Bocas Del Toro: Your Ultimate Guide to Caribbean Bliss
Why visit Bocas Del Toro?
Bocas Del Toro is an absolute paradise. It is one of the most renowned and visited regions in Panama. It has everything from tropical reef creatures to pristine sandy beaches that glisten in the sun. And if you like to party and meet fellow adventurous travellers, then you’ll absolutely fall in love with this destination.
This is the perfect place to enjoy the warm Caribbean sun and escape the realities of everyday life. Make it a top priority to visit when exploring Panama, you won’t be disappointed.
Plan your trip using our Panama: Ultimate 7-day Itinerary through Tropical Paradise
How to get here?
From Panama City:
If you’re travelling from Panama City, then the best approach is to purchase your ticket on the morning of your travel day. You should go to Albrook bus station and visit the desk labelled ‘Bocas Del Toro’. You can find the bus schedule here. The price for this journey is $27.
The bus takes 11 hours and will drop you off in Almirante. From there, you can take a taxi for $1 to the ferry terminal. The first boat to Bocas Del Toro departs at 6 AM. I would avoid getting the 6 PM bus as you will be waiting around for a long time.
For some reason, you can only buy a return boat ticket to Bocas Del Toro from the ferry terminal in Almirante. This will cost $10, whilst a single ticket is $6. However, it seems that as a foreigner you cannot buy a single ticket.
From Boquete:
If you are travelling from Boquete, there are numerous shuttle buses running between these two destinations. You can book a shuttle using this link here. It will cost you $30.
The quickest option to travel here is via a plane but obviously, this is the most expensive option costing around $100.
Top things to do:
Playa Bluff
This is the main beach located in Bocas Del Toro featuring a long stretch of beautiful sand and gentle, tranquil waves. Surprisingly, very few tourists venture beyond their hotels or hostels to visit the beach. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to take a stroll and swim in the sea here. You’ll have a perfect Caribbean beach all to yourself.
Bocas Del Drago
Bocas Del Drago is a perfect getaway from the bustling town of Bocas Del Toro. This hidden gem boasts stunning deserted beaches that will make you feel as if you’ve been washed ashore on a deserted island. The beaches here are remarkably pristine, with crystal-clear blue waters and palm trees gracefully leaning over the sea. It truly is a paradise.
To reach Bocas Del Drago, you will need to take a minibus that departs from the bus station near Simon Bolivar Park. These minibuses operate every 30 minutes, and the fare is $2 each way.
Starfish Beach
Starfish Beach, located in Bocas Del Drago is considered one of the finest beaches on Bocas Del Toro. It has a long coastline with white shimmering sandy beaches. Along the shore, you will find loads of boats offering boat trips, snorkelling, and even diving! There are also affordable bars and restaurants here, so you can relax and enjoy the tranquillity of this place whilst indulging in delicious local cuisine.
To reach this beach, it is a short walk from where the minibus will drop you off. This walk has the most splendid views and small beaches along the way so if you are seeking some peace and quiet then come back along this route and find a nice spot to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Plasticbottle Village
Robert Bezeau decided to collect over a million plastic bottles and construct an entire village out of the plastic bottles. The idea behind it is to encourage Up-cycling rather than recycling. Up-cycling is where PET plastic bottles are re-used in construction without any transformation avoiding the need to recycle PET into clothes which ultimately leads to fibres being sent into our oceans when we wash our clothes.
To reach this place you could either hire a bicycle or an e-bike, or you could take the minibus which leaves from Bocas Del Toro as this passes by here on its way to Bocas Del Drago.
Other things to do on Bocas Del Toro:
- Red Frog Beach
- Diving
- Snorkelling
- Surfing
Where to stay?
Budget – Bambuda Bocas Town – This beautiful hostel is located right on the seafront in Bocas Del Toro and has brilliant views over the shore and all for a cheap price!
Medium – Hotel Bocas Town – Spacious rooms with incredible ocean views, what more could you want for a fabulous price?
High – Tropical Suites Hotel – The rooms here are furnished to a high standard and there is the most incredible pool with an ocean view at this hotel. You can also lounge around on the deck chairs provided or jump into the sea and enjoy the warm ocean currents.
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