Bocas Town
Nightlife, convenienceThe main town on Isla Colón.
Island guide
Things to do in Bocas del Toro
A Caribbean archipelago of jungle islands and stilt houses: water taxis between beaches, surf breaks, snorkelling over reefs, starfish in the shallows, sloths in the trees, and a backpacker scene that runs every night of the week.
19
Hostels in the city
8.9
Average, from 7,266 reviews
9
Main islands
4–5
Days
Islands by water taxi
Bocas del Toro is an archipelago off Panama's north-west Caribbean coast, close to Costa Rica. The main island, Isla Colón, has Bocas Town, a colourful strip of wooden buildings on stilts with hostels, bars, dive shops and restaurants over the water.
Around it are other islands, reached by water taxi: Carenero for surf and quiet, Bastimentos for jungle, Red Frog Beach and the Afro-Caribbean village of Old Bank, and the Zapatilla cays in the national marine park. The culture mixes Afro-Caribbean, Ngäbe and Latin influences, and English Creole is widely spoken.
The weather is wetter than the Pacific side, with no reliable dry season. Give Bocas four or five days; many stay longer.
Where to base yourself
Bocas Town for nightlife and convenience; Carenero for a quieter base five minutes away; Bastimentos for jungle and beaches.
Isla Carenero
Quiet, surfFive minutes by boat from town.
Bastimentos
Jungle, beachesOld Bank village and Red Frog Beach.
Playa Bluff
Surf, natureThe wild beach north of town.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 9 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Bocas del Toro
Take a boat tour to Dolphin Bay, the coral reefs of Cayo Coral and the Zapatilla cays, two uninhabited islands in the Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park. Cycle or take the bus to Starfish Beach and Boca del Drago on Isla Colón.
Surf the reef breaks at Carenero, Bluff and Paunch from about December to March and in June and July. Walk across Bastimentos to Red Frog Beach and Wizard Beach, and look for the tiny red poison frogs and sloths.
Learn to dive, try stand-up paddleboarding, and join the nightly bar crawl, including Filthy Friday, a boat-based party.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Bocas Town and its waterfront are free to wander. Playa Bluff, on Isla Colón, is free if you cycle there, and so is swimming from the docks.
Sunsets from the over-water bars cost nothing but a drink.
Water taxis, tours and some beaches (such as Red Frog, which charges a landing fee) cost money.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Try Caribbean dishes: rice and beans cooked in coconut milk, fresh fish, patí (spiced meat pastries) and Johnny cake. Local fondas serve set plates for €4 to €7.
Bocas Town has restaurants over the water, from cheap to pricey.
A 10 per cent tip is usual in restaurants; check the bill first, as some add it.
Nightlife
Going out
Bocas has a different party each night, rotating between bars, hostels and the over-water Aqua Lounge on Carenero. Filthy Friday is a boat-based crawl between three island bars.
Bars are busiest in the high seasons.
A beer costs €1.50 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around
Fly from Panama City to Bocas Town in about an hour, or take the overnight bus to Almirante (about 10 hours) and a water taxi to Bocas Town (about 30 minutes). Shuttles and buses link Bocas with Boquete and the Costa Rican border at Sixaola.
Water taxis link the islands for a few euros; agree the fare and avoid crossing at night. On Isla Colón, rent a bike or take the bus to Boca del Drago.
Costs
What Bocas costs
Hostel beds start at around €12 to €22 a night. Fonda plates cost €4 to €7.
A full-day boat tour costs about €25 to €40 plus park fees, a surf lesson about €30 to €45, and water taxis €2 to €10.
Panama uses the US dollar, alongside its own balboa coins, which are worth the same. Bocas Town has ATMs, but the other islands do not, and they can run out.
Safety
Safety and scams
Bocas is relaxed, but theft from rooms and beaches happens. Strong currents make swimming dangerous at Red Frog, Wizard and Playa Bluff, with no lifeguards. Avoid water taxis at night, and do not walk empty beaches or the Bastimentos trails alone after dark.
Sandflies bite at some beaches; use repellent. Protests in the province have blocked roads to the mainland at times; check before travelling.
Tap water is safe to drink in Panama City and most of the country, but not in Bocas del Toro or on the islands; use bottled or filtered water there. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Island holidays.
16 November
Bocas del Toro Day
Bocas Town
The province's foundation day.
February or March
Carnaval
Bocas Town
Parades and parties.
December to March
Surf season
Bluff and Carenero
The biggest waves.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Bocas del Toro, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Palmar Beach Lodge
Dorms from €19 a night
See dates and book
Cataleya Hostel
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
Hotel Olas
Dorms from €15 a night
See dates and book
Spanish by the Sea - Bocas
Dorms from €16 a night
See dates and book
Bambuda Lodge
Dorms from €20 a night
See dates and book
Cliff's Hostel
Dorms from €8 a night
See dates and book
Bambuda Bocas Town
Dorms from €14 a night
See dates and book
Skully's House
Dorms from €13 a night
See dates and book
Aqua Lounge Bocas del Toro
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
When to go
Bocas has no reliable dry season. The calmest, sunniest weather often comes in September and October, and again from February to April. December and January can be rainy, and big surf arrives from December to March.
Jan
Rain, surf
Feb
Drier, surf
Mar
Dry spell
Apr
Easter
May
Rain
Jun
Rain
Jul
Busy, surf
Aug
Rain
Sep
Calm, sunny
Oct
Calm, sunny
Nov
Wettest
Dec
Rain, holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Warm and humid all year.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Bocas del Toro prices.
Treat these as a guide. Boat tours cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Bocas del Toro questions
The ones we get asked most.
How do I get to Bocas del Toro?
Fly from Panama City in about an hour, or bus to Almirante and take a water taxi.
When is the best time to visit?
September and October, or February to April.
Can I swim at Red Frog Beach?
Carefully; currents are strong and there are no lifeguards.
Can I drink the tap water?
No, drink bottled or filtered.
Is Bocas safe?
It is relaxed; avoid water taxis and empty beaches at night.
Where should I stay?
Bocas Town for nightlife; Carenero or Bastimentos for quiet.
How many days do I need?
Four to five.
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