Everything you need to plan the perfect Caribbean escape in Panama.

Everything you need to plan the perfect Caribbean escape, including the best things to do in Bocas Del Toro, where to stay, the best island-hopping tours and why Bocas del Toro completely exceeded my expectations.

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I’ll be honest from the outset, I’d never actually heard of Bocas del Toro before I started planning my trip to Panama. 

When you think of the Caribbean, like me, you probably jump to the Bahamas or Dominican Republic. But now I’ve discovered this magical cluster of islands, full of crystal-clear water, every kind of beach you could ever want, unique accommodation and so much more, I’m astounded I never knew of its existence. And that’s exactly what I love about it most. It’s one of my all time favourite places, and hardly anyone has heard of it. 

The true meaning of a hidden gem 

For me, Bocas del Toro has all the ingredients of a dream Caribbean escape—white-sand beaches, turquoise water and laid-back island life—but without feeling overly polished or overrun by tourists. Instead, it still feels a little adventurous. A place where you travel by water taxi, stumble across colourful beach bars hidden in the jungle and discover boutique hotels perched right on the sea. Add to that, it doesn’t carry the price tag of many of its better known Caribbean friends, adding further to the attraction. 

Whether you’re planning a honeymoon or special occasion, looking for somewhere that balances adventure with relaxation OR planning a more extensive Panama trip, Bocas del Toro is one of the most memorable destinations we visited in Panama.

In this guide, I’ll share the best things to do in Bocas del Toro for couples, where I’d recommend staying, the tours that are genuinely worth booking and a few tips I’d wished I’d known before we arrived.

If you are travelling to Bocas Del Toro as part of a bigger trip and want to know where else we went as part of our 10 day Panama itinerary, you can read my full destination guide here. 

Bocas Del Toro Travel Guide At a glance

Before we dive into the best beaches, boutique hotels and unforgettable boat trips, here’s a quick overview to help you decide whether Bocas del Toro is right for your Panama itinerary or as a stand alone trip. Spoiler alert…if you love Caribbean islands, beautiful hotels and adventures that don’t feel overly touristy, I have a feeling you’re going to love it here.

Location	Caribbean coast of Panama (Bocas del Toro Archipelago)
Perfect for	Couples, honeymooners, nature lovers & adventurous travellers
Recommended stay	3-4 nights (but you won’t regret spending longer if you have the time)
Best time to visit	December-April for the driest weather, although Bocas can be visited year-round
Budget	££ (mid-range, with some luxury options available)
Getting around	Water taxis, taxis, bicycles & walking
Don’t miss	Isla Zapatilla, Starfish Beach, Bluff Beach & an island-hopping boat tour
Worth visiting?	Absolutely—it’s one of Panama’s best hidden gems.

How to get to Bocas Del Toro 

Getting to Bocas del Toro is all part of the adventure—and, in my opinion, one of the reasons it still feels like such a hidden gem.

If you’re travelling from Boquete (as we were), the easiest option is to book a shared or private shuttle, which takes around 3.5–4 hours to the port town of Almirante. There are several companies operating this route, but we travelled with Total Adventures and had a great experience.

Well…mostly.

Our journey was slightly more eventful than planned thanks to a road blockade that left us stationary for several hours. Thankfully, we had a brilliant group of fellow travellers on board (some of whom we still keep in touch with today), so what could have been a frustrating delay turned into one of those unexpected travel memories.

Once you arrive in Almirante, you’ll hop aboard a small open-air water taxi for the final 25–30 minute journey across the Caribbean Sea to Bocas Town on Isla Colón. Most shuttle companies can arrange tickets that include both the road transfer and the boat crossing, making the whole journey nice and straightforward.

As the colourful waterfront of Bocas Town comes into view, you’ll quickly realise the journey was worth every minute. Palm trees, brightly painted Caribbean buildings, boats bobbing in the harbour and that unmistakable laid-back island atmosphere…welcome to one of Panama’s most magical corners.

If you are travelling to Bocas Del Torro directly from your country of origin, your best bet is to: 

Option 1: Fly to Panama City and then take an internal flight OR bus to Bocas Del Toro  (either way you’ll have to transfer by taxi to Albrook Airport first..its about 30-45 mins drive from Panama City) 

Option 2: Fly to San Jose Costa Rica and book a private shuttle over to Bocas (they usually include the boat travel) – this will take 8-10 hours from San Jose. 

Flying from Panama City is easier (as less international transfers to worry about) if you have the choice. That said, combining Costa Rica with Bocas Del Torro island stay is an excellent itinerary! 

Kate’s Tip: Pack anything valuable (especially your phone and passport) in a waterproof bag or dry pouch before boarding the water taxi. The crossing is usually calm, but luggage can get splashed—something I wish I’d been a little more prepared for after Panama’s rather enthusiastic rainstorms!

How to get around Bocas Del Toro 

Not always the easiest but all part of the fun in my view. You’ll be pretty reliant on taxis unless you plan to spend your entire time stationary (which I wouldn’t advise if you don’t want to miss out on all the fun). Taxis will be able to get you across the island and are very cheap. However, to access some of the beaches you’ll need to walk OR hire bikes. As I see it, the best places are worth the journey. 

Where to stay in Bocas Del Toro ⭐

If you want full blown luxury accommodation, there are actually limited 5* options BUT plenty of amazing 4&3* places whether you fancy the idea of being on or by the beach or something a little more unique…

Luxury: If I was going to splash the cash, I’d stay at Red Frog Beach Island Resort (5*). It’s a combination of villas, condos & jungle lodges at Red Frog beach but as the name suggests, set back in the magical jungle just behind the beach. The Honeymoon Casita lodge looks out of this world, but there are lodges and villas perfect for families too!  

Mid-range: If you like your accommodation a little off grid, but not too off grid, we stayed at Sand & Dollar B&B and would highly recommend it. It’s a gorgeous colonial style house with a wrap-around veranda, 2 bedrooms (a Dulux Suite & a Family Suite) approx. 2 miles away from Bocas town. You will wake up to the sound of tropical birds, sea & beach straight ahead of you, lush swimming pool behind you. I have fond memories of having their fresh homemade yoghurt, granola & fruit breakfast on the veranda each morning, looking out at the empty beach whilst surrounded by humming birds. It’s mid-range (nice but affordable) and an overall beautifully unique experience.  

Boutique: Nowhere (3*) with its unique dome style huts surrounded by nature. This one is PERFECT for the more adventurous couples looking for something a little unique. As the name suggests, it feels in the middle nowhere but you are actually super close to many of the island’s highlights (including several main beaches) so you won’t feel too remote. It’s been built for digital nomads and explorers who want beautiful accommodation synonymous with nature. Enjoy an outdoor massage on the jungle surrounded deck or chill by the pool. 

Overwater: Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge (4*). If you want to be quite literally in the water (well in a bungalow in the water), this is where I’d stay. You’ll feel a little like you are in the Maldives or French polynesia here in your brightly coloured overwater hut..having your own private access to the calm caribbean seas (albeit not quite the same standard).  

Unique Stay: If I was visiting Bocas again, I’d stay at Gaia Nature Lodges at Bluff Beach (4*). Another great option set in the heart of nature/ jungle, but with a much more remote atmosphere (a 4 min walk from Bluff beach). I don’t think you could feel anything other than relaxed here in your aesthetically stunning, private but roomy alpine lodge. 

Best things to do in Bocas Del Toro 

The Best Beaches in Bocas del Toro

Let’s start with the obvious. If you’re coming to Bocas del Toro, chances are the beaches are high on your priority list. The good news? You are absolutely spoilt for choice.

What I loved most is that no two beaches felt the same. One day you’re sipping cocktails beneath swaying palm trees, the next you’re wandering along a deserted stretch of sand wondering if you’ve accidentally stumbled onto your own private island.

Starfish Beach (Playa Estrella)

If your idea of paradise involves Caribbean cocktails, crystal-clear water and spending the afternoon floating in the sea, Starfish Beach will be right up your street.

Located on the opposite side of Isla Colón from Bocas Town, it’s a little more effort to reach—but don’t let that put you off. The journey is all part of the adventure, and the reward is well worth it.

The beach itself is lined with rustic wooden beach bars tucked beneath towering palm trees, creating exactly the laid-back Caribbean atmosphere you’d hope to find. Grab yourself a fresh fruit smoothie (or something slightly stronger), pull up a chair with your toes in the sand and settle into island life.

As the name suggests, the shallow waters are home to dozens of bright orange starfish resting peacefully on the seabed. They’re surprisingly easy to spot through the incredibly clear water, making this one of the best places in Bocas del Toro to bring a snorkel.

If you’re making the journey, I’d also recommend stopping at nearby Playa del Drago. It’s a much quieter stretch of coastline where soft white sand meets calm turquoise water, and often feels worlds away from the busier beaches.

Bluff Beach

If, like me, your idea of the perfect beach is less beach club and more endless golden sand with barely another soul in sight, Bluff Beach was a haven.

Stretching for miles along the island’s eastern coastline, this wild Atlantic beach feels wonderfully untouched. During our visit, my husband and I spent hours wandering up and down the shoreline and genuinely only passed a couple of other people…and one very happy dog.

The waves here are much stronger than on the Caribbean side of the island, making it a popular spot with surfers, but even if you never step into the water, it’s worth visiting simply for the scenery.

One of the most magical experiences on offer is horse riding along the beach, with the jungle on one side and the crashing ocean on the other. If that’s not enough to tempt you, Bluff Beach also becomes one of the region’s most important turtle nesting sites between spring and autumn, giving visitors the chance to witness nesting or hatchlings during guided turtle conservation tour led by a local expert. Seeing the turtles clamber across the sands to lay their eggs in my view, is once in a lifetime.

Isla Zapatilla

If I had to choose just one place in Bocas del Toro to recommend, it would be Isla Zapatilla.

In fact, aside from Bora Bora, it’s probably the closest thing to paradise I’ve ever experienced.

Picture powder-soft white sand, unbelievably clear turquoise water, leaning palm trees and dense tropical forest meeting the shoreline. It feels less like a tourist destination and more like the deserted island you’ve imagined since childhood.

There are no large hotels, no loud music and very little development—just nature at its absolute best.

One of my favourite memories was asking a local how to find a particular part of the island, only to be told, “When you get to the pelicans, turn left.”

Honestly, that sentence alone sums up Isla Zapatilla perfectly.

Whether you’re swimming, snorkelling or simply lying beneath the trees listening to the waves, it’s one of those places you never quite forget.

Red Frog Beach

Another island that’s well worth adding to your itinerary is Red Frog Beach.

Famous for its tiny red poison dart frogs hidden amongst the jungle trails, it also happens to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago.

The waves here are generally larger than at Starfish Beach, making it a favourite with surfers, while the surrounding rainforest creates a dramatic backdrop that feels completely different from the calmer beaches elsewhere in Bocas.

Even if surfing isn’t your thing, it’s worth taking the short jungle walk to the beach just to enjoy the scenery—and, if you’re lucky, see how many tiny red frogs you can spot along the way.

My Recommendation: Book an Island-Hopping Tour

If you’re only spending two or three days in Bocas del Toro, don’t try to visit each beach individually.

Instead, I’d highly recommend booking a full-day island-hopping boat tour.

Many tours combine Isla Zapatilla, Red Frog Beach, snorkelling stops, dolphin spotting and lunch, allowing you to experience several of Bocas del Toro’s highlights in a single day without the hassle of organising multiple water taxis.

Our original tour operator is sadly no longer running, but there are plenty of excellent alternatives departing daily from Bocas Town. You can book some great options on Get Your Guide. If you’re short on time, this is without doubt the experience I’d prioritise.

Other things to do in Bocas Del Torro 

• Another cool thing to do instead of or in addition to an island-hopping boat tour, is a surf lesson with boat transfer. You’ll learn the theory first and then be taken to the best surf spots by boat – pretty epic if you are into surfing (or want to try)! 
• Night time Sea turtle conservation tour was an absolute highlight where you can spot Leatherback, Hawksbill and green turtles on Bluff Beach led by a local expert. Seeing the turtles clamber across the sands to lay their eggs in my view, is once in a lifetime (April – September) 
• Cross over to mainland to visit a Chocolate plantation tour where you can learn about organic cacao production 
• There are so many amazing inland hikes if you fancy getting your steps in – you can trek through jungles and visit waterfalls all whilst having a vista out onto the ocean 
• Cave tours (watch out for the bats)
• Explore the vibrant streets of Bocas Del Toro town – simply meander through the colourful town with its overwater restaurants, shops and cafes. A perfect morning time activity

Where to eat & drink in Bocas Del Toro 

Bocas Town is your best bet for food options – imagine over the water seafood restaurants, gazing out to sea whilst nibbling on your lobster whilst sipping on your refreshing cocktail. 

Restaurants: Our highlights for over the water dining were Pier 19 Restaurant & Bar (great choice of menu) or Coco Fastronomy for its unique menu. 

Coffee & brunch: Our absolute fave spot for coffee and a delicious (healthy) brunch was Amaranto in Bocas Town. Think smoothies, budda bowls or for something a little more naughty, their waffles are to die for. They even do vegan and gluten free options! 

Final thoughts on Bocas Del Toro 

If someone asked me which destination surprised me the most in Panama, my answer would be Bocas del Toro without hesitation.

It somehow manages to tick all the boxes. The Caribbean beaches are every bit as beautiful as you’d hope, yet it still feels wonderfully authentic. One day you’re sipping cocktails beneath palm trees, the next you’re snorkelling amongst tropical fish, spotting dolphins from a boat or wandering along an almost deserted beach wondering how on earth more people don’t know about this place.

What I loved most, though, was the balance. Bocas isn’t somewhere you simply fly to, lie on a beach for a week and leave. It’s somewhere that encourages you to explore. Hop between islands on a water taxi, discover hidden beaches, find your favourite little coffee shop in Bocas Town and finish each day watching the sun disappear into the Caribbean with fresh seafood and a cocktail in hand.

If you’re planning a trip to Panama and can only choose one Caribbean destination, I’d make it Bocas del Toro every single time.

And if you’re looking to combine Bocas with cloud forests, boutique hotels, mountain adventures and some of the most spectacular scenery in Central America, don’t miss my complete 10-Day Panama Itinerary, where I share the exact route we took, the hotels I’d recommend and all of my favourite experiences across the country.

Happy island hopping!