Bocas del Toro is a scattering of seven big islands and more than 200 islets off the northwestern coast of Panama. This place is your ultimate Caribbean dream in Panama and an easy flight from Panama City. If you have a lot of time on your hand you can also take a bus to Almirante and have a fun boat ride of some 20 minutes from there to the archipelago. You might even see dolphins around the boat! Bocas del Toro is easy to reach from Costa Rica too, with a very beautiful border crossing over the river Sixaola. Just fueling your travel itinerary in here.
I’ve been in Bocas several times, on several islands, and every time I got off the boat at Isla Colón I felt like stepping into a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’-like paradise, with always something new to discover. Whether you like snorkeling, deserted beaches, diving, starfish, sailing, coconuts, wildlife, exquisite food, party places, ultimate quietness; Bocas has some for everyone. Except if you hate sunshine.
The places below have been my favourite spots and moments in the archipelago. Click on the pictures to see where you can find them!
Playa Bluff, Isla Colón, Bocas del ToroThe lagoon on the east side of Isla Colón, Bocas del ToroFlower near the lagoon on the east side of Isla Colón, Bocas del ToroSnorkeling at the lagoon on the east side of Isla Colón, Bocas del ToroMap of at arrival on Isla Colón, Bocas del ToroFeeding the fishes at Bibi's on the beach, Isla Carenero, Bocas del ToroSunrise at Playa Bluff, Isla Colón, Bocas del ToroThe east side of Isla Colón, Bocas del ToroIsla Carenero, Hotel Faro del Kolibri, Bocas del ToroPlaya Bluff, Isla Colón, Bocas del ToroPirate painting at Scully's, a couple of km north of Bocas TownOne of the 200 islets, straight from a Pirates of the Caribbean movie at Bocas del Toro. It was one of the stops during a boat tourThe east side of Isla Colón, Bocas del ToroSpot the dolphins during the boat ride at Bocas del ToroWalking the parrot at Isla Carenero, Bocas del ToroColourful dresses in Bocas Town, Isla Colón, Bocas del ToroOne of the many boats on the water, Bocas del ToroCurious crab at Red Frog beach, Isla Bastimentos, Bocas del ToroRed Frog beach, Isla Bastimentos, Bocas del ToroRed frog beach, Isla Bastimentos, Bocas del ToroMangrove, Bocas del ToroJust a cute restaurant sign at Bocas del ToroStarfish at Playa Estrellas, Isla Colón, Bocas del ToroThe road to the north on Isla Colón, with black bamboo, Bocas del ToroEco-village in the centre of Isla Colón, Bocas del ToroThe old bridge on the border with Costa RicaTypical Caribbean food, Bocas del ToroPlaya Estrellas, Isla Colón, Bocas del ToroPlaya Estellas, Isla Colón, Bocas del ToroThree toed sloth at Playa Bluff, Isla Colón, Bocas del Toro
Quite close to Panama City you’ll find the sleepy mountain village of El Valle de Anton. ‘A sleepy town’ may not sound all too exciting perhaps, but wait for it…
Sandwiched between the screaming hot Caribbean coast and the Pacific coast in Panama (or Costa Rica), it’s ridiculously refreshing to land in the little, lush hillside town of Boquete. Finally
