Getting to Panama City

Visa & documents required:

Every visitor needs a valid passport. Most travelers must purchase a $5 Tourist Card to enter Panama.  These are purchased from your airline carrier.  Be sure to ask at your point of departure!  They can be purchased on arrival at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, but it can mean waiting in an additional queue when you are ready to collect your bags and get to your hotel. Check with your travel agent or the Panamanian Consulate to find out if you need a visa prior to travel. Most tourists can obtain a 30 day visa.

At the end of your stay, there is a $20 departure tax at Tocumen International Airport.


Getting to Contadora Island from Panama City

We provide complimentary transportation to and from the Contadora airport, the beach or the marina.  Unless you have your own boat the only way to get to Contadora at this time is by a 15 minute flight from Albrook Airport. 

PLEASE NOTE: Panama has TWO airports:

TOCUMEN airport is for INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
you will enter and depart Panama using this airport.

ALBROOK airport (officially known as the Marcos A. Gelabert airport) is for all domestic flights within Panama, including flights to Contadora.

Two airlines (AeroPerlas and Air Panama) provide daily service to Contadora Island, typically with two flights each – around 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.  During the holiday months (Nov-Mar), both airlines usually add extra flights.  Round trip is approximately $84.
We recommend that you book the flight to and from Contadora at the same time as making your reservation with the Contadora Island Inn to secure your travel plans, as the aircraft are small and often fill-up quickly. 

www.aeroperlas.com   Phone # in Panama: (507) 315 7500
www.turismoaereo.com   Phone # in Panama: (507) 315-0300

Please let us know your arrival and departure time and airline as soon as you have secured your flights so we can makes plans to meet you at the Contadora airport with your name on our Contadora Island Inn sign for easy identification.
 
Small aircraft can also be chartered at Albrook from $200 and up.

At this time, there is no regular boat service between Panama and Contadora.  If boating is your preferred method of travel, you can try contacting the Contadora Hotel (aka, “The Resort”) as they sometimes have a ferry service for their guests on the weekends.  Perhaps they will have an empty seat for you.

Getting to the Contadora Island Inn – Bed and Breakfast
Upon your arrival, whether by boat or plane, we will offer to take you on a complimentary tour of the island, delivering you and your luggage safely to our doorstep, where we will assist you in settling in to your room.