Changuinola has some services and accommodations, but most don’t stay except to change buses or planes, as the real destinations are farther along. Changuinola has a number of hotels, but, as most Bocas-bound visitors pass quickly through without stopping, few of the local accommodations are geared toward tourists. The best option is Hotel Golden Sahara , 350m north of the Shell, which offers clean, central rooms with TV, A/C, fridges, and private hot-water baths. (☎507 758 7908 or 507 758 7910; hotelgoldensahara@yahoo.com. Single or double US$32; triple or quad US$45.) The main street is lined with sodas and pizzerias. Those seeking respite from the chaos of the town should head 100m north of Hotel Golden Sahara to the cool, dark interior of Steak Mar , a Chinese restaurant with one of the biggest menus in town. (☎507 758 9057. Chow mein US$4-5, entrees US$5-11. Open daily 11am-11pm. MC/V.)
The town is about 10min. from the Changuinola Finca docks and about 30min. from the Almirante docks. Sincotavecop Gran Terminal de Transporte, next to the Shell station in the center of town, handles short-distance travel by bus and taxi. Buses leave daily for Almirante (every 15-30min. 5am-9pm, US$1.20); Guabito (every 25min. 5am-9pm, US$0.80); San José via Puerto Limón (9hr., daily 10am, US$10); and a variety of local destinations in Panama. Buy your ticket on the bus. Taxis leave from the bus station to the docks (7min., US$2), where you can catch a boat to Bocas. Bocas Marine and Tours (☎507 757 9033) makes the scenic 45min. boat trip to Bocas (every 1hr. 8am-5:30pm, return 7, 9:30, 11am, 1, 2:30, 4, 5:30pm; US$7). It is possible to take a bus to Almirante and then from there a shorter boat ride to Bocas. Bocas Marine and Taxi 25 (☎507 757 9028) makes this trip (every 30min. 6am-7pm or whenever the boat is full, US$4), though the trip is a bit longer and costs US$2 more than the Changuinola route. Collective taxis are parked under specific destination signs. Changuinola’s main street is flooded with public taxis which will take you to Changuinola and Guabito (40min., US$2) or to Almirante (45min., US$5).
Facing the Shell station, north is to your left. There is a Banco Nacional de Panama with a 24hr. ATM 200m south of the station on the main road. (☎507 758 0445. Open M-F 8am-3pm, Sa 9am-noon.) El Centro Deportivo del Cid, 100m north of the Shell station, has a Western Union. (☎507 758 9635. Open M-Sa 8:30am-12:30pm and 1:30-5:30pm.) Farmacia Universal is 100m south of the Shell station. (☎507 758 8888. Open daily 7am-11pm. MC/V.) The Centro Medico Dental Los Angeles, near the pharmacy, provides medical care. (☎507 758 8008. Open M-Sa 8:30am-midnight.) Internet Oriente, 200m north of the Shell on the left, offers Internet access. (☎507 758 5341. US$1.50 per hr. Open M-Sa 9am-9:30pm.)
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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