Bocas del Toro

The archipelago of Bocas del Toro in Panama is situated on the northwestern coast of Panama in and around the Laguna of Chiriqui. Bocas del Toro offers the perfect combination of Caribbean charm, nature and history with cultural traditions. Due to its variety of aquatic species, coral reefs, mangroves, tropical forest, beaches with crystal clear water and undisturbed jungles the main attractions are snorkeling, diving, hiking and bird watching. The main town is called Bocas del Toro or "Bocas Town" and is located on Colon Island, the largest island of the archipelago. In Bocas Town you will find colorful wooden houses and some historic relics (like a canon, an anchor and an old fire truck). At night you can eat out on one of the many restaurants serving international or local food and dance to Reggea; during the day you can tour one of the nearby islands, go watch the dolphins play in Dolphin Bay, go swimming and sunbathing in one of the beautiful beaches of the surrounding islands (Red Frog and Zapatillas are two good options). Or take a river boat into the jungle to an authentic Ngobe Bugle Indian village, go snorkeling or scuba dive. Traveling to Bocas, as the locals call it, can either be as simple as taking a 40 minutes flight from Panama City or as adventurous as going over land by bus and water taxi. Either way it is a destination unlike any to be found elsewhere in Panama.

Several of the pristine islands of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago in the Caribbean Sea are protected by the Bastimentos Marine National Park. The park offers great diving, snorkeling and swimming, and its beaches are used as a nesting ground by several species of sea turtle. The main town on the archipelago is Bocas del Toro on the southeastern tip of Isla Colón. The archipelago is off the northeast coast of Panama and is also accessible by ferry from Almirante and Chiriquí Grande.

Click here to see a map of Bocas del Toro!