If you’re traveling through western Panama, chances are you’ll pass through David Bus Terminal. This busy hub is the gateway between the mountains of Boquete, the Caribbean islands of Bocas del Toro, and the jungle highlands of the Fortuna Forest Reserve. For backpackers heading into the cloud forest, it’s also the easiest way to reach Lost and Found Hostel.
The system might look chaotic at first, but once you know how it works, it’s actually one of the simplest and cheapest ways to travel across Panama.
Catching the Bus from David to Bocas del Toro
Half the travelers at the David terminal each morning are headed for the Caribbean. To reach Bocas by public transportation, the first step is taking the David–Almirante bus.
Head inside David Bus Terminal and look for the ticket windows or buses labeled David – (Changuinola)Almirante. Almirante is the mainland port town where boats depart for Bocas del Toro, so every traveler going to the islands passes through there.
These buses run frequently throughout the day.
First bus: around 4:00 AM
Last bus: around 7:00 PM
Frequency: roughly every 30 minutes
You usually buy your ticket directly from the driver or conductor. The ride across the mountains takes about 3.5 to 4 hours, climbing through jungle-covered hills and cloud forest along the Continental Divide before descending toward the Caribbean coast.
If you stay on the bus the whole way, you’ll arrive in Almirante where you can hop on a water taxi to the islands.
But many travelers make an unforgettable stop along the way.
Getting Off the Bus at Lost and Found Hostel
About halfway between David and Almirante is Lost and Found Hostel, hidden in the cloud forest.
If you want to get off here, tell the driver before the bus leaves David. Just say:
> “Por favor, me puede dejar en Lost and Found.”
Or even simpler just say Lost and Found Hostel. They all know the popular stop.
The drivers know the spot. The bus stops on the highway near the trail that leads up to the hostel.
The price is also a pleasant surprise.
A ticket from David to the hostel area is only about $4, making it one of the cheapest ways to reach a cloud forest lodge anywhere in Central America.
After you get off the bus, there’s a short trail that leads uphill through the forest to the hostel. Within minutes you’ll be surrounded by jungle, trails, and views across the mountains.
Taking the Bus From David Just to Lost & Found
If your only destination is Lost and Found Hostel, the process is even simpler.
1. Go to David Bus Terminal.
2. Look for the David–Almirante bus.
3. Tell the driver you want to get off at Lost and Found.
4. Pay roughly $4.
5. Ride about 1.5 hours into the mountains.
The most important step is simply remembering to tell the driver. Otherwise the bus will continue straight to the Caribbean.
Because buses run every 30 minutes from 4 AM to 7 PM, you rarely need to worry about exact departure times. Just show up at the terminal and catch the next one.
Getting Back on the Bus From Lost & Found to David
Leaving the hostel is just as easy.
Walk back down the same trail to the highway where the buses pass. Any (changuinola/Bocas) to David bus will take you back to the city.
Stand by the roadside and flag down the bus as it approaches. Let the driver know you’re going to David and hop aboard. They stop anywhere on the street.
Since the buses run about every 30 minutes, you usually won’t wait long. The ride back to David takes around 1.5 hours, descending from cool cloud forest into the warm lowlands of Chiriquí.
Coming From Bocas: Almirante to David (With a Stop at Lost & Found)
If you’re traveling in the opposite direction—from Bocas del Toro back toward the mainland—you’ll first take a boat to Almirante.
Right outside the docks you’ll find buses heading directly to David Bus Terminal. These are the same buses that passed Lost & Found on the way to the coast.
The schedule is simple:
First bus: around 5:00 AM
Last bus: around 7:00 PM
Frequency: about every 30 minutes
The road is the same highway connecting Changuinola/Almirante and David, so if you want to stop at Lost and Found Hostel, just tell the driver when you board.
The bus will drop you at the same roadside trail leading up to the hostel.
One of the Best Stops Between the Caribbean and the Pacific
The route between Bocas del Toro and David crosses the mountains of western Panama, and stopping halfway at Lost and Found Hostel turns a long travel day into part of the adventure.
Instead of rushing straight from coast to city, you can step off the bus for just $4, wander into the cloud forest, hike jungle trails, and then jump back on the same road when you’re ready to continue.
For backpackers exploring Panama, it’s one of the easiest—and most memorable—detours you can make.