Panama Expat Forum

panamajames
Joined 2012
Posts: 5096

9 years ago

Border Hop Information for Perpetual Tourists

9 years ago

People ask me all the time, tell me about stamping in and stamping out in Costa Rica.

Three crossing stations serve to accommodate Panama-Costa Rica travelers:

Paso Canoas on the Pacific side....................

One of the busiest border crossings in Central America, and potentially the most confusing – you can easily drive over the border without realizing it. On the Costa Rica side, you’ll find a bustling town full of shops and restaurants, whereas the Panama side is little more than a few border crossing with offices that look much the same as the other buildings nearby. Non-Spanish speaking travelers crossing at Paso Canoas might benefit from the aid of a translator. With proper preparations, the entire process should only take about 45 minutes. I have seen people there for hours on end............

Rio Sereno on the Pacific side.................................................................

In contrast to Paso Canoas, this border crossing station is low on traffic and high on diligence. Some people describe Rio Sereno as “the best, cleanest, and friendliest crossing of the three.” Limited supply of computer equipment there, if you are feeling a little dodgy about life and times, that day.

If your gadgets are low on juice, rest a moment in the gazebo in Rio Sereno’s central park, where you’ll find free wi-fi and electrical outlets, although you may have to compete with schoolchildren for a chance to plug in.................................

When crossing at Rio Sereno, you will need to provide a copy of your passport’s face page – not a law, but you won’t get very far by refusing to comply.

Officials with little better to do than conduct thorough vehicle and baggage inspections may come off as overzealous; failure to present proof of insurance on a privately-owned vehicle could result in an unplanned trip to Paso Canoas. There are tow trucks galore in Paso Canoas with a seedy group of teethless drivers, just waiting to haul away your vehicle if you don't have the proper papers. And you better get it out of the compound quickly as it is a great daily expense to have your vehicle, stay over in their luxurious compounds.

Don't leave anything in the vehicle that you would like to see again. I had friends who left their Tab and iPhone and laptop in their car as they felt it wouldn't take too long to straighten this mess up, and of course, these items were never seen again.

However, if your documents are in order, you should enjoy a swift 30-minute crossing at Rio Sereno. My recommendations are never to take a Panama car, over to Costa Rica. You really have to know your stuff..........

Sixaola/Guabito on the Atlantic (Caribbean) side...............................................................

You’ll find this off-the-beaten-path option to be fairly relaxed and straightforward. At Sixaola/Guabito, adventure travelers get the added bonus of walking over wooden planks of the former railroad bridge that takes you between Panama and Costa Rica.

When to Go....................................................

Paso Canoas is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Costa Rica side) or 11 p.m. (Panama side) every day. For a busy border crossing station like this one, it is recommended you time your arrival for noon or later – early morning border crossings take longer due to commercial truck traffic. Rio Sereno and Sixaola/Guabito border crossing stations are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lunchtime closings at Rio Sereno (noon to 1 p.m. Panama time) give you an opportunity to pick up a few necessary items, do some shopping, or grab a bite yourself at an open-air restaurant on the Panama side of this border crossing station.

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