Paso Canoas Border Crossing: Panama to Costa Rica
One of the things that can be challenging when backpacking is when you need to cross a land border. It’s especially challenging in a country where not many people speak English.
Hopefully, this guide breaks down the border crossing between Panama and Costa Rica nicely. It will make you feel more relaxed about this journey as it is easier than you think!
How to get from David, Panama to San Jose, Costa Rica?
The best way to travel from David, Panama to San Jose, Costa Rica is to take the land border crossing. The crossing is called Paso Canos Border.
To get to this border you should take the Tracopa bus which departs at 8:30 am from David bus station every day. You should arrive early as this bus leaves on time. Also, you will need to buy your ticket before you get on the bus.
The buses are easy to identify as they are bright green or pink and labelled as Tracopa Bus.
How to buy a ticket?
To buy a ticket for the Tracopa bus you’ll need to arrive at 7:30 am at David bus station. You should then look for the red huts located on the very left-hand side of David bus station. You’ll see a red hut with a sign outside saying ‘Tracopa David’, this is where you will purchase your ticket.
Tickets cost around $21. Even if you would like to get off at a stop before San Jose this will be the same price.
What if you want to get off at a stop before San Jose?
This is possible. You will need to tell the driver before the journey begins where you would like to get off. It is best to check the route the bus takes before asking about this. To check the bus actually passes by the destination you would like to get off at.
For instance, I wanted to depart the bus at Manuel Antonio which was possible but I had to leave the bus at Quepos and then get a local bus from there to Manuel Antonio.
How to cross the border at Paso Canos?
Panama Side:
First, the bus will pull over when you reach the border. Then everyone will have to leave the bus with all their bags and documents.
You will then have to queue up and show your passport to the immigration desk. They may ask you questions like what are you doing in Panama and where you plan on travelling to next. You will then receive an exit stamp from Panama which is important, so make sure you receive this. Then you will enter a separate room where they will search your bags. After this, you will then cross into no man’s land and walk over to the Costa Rica border.
Requirements for entering Costa Rica:
- A valid passport that will not expire in 6 months
- Proof of onward travel
Costa Rica Side:
The Costa Rica border is quite a walk away so don’t be alarmed if you can’t find it at first. It is located on the right hand side and is signposted so keep your eyes peeled for this. Now you will pass through the immigration of Costa Rica and will need to show your passport as well as a ticket for onward travel.
This is really important so make sure you have some form of ticket for exiting Costa Rica as they may deny you entry if you don’t. Then you will receive an entry stamp which is also important to check you received this. They will write the number of days they have given you, make sure to check this and if they haven’t given you the right amount of days for your visa then you need to speak to the immigration about this. After this, you will then have your bags searched and then you will continue your way into Costa Rica.
If you chose to travel by Tracopa bus then just sit back on the bus and you will be on your way shortly.
How long does the border crossing take?
It took me about an hour to pass through both sides of the border, but remember Costa Rica is an hour behind Panama so technically by the time I had finished crossing the border the clocks went back to what time was when I started crossing the border, so it took no time!
The border crossing will vary with how long it takes depending on how many people are travelling through. I would recommend arriving at the border as early as possible as it will get busier later on in the day.
Other ways to cross the border:
If you don’t want to take the Tracopa bus as it is quite expensive then you can always take the small white minivans which depart from David bus station. They have ‘La Frontera’ on the front of them and depart regularly from the bus station. This will cost you around $2 but you will then have to cross the border yourself and then find a bus to the next destination in Costa Rica once having crossed over. The best place to get a bus to after crossing the border is Ciudad Neily where you will then be able to get a bus to your preferred destination.
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