Taxi & Private Transfers – Santa Catalina ⇄ Soná (Coiba Area)

Getting to Santa Catalina and Coiba can feel like an adventure in itself. Public buses between Soná and Santa Catalina are cheap but slow, and they only run at certain times of day. If you arrive late, travel with heavy luggage or need to catch a Coiba tour early in the morning, a private taxi or transfer can save you hours of stress.

This page is for travelers who want a reliable taxi in the Santa Catalina – Soná – Coiba area. We work with trusted local drivers to offer safe, direct transfers that connect with your tours, buses and flights, so you can focus on diving, snorkeling and surfing – not on waiting for buses in the heat.

Contact Taxi Rener: +507 6399-1010 (Whatsapp)

Why book a taxi instead of the bus?

The public bus between Soná and Santa Catalina is the cheapest way to travel, but it’s not always the most practical. A Santa Catalina taxi or private transfer can make a big difference in comfort and timing.

• Control your schedule: no need to adjust your whole day to the bus timetable.
• Door-to-door service: from the Soná bus station directly to your hotel, guesthouse or dive shop in Santa Catalina.
• More comfortable with luggage: ideal if you carry surfboards, dive gear or heavy backpacks.
• Safer and easier at night: especially if you arrive late or travel with children.
• Travel together as a group: families and friends can share one private transfer instead of splitting across buses.

Santa Catalina ⇄ Soná Private Transfer

Soná is the main transport hub for the region. Almost every bus from Panama City, Santiago and David connects through Soná before continuing to Santa Catalina. The paved road between Soná and Santa Catalina takes about 1.5–2 hours by car, depending on traffic and weather.

When does a private transfer make sense?

Booking a taxi from Soná to Santa Catalina (or the other way around) is especially useful if:

• You arrive in Soná too late to catch the last bus to Santa Catalina.
• You need to be in Santa Catalina very early to join a Coiba snorkeling or diving tour.
• You are traveling as a family, couple or group and prefer a smoother door-to-door journey.
• You carry surfboards, diving equipment or several large bags and don’t want to load everything on a crowded bus.
• You simply prefer a more comfortable and faster trip instead of multiple bus connections.

What this transfer includes

Our Santa Catalina – Soná taxi and private transfer service is arranged with local, experienced drivers who know the route and current road conditions.

• Pickup and drop-off at bus terminals, hotels, guesthouses or meeting points you specify.
• Comfortable vehicle suitable for the size of your group and luggage (let us know about surfboards or dive gear in advance).
• Average travel time of about 1.5–2 hours each way.
• Flexible scheduling to match your bus, flight or Coiba tour departure.

Prices depend on the number of passengers, time of day, route and whether the transfer is one-way or round-trip. When you send us your details, we’ll reply with current options and an estimated cost.

Local taxis in and around Santa Catalina

Santa Catalina is small, but distances can feel long under the sun, especially if you’re walking with gear. There is no Uber or Cabify here – just local taxis and private drivers.

We can help arrange short Santa Catalina taxi rides for:

• Santa Catalina village ⇄ Playa Estero (beginner surf, long sandy beach)
• Santa Catalina village ⇄ Sona
• Santa Catalina village ⇄ Santiago
• Santa Catalina village ⇄ La Punta (advanced surf spot, rocky point)
• Santa Catalina ⇄ Playa Banco / Playa Blanca and other nearby beaches
• Pick-up and drop-off at restaurants, hotels and hostels around Santa Catalina

These short transfers are particularly useful at night (for dinner or drinks outside the village center), during heavy rain, or if you prefer not to walk back along dark roads after a long day in the water. Contact Taxi Rener: +507 6399-1010 (Whatsapp)

“Taxi to Coiba”? What you actually need

It’s common for travelers to ask for a “taxi to Coiba”, but Coiba Island is inside a protected national park, and there is no regular “water taxi” like a bus. Access is only allowed through licensed tour operators and boat captains who follow park rules and pay the required fees.

If you’re looking for a taxi to Coiba, what you really need is a Coiba boat tour or private boat charter, plus a safe way to reach the dock in Santa Catalina on time.

• Shared day tours – snorkeling or diving trips that visit several sites in Coiba National Park.
• Multi-day Coiba trips – with overnight stays on Coiba or nearby islands.
• Private boat charters – for your own group or special schedule.

On our main Coiba tours page you’ll find detailed options for snorkeling, scuba diving and private charters. If you want to combine a Soná ⇄ Santa Catalina taxi with a specific tour, just mention this in your message and we’ll help coordinate the timing on land and sea.

How our taxi & transfer service works

Booking a taxi in Santa Catalina or Soná through us is simple. Here’s how it works:

• Step 1 – Send us your details Use the contact form and tell us your travel date, approximate time, route (for example: Soná bus station → Santa Catalina hotel), number of passengers and any special luggage (surfboards, dive gear, etc.).
• Step 2 – We check availability We contact our trusted local drivers and confirm which options are available for your schedule.
• Step 3 – You receive a price estimate We send you the best option for your route, with an estimated price and suggested pick-up time.
• Step 4 – Confirm your booking Once you confirm, we send you the driver details and final pick-up information. Payment is usually made directly to the driver (we will confirm the exact arrangement by email).

In high season, on public holidays and during long weekends, it’s always smart to request your Santa Catalina – Soná taxi in advance, especially if you need to connect with a Coiba tour or a long-distance bus.

Who this taxi service is perfect for

Our taxi and private transfer service in Santa Catalina is designed for travelers who prefer convenience and reliability over uncertainty.

• Couples and families who want an easier start or end to their trip.
• Surfers and divers traveling with boards, tanks, BCDs or underwater camera gear.
• Solo travelers arriving late in Soná who don’t want to risk missing the last bus.
• Groups of friends who can share the cost of a private transfer and travel together.
• Anyone who wants to minimize stress and waiting time on the way to or from Coiba.

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Ready to book a taxi in the Santa Catalina – Soná – Coiba area?

If you’d like help arranging a taxi or private transfer in Santa Catalina, Soná or the wider Coiba area, send us a message with your dates, route and number of passengers. We’ll help you find a safe, reliable driver and connect your transfer with your Coiba tours, buses and flights so you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time enjoying the ocean.

Use the contact form below to start planning your Santa Catalina taxi or private transfer.

Contact Taxi Rener: +507 6399-1010 (Whatsapp)