What to do and see in Bocas del Toro Province, Panama: The Best Outdoor Activities

May 15, 2022 Timmy Ribble

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. La Buga Dive Center & Surf School

Excellent
92%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,301 reviews

La Buga Dive Center & Surf School

Established in 2007, “La Buga Dive & Surf” instantly built up a reputation as a reliable and renowned Dive Center & Surf School in Bocas del Toro. No matter if you decide to go diving or surfing with us, we will ensure that you will have a fabulous time experiencing the multifaceted natural resources Bocas del Toro has to offer. You can also rent one of our kayaks or Stand-Up Paddle Boards. Our qualified national staff is providing top quality service by constantly reflecting our core values: Safety, Convenience and Fun! The locals can show you the best dive sites and have an eagle eye for spotting marine life. Hope to see you soon! Your La Buga Family

2. Bastimentos Sky Zipline Canopy Tour

Excellent
85%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 143 reviews

Bastimentos Sky Zipline Canopy Tour

A ride on the Zipline Canopy Tour in Panama will be the highlight of your trip Bocas del Toro! This amazing Tour includes: 7 tree-based island ziplines, 13 elevated platforms, a 4 feature tree challenge comprising of a swaying suspended log-bridge, a traversable canopy net, and a series of other rope features. Isla Bastimentos is located 30 miles from Costa Rica and is the only zip line in Bocas del Toro. It is both exhilarating and very beautiful. The National Marine Park is listed as one of the most beautiful national parks in the world. See it from the top!

3. Scuba 6 ECO Diving

Excellent
93%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 168 reviews

Scuba 6 ECO Diving

Welcome to Scuba 6 Eco Diving and our little corner of paradise. Specializing in small groups allows us to do things differently. First, we offer high quality personalized service and cater to the client’s individual needs. Our extra-long bottom times, one-of-a-kind dive briefings and our unique and innovative way of guiding the dives have earned us the reputation of offering the best dive experiences in Bocas del Toro. When it comes to dive training, we make an extra effort to help students attain a higher level of skills and confidence than normally achieved.That’s the difference passion makes. We are the only dive operation in Panama to offer eco diving and citizen scientist programs that show divers how to collect scientific data that marine biologists and foundations will use to help protect the marine environment this in turn makes your dives even more fun. We also apply sustainable business practices and continuously strive to leave less of a footprint. Michel is co-owner and a PADI Course Director with a stellar reputation and over 25 years dive experience. Ginette is co-owner, a PADI instructor with over 20 years dive experience - her passion is coral reef ecology. All team members are trained in eco diving and sustainable practices. Come dive with us and find out first hand why so many people make us their number one choice.

4. Bocas Dive Center

Excellent
96%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,343 reviews

Bocas Dive Center

The most advanced, best-equipped, fun dive center in Bocas – BDC is committed to safeguarding the ocean environment. We have the largest, most up-to-date boat built for diving and two more dive boats for smaller groups and special diving tours. We have the newest and best-maintained diving equipment and are the only shop in Bocas to offer Free Diving!

5. Bocas Diving Pirates

Excellent
96%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 403 reviews

Bocas Diving Pirates

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 :)

6. Mono Loco Surf School

Excellent
88%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 121 reviews

Mono Loco Surf School

Welcome to the MONO LOCO SURF SCHOOL. The best surf school in Bocas del Toro, Panama. We offer high quality classes and rental boards. Our instructors are fully certified as surf teachers and lifeguards. Learning how to surf or improve your skills has never been this much FUN. Check out our lessons, team and gallery to see what we are about. Hope to see you soon in the warm tropical waters of Bocas del Toro, Panama. -The MONO LOCO team

7. Sportfishing Bocas del Toro

Excellent
92%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 39 reviews

Sportfishing Bocas del Toro

Sportfishing Bocas del Toro provides custom aquatic adventures, specializing in inshore/offshore sportfishing charters, spearfishing & snorkeling, guided tours & sightseeing

8. Bastimentos Alive Tours

Excellent
92%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 92 reviews

Bastimentos Alive Tours

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.

9. Panama Dive School

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 45 reviews

Panama Dive School

Panama Dive School is a PADI diver center that offers dive services to customers of all ages. Our expert staff will make you feel at home while exploring the depths of Bocas Del Toro, Panama.

10. Flying Pirates

Calle 4 / Ave. E On the corner, next to the only bank in town., Bocas Town, Isla Colon 0101 Panama +507 6689-5050 [email protected] http://flyingpiratesbocas.com
Excellent
96%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,283 reviews

Flying Pirates

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.

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