If you haven’t heard of Bocas del Toro yet, well then, you’re missing out! Still relatively undiscovered compared to many of the worlds’ more well-known islands, Bocas del Toro will surprise you in all the best ways. This island archipelago dots the beautiful turquoise waters off the Northern Caribbean coast of Panama. The waters and the coral reef surrounding it offer an amazing array of sea life, making it a prime destination for scuba diving. But even if diving isn’t your thing, we’ve got you covered with 12 amazing family adventures in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
How to Get to Bocas del Toro
If you’re flying into Panama City, then the fastest way to get to Bocas del Toro is to take a puddle jumper flight from Panama City to Isla Colon (about a 45 min flight). One thing to note is that they only offer two daily flight times. Flights can be relatively affordable, however not as inexpensive as taking a shuttle bus there.
The best option to get to Bocas del Toro if you’re looking to save a little money, is to hop on a night bus through Panama Bus Tickets. Tickets cost less than $30 and the drive takes about 10-11 hours from Panama City to Almirante. By driving at night, you sleep on the bus (which is actually quite comfortable), which in turn saves you money on staying in a hotel. Once you arrive to Almirante, you will need to get on the boat taxi from the port to Isla Colon (about a 30 min away). Easy peasy!
Where to Stay
There are 9 main islands and over 50 cays that make up Bocas del Toro, however we will focus on two of the most popular and recommended islands to stay on: Colon (the main island) and Bastimentos. We like both for different reasons, and if you have at least a week in Bocas, we would suggest staying on BOTH.
Colon is the busiest of the islands and also the only island where you can drive (however you don’t need a car here), but it also has the most options for lodging and restaurants and shops. Whether you’re looking for more “action” or nightlife, or whether you want a quiet getaway, Colon has the best of both worlds.
There are plenty of accommodations on the island of Colon–from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels, might we suggest something in the middle of the road? Our top pick (and we did a LOT of research) is Bluff Beach Retreat. Located on the east side of Colon along the famous surf beach, Bluff Beach, this beautiful and peaceful retreat is truly an slice of paradise.
At Bluff Beach Retreat, they have options from single rooms to an entire house or villa. They are all decorated tastefully with modern touches and a “beach vibe”. If you rent a house, they even have a full kitchen, so you can stay in and cook if you don’t want to go out. The gardens and walkways around Bluff Beach Retreat are lush and lined with tropical plants and fruit trees. There is lots of wildlife to be seen here, from sloths (one that shows up regularly!), to birds, to monkeys.
We also loved spending a couple of hours at the pool when we wanted a quiet afternoon back at the hotel. Another bonus? They even provide free bikes to ride! One of our favorite things about Bluff Beach Retreat was the staff. The caretakers are so wonderful and make you feel like family from the moment you arrive. Each morning they make a delicious breakfast and everyone eats together on the patio. It was the best way to start the day!
The staff was also so gracious and helpful when it came to booking tours or excursions on the islands (they arranged the best anniversary day trip for us!), calling a taxi, or giving restaurant suggestions. And speaking of restaurants, since Bluff Beach Retreat is not located close to town, there are only a few options to grab lunch or dinner close by (within walking distance!). We tried all 4 restaurants and especially loved the Hummingbird! The key lime pie was our absolute favorite.
On Bastimentos island, you will feel more like you’re “getting away from it all”, as there are no roads on this island and depending on where you stay, no internet access either. It’s a gorgeous island though, brimming with wildlife and amazing landscapes and views. Only a 20 min boat ride from Colon, you will find plenty of lodging options here, however our very favorite is Al Natural Resort, located on the southeast tip of Bastimentos Island National Marine Park.
There are a lot of benefits to staying at Al Natural Resort. For one, you are located on a secluded beach with crystal clear, turquoise water right outside your bungalow. Be forewarned though, this is not a 5 star luxury resort. In fact, it’s rather rustic! But what it lacks in fancy amenities, it makes up for with an authentic “Swiss Family Robinson” style experience. All the bungalows at Al Natural are on stilts, literally right on the beach. Open-air with beds draped with mosquito nets overhead, you will fall asleep with the sound of the ocean right outside your balcony. It truly is a unique place to stay.
Due to the fact that Al Natural is away from any kind of town due to its remote location, this means that when you stay at Al Natural, all your meals are included. And let me just say, the food is amazing! The chef here cooks delicious, gourmet meals–often fresh fish accompanied with local fruits and vegetables. Each night dinner is served by candlelight, since there is no electricity at the resort. All the guests eat together at one long table too, making for an intimate setting where everyone gets to know each other.
If you’re a diver or even if you want to get scuba certified, Al Natural offers the only PADI Dive Center in all of Bocas del Toro. With incredible dive sites located just off the coast of Bastimentos, you have the closest access to some of these prime spots (like Zapatillas Cays) when you stay at Al Natural. They also provide kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel equipment. With daily trips out to Zapatilla and other dive/snorkel sites, as well as other excursions around Bastimentos, Al Natural makes it easy to take care of all of your needs and desires while in Bocas del Toro.
12 Amazing Adventures in Bocas del Toro
Now, time for the fun! There’s one thing for certain about Bocas del Toro–you won’t ever get bored! These islands have a little of everything and the laid-back vibe is definitely a plus if you’re really looking to relax and live the island life! Here are 12 amazing family adventures in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
1. Observe dolphins at Dolphin Bay
One of our favorite adventures was hiring a guide (our hosts at Bluff Beach Retreat arranged this for us!) to take us to Dolphin Bay (known as Laguna Bocatorito), where we could observe dolphins. Dolphin Bay is home to about 100 resident bottlenose dolphins and they are so friendly and playful! Because this area is protected, there is no swimming allowed here, but you can witness them up close and personal by boat or even by paddleboard/kayak. If you would prefer the latter, you can rent kayaks and paddleboards at Dolphin Bay Hideaway.
2. Snorkel or scuba dive
You can’t come to Bocas del Toro without going scuba diving or snorkeling. As mentioned earlier, if you want to get certified while you are here, Al Natural Resort offers diving certification through PADI on Bastimentos Island. But if you’re already certified, there are plenty of guided tours that will take you out to places like Zapatillas Cays, Admiral Bay, Crawl Key or Cayo Coral. Many of the best snorkeling and diving spots are in protected coves or bays too, making them prime for clear water and spotting marine life.
We arranged our snorkeling excursions through the resorts we stayed at, but you can also find great, affordable tours right in the main town of Colon or even this tour with Hello Travel Panama for only $25 per person!
3. Bike to Bluff Beach, La Piscina and Mimitimbi
If you’re planning to spend any time on the main Bocas island, Colon, make sure to add this one to the list! Renting bikes is cheap and easy in Bocas town as there are plenty of options (check your hotel for free rentals too!). FYI–mountain bikes are better than beach cruisers for this adventure.
If you’re starting from town, you will want to head to Bluff Beach first. To get there from town, ride north up 3rd Street until it merges into G Avenue, and then the road will bend towards your right along Playa El Istmito. Eventually you will reach a fork, at which point you will take a right and pass Playa Tortuga Hotel.
Once you’ve passed the Big Creek neighborhood, the road will go from paved to dirt/sand. Continue until you reach Bluff Beach. Likely you will be one of only a few people on the beach, as this beach isn’t ideal for swimming most of the year (strong swell), however it is probably the most stunning beach on the island! To get to La Piscina, simply continue on the dirt road for about 45-60 minutes. You will cross a river and a few bridges. The path is beautiful, even if it’s a bit rugged and bumpy (from tree roots and rocks).
Most of the road/trail goes along the coastline, however keep an eye out for signs to “La Piscina”, a protected cove that is perfect for swimming. There are lots of howler monkeys in the trees here, so be prepared for some loud howls. To reach Mimitimbi, you will need to continue past La Piscina (about double the distance to Bluff Beach), but trust us, the extra effort is worth it! Mimitimbi is a gorgeous beach, perfect for cooling off in the water and enjoying the place to yourself!
A couple notes: plan on at least 2 hours to reach Mimitimbi from Bocas town which means it is best to leave early in the morning so you can return before dark. Also, bring plenty of water and snacks. Don’t forget sunscreen and if you want to stop and get lunch, there are a few restaurant options near Bluff Beach. One more thing, if you prefer not to bike or are short on time, you can also rent ATV’s or go on a guided tour to these places.
4. Witness turtles nesting or hatching
If you are lucky to be in Bocas del Toro during turtle nesting or hatching season, don’t miss this amazing spectacle! Between March and November, you can witness 4 types of sea turtles nest and hatch–the leatherback, the Hawksbill, the loggerhead and the green sea turtle. There are several popular prime nesting/hatching spots in Bocas del Toro–Bluff Beach on Isla Colon, Long Beach on Isla Bastimentos and Zapatillas Cays to name a few.
We were in Bocas in the month of August and were fortunate to witness Hawksbill turtles hatching on Zapatillas! Our hotel, Al Natural Resort, set us up with a guide and took us over to Zapatillas, however you can also schedule a tour with the Sea Turtle Conservancy.
5. Swim with starfish at Starfish Beach
Starfish Beach, located on Isla Colon is a unique beach because here you will find hundreds of starfish. The water here is very clear and calm too, making it easy to spot these beautiful creatures. But please note, you should not touch the starfish as the chemicals from humans can harm and kill them.
To get to Starfish Beach, you can rent bikes and ride there, or take the bus from Bocas town. To catch the bus, look for the ‘Bocas del Drago’ bus in the park found in the center of town. Buses leave every even hour (6, 8, 10 and so on) and return back to town on the odd hour (last bus is at 5PM). You can also take a taxi, which is probably the fastest way to get to Starfish Beach. Also, if you have the time, make sure to visit Bocas del Drago beach, which is just before Starfish Beach.
6. Bird watching at Bird Island
If you are into bird watching, Swan’s Cay, also known as Bird Island is a birders paradise. Here you will find the only known nesting place in the Caribbean of the red-billed tropic bird. A designated bird sanctuary–brown boobies, the brown pelican, the frigate and many types of gulls and terns can be found on Bird Island. There are many companies that offer tours to Bird Island, most often combined with other locations in Bocas del Toro, such as Dolphin Bay, Bocas del Drago and more. We liked going with Panama Trails, whom we also used for a guided hike in La Fortuna, Costa Rica.
7. Paddleboard on Bastimentos
There are some really cool places to paddleboard around Bocas del Toro, but we especially loved paddleboaring on Bastimentos Island from Al Natural Resort. The water is relatively calm, but the bonus is being able to access the coral reef on your board to do some snorkeling too! We loved paddling out to where the sea breaks the reef, anchoring our boards to a rock on the ocean floor and being able to snorkel right there! If you’re staying on Bastimentos and your resort doesn’t have paddleboards to rent or take out, you can also rent by the hour with Get My Boat or at Red Frog Beach Resort.
8. Explore Carenero Island
Carenero is the closest island to Colon, only about a 5 min water taxi ride away. If you’re a surfer, this spot is a MUST, however there are many other reasons to spend a day (or half a day) on this lovely island. There are no roads on this island, but it’s possible to walk around the entire island in an hour. Besides surfing, you can also find nice spots to snorkel, kayak or paddleboard, or simply just relax on the beach. There are also a few great lounges and restaurants on Carenero, such as Casa Acuario and Bibi’s on the Beach.
9. Go surfing
I’ve already mentioned surfing a few times here, but that’s because Bocas del Toro has some legit surfing! Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you can find a little of everything here on the islands. The best season to surf if you’re experienced is between Dec and March when the swell is 4-12 feet. The smaller wave season is May-July where waves are typically around the 3 foot range.
Some of the best spots for beginners are located on the southeast shore of Isla Carenero called Black Rock. There is also a great beginners beach on the Island called La Feria, where you will see a a lot of kids riding their first waves. There are three surf shops such as Mono Loco in Bocas town that can offer you rentals, lessons and all of your surf necessities.
10. Spend a day at Red Frog Beach
This iconic beach located on Bastimentos is definitely one of the prettiest beaches in all of Bocas del Toro. Located right in front of Red Frog Beach Resort, this large beach is the perfect place to spend a day relaxing and playing in the waves. We loved how blue the water was, making it the perfect photogenic beach, but also it accessible to other fun activities close by like zip lining or taking a nature and wildlife hike. Make it a day and combine with one of the two! There are also several restaurants close by to grab some lunch on the beach.
11. Zipline + Cave tour
If you’re an adrenaline seeker and looking for a great family adventure, book a canopy tour at Red Frog Beach on Bastimentos! We missed this activity due to lack of time, but it’s the one thing we heard from several people not to miss. This canopy tour takes you soaring high above the jungle over 7 cables, bridges, a rappel and an optional treetop challenge course! Plus, the minimum age is 5 making this adventure a great option for families with young kids.
12. Camp on Escudo de Veraguas Island
Photo courtesy of Journey Era.
Last but not least, if you have the time and budget and are up for a serious ADVENTURE, spending a couple of days camping and exploring the island of Escudo de Veraguas is a bucketlist experience. Another adventure we didn’t have time to do while in Bocas del Toro, this trip would be first priority if and when we return here. Located about 3 hours south of the main islands of Bocas is this remote and hidden gem, and home to the 3 toed pygme sloth and mangrove forests.
Escudo de Veraguas is truly a tropical island oasis and will leave you breathless with its stunning beauty. From everything we’ve heard and read about coming here, it is recommended to visit this island on a 2 day tour with a guide (costing about $200/day), which is actually cheaper than trying to go by yourself. You can get all the details on a blog post by Journey Era.
Conclusion
Bocas del Toro is one of the most beautiful and unique island archipelagos in the world and if you love tropical islands, add this one to your list. In addition, if you want to combine this trip with another island paradise in Panama, don’t miss our guide to San Blas Island Hopping with Kids!