• Tica Bus
For independent travelers through Southern Mexico to Central America as far
south as Panama City there is a bus option that takes some of the anxiety out of
crossing the many borders and finding the next bus. This system is called the
Tica bus for short and stands for Tansportes Internacionales Centroamericanos:
  • Tica Bus Reservations
Make reservation via email and pay when arriving at the terminal. Cash only,
local currency,  no credit cards.
  • Tica Bus Route, Tapachula to Panama City
The above mentioned trip leaves Chiapas Mexico and goes through Guatemala
to El Salvador where it stops for the night. It then goes to Managua and stops for
the overnight. The bus then makes a day and overnight trip to Panama.
Central America Bus Travel, Crossing Borders on The Tica Bus,   
Luxury Seating at a Backpackers Price
Bus Central America, Border Crossing Made Easy
Tica Bus
(Bring Sweater and Ear Plugs for Bus Travel, cold buses)
Mexico to Panama Central America is $254. USD  Round trip
The 2012 ticket price for a trip from Tapachula in Chiapas Mexico to Panama City Panama in Central
America is $254. USD round trip, paid in US Dollars, travelers checks, or the currency of the country only,
no checks or credit cards accepted.
Bus service through Central America and crossing the many
borders can be made simpler and safer by the Tica Bus.
The line runs a total of 38, air-conditioned buses that have
reclining seats, restrooms, window curtains, TV , video.
Tica Bus Schedule
  • Chiapas
Buses leave from the terminal in Tapachula Chiapas at 7 am and cross the border
into Guatemala. Arrive Guatemala City 12 noon.
  • Guatemala
Leave Guatemala at 1:00 p.m., arrive at El Salvador approximately at 5:00 p.m.
  • El Salvador
Leave El Salvador at 5:00 a.m., arrive at Nicaragua approximately
at 5:00 p.m.
  • Nicaragua
Leave Nicaragua at 6:00 a.m., and 12:00 noon, arrive at Costa Rica approximately
at 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
  • Costa Rica
Leave Costa Rica at 10:00 p.m. on the same day and arrive at Panama at 4 in the
afternoon the following day.
  • Arrive Panama City
Passengers can stop for extended stays in the terminal cities, the ticket is still
honored, they must however make a reservation and reserve a seat to continue.
  • Expenses
Passengers pay additional for their hostel or hotel, and food. Other expenses that
are the passenger’s responsibility would be the visa and each country’s customs
charge which averages $7

Tica runs a total of 38, air-conditioned, (bring sweater) 54-passenger buses that
have reclining seats, restrooms, window curtains, TV ( Earplugs)  movies.
To Bus Central America, border crossings are  made easy by
the Tica Bus.  See below for the 2012 ticket price and
schedule for a trip from Tapachula in Chiapas Mexico to
Panama City Panama in Central America, round trip.
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Bus Central America, Crossing Borders Made Easier: Tica Bus
Pacific Coast Mexico surfing
Beyond Panama south there is no reliable road. The road turns to dirt track and becomes impassible during the
rainy season and dangerous any time.  Only a few 4wd vehicles make the passage through the Darien Gap.
Otherwise air or boat is the only way to reach south America from Panama.