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

November 29, 2021 Kandra Bartel

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. Random Art

3rd Street (Main Street) Bocas Town, Isla Colon, Bocas Town, Isla Colon 00 Panama +507 6627-5906 [email protected] http://caribbeanartcooking.com/
Excellent
85%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 13 reviews

Random Art

2. Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos

Isla Bastamientos, Bocas Town, Isla Colon Panama http://www.islabastimentos.com/
Excellent
60%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 356 reviews

Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos

Reviewed By Shellys6 - Cleveland, United States

Beautiful and calm waters to snorkel with tons of reef fish around. There are multiple reefs to snorkel along the parque. Go when the water is calm and clear.

3. Isla Zapatillas

Panama
Excellent
70%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 588 reviews

Isla Zapatillas

Reviewed By SandraS392 - Prince George, Canada

This would be the perfect place to be stranded on! It’s nice that it has been kept so clean when many other places are littered. We walked around the entire island in about 40 minutes mostly barefoot as the sand was so soft with just enough beach & some shade. We passed other people who were on larger tours, but they didn’t stay long. We went on a private tour so had flexibility and spent over 4 hours here, mostly just splashing in the gentle waves! Other beaches we visited had rough water so enjoyed the calmness and quietness. The ride out included a successful sloth island & dolphin bay stop. I’d go private again!

4. Polo Beach

Isla Bastimentos Panama
Excellent
79%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Polo Beach

Reviewed By Newport35 - San Jose, Costa Rica

It is worth to walk from Red Frog Beach to Polo Beach. We did one way by the forest and one way by the beach. Both are worth every minute. Lots of birds to see. The walk by the beach is also amazing. We were snorkeling at every beach.

5. Plastic Bottle Village

Drago Road Next to power plant, Bocas Town, Isla Colon Panama +507 6949-3389 [email protected] http://www.plasticbottlevillage-theline.com/
Excellent
80%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 44 reviews

Plastic Bottle Village

Museum, hotel, hostel. Castle Inspiration was built by Plastic King Robert and his friends, from July 2016 to April 2018. It has four levels measuring 14 meters high (50 ft) and was made out of 40,000 PET bottles. The Castle includes four guest rooms on the first two floors, a dining area on the third floor and a gathering level with a fantastic view on the fourth. The main objective is to inspire the visitors and guess, and to bring awareness about the invasion of the single use PET plastic bottles in our oceans.

Reviewed By jjw1028 - Panama City, Panama

This is a must stop in Bocas, what a great work they have done here, with thousands of plastic bottles.

6. Dolphin Bay Preserve

Dolphin Bay, Bocas Town, Isla Colon Panama +507 6915-1155 [email protected]
Excellent
36%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
6%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 626 reviews

Dolphin Bay Preserve

The Dolphin Bay Preserve EcoTour is unlike any other tour in Bocas del Toro!Go beyond dolphin viewing, jungle hiking, and snorkeling and experience nature like never before!This is your chance to taste the fruit of cacao fresh from the pod, get close enough to touch poison dart frogs, caimans and sea urchins, and learn about the rich socioeconomic and cultural history of Bocas del Toro. Itinerary:• 10:00 (flexible): Our guide picks you up at your hotel• 10:30: Arrive at Dolphin Bay for dolphin watching• 11:00: Arrive at Dolphin Bay Preserve and begin hike• 1:30: Locally prepared lunch • 2:00: Snorkeling• 3:00: Return to your hotel

Reviewed By caparkbem - Rogers, United States

The boat tour takes you to sloth island, dolphin bay, Zappitilla, and snorkeling. It is great seeing the dolphins in the bay and if the boat captain circles quickly the dolphins play in the wake. A great tour.

7. Boca del Drago

Bocas Town, Isla Colon Panama
Excellent
41%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
5%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 419 reviews

Boca del Drago

Reviewed By rhonad136

It is a bumpy ride to get here from Bocas Town but worth it. The setting is gorgeous and you can have your own part of the beach with no one nearby or choose to sit at the area with drinks and food. Very relaxing. And the drive there (bus, taxi or quad - don’t try to bike) is lovely too, despite the potholes.

8. Starfish Beach

Bocas Town, Isla Colon Panama
Excellent
47%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
6%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1,253 reviews

Starfish Beach

Reviewed By ewjm56 - Fernandina Beach, United States

Well worth a day trip. Take the local bus from the downtown park $2.50 per person one way. You can either walk 20 minutes from Boca Del Drago to Starfish Beach or take a 10-minute Water Taxi $1.50 pp each way. When we went to the starfish were abundant so much so you have to be careful not to step on one. There are multiple bars with reasonably priced drinks and outdoor restaurants price range 15 to 20 dollars us Many tourists and local bring their own lunch. Definitely worth the trip and intend to spend most of the day

9. Red Frog Beach

Isla Bastimentos Panama http://redfrogbeach.com/
Excellent
42%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
4%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 870 reviews

Red Frog Beach

Reviewed By Love2Vacay2020

Best day of the vacay! Took a water taxi over to the marina. We walked an easy 10 minute trail to the beach and saw a sloth at eye level very close to the trail! Took a right and found Nachyo Mamas restaurant/beach bar. Rented 2 cushioned lounges under a palapa for $10 all day. Played in the surf, ate and drank all day. I could have stayed there all week! The food at Nachyo Mamas was great. We both had the special, 2 fish tacos and a beer, for $11.50. Excellent tacos and homemade sauces! Fun music in the bar area. Great people watching. Met the owner, who is from the States. Great guy, working hard. All of the staff were hustling, polite, and pleasant. Highly recommend this beach and bar! Didn't see any red frogs, but I wasn't really looking.

10. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

Playa Bluff Road, Bocas Town, Isla Colon Panama http://www.stri.si.edu/english/visit_us/bocas/
Excellent
39%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 46 reviews

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

Reviewed By Scenic621749

We had an informative tour by David who was gracious, intelligent and answered all our questions. We saw a few sloths in the trees and got information and insight into the important research and educational programs they run. Sadly, funding has been decreased since 2016 (USA) so, I plan to donate as the water quality is poor, people have to be educated and create better practices to restore and preserve the beautiful environment.

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