Santa Catalina, Panama, is a coastal town accessible primarily via road. The main transport hubs for reaching Santa Catalina are Panama City (with its Albrook Bus Terminal and Albrook Airport), Santiago, and the closer town of Soná, which serves as a key transit point for local buses to Santa Catalina.
The most economical option involves taking a bus from Panama City's Albrook Bus Terminal to Soná, which can cost around $11 and takes approximately 4 hours. From Soná, a connecting bus or taxi completes the journey to Santa Catalina, taking about 1 hour. Buses from Soná to Santa Catalina depart at various times, including 4:30 AM, 5:30 AM, 8:40 AM, 11:20 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM. The total bus trip can take 7 to 9 hours and cost approximately $15.
Private shuttle services offer a direct and more comfortable ride from Panama City to Santa Catalina. A shared shuttle can cost around $250 per person, while private transfers for up to 6 passengers start from $590 per trip. The travel time by shuttle is typically 6 to 7 hours.
Driving from Panama City to Santa Catalina covers about 360 kilometers (225 miles) and generally takes 5 to 6 hours. The estimated cost for fuel and tolls is around $50-72. Private transfer services with a driver are also available, with prices varying based on the vehicle and number of passengers, for example, $329.99 for up to 3 passengers.
The fastest way to reach the area is by chartering a flight from Panama City's Albrook Airport to Lago Bay Airstrip, just outside Santa Catalina. This flight takes about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, with an additional 15-minute shuttle ride to Santa Catalina. Charter flights start from approximately $875 for a 3-passenger aircraft, with total costs including transfers ranging from $850-$2,300.
Santa Catalina is the primary departure point for boat tours to Coiba National Park. Day trips to Coiba Island typically take about 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1.5 hours by boat one-way. These tours often cost between $85-$100 per person, not including the mandatory $20 cash entry fee for foreign visitors to Coiba National Park.
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