I flew from Panama City to David & went to the bus station to go to Bocas(seemed like a good idea at the time). The trip up to Bocas del Toro from David by bus was a 4.5 hour crowded trip. It was a local milk run with live chickens and not comfortable for someone over 6′. It did go up and over the mountains on some pretty windy roads with amazing views. I would not recommended traveling this way but it was an experience and looking back its a good story.
On Bocos Del Toro Island stayed at Gran Hotel Bahía, a nice little place with some charm. Overall the island is pretty dumpy and littered with hostels and other cheap accommodations. Took a $20 boat taxi to Red Frog beach via a $5 path, they do have the scams down. Next day took a day trip boat tour to see a dolphin fin, snorkel a reef with a leaking mask, see hundreds of starfish and then a few hours on the currently unspoiled island of Cayo Zapatilla. Had a few nice dinners in town, and enjoyed some of the nightlife.
From Bocas del Toro went to Boquete. It was only supposed to be a 15 minute delay for the bus, 3 hours later everyone got to walk through the slums of Barrio Conejo to get to the bus. The bus was literally stuffed to the rafters with people, I had to stand hunched for hours, it was brutal. In Boquete I stayed at the coffee plantation Finca Lerida. Did the coffee tasting tour and then went for an Indiana Jones jungle hike to a waterfall deep in the jungle – I dropped trow and had a shower.
