Bocas del Toro, Panama: travel guide
Caribbean islands of turquoise water, rainforest and stilted wooden towns
Caribbean archipelago of turquoise water, rainforest islands and stilted wooden towns; a hub for snorkelling, surfing and island-hopping.
About Bocas del Toro
Bocas Town, also known as Bocas del Toro, is capital of both the province and the district of that name in Panama. It is a town and tourist resort in one, found by the Caribbean Sea on the southernmost point of Colón Island, which is part of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago.
The town is small, with streets in a grid and most places reachable on foot. A short boat trip away, Bastimentos Island contains Bastimentos Island National Marine Park, an important ecotourism draw. Other small islands nearby need a water taxi, or else a private boat.
Divers find diverse aquatic life, and surf spots suit a range of experience levels. Commuter flights run from the town's international airport to San José, Costa Rica, and to Panama City, and ferries link it with Almirante on the mainland.
- Country
- Panama
- Currency
- USD
- Time zone
- America/Panama
- Nearest airport
- BOC
Last updated
Top places to visit in Bocas del Toro
Starfish Beach (Playa Estrella)
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Shallow calm bay near Boca del Drago dotted with orange starfish, reached by boat or bike from Bocas Town.
Swan's Cay (Bird Island)
Wildlife · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Rocky islet off northern Isla Colon that is a nesting site for red-billed tropicbirds and brown boobies.
Bocas Town (Isla Colon)
Cultural · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Colourful Caribbean town of stilted wooden buildings, waterfront bars and dive shops that anchors the archipelago.
Cayos Zapatillas
Beach · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Two postcard islands of white sand and reef inside the national marine park, prime for snorkelling.
Wizard Beach (Playa Primera)
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Wild jungle-fringed surf beach on Bastimentos reached by a short forest trail from Old Bank.
Bastimentos Island National Marine Park
Nature · 4.8 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
Panama's first marine park protecting reefs, mangroves, turtle beaches and rainforest across the archipelago.
Dolphin Bay
Wildlife · 4.9 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Sheltered bay between the islands where bottlenose dolphins are frequently seen on boat tours.
Boca del Drago
Beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Calm beach on the far side of Isla Colon with a beach restaurant, next to Starfish Beach.
Bluff Beach
Beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Long wild Atlantic-facing beach on Isla Colon known for strong surf and turtle nesting.
Isla Carenero
Beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Tiny island a two-minute boat ride from Bocas Town lined with over-water restaurants and a surf break.
Red Frog Beach (Isla Bastimentos)
Beach · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Palm-backed surf beach on Bastimentos named for its tiny red poison-dart frogs.
Things to do
- Bocas Island-Hopping Boat Tour Adventure · 8 h · from USD 35 per person
- Bioluminescence Night Tour Tour · 2 h · from USD 30 per person
- Cayo Coral Snorkelling Trip Adventure · 5 h · from USD 30 per person
- Bocas Surf Lesson Adventure · 2 h · from USD 45 per person
- Bastimentos Jungle & Red Frog Hike Adventure · 4 h · from USD 40 per person
Day trips and tours
- Bocas Full-Day Island Hopper 8 h · from USD 40
Where to stay in Bocas del Toro
- Bocas Town about USD 90 per night
Main hub on Isla Colon with waterfront hotels, bars and tour operators.
- Isla Bastimentos about USD 150 per night
Quieter island for beach resorts and jungle lodges near Red Frog Beach.
Hotels
- Eclypse de Mar Acqua Lodge 4-star · USD 200 to USD 350 per night
- Red Frog Beach Island Resort 4-star · USD 180 to USD 400 per night
- Tropical Suites Hotel 3-star · USD 100 to USD 180 per night
- Hostel Mamallena Bocas 1-star · USD 14 to USD 50 per night
- Bocas Paradise Hotel 3-star · USD 90 to USD 150 per night
- Aqua Lounge Hostel 1-star · USD 15 to USD 45 per night
Where to eat
- Raw Sushi & Rooftop Sushi, Japanese · about USD 22 per person
- Om Cafe Indian · about USD 18 per person
- Bibi's on the Beach Seafood, Caribbean · about USD 22 per person
- Leaf Eaters Cafe Vegetarian, Vegan · about USD 14 per person
- El Ultimo Refugio Seafood, Fusion · about USD 28 per person
Getting to Bocas del Toro
Airport: Bocas del Toro (BOC)
How visitors arrive in Bocas del Toro
- Flight from Panama City By air from Panama City (Albrook) · common
Small airport on Isla Colón; FlyTrip and AirPanama fly from Albrook airport in Panama City. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bus to Almirante, then boat By road from Panama City, David · common
Buses reach Almirante on the mainland, from where boats cross to Isla Colón; this is how many overland visitors arrive. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Flight from Panama City to Isla Colón
A small airport on Isla Colón receives flights from Panama City run by FlyTrip and AirPanama, departing from Albrook rather than Tocumen. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Changuinola no longer has boat service; go via Almirante. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the port to the centre
- Water taxi from Almirante
Passenger boats cross from Almirante to Bocas Town. Buses from David and Panama City reach Almirante. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Car ferry from Almirante unconfirmed
A car ferry runs from Almirante on weekday mornings, no Sunday service. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Changuinola no longer has boat service; go via Almirante. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Private shuttles from Boquete unconfirmed
Shuttle companies run from Boquete, Panama City, Puerto Viejo and San José to Almirante, then a water taxi. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Changuinola no longer has boat service; go via Almirante. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bicycle
Bicycles can be rented in Bocas Town, where the roads are flat and well kept, with longer rides out to Playa Bluff and Boca del Drago.
- Boat main way to get around
Water taxis are the main way to reach other islands and remote beaches; they are not needed within Bocas Town, which is walkable.
- Walking
Paying
- Water taxi fares are per person, so agree the price beforehand. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Safety and scams to avoid
Night water-taxi overcharge
Bocas Town docks
Boatmen charge several times the normal rate for late-night island crossings.
How to avoid it: Confirm the fare before boarding and travel back in a group when possible.
Best time to visit Bocas del Toro
- Jan 31°C
- Feb 31°C
- Mar 31°C
- Apr 31°C
- May 32°C
- Jun 32°C
- Jul 32°C
- Aug 32°C
- Sep 32°C
- Oct 32°C
- Nov 32°C
- Dec 31°C
More in Panama
Frequently asked questions about Bocas del Toro
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Bocas del Toro?
- The highest-rated places in our Bocas del Toro guide are Dolphin Bay, Cayos Zapatillas, Bastimentos Island National Marine Park, Starfish Beach (Playa Estrella), Bocas Town (Isla Colon).
- Where should I stay in Bocas del Toro?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Bocas del Toro: Bocas Town, Isla Bastimentos.
- How do I get around Bocas del Toro?
- Ways to get around Bocas del Toro covered in our guide: Bicycle, Boat, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Bocas del Toro?
- Scams reported to us for Bocas del Toro include Night water-taxi overcharge. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Bocas del Toro?
- Average daytime highs in Bocas del Toro run from 31°C in Feb to 32°C in Jun.
- Which airport is nearest to Bocas del Toro?
- The nearest airport to Bocas del Toro has the code BOC.