What is the cheapest way to get from Panama to Costa Rica?

The cheapest way to get from Panama to Costa Rica is to bus which costs $50 - $85 and takes 17h 39m.

What is the fastest way to get from Panama to Costa Rica?

The fastest way to get from Panama to Costa Rica is to fly which takes 4h and costs $130 - $380.

How far is it from Panama to Costa Rica?

The distance between Panama and Costa Rica is 565 km. The road distance is 782.4 km.

How do I travel from Panama to Costa Rica without a car?

The best way to get from Panama to Costa Rica without a car is to bus which takes 17h 39m and costs $50 - $85.

How long does it take to get from Panama to Costa Rica?

It takes approximately 4h to get from Panama to Costa Rica, including transfers.

Bus or fly from Panama to Costa Rica?

The best way to get from Panama to Costa Rica is to fly which takes 4h and costs $130 - $380. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $50 - $85 and takes 17h 39m.

What is the time difference between Panama and Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is 1h behind Panama. It is currently 1:30 PM in Panama and 12:30 PM in Costa Rica.

Can I drive from Panama to Costa Rica?

Yes, the driving distance between Panama to Costa Rica is 782 km. It takes approximately 12h 49m to drive from Panama to Costa Rica.

Where can I stay near Costa Rica?

There are 794+ hotels available in Costa Rica.

Panama to Costa Rica - 5 ways to travel via plane, bus, and car

There are 5 ways to get from Panama to Costa Rica 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.

Fly from Tocumen International Airport
best
1. Fly from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)PTY - SJO
4h
$136–372
Bus
cheapest
1. Take the bus from Terminal Albrook to Terminal Tica BusPanamá
17h 39m
$50–80
Drive 782.4 km
1. Drive from Panama City to San José782.4 km
12h 49m
$107–155
Bus, bus to Golfito, fly
1. Take the bus from David to Frontera
2. Take the bus from Paso Canoas to Golfito
3. Fly from Golfito (GLF) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)GLF - SJO
5h 1m
$149–610
Bus via Uvita
1. Take the bus from Panama to Uvita Bahia BallenaSan Jose
2. Take the bus from Uvita to Terminal TRACOPABy Costanera / ...
19h 41m
$55–76

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

79Weekly Planes

1h 24mAverage Duration

$46Cheapest Price

See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Panama to Costa Rica.

Launch map view

Distance: 565.5 km
Duration: 4h

What companies run services between Panama and Costa Rica?

Avianca - Aerovías del Continente Americano S.A. and Copa Airlines fly from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) every 2 hours. Alternatively, Cristóbal Colón Autobuses (Línea Dorada y Trans Galgos Inter) operates a bus from Terminal Albrook to Terminal Tica Bus once daily. Tickets cost $50–70 and the journey takes 16h 30m. Tica Bus also services this route once daily.

Airlines