PA
Bocas del Toro
Caribbean islands, stilt houses, starfish and a laid-back island town
Caribbean islands, stilt houses, starfish and a laid-back island town
The capital of the province is a small, walkable grid of brightly painted Caribbean buildings, many on stilts over the water. It is where you will find most accommodation, restaurants, tour operators and the water-taxi docks.
Agree water-taxi fares before you board.
Photo: Kent MacElwee, CC BY 2.0
Near Boca del Drago on the north-west tip of Isla Colón, this calm, shallow bay is known for the large orange cushion starfish on its sandy floor. Buses and taxis run from Bocas Town to Boca del Drago, from where it is a short walk along the shore or a quick boat ride.
Look but do not lift the starfish out of the water.
Photo: Marissa Strniste, CC BY 2.0
A short boat ride from Bocas Town, Bastimentos has the village of Old Bank, forest trails and Red Frog Beach, named after the tiny red poison-dart frogs found in the forest nearby. The island’s north-facing beaches have strong surf and currents.
Swim only where it is calm; many Bastimentos beaches have rip currents.
Photo: Dronepicr, CC BY 3.0
The two Zapatilla cays are small uninhabited islands of white sand and palms inside the Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park, with reefs for snorkelling around them. They are usually visited on full-day boat tours.
A national park entry fee is charged; bring cash.
Photo: Elemaki, CC BY 2.5
Day tours from Bocas Town typically combine Dolphin Bay, where bottlenose dolphins are often seen, with snorkelling at Coral Cay and lunch over the water. Isla Carenero, a few minutes from town, has surf breaks and quiet places to stay.
Choose operators that keep their distance from the dolphins.
Photo: Dronepicr, CC BY 3.0
Bocas has a mix of Caribbean and international food. Look for seafood, coconut rice, patacones (fried green plantain), rondón (a coconut seafood stew) and Johnny cake, the local sweet bread.
Bocas Town has the most choice, from cheap local fondas to overwater restaurants; cacao farms on the mainland and islands offer chocolate tours.
The quickest way from Panama City is a flight of about an hour to Bocas del Toro’s small airport, which is in Bocas Town itself. Overland, buses run from Panama City’s Albrook Terminal to Almirante (roughly 10 hours, often overnight), where water taxis cross to Bocas Town in about 25–30 minutes.
From Costa Rica, cross the border at Sixaola–Guabito, then travel via Changuinola to Almirante for the water taxi; shuttle services from Puerto Viejo handle the whole trip. Between islands, everyone uses water taxis; on Isla Colón there are bikes, taxis and a bus to Boca del Drago.
Panama uses the US dollar (alongside the balboa, which is pegged to it). Bocas is cheaper than many Caribbean destinations, though boat trips add up.
Water taxis are cheaper when shared.
Full-day tours usually exclude park fees and lunch.
Some island resorts are reachable only by boat.
Three days lets you see the main islands at a relaxed pace.
Explore Bocas Town in the morning, then take the bus to Boca del Drago and walk to Starfish Beach. Sunset drinks on the waterfront.
The last bus back leaves in the late afternoon; check times locally.
Full-day boat tour: Dolphin Bay, snorkelling at Coral Cay and the Zapatilla cays.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, water and cash for the park fee.
Water taxi to Old Bank, walk across the island to Red Frog Beach, and look for red frogs and sloths on the forest trails.
Wear shoes with grip; trails can be muddy.
Bocas has rain all year; showers are usually short, but plan boat trips with flexibility.
Agree prices before boarding and avoid rough-weather crossings.
Surf beaches on Bastimentos and north Colón can have strong rips.
ATMs are only in Bocas Town and can run out; many small places take cash only.
Quick answers for planning time in Bocas del Toro.
Fly from Panama City to Bocas del Toro (about an hour), or take a bus from Albrook Terminal to Almirante (about 10 hours) and a 25–30 minute water taxi to Bocas Town.
Yes. Cross at Sixaola–Guabito, continue via Changuinola to Almirante and take a water taxi. Shuttles from Puerto Viejo include the whole trip.
Rain is possible all year, but February–April and September–October tend to have calmer, clearer conditions.
Near Boca del Drago on the north-west tip of Isla Colón, reached by bus or taxi from Bocas Town and a short walk or boat ride.
Three to four days lets you see Bocas Town, Starfish Beach, Bastimentos and a full-day island tour.
Planning a wider trip? Our Panama travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.