Plan a spring trip to Bocas del Toro. Explore neighborhoods, restaurants, places to stay and practical local advice from AVARA's full editorial guide.
Bocas del Toro — TL;DR
Panama's Caribbean island archipelago, where Klika's submerged pool tables meet Bambuda Lodge's Filthy Friday bar crawl finale.
Bocas del Toro overview
February to April (dry season, low rainfall) and September to October offer the best conditions for island-hopping and diving.
Isla Colón is the main island and home to Bocas Town, with Isla Carenero a short water-taxi hop away and Isla Bastimentos further out near the National Marine Park.
US Dollar ($) / Balboa
Spanish; Guari-Guari Creole and Ngäbere are spoken. English is common in tourism.
EST (UTC-5)
Bocas del Toro's hospitality scene continues to spread across its archipelago, with Klika's submerged-table pool and Bambuda Lodge's Filthy Friday bar crawl defining the party-hostel circuit on Isla Colón, while Selina Red Frog on Isla Bastimentos pulls travelers toward yoga, snorkeling and the National Marine Park.
Where to eat, drink & do in Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro neighborhoods
Isla Colón / Bocas Town The main island of the region and home to Bocas Town, located close to lots of activities and with lots of restaurants, bars, and shops.
Isla Carenero Sits in the bay between Isla Colón and Isla Bastimentos and is quite developed with lots of restaurants, beach bars and hotels.
Isla Bastimentos Home to Selina Red Frog, within walking distance of the Bastimentos National Marine Park.
Practical info for Bocas del Toro
Getting around in Bocas del Toro? Isla Colón is the main island and home to Bocas Town, with Isla Carenero a short water-taxi hop away and Isla Bastimentos further out near the National Marine Park.
When to go in Bocas del Toro? February to April (dry season, low rainfall) and September to October offer the best conditions for island-hopping and diving.
What's changing now in Bocas del Toro? Bocas del Toro's hospitality scene continues to spread across its archipelago, with Klika's submerged-table pool and Bambuda Lodge's Filthy Friday bar crawl defining the party-hostel circuit on Isla Colón, while Selina Red Frog on Isla Bast
Seek out Skully's House oceanfront pool in Bocas del Toro? A really nice hostel with an oceanfront pool located outside of Bocas town, halfway between Bocas and Playa Bluff, away from the main party circuit.
Base yourself in Isla Colón / Bocas Town in Bocas del Toro? The main island of the region and home to Bocas Town, located close to lots of activities and with lots of restaurants, bars, and shops. Known for main island hub, bocas town.