in the city while moving through Bocas, Boquete and Santa Catalina...you make a rough circle through Panama's top destinations...it's The LOOP! If you are planning your itinerary for Panama and want to see the best places in the country...you may be thinking about your best way to get around.
Starting in Panama City
Many travelers will begin their Panama journey at the Tocumen Airport and spend a night or two in the city. Panama City is the most vibrant capital city in Central America. Casco Viejo (Old Town) is a great place to walk and see colonial Panama with its splendid architecture, great restaurants and bars and perhaps catch a live salsa band. The Causeway (Amador) and Cangrejo (Town Center) with shops and cafes are both runner ups. After you check the Panama Canal off the list it should be time to explore the countryside. Everyone has different opinions of where are the best places but most would agree that:
Bocas - Boquete - Coiba & Santa Catalina
Bocas del Toro has the best Caribbean flare in Panama with water sports, live music and vibe.
Boquete has the best coffee and stunning hikes/waterfalls in the cool mountains of Chiriqui.
Logistic Options for your Panama Itinerary
Logistic choices can be broken down to:
Public Bus
Private Shuttle
Rental Car
Charter Flights
Combination of Charter Flights and Private Shuttle....(The LOOP)
The LOOP the best Panama Itinerary
We at Lago Bay feel that if you'd like to see the 'Big Three' destinations of: Bocas – Boquete – Coiba, The LOOP presents the best way for your journey given time, comfort and experience.
With the combination of private charter and private shuttle you can leave the rental car and forget about a public bus. Combining a one-way charter to Lago Bay via Blue Skies or SkyMaxx you'll get to your first destination in 45 minutes (instead of 6 hours). Coiba and Santa Catalina.
Hello Travel is a private shuttle company with excellent WIFI and a short cut to Boquete. Your travel day will only be 5 hours before you're at your second destination....Boquete.
After that, Hello Travel continues on the circuit crossing the Continental Divide and arriving in Bocas Town in just 4.5 hours.
Whiz back to Panama City in your one-way flight to Albrook. Casco Viejo is a short taxi or Uber away.
Coming from Costa Rica? (Reverse LOOP)
No problem. Start your Panama journey in Bocas...then take the LOOP in the opposite direction. Visit Boquete, then on to Santa Catalina to visit Coiba (stay at Lago Bay!). Then fly to Panama City.
Itinerary Logistic Options - apples to apples
Ok. So...what's the price and time breakdown? Let's see apples to apples in order to figure out if the LOOP is indeed the best way to make your vacation experience more comfortable and enjoyable:
The Public Transportation Option:
BUS- Panama City to Santa Catalina = 9 hours $20
BUS- Santa Catalina to Boquete = 8 hours $20
BUS- Boquete to Bocas = 8 hours $25
BUS- Bocas to Panama City = 11 hours $30
Total Public Bus Time = 36 hours (not including transfer times between buses)
Total Public Bus Cost = $95/person
The Rental Car Option:
DRIVE- Panama City to Santa Catalina = 6 hours
DRIVE- Santa Catalina to Boquete = 5 hours
DRIVE- Boquete to Bocas = 4.5 hours
DRIVE- Bocas to Panama City = 10 hours
Total DRIVE time = 25.5 hours
Total Cost for DRIVE option = Depends but approximately $250/person (not including ferry or parking)
Fly – Shuttle – Fly 'The Loop'.
FLY- Albrook to Lago Bay – 45 minutes (15-min Shuttle – Santa Catalina) $150 (discount calendar) or private charter.
Hello SHUTTLE- Santa Catalina – Boquete 5 hours $38
Hello SHUTTLE- Boquete – Bocas 4.5 hours $32
FLY- Bocas to Albrook – 1 hour $180 (regular flights)
Total logistics Time for the LOOP = 12 hours
Total Cost for the LOOP = $400/person
The LOOP, the best Panama Itinerary
That's the breakdown. The LOOP basically takes away the two worst 'ground' legs and makes a relaxing option in which you don't have to worry about bus transfers, rental car, parking etc. The WIFI on the private shuttle helps for catching up any work or communication that you may have on backlog.
After your comparison, if you like the idea of The LOOP, you can visit our page: lagobay.com/charterflights. Both the charter options and the Discount Calendar are found there. Whatever group sizes can take advantage of the options. Taxis and shuttles are prevalent in Boquete and Bocas. Here at Lago Bay, we can get you ground transportation either with our Lago Bay Shuttle or with your own compact car. That gets you to your Coiba tour and around the Santa Catalina area.
Hopefully, Lago Bay can help with your Panama journey experience.
Saludos from Lago Bay!!
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