Private shuttle services are one of the easiest ways to travel around Panama if you do not want to rent a car or navigate the public bus system. Most companies use modern air conditioned minibuses, provide hotel pickups in popular tourist areas, and are aimed at backpackers and independent travelers. Routes and schedules can change seasonally, but these are the principal operators serving Panama today.
1. Hola Travel Panama
One of the best known backpacker shuttle companies in the country, Hola Travel Panama specializes in connecting Panama's most popular destinations.
Popular routes include:
Panama City to El Valle de Antón
Panama City to Santa Catalina
Panama City to Boquete
Panama City to Bocas del Toro
Panama City to Playa Venao
El Valle de Antón to Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina to Boquete
Boquete to Bocas del Toro
Boquete to Lost and Found Hostel
Lost and Found Hostel to Bocas del Toro
David Airport to Boquete
David to Bocas del Toro
Hola Travel Panama is especially popular with backpackers because many of its routes connect together, allowing travelers to cross the country without needing to return to Panama City.
2. Panabocas Express
Panabocas has expanded rapidly in recent years and is now one of the main transport providers between Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro. Their service combines comfortable shuttle vans with their own passenger boats.
Main routes include:
Boquete to Isla Colón (Bocas Town)
David to Isla Colón
Chiriquí Grande to Isla Colón
Boquete to Lost and Found Hostel
Boquete to Loma Partida
Lost and Found Hostel to Isla Colón
Private group transfers throughout Bocas del Toro Province
One advantage of Panabocas is that its Boquete to Bocas route includes a scheduled stop at Lost and Found Hostel before continuing toward the Caribbean.
3. Caribe Shuttle
Caribe Shuttle is an international operator connecting Costa Rica and Panama. It is especially popular with travelers moving between the two countries.
Routes commonly include:
Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro
Cahuita to Bocas del Toro
San José to Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro to Boquete
Boquete to Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina to Panama City
Panama City to El Valle de Antón
This is one of the easiest options for crossing the Costa Rica and Panama border without changing multiple buses.
4. My Pink Bus
Originally focused on surf destinations, My Pink Bus has become popular among travelers heading to Panama's Pacific beaches.
Typical routes include:
Panama City to Playa Venao
Panama City to Pedasí
Panama City to Cambutal
Playa Venao to Pedasí
Pedasí to Cambutal
It is especially useful for surfers and beach travelers.
5. Bocas Shuttle Services
Several locally operated companies specialize in transfers around Bocas del Toro.
Common services include:
Almirante to Bocas Town
Bocas Town to Changuinola
Bocas Town to Chiriquí Grande
Hotel transfers
Island transportation
Private airport transfers
Many also arrange custom transfers throughout the archipelago.
6. Boquete Shuttle Operators
Several companies based in Boquete offer shared and private transportation.
Typical destinations include:
David Airport
David
Volcán
Cerro Punta
Boca Chica
Bocas del Toro
Lost and Found Hostel
Santa Catalina
Panama City through private transfers
These services are especially convenient for visitors staying in the Chiriquí Highlands.
7. Private Shuttle and Tour Companies
Many tour operators also offer transportation, either as shared departures or private transfers.
Popular destinations include:
Panama City
Gamboa
Colón
Portobelo
San Blas
El Valle de Antón
Boquete
Santa Catalina
Boca Chica
Pedasí
Playa Venao
Bocas del Toro
David Airport
These companies often tailor routes to travelers' itineraries.
The Most Popular Shuttle Routes in Panama
Some of the busiest tourist shuttle routes include:
Panama City to El Valle de Antón
Panama City to Santa Catalina
Panama City to Playa Venao
Panama City to Pedasí
Panama City to Boquete
Panama City to Bocas del Toro
Santa Catalina to Boquete
Boquete to Lost and Found Hostel
Lost and Found Hostel to Bocas del Toro
Boquete to Bocas del Toro
David Airport to Boquete
David to Bocas del Toro
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica to Bocas del Toro
Cahuita, Costa Rica to Bocas del Toro
San José, Costa Rica to Bocas del Toro
For travelers exploring Panama without a rental car, these shuttle companies make it possible to reach almost every major tourist destination comfortably. Whether you are heading to the cloud forests of Boquete, the hidden jungle around Lost and Found Hostel, the surf beaches of Santa Catalina and Playa Venao, or the Caribbean paradise of Bocas del Toro, there is now an extensive network of shuttle services connecting Panama's most popular destinations.