Thinking of a tropical escape to Panama’s Caribbean coast? Bocas del Toro, Panama is a unique place to visit in the southern Caribbean with dreamy eco resorts, and plenty of things to do — although doing nothing at all is sometimes the best option!

Like a treasure trove of shimmering jewels, the captivating Bocas del Toro archipelago dots the beautiful turquoise waters off the Caribbean coast of Panama.

These waters and the coral reef surrounding it with an amazing array of sea life makes the islands and its main hub of activity, Bocas Town, a favorite destination for scuba diving and snorkeling.

But you don't have to be a diver to love Bocas del Toro. If you just want to get away and find the beaches and sun of the tropics calling to you, Bocas del Toro has one of the best laid-back vibes we've experienced and should be on your bucket list.

Photographers, beach bums, culture lovers, and anyone else who loves a good slow travel experience will love Bocas del Toro — in fact, it’s hard to travel this part of Panama any other way than slowly.

We combined our visit to Bocas del Toro Panama with our trip to the lower Caribbean side of Costa Rica — a great travel combo — but there are plenty of things to do in Bocas del Toro to make it a perfect destination on its own.

Things to do in Bocas del Toro — Snorkeling Isla Bastimentos in Bocas del Toro, Panama

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Getting to Bocas del Toro

First, let’s talk about getting to Bocas del Toro and getting around from there, as it can be an interesting journey.

USA, Canada, and Europe to Bocas del Toro

Flights leaving the US from major airports like Los Angeles, Chicago, Kennedy, and Atlanta, most often connect through Panama City, Mexico City, Cancun, or San Jose, Costa Rica.

Most flights to Bocas del Toro leaving Europe will first connect through Los Angeles or Dulles in the US before connecting through Panama City or Mexico City.

Costa Rica to Bocas del Toro (or vice versa)

When we visited BdT, we were also traveling around Costa Rica at the time, so our 4-day side trip to Panama was an easy one-hour flight from San Jose to Bocas del Toro.

After our stay, we took the local water taxi to Changuinola then boarded the Caribe Shuttle back to Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. Easy! We’ve since used this same van shuttle several more times on different trips and they’ve been great - highly recommend!

The flight from Costa Rica to Panama is incredibly scenic as the rugged mountains and lush forests of Costa Rica give way to bright green islands floating in the azure waters of Bocas del Toro.

Flying into Bocas from San Jose avoids the customs and immigration hassles you may encounter with ground transportation at the border crossing.

As of this writing you can't take a rental car across the border, and depending on the time of day, there can be several busloads of people arriving at the same time making for a very long queue.

The airport is only 1.5km from the center of Bocas Town, so if you're in Costa Rica and your budget allows, fly!

The inter-country walking bridge from Panama to Costa Rica

Weather in Bocas del Toro Panama

When it comes to planning a trip to this part of Panama, it’s important to consider the weather in Bocas del Toro. This coast of Panama is pretty hot and humid — well, most of Panama along the coast is pretty hot and humid.

If you want cooler temps, you should head inland to the mountains around Boquete for some relief.

Average temperatures in Bocas Del Toro do not vary much, but factoring in the humidity, the Bocas del Toro archipelago tends to feel hot all year long. And there’s a good chance of precipitation about half of the year.

The dry season in Bocas del Toro is January through May, and again in September and October. But it’s not completely dry — though there will be more rain in April and May than in January.

The hottest months to visit Bocas del Toro Panama are March, February, and then April. Mid-March highs are regularly around 94.4°F (34.7°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 73.7°F (23.2°C) at night.

We think the best time to visit Bocas del Toro overall is September and October — yes, you’ll have some rain, but it’s comparable to other parts of Central America.

The best time of year to visit Bocas del Toro for hot-weather activities is from mid December to late March.

5 Day Bocas del Toro Itinerary

For our first time in Bocas del Toro, we spent 5 days exploring both Bocas Town and Isla Bastimentos, which was only scratching the surface.

You need much more time for both. That’s why on our most recent trip, we spent a week on Bastimentos which really allowed us to immerse ourselves into nature and the local culture.

For a first timer, 5 days is an introduction to Bocas del Toro.

Things to do in Bocas del Toro

Bocas Town

There is no shortage of things to do and Bocas Town makes an excellent base from which to explore.

Whether you stay on Isla Colon or one of the outer islands such as Isla Bastimentos, Isla Carineros, or Isla Solarte, there is something fun and interesting to do for however many days you're staying.

We stayed for several nights in Bocas Town, and two nights on Isla Bastimentos, so here is our 4-day itinerary and what we explored:

Scuba Dive & Snorkel

If you love diving or have been wanting to get an Open Water Certificate, you've come to the right place. Diving the different sites around Bocas del Toro is nothing short of spectacular.

On any of the days during your visit you can arrange for classes or a dive trip with either of the PADI 5 Star dive shops in Bocas Town.

The dive shops also offer snorkeling that will get you out a bit further than right off the beach. Or check where you're staying for snorkeling gear and where to leisurely get into the water nearby.

Visit Starfish Beach

Starfish Beach is on the outskirts of Isla Colon and an easy ride from Bocas Town. You can arrange transportation from where your staying or in town.

The beach here is excellent with its beautiful soft white sand. The gentle surf and crystal clear warm water make it ideal for snorkeling.

Visibility for snorkeling is unlimited on most days, and true to its name, there are bright orange starfish everywhere.

If you get hungry, walk up the beach to a small area where there are a few kiosks selling food and cold drinks and eat in the shade of trees.

We had the freshest ceviche we've ever eaten here!

Kayak Saigon Bay

Our accommodations included the use of complimentary kayaks which we took advantage of to explore a calm Saigon Bay.

Keep an eye on the weather. Afternoon thunderstorms are common at certain times of the year and out on the water is no place to be in a storm.

If where you're staying doesn't have kayaks, there are several rental shops around town that can set you up for a paddle.

Take a Sweet Food Tour

It may sound strange for a tropical archipelago to have food tours as one of the fun things to do, but how can you resist when it’s best kind of food — chocolate!

Locals guides can take you on a tour that highlights cacao cultivation and chocolate production, which is quickly becoming one of Panama’s most coveted exports.

The tour, run and managed by indigenous Ngabe farmers, gives you a peek into the local native villages where indigenous Ngabe women describe and show the entire process of organic shade-grown cacao, explaining every step of the way including growing, harvesting, fermenting, drying and ultimately roasting and making chocolate.

The bright yellow Swiss-style bungalows of KoKo Resort

Where to Stay in Bocas Town

We loved our stay at Koko Acqua Lodge on Saigon Bay, a collection of bright yellow alpine-looking bungalows in a quiet neighborhood. They were very affordable, had kitchens and plenty of room for a small family. Check rates and details.

Bocas del Toro Hotel is a comfortable but basic hotel in Bocas town with an excellent restaurant. Check details and rates.

The Hummingbird is a small but beautiful boutique eco-B&B on Bluff Beach surrounded by tropical gardens. Think lush jungle lodge in the tropics! Check rates and details.

Booking.com

Isla Bastimentos

There are three main islands in Bocas Del Toro: the main island of Isla Colon, where Bocas town is located; Isla Bastimentos, one of the largest islands in Panama; and the small island of Isla Carenero.

We recommend spending a few days in Bocas Town and a few days in Isla Bastimentos, for the best overview of Bocas del Toro.

Visit Red Frog Beach

Arrange for transportation to Isla Bastimentos to get to Red Frog Beach. It's about a 10 minute water taxi ride from Bocas Town and then about another 15 minutes on foot.

This popular beach with its clean sand and a border of shade trees although small is well worth the $5 fee that's charged for maintenance of the access path (at least that's what the sign says).

There are a few places to eat near the beach and get a cold one.

But be safe. From November to April there is world-class surf here that can get very rough with riptides being common. This is great if you're into surfing, not so great if you just want to take a leisurely dip.

Go Surfing

As we said, November to April the surfing in Bastimentos is pretty awesome. There are places nearby to rent a board that will also give lessons for newbies.

Other beaches to explore on Bastimentos are Wizard Beach, Turtle Beach, North Beach, Playa Larga, and Cayman Beach.

If you're not into surfing or beaching it, try snorkeling the nearby reef.

Bastimentos Sky Zipline Canopy Tour

Like many jungle destinations, Bastimentos also has a popular ziplining tour that will take you flying high over the lush canopy near Red Frog Beach.

Given the aerial views over these islands, it's not a bad way to add some zip to your day.

Visit Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park

Spend the day at Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park. If you're feeling intrepid, this is a 45 minute water taxi ride from Bocas Town.

Because the Park covers such a large area including what's probably the best coral reef in the Caribbean, we recommend booking with one of the tour operators serving the Park.

You can then tailor your day however you like — hiking, exploring nature trails, beach combing, snorkeling or diving.

Where to Stay on Isla Bastimentos

Casa Cayuco - For an immersive deep dive into the natural world while you recharge your mind and body, you will love this intimate eco adventure lodge. Exciting daily excursions, lovely people, and fresh local food from the garden and sea is the cherry on top.

Read our Casa Cayuco review here.

Red Frog Beach Island Resort is popular for good reason, on the beach and a 5-minute walk to the Bastimentos National Marine Park and Red Frog Beach. Check rates and details.

The high end Azul Paradise, gorgeous over-the-water bungalows near Playa Larga, with it's own restaurant and bar.

Check rates and availability.

Booking.com

The beautiful neighborhood children near Saigon Bay were so sweet and fascinated by my camera.

This part of Panama takes time to explore and soak in the immense diversity, but we especially love the rustic and remote setting of Bocas del Toro.

People here can be a bit more shy and reserved than you’ll find in say, Mexico or Costa Rica. But who can blame them for wanting to preserve such a pristine environment and the wealth of nature that surrounds them?

You can follow our itinerary here, or create your own as you go.

Bocas del Toro is the kind of place where you can lose yourself, and time runs together or has no meaning, or something like that.

Island time....that's what it is, in the best sense of the phrase.

I want to return to that idle state of mind and go even deeper into the sleepy Caribbean where barefoot kids know Bob Marley songs by heart.

Bocas del Toro, Panama: What to Do and Where to Stay