City: Bocas del Toro Province
Top Things to do in Bocas del Toro Province
5 Hidden Gems Things to do in Bocas del Toro Province That You Shouldn't Miss
An archipelago off the northwest coast of Panama, Bocas del Toro is an eco-tourism favorite with English-speaking and other tourists traveling to this Central American country. Seven islands (including Isla Colón, Isla Carenero and Isla Bastimentos) comprise the land area, with Bocas Town its regional capital and the “big city” for those looking to shop, dine well, and explore nightlife. Adventure lovers will find plenty to keep them occupied, as scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, surfing and hiking are first-rate. And if you’re more of a tour-goer, never fear—Bocas del Toro offers a host of them, ranging from sailing to Nivida Bat Cave tours.
Restaurants in Bocas del Toro Province
1. Oreba Chocolate Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 225 reviews
In the Oreba Chocolate Tour you not only get to experience one this worlds greatest inventions (chocolate), you get to view sloths, a wide variety of poison dart frogs, and sometimes even toucans. Most importantly you also see how the indigenous people live within the jungle while growing 100% certified organic shade grown cacao and making chocolate with it. The tour is more of a hike through the cacao farms and jungle where the guide goes through the surprisingly difficult process of growing, harvesting, fermenting, drying, roasting, and grinding process. You learn about what makes the farm organic, how the use of trees, plants, and animals help keep the organic system intact and how the indigenous people work within this system to produce some of the worlds finest cacao and chocolate products. The tour includes a traditional Ngobe Indian lunch consisting of local roots and it actually tastes wonderful. The tour also includes transportation to and from the "Bocas Marine Tour" boat dock, a guided tour in English (its Caribbean English) or Spanish, a traditional chocolate making demonstration in the farm, viewing of the animals, the traditional lunch, and one 4 oz bag of which ever chocolate you would like. As of right now the tour could be considered adventurous as the hike is a little steep in some spots. It is well worth it once you get to the top though as the most heavenly chocolate you have ever tasted is awaiting you at the top fresh from grinding. The tour runs in rain or shine and bringing a rain jacket is advised as this is the rain forest and things get a little wet. Also, good hiking shoes that you don't mind getting really muddy. Bringing a camera is a definite must as the chancing of seeing more than one type of poison dart frog are 100% and there is about a 95% of seeing a sloth. The tour starts at 10am and runs every day. Please note: We now have a place to stay! It is very rustic and with a local indigenous family. There are two beds available for $5 a bed. Ask the tour guide about them and the waterfall tour that is now being offered in the community.
2. Flying Pirates
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,283 reviews
ATV/Quad Rental Flying Pirates - ride an ATV, with or without a guide, through a private, off-limits-to-everyone-else, 1,500 acre rainforest! Your day begins in the heart of Bocas town, where you will be picked up and shuttled to our secondary location just outside of town. We offer surf racks, for those of you wanting to hit the waves while you are out, and all of our bikes come with lock boxes attached for your cameras and cash. Wind your way out of town until you hit Bluff Road and just keep right on going until you reach our property. The Flying Pirates trails will take you through the jungle, then alongside pristine beaches, all perfect for a pit stop and some swimming. Rock Beach, La Piscina and, the newly accessible Blue Lagoon, are all gorgeous natural water formations perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Explore the caves at the tip of the island, and return through Monkey Trail. If you rev your engines a little bit, the monkeys might just yell back at you.
Reviewed By JoW0527 - Oakville, Canada
Sorry for how long this review is but... My husband is an ex pro motocross rider and he found this trial a lot of fun but quite challenging. We did the jungle excursion. We nervously laughed at the injury board listing some pretty nasty injuries; broken jaws, ribs, pelvis and several concussions to name a few. After riding the trail i totally get it. We took the beach trail and it is quite technical. Take your time and watch for low hanging branches (concussion time). We made it out to Blue Lagoon which is wild and beautiful. There are beautiful beach areas all along the way but the water is more for surfing with big crashing waves. There is one particular water crossing near Piscina Beach that is challenging; mostly because the water is deep and my husband was concerned about water getting into the air intake. He did a fair amount of measuring and in the end crossed his fingers and gunned it. I walked through the tree roots to the other side. Don't think the Quad would have made it with two of us. We ran into an issue where the trail was blocked completely and it took us a bit of time to work our way out. We found the main trail nearby and walked backwards. We found the trail was blocked about 500 meters back with a few cut trees which we were able to move. Turns out the ATV company had blocked that direction due to a steep hill further up on which people had been flipping backwards or had the potential to do so. When we came up on that hill i got off and my husband made it up. After that we took the main trail (Jungle Hwy) back instead of the Monkey Trail (which we found out after is easier than the beach trail). Stopped at a restaurant at Playa Bluff on the way back called Bow Wow i think. We were covered in mud so we washed off as best we could in the ocean and enjoyed a well earned beer and delicious pizza. We only did a half day (4hrs) which was plenty for us. You have to really pay attention to the trail at all times. My husband equated it to driving through a bad snowstorm. He was pretty spent ???? The Hostel where the Quads are located is really nice. The wonderful Italian girl at the desk took us on a tour of the rooms. There is lots to do there and we enjoyed a few beers and a game of bocce before they drove us back. Overall a great excursion but heed the warnings and take your time. There is potential here for serious injury and it will take time for them to find you.
3. Bocas Diving Pirates
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 403 reviews
The best little dive shop in paradise. Come dive or get certified with us. We offer a personalized service and the guarantee that you will have a smile at the end of the day :)
4. Green Acres Chocolate Farm and Nature Preserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 294 reviews
Visit one of the most beautiful Nature Preserves in Bocas Del Toro. Nestled on the shore of Dolphin Bay, this 2-hour tour takes you thru lush tropical rainforests, beautiful botanical gardens, and a vast Cacao Plantation. Wildlife abounds on these 30 acres of paradise. Monkeys, toucans, sloths, poison dart frogs, tropical butterflies and a variety of birds are often seen. See how Cacao is grown, dried, roasted and turned in 100% organic chocolate. Delicious samples (including chocolate rum) are provided. our chocolate may be purchased after the tour. daily tours are available at 10 am and 2 pm. reservations are required. Closed on Wednesdays.
Reviewed By W3752KXchriss - Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica
This place is truly amazing as are the owners Gary and Carlo. Wow...what an amazing experience my wife and I had yesterday afternoon. We toured the jungle and all of their beautiful, fragrant and even tasty leaves and flowers. The place is stunning and the tour that Gary gave us was even better...tons of knowledge about the plants and the peninsula where Green Acres is located. I personally love the passion and commitment Gary has to making the earth, the archipelago, the peninsula and their property a better place through education, dedication, hard work and honestly just a passion and a love for the earth and all its people. He and Carlo are heavily involved with the reforestation of the almandro trees...so cool. What an amazing tree. They are also involved with helping the local village learn how to plant and grow sustainable and editable plants so they can live through droughts and other curve balls Mother Nature hands out. Ok...I could write forever, the place is cool, the guys are cool and it is a must see. Don’t forget the unreal chocolate experience at the end. Say hi if you see me there because i will be there on every trip we take to Bocas.
5. Bastimentos Alive Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 92 reviews
Bastimentos Alive takes you into the beautiful jungle and to the tropical beaches of Bastimentos. Check out our website for more details on our tours.
