Traveling across Panama by public bus is surprisingly easy, incredibly cheap, and a great way to see the country like a local. One of the most interesting routes backpackers take is from the mountain town of El Valle de Antón to the jungle-hidden Lost and Found Hostel.
The journey connects the volcanic crater valley of El Valle with the cloud forests of Chiriquí Province and usually takes 7–9 hours depending on connections. While there is no direct bus, Panama’s bus network makes the trip manageable with a few simple transfers.
This guide walks through the exact route, buses, costs, and what to expect at every stage of the journey.
Understanding the Route
El Valle de Antón sits in the mountains north of the Pan-American Highway. Because of this, every traveler leaving El Valle must first travel down to the highway before continuing west across the country.
To reach Lost and Found Hostel by bus, the route usually looks like this:
El Valle de Antón to the main Pan-American Highway (via San Carlos or Penonomé) Santiago to David to Lost and Found stop then a 15-minute jungle hike
The hostel itself is located high in the cloud forest along the road between David and Bocas del Toro, and travelers must hike about 15 minutes uphill from the road to reach it.
Step 1: El Valle de Antón to the Pan-American Highway
The first step is leaving El Valle and reaching the Pan-American Highway, the country’s main transportation corridor.
Small local buses depart from the El Valle bus stop near the town center. These buses travel down the winding mountain road to either San Carlos or Penonomé, both of which connect to long-distance routes.
Typical travel details
Travel time:
45 minutes to 1 hour
(Leave early morning to make sure you catch the latest bus from David/The last bus from David to the Lost and Found Hostel is 7pm)
Cost:
$2–$3
Frequency:
Several buses throughout the morning and afternoon
The ride descends through lush green hills and farmland before reaching the flat lowlands of central Panama.
If you arrive in San Carlos, you will stand near the highway and flag down a long-distance bus heading west.
If you arrive in Penonomé, you can continue from the main bus terminal.
Step 2: Pan-American Highway to Santiago
Once on the Pan-American Highway, your goal is to reach the city of Santiago in Veraguas Province.
Buses traveling from Panama City toward western Panama pass regularly along this road. Simply look for a bus labeled “Santiago” or “David.” sometimes you will pick up the Panama City to David bus which will make your life easier. So keep an eye out for those!
Typical travel details
Travel time:
2.5–3 hours
Cost:
$7–$10
Buses run frequently because this route connects many major towns along the highway.
During the journey you’ll pass through:
• Coclé Province farmland
• sugar cane fields
• small roadside towns
• cattle ranches
Santiago is a major transportation hub where many buses change routes.
Step 3: Santiago to David
From Santiago you take a larger intercity coach traveling west toward the city of David in Chiriquí Province.
David is the largest city in western Panama and the key gateway to Boquete, Bocas del Toro, and the Fortuna region.
Typical travel details
Travel time:
3 hours
Cost:
$10–$14
Frequency:
Roughly every hour
These buses are usually air-conditioned coaches that travel directly along the Pan-American Highway.
This part of the journey takes you across some of the most agricultural parts of Panama before the landscape slowly begins to rise toward the mountains of Chiriquí.
Step 4: David to the Lost and Found Hostel Road
Once you arrive in David, the final bus is very simple. But remember the last one is approximately 7pm. So the mission is to arrive in David before 7pm.
At the David bus terminal, find the bus heading to Changuinola or Bocas del Toro. This bus travels over the mountains toward the Caribbean coast.
Tell the driver you are going to Lost and Found Hostel. Bus drivers know the location and will stop directly at the sign on the roadside.
The ride takes about one hour, and costs roughly $3.50–$4.
After passing a police checkpoint near Valle de las Minas, the stop for the hostel appears shortly afterward.
Step 5: The Jungle Hike to the Hostel
Once you get off the bus you will see a sign marking the trail.
From the roadside you must hike about 15 minutes uphill through the forest to reach the hostel itself.
The trail is well marked and winds through dense cloud forest.
Important tips:
• Bring a flashlight if arriving late
• Wear shoes suitable for hiking
• Expect humidity and mud during rainy season
Arriving in daylight makes the hike easier.
Total Travel Time and Cost
Typical totals for the entire journey:
Travel time
7–9 hours depending on connections
Total cost
Approximately $22–$30
Example breakdown
El Valle to Highway
$3
Highway to Santiago
$8
Santiago to David
$12
David to Lost and Found stop
$4
This makes it one of the cheapest long-distance journeys you can take in Panama.
Why Backpackers Love This Route
Traveling this way gives you a cross-section of Panama that most tourists never see.
You start in the cool volcanic crater of El Valle, descend into the dry plains of central Panama, cross cattle ranching country in Veraguas, and finally climb into the misty cloud forests of Chiriquí.
The final destination, the Lost and Found Hostel, is especially unique because it is a hike-in jungle hostel surrounded by rainforest trails rather than a town or beach.
The isolation and jungle setting are exactly what make it one of the most memorable places to stay in Panama.
Pro Backpacker Tips for This Route
Start early.
Leaving El Valle before 8 AM makes it easier to catch all your connections.
Watch the last bus.
The final bus from David toward Bocas (which passes the hostel) usually leaves around 630 or 7 PM, so arriving in David before late afternoon is important.
Tell every driver your destination.
Drivers are familiar with the hostel and will often remind you when your stop is coming.
Carry small cash, $20 bills are fine. But not $100s
Local buses in Panama rarely accept cards.
In short:
The journey from El Valle to Lost and Found Hostel is long but straightforward. With just a few bus transfers, you can travel from the volcanic crater valley of central Panama to one of the country’s most unique jungle hostels for less than the cost of a restaurant meal in many countries.