Bambuda Santa Catalina
Our next home is taking shape in Casco Viejo, Panama City's historic old town. Until then, come and stay with us in Bocas del Toro, Boquete or Santa Catalina.
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Bambuda Santa Catalina
Welcome to Bambuda Santa Catalina, your haven nestled along the stunning Pacific coast of Panama! Embark on an unforgettable adventure in one of the most captivating destinations in the region.
Our boutique oceanfront hotel invites you to experience a perfect blend of serenity and excitement. Whether you’re seeking relaxation or adventures, Bambuda Santa Catalina offers an unparalleled setting to unwind and reconnect with nature. Marvel at the breathtaking ocean views while relishing delectable meals and refreshing beverages at our welcoming on-site restaurant and bar. And don’t miss the spectacular sunsets that paint the sky from our expansive deck.
Conveniently located, Bambuda Santa Catalina serves as your gateway to exploring the wonders of this coastal paradise. Whether it’s surfing the waves, diving into the vibrant marine life, or discovering the natural beauty of Coiba National Park, our hotel offers the perfect starting point for your Santa Catalina escapades.
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Food & Drinks
Whether you’re a meat lover, gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian, our menu has something for everyone. Enjoy fresh, flavorful food by the pool—perfect for sharing. From delicious snacks to handcrafted cocktails, every bite and sip will surprise you.
Relax, take a dip, and soak up the good vibes—this is poolside dining at its best. Plus, don’t miss our family dinner every night and our Saturday BBQ—perfect chances to connect with fellow travelers. Be sure to sign up with our staff!
HOW TO GET to Santa Catalina
FROM BOCAS TOWN ON ISLA COLÓN
To get to Bambuda Lodge on Isla Solarte from the main island of Bocas del Toro (Isla Colón), just hop on a boat next to Taxi-25 and ask for Bambuda Lodge. It’s a quick 7-minute ride and should cost around $10 for 1-2 people, plus an extra $5 for each additional person.
From Boquete
You can grab a taxi from downtown Boquete, and tell the taxi driver to take you to Bambuda Castle, the street name is El Santuario. The prices can vary during the day, and late at night are expected to be higher.
You can also catch the ‘colectivo’ a public shuttle that goes from Bruna. Bruna is a supermarket on the main street (it is the one with the huge red Balboa sign). Take any shuttle that says either: Alto Lino, Arco Iris, or Palo Alto.
FROM PANAMA CITY
FASTEST: Fly to Bocas del Toro on AirPanama.com / trip.com.pa
CHEAPEST: Take bus departing from Albrook bus station to Almirante (about 10 hours), and then a water taxi from Almirante to Bocas Town (about 40 minutes). Buses leave around 7:30 am and 7:30 pm. You can only buy a ticket in person at the Albrook bus terminal.
TIP: Bring warm clothes — the bus is very cold.
FROM PANAMA CITY
FASTEST: Shuttle – 6 hours
Feel free to contact us for a hassle-free experience. Our staff will handle the shuttle booking for you.
CHEAPEST:
Take a bus departing from Albrook bus station to Soná (4 hrs), then take another bus from Soná to Santa Catalina (2 hrs).
Schedule from Panama City to Soná:
5:50 am, 8:20 am, 10:20 am, 12:45 pm, 2:20 pm, 3:15 pm, 4:20 pm and 5:45 pm
Schedule from Soná to Santa Catalina:
5:15 a.m., 8:30 a.m. (every day but Sunday), 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. (every day but Sunday) and 4:30 p.m.
You can only buy a ticket in person at the Albrook bus terminal.
TIP: Bring warm clothes — the bus can be very cold.
FROM PANAMA CITY
FASTEST: Fly to Bocas del Toro on AirPanama.com / trip.com.pa
CHEAPEST: Take bus departing from Albrook bus station to Almirante (about 10 hours), and then a water taxi from Almirante to Bocas Town (about 40 minutes). Buses leave around 7:30 am and 7:30 pm. You can only buy a ticket in person at the Albrook bus terminal.
TIP: Bring warm clothes — the bus is very cold.
If you are flying, when you get to Bocas del Toro International Airport (BOC), you can hop in a taxi (it’s just a 5 min ride), or if you’re feeling up for it, take a 10 min walk to the taxi dock near Taxi 25. Once you’re at the dock, jump on a public boat straight to Bambuda Lodge on Isla Solarte! It’s a quick 7 min boat ride, and it’ll cost you about $10 for 1-2 people, and $5 for each additional person.
From David
From the Airport, you can grab a taxi and it will bring you all the way to the Castle in about 40-60 min.
If you’d like to take a public bus, you can grab a taxi to the bus terminal for about 10 min. From the Bus Terminal, hop on the bus labeled Boquete, where you will be driven to Boquete’s main square (last stop) in about an hour.
FROM DAVID
To get to the main island in Bocas del Toro, Isla Colón, you need to take a bus to Almirante. Once you’re there, either grab a taxi from the bus station or ask the driver to drop you off at Taxi 25 for a boat taxi ride.
Hop on a public boat from Taxi 25, and in around 25 minutes, you’ll reach the main island, Isla Colón.
FROM BOQUETE
FASTEST: Shuttle – 5 hours
Feel free to contact us for a hassle-free experience. Our staff will handle the shuttle booking for you.
CHEAPEST:
Take a public bus or taxi from Boquete to the bus terminal in David towards Santiago (2.5 hrs), then take a bus from Santiago to Soná, and then from Soná to Santa Catalina (2 hrs).
Schedule from David to Santiago:
6:15 am, 7:30 am, 8:45 am, 10:00 am, 11:15 am, 12:45 pm, 2:15 pm, 4:15 pm, 6:00 pm, 8:00 pm
Schedule from Santiago to Soná:
Every 30 min until 6 pm
Schedule from Soná to Santa Catalina:
5:15 a.m., 8:30 a.m. (every day but Sunday), 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. (every day but Sunday) and 4:30 p.m.
FROM DAVID
To get to the main island in Bocas del Toro, Isla Colón, you need to take a bus to Almirante. Once you’re there, either grab a taxi from the bus station or ask the driver to drop you off at Taxi 25 for a boat taxi ride.
Hop on a public boat from Taxi 25, and in around 25 minutes, you’ll reach the main island, Isla Colón.
When you arrive, head to the dock beside Taxi 25, and for just $10 for 1-2 people (and $5 per extra person), you will take a 7-minute boat ride to Bambuda Lodge on Isla Solarte.
From Panama City
You can either fly to David or if you’d like to take a bus, ride from the Albrook Bus Terminal to David, during the day it takes around 7-9 hours, or if you take the express night bus, it will take around 6 hours.
The bus will leave you at David’s Bus Terminal, where you’ll have to take a taxi or another bus (see steps from David for more info.)
FROM BOQUETE
You can book directly at the reception of Bambuda Castle and our staff will take care of the rest!
FROM BOCAS DEL TORO
FASTEST: Shuttle – 7.5 hours
Feel free to contact us for a hassle-free experience. Our staff will handle the boat and shuttle booking for you.
CHEAPEST: Take a water taxi to Almirante (around 40 minutes), then take a shuttle from Almirante to David, in the bus terminal get a bus to Santiago (2.5 hrs), then take a bus from Santiago to Soná, and then from Soná to Santa Catalina (2 hrs).
Schedule from David to Santiago:
6:15 am, 7:30 am, 8:45 am, 10:00 am, 11:15 am, 12:45 pm, 2:15 pm, 4:15 pm, 6:00 pm, 8:00 pm
Schedule from Santiago to Soná:
Every 30 min until 6 pm
Schedule from Soná to Santa Catalina:
5:15 a.m., 8:30 a.m. (every day but Sunday), 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. (every day but Sunday) and 4:30 p.m.
FROM BOQUETE
You can book directly at the reception of Bambuda Castle and our staff will take care of the rest!
From Bocas del Toro
Ask our staff at Bambuda Lodge or Bambuda Bocas Town and they’ll be able to organize the transfer for you.
You can also take a public taxi boat to Almirante, followed by a public bus from the Bus Terminal in Almirante to David.
FROM PUERTO VIEJO, CR
FASTEST: Take the Caribe Shuttle directly to Almirante (around 4 hours, it includes a boat to Bocas and Wi-Fi).
CHEAPEST: Take a public bus to the border at Sixaola (around 2 hours), then a bus from the border to Almirante (1 hour 20 minutes), and then take a water taxi from Almirante to Bocas Town (around 40 minutes).
FROM PLAYA VENAO
FASTEST: Shuttle – 5 hours
Feel free to contact us for a hassle-free experience. Our staff will handle the shuttle booking for you.
CHEAPEST: Take a bus from Playa Venao to Panama City. In Panama City, take a bus departing from Albrook bus station to Soná (4 hrs), then take another bus from Soná to Santa Catalina (2 hrs).
Schedule from Panama City to Soná:
5:50 am, 8:20 am, 10:20 am, 12:45 pm, 2:20 pm, 3:15 pm, 4:20 pm and 5:45 pm
Schedule from Soná to Santa Catalina:
5:15 a.m., 8:30 a.m. (every day but Sunday), 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. (every day but Sunday) and 4:30 p.m.
You can only buy a ticket in person at the Albrook bus terminal.
TIP: Bring warm clothes — the bus can be very cold.
FROM PUERTO VIEJO, CR
FASTEST: Take the Caribe Shuttle directly to Almirante (around 4 hours, it includes a boat to Bocas and Wi-Fi).
CHEAPEST: Take a public bus to the border at Sixaola (around 2 hours), then a bus from the border to Almirante (1 hour 20 minutes), and then take a water taxi from Almirante to Bocas Town (around 40 minutes).
FROM SAN JOSÉ, CR
FASTEST: Fly to Bocas on Green Airways.
CHEAPEST: Take a bus from San José to Changuinola, Panamá (around 6-8 hours). If you don’t make it on time, you can always spend the night in Puerto Viejo and leave the next day for Changuinola – You’ll have to cross the border walking either way.
From Changuinola (on the other side of the border) take a taxi to Almirante (around 45 minutes) and then take a water taxi from Almirante to Bocas Town (around 40 minutes).
ALSO CONSIDER: Caribe Shuttle Bus directly to Almirante from San José. It might include lunch, it has Wi-Fi, and includes a boat to Bocas (around 10 hours). You’ll also have to cross the border walking but you’ll have a shuttle waiting for you on the other side. You can contact us directly or book online.
FROM SAN JOSÉ, CR
FASTEST: Fly to Bocas on Green Airways.
CHEAPEST: Take a bus from San José to Changuinola, Panamá (around 6-8 hours). If you don’t make it on time, you can always spend the night in Puerto Viejo and leave the next day for Changuinola – You’ll have to cross the border walking either way.
From Changuinola (on the other side of the border) take a taxi to Almirante (around 45 minutes) and then take a water taxi from Almirante to Bocas Town (around 40 minutes).
ALSO CONSIDER: Caribe Shuttle Bus directly to Almirante from San José. It might include lunch, it has Wi-Fi, and includes a boat to Bocas (around 10 hours). You’ll also have to cross the border walking but you’ll have a shuttle waiting for you on the other side. You can contact us directly or book online.
