Deeper South Into Panama...and Bocas

We ended up taking advantage of a shuttle service from Puerto Viejo, across the border into Panama, then over to the Bocas del Toro islands by boat. Crossing the border was quite the experience. The van stopped at a bridge over the river that marks the border. After checking out of Costa Rica at a little building we walked across the old funky bridge, checking out the huge crocodiles basking in the sun below, then checked into Panama on the other side. A couple more hours in the van through banana plantations, small towns, and then over some beautiful mountains led us to the port where we boarded a boat for the trip out to Bocas Town on Isla Colon. Our hotel is ver cool, we have an amazing room overlooking the ocean with our own little private deck. The extra $10 was well worth it! We spent our first full day in the islands on a boat tour with snorkeling, dolphin watching, and stops at beautiful mangroves and beaches.