By air
Bocas del Toro Isla Colón International (BOC), ~1 km from Bocas Town
North America · Panama
Bocas del Toro, Panama
Caribbean islands, reefs and stilt houses
Getting there
Best time to visit
February to April or September to October — the drier spells
Don't miss
Starfish Beach
Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park
Red Frog Beach
Cayo Zapatilla
Things to do
Island-hopping by water taxi
Snorkelling
Surfing
Dolphin spotting
Cycling to Starfish Beach
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Dronepicr · CC BY 3.0
What to pack
Swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a rain jacket
A quieter corner
Swan Cay, a rocky islet where seabirds nest
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Bocas del Toro?
February to April or September to October — the drier spells. What to pack: Swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a rain jacket.
How do I get to Bocas del Toro?
Fly into Bocas del Toro Isla Colón International (BOC), ~1 km from Bocas Town.
What is there to do in Bocas del Toro?
Island-hopping by water taxi, snorkelling, surfing, dolphin spotting, cycling to Starfish Beach. A quieter find: Swan Cay, a rocky islet where seabirds nest.
What should I eat in Bocas del Toro?
Rondón coconut stew, fresh lobster and fish, patacones, coconut bread.
About Bocas del Toro
- Island
- Coastal
Where it is
Bocas del Toro is an archipelago in the Caribbean off the north-west coast of Panama, near the border with Costa Rica, with its main town on Isla Colón.
History
Christopher Columbus sailed through the islands on his fourth voyage in 1502. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the area became a centre of the banana trade, drawing workers from across the Caribbean, and from the late 20th century it grew into a destination for surfers and travellers.
People
The islands' people speak Spanish and an English-based Creole known as Guari-Guari, and Afro-Caribbean and Ngäbe communities live alongside settlers from elsewhere.
Known for
- Wooden houses on stilts over the water
- Coral reefs and mangroves
- Red poison dart frogs
- Surf breaks and quiet beaches
Did you know?
The strawberry poison dart frog lives on the islands in many different colour forms, with each island having its own variety.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.