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How to get fromCosta Rica to Panamaby plane, bus, or car

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There are 6 ways to get from Costa Rica to Panama by plane, bus, or car

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly to Tocumen International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to Tocumen International Airport (PTY)plane plane SJO - PTY
    4h 20m
    $181–402

  2. Bus via Almirante

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Terminal Atlántico Norte to Terminal Sixaolabus bus San José – Sixaola
    2. Take the bus from Terminal de transporte to Panama Citybus bus Changuinola
    20h 28m
    $30–54

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Terminal Tica Bus to Gran Terminal Nacional de Transportebus bus Panamá / ...
    15h 40m
    $59–89

  4. Drive 782.8 km

    1. Drive from San José to Panama Citycar car 782.8 km
    12h 58m
    $108–155

  5. Fly to Golfito, bus

    1. Fly from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to Golfito (GLF)plane plane SJO - GLF
    2. Take the bus from Golfito to Paso Canoasbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Frontera to Davidbus bus
    6h 7m
    $197–269

  6. Bus via Terminal Tica Bus Panamá

    1. Take the bus from Terminal Tica Bus San José to Terminal Tica Bus Panamábus bus Terminal Albrook – Terminal San José
    16h 20m
    $59–77

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to Tocumen International Airport (PTY) flights

Calendar70Weekly Planes
Duration1h 24mAverage Duration
Ticket$43Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Costa Rica to Panama.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 564.8 km
  • Duration: 4h 20m

What companies run services between Costa Rica and Panama?

Avianca - Aerovías del Continente Americano S.A. and Copa Airlines fly from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to Tocumen International Airport (PTY) every 3 hours. Alternatively, Cristóbal Colón Autobuses (Línea Dorada y Trans Galgos Inter) operates a bus from Terminal Tica Bus to Gran Terminal Nacional de Transporte 4 times a day. Tickets cost $58–90 and the journey takes 15h 30m.

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