7 beautiful beaches in Bocas del Toro to add to your little black book
Bocas del Toro is a part mainland, part archipelago province in Panama on the Caribbean Sea. Bocas del Toro has nine main islands, dozens of cays, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the form of Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park (which was the first marine park in Panama). Once travelers taste the sweet nectar of these nine magical islands, they are temporarily immovable. Sun-seekers are transfixed by the stunning beaches, laid-back Caribbean vibes, and the water taxis that transport them between Isla Colon, Isla Carenero, Isla Bastimentos, Isla Solarte, and the dreamy Zapatilla Cays. Here are seven sandy spots to note when visiting Bocas del Toro, Panama.
1. Cayos Zapatillas
The Zapatilla Cays are two uninhabited paradise islands in Bocas. You’ll want to bring your own picnic gear, as there is no infrastructure whatsoever. No restaurants, no shops, nothing but bliss. If you ever wanted to feel like Tom Hanks in Cast Away for a day, Zapatilla is just the place. Day trips to these cays often include snorkeling stops and a visit to Dolphin Bay.
Photo courtesy of Azul Paradise Resort Bocas del Toro
2. Starfish Beach, Isla Colon
What Starfish Beach lacks in waves, it makes up for with the abundance of gorgeous echinoderms (starfish to you and me) trickling all over the bottom of the ocean. The waters are ever so still there; the main sounds that will envelop you are from the local families who come ridiculously well-prepared for their beach days with chairs, tables, parasols, board games, boom boxes, and multiple coolers. There are also a delightful number of beachside restaurants, each selling juicier octopus dishes than the last. Starfish Beach is a wonderful place to just lie, watch, breathe, and exist. Don’t leave your snorkel gear at home.
To get to Starfish Beach (Playa Estrella), take the bus from Isla Colon’s Main Street towards Boca del Drago. The bus departs from the central park, and one leaves every 30 minutes. From Boca del Drago, you can take a short boat ride directly to Starfish Beach or walk for 20 minutes.
3. Boca del Drago, Isla Colon
Boca del Drago tends to be a pit stop on the way to Starfish Beach, but it’s gorgeous in its own right, and a tad calmer on weekends. Stop at Yarisnori restaurant for a refreshing drink and snap up one of the white beach cabañas.
4. Bluff Beach, Isla Colon
Surfers love to hang out at Bluff Beach. In fact, household names in the sport, like Kelly Slater, have come here to ride the waves. There’s an annual bodyboarding competition here too (Bocas Invitacional). Bluff Beach is where you can come to hide out when you have had a bit too much party in Bocas Town and prefer to spend your days with birdsong and crashing waves. Isla Colon’s breaks offer a variety of experiences for everyone, from stoked beginners to salty pros, all set against the lush, untamed backdrop of the Caribbean.
5. Paunch Beach, Isla Colon
Fabulously, at Paunch Beach, you can choose to lie on the sand or on the seriously snug lounge chairs at Ohana. Legacy Bocas del Toro visitors will remember this as the old Paki Point. A new menu and a fresh lick of paint keep this a great option at Playa Paunch. Accessing this beach will require taking a taxi or getting on your bike, as it’s off the beaten track on Isla Colon, but it’s a scenic and noteworthy journey.
6. Red Frog Beach, Isla Bastimentos
The most famous beach on Isla Bastimentos got its name from the red poison dart frogs that can be heard croaking thunderously throughout the day. You won’t have many neighbors here as it’s a little on the quieter side, but you can always pop into Palmar Beach Eco Lodge, which is directly on the beach, for a snack and on to play on the swings when you’re once again ready for human contact.
Palmar Eco Lodge on Red Frog Beach, Isla Bastimentos
7. Carenero Beaches, Isla Carenero
You know you’re at Carenero when you see the pretty yellow houses on the water (Hotel Faro del Colibri). Many will argue that Isla Carenero is more picturesque than the main island of Isla Colon, as it “looks more like paradise”. Be prepared to make friends with all the fiddler crabs traipsing along merrily. Carenero is certainly quieter than Isla Colon. With the exception of Aqua Lounge, there isn’t too much going on here. Long stretches of white sand beach and jungle are all yours for the taking. All yours.
If your beach day extends past sunset, be sure to look all the way up; there are more stars to be seen from Isla Carenero at night than from Isla Colon. Walk up to one of the extended boat docks so the water surrounds you, lie flat on your back, and look at the stars. If that isn’t bliss, I don’t know what is.
Where to stay in Bocas del Toro, Panama
Bocas Paradise Hotel, Isla Colon
You can almost still smell the fresh licks of paint at Bocas Paradise Hotel, which was remodeled and reopened in December 2019 with a pleasing pastel color palette. A waterfront cafe is where hotel guests and nonresidents alike enjoy photogenic dishes (many of which are vegan and gluten-free). Late check-out is available at a cost.
Gran Hotel Bahía, Isla Colon
Stay in one of Gran Hotel Bahía’s 19 luxury Caribbean-style rooms, and you’ll be treated to a generous buffet breakfast each morning. The building’s first plank of wood was laid in 1905, and its owners have since restored it to become one of the loveliest accommodations on Isla Colon.
Eclypse de Mar Aqua Lodge, Isla Bastimentos
Sequester yourself in nature at Eclypse de Mar, an over-the-water bungalow resort on Isla Bastimentos. Snorkel, kayak, and paddleboard to your heart’s content, or enjoy spending time in your private ocean-top bungalow, all of which have glass panels for marine observation.
NOWHERE | REMOTE WORK ESCAPE, Isla Colon
Nowhere | Remote Work Escape was made specifically for portable professionals who need a quiet place to focus and work. The jungle setting is super lush just outside Bocas Town, and your accommodation will be a charming standalone orange and green dome.
Nayara Bocas del Toro, Isla Frangipani
Live out your luxury water bungalow fantasies at Nayara Bocas del Toro. Choose a bungalow with a glass bottom floor or with a swimming pool to teeter over the Caribbean Sea in privacy. Or, opt for an Ibuku Island Treehouse that’s made with reclaimed hardwood from the depths of the Panama Canal. Sustainability isn’t an afterthought at Nayara (it’s solar-powered and uses rainwater catchment systems), and nature takes center stage with rich colors all around.
Photo credit: Booking.com
