 It is only 5 miles (8.0 km) from the border with Costa Rica as the crow flies but the border crossing is 21 miles (34 km) away at the town of Paso Canoas.Panama City is some 235 miles (378 km) way, or approximately 6–8 hours drive on the Pan American Highway.Puerto Armuelles was once the center of Chiquita Banana's thriving banana business.