//
Corregimiento and town in Panama
Photo: Panapro, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Bocas del Toro (aka Bocas Town aka Bocas) is a town in the Caribbean West of Panama. The town has an interesting mix of islanders, expats and backpackers and is the most developed in the region. The town boasts an abundance of restaurants, hotels and bars. Bocas has developed a reputation for being a party town with a number of bars and clubs that sit on the stilts over the water.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Most operators offer identical dive options at the same price, with the same types of boats. The diving may not be adventurous enough for seasoned divers as most of the dives are fairly shallow (15–20 m) and the wildlife not as rich as some of the more mainstream Caribbean dive destinations. There is also another scuba operator on Isla Bastimentos. They do not hire contract dive masters. All dives are lead by the owner.
Horses are a way of life in Panama. It is not unusual to look out the window of your casita, and have a horse looking back. Horseback riding in Panama is mostly Western horses and Western saddles. Privately owned horses can vary from Quarter Horse to a mix of Columbian or Peruvian Paso. By breeding the two, you get a larger horse, than the traditional Paso Fino, with the smooth and lovely gait of the Paso. A great area for riding are the beaches of Bocas del Toro near Dolphin Bay'.
Although very touristy, go here for seeing starfish. Bring a snorkelling set. The amount of starfish can be very low, maybe you will only see 10-20 different ones. If you are keen free-diving, check out the sea weed area where also other maritime life can be found including lion fish.
Even though it is very crowded and many boats go there, it can be worth it. Apparently, it also includes a visit to a starfish place with much better sight than Starfish Beach.
Fresh seafood, steak, and variations on Norte Americano-style dishes. Known for passion fruit dishes & cocktails.
Good pasta & other Italian dishes.
Best coffee in town. Also has good breakfast & lunch, with lots of vegan & vegetarian options.
Interesting concept where a few different chefs have their own menus, but share a kitchen. Mexican, Italian, and even Poke bowls. Also has great cocktails.
Indian food
Breakfast really shines here with the wide variety of juice blends and shakes they offer, plus a very unique eggs vindaloo dish.
The waterfront wooden deck bar for the massive Selina Hostel, on the first floor and open to the public. Just walk right in, or use the smaller side door through the passageway on the right later at night. As of March 2020, this seems to often be where the party is, especially before midnight.
A disco, built on a wooden deck, above the water with a wrecked/sunken ship under the water just beyond the deck, illuminated by bright lights. Probably one of the better bars in town, and the one that most of the town winds up at by the end of the night.
Mostly frequented by expats and locals - this makes it a great place to learn about upcoming events, off-the-beaten-path activities, or even get invited to a volleyball game. Live music on Mondays. Also one of the best places to view the bio-luminescent glow worms - once per month, check their social media for info.
Pleasant, airy budget hostel. Pretty basic, with cold showers and light air conditioning in the dorms at night only. Small bar and tables downstairs. Breakfast (two small pancakes and some fresh fruit) is included.
Budget hostel with a reputation for good value and a very friendly and helpful owner.
This is Bocas's big, slick corporate party hostel. Reputedly well-maintained. Has a hopping bar downstairs.
On the main street, it offers excellent dorms and private rooms. Rooms are clean with a/c and private bathroom. A shared kitchen, internet and cheap tours are available. The place is run by an extremely friendly and helpful lady.
Chilled out place 40 m from the party hostels. Very nice and clean, very safe. Nice chill out area, Free laptops, Wi-Fi, pancake breakfast and all rooms A/C. $10 per person dorm, $24 for a double private
Run by Claudio, a US expat from California. The hotel is clean and safe, located a block off the main avenue and away from traffic noise. The hotel also has its own restaurant and bar over the water. Happy hour 15:30–17:30: 2-for-1 drinks. The staff are extremely courteous and friendly.
A hotel of overwater bungalows a 15-min boat ride from Bocas town. Nine bungalows sit on stilts over the water, and wrap around verandas give each bungalow direct access to the water.
Tropical Suites is in Bocas Town on the waterfront. There are activities all around you. The 16 large suites have a complete kitchen, breakfast bar, a large Jacuzzi and balconies. Excursions can be arranged with the reception. Boats can be moored at the hotel docks. Rates start at $140/night, including breakfast and free Wi-Fi internet, with promotional discounts during the season. Deals are available for longer stays, weekly or monthly.
A small Bed and Breakfast on the shores of Dolphin Bay on the Island of San Cristobal, a 20-min boat ride from Bocas town. It is a very quiet and secluded hideaway offering personalized service. 3 beautifully decorated rooms. Meals are prepared using fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables. Room rates start at $115 and they include full breakfast and transportation to and from Bocas town.
Extremely clean German-run hostel with fans in every room. Some rooms also have a balcony. Spacious kitchen facilities and plenty of room in the fridge. The focus is on a family-orientated hostel, rather than a backpacker hangout centered around a bar. Free Wi-Fi. Use of facilities after the checkout incurs a $2 surcharge.
Hotel built in 2004. Clean, spacious rooms fitted with AC, wiFi, private hot showers, TV and balconies. Waterfront bar below. Bicycles, kayaks and snorkelling equipment for rent. Various island tours and expeditions can be arranged. Cake and coffee offered every morning. Great deck with hammacs to chill out. Good location.
Swimming pool, restaurant and bar, horse stable with well-trained horses for jungle tours. Rooms from US$90. Includes breakfast and transportation. 2 nights minimum.
If you're in the middle of a long trip and need to purchase something (replacements, electronics, etc.) that isn't available locally, this freight forwarding company ships Amazon packages sent to their office in Miami for a small fee. Takes around a week to arrive.
Bocas Docks
Laundry and other services available. On the water so good for anyone visiting in a sailboat.
Don Chicho
By car
It is possible to take your vehicle on the island using a car ferry. The ferry leaves Almirante port every morning at 08:00 Monday to Saturday (no service on Sundays).
By bus and boat
The town is on Isla Colón and you'll need to take a boat to access it. Boats departs frequently from Almirante. There is no service anymore from Changuinola.
By private shuttle
From Boquete you can also take a private shuttles to get to Bocas Town with a 4-hr journey to Almirante, and then the water taxi (which is included in the ticket price) to Bocas del Toro.
By sailboat
Bocas del Toro is a popular place for sailboats to stop and stay for awhile, with plenty of easy anchorage and a marina, and it is an authorized port of entry to Panama.
From Costa Rica
From Sixaola in Costa Rica you get to pay a $7+1 exit fee and a $4 municipality fee to enter Panama. The border in Panama closes at 17:00 local time.
By water taxi
Not necessary for getting around the town itself, but water taxis are the main means of transport to other islands or farther-flung beaches.
By rental
Bicycle rentals run approximately $2/hr or $10/day.
By bus
There are two bus companies that provide service between Bocas town and Drago beach (for the starfish).50 (Aug 2022). If you get off a little earlier, it is $1 less (see the price sign in the bus).50.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Isla Colón · Regional · BOC
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Bocas del Toro and Panama.
ItinerariesThe Gringo trail is a term for places in Latin America visited by gringos, that is, people from North America or Europe. It is the Western Hemisphere's equivalent of tropical Asia's Banana Pancake Trail.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventurePanama has 16 national parks conserving a wide range of plant and animal species across several types of ecosystems including both Caribbean and Pacific beaches, coastal wetlands, mountainous rainforests, and rugged…
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesInterstate 5 (I-5) is a United States interstate highway that starts at the border with Mexico in San Ysidro, California and runs 1381 miles (2223 km) north through the states of California, Oregon and Washington to the…
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe Oregon Trail is a 2,200 mi (3,500 km) National Historic Trail across the United States, traditionally beginning in Independence, Missouri and crossing the states of Nebraska, Wyoming, and Idaho before ending near…
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.