Top places to visit in Bocas del Toro

• Starfish Beach (Playa Estrella)

  Beach · 4.4 rating · about 2.5 h

  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

  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

  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 · entry USD 10

  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

  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 · entry USD 10

  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

  Sheltered bay between the islands where bottlenose dolphins are frequently seen on boat tours.

• Boca del Drago

  Beach · about 2 h

  Calm beach on the far side of Isla Colon with a beach restaurant, next to Starfish Beach.

• Bluff Beach

  Beach · about 2 h

  Long wild Atlantic-facing beach on Isla Colon known for strong surf and turtle nesting.

• Isla Carenero

  Beach · about 2 h

  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 · entry USD 5

  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 around

• Bicycle main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Boat main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Walking main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

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.

More in Panama

• Panama City
• Boquete
• Guna Yala (San Blas)
• El Valle de Anton
• Santa Catalina
• Colón