The 12 Best Beaches in Bocas del Toro Panama (Ranked)

The bocas del toro beach guide cover photo spells out, "Bocas del Toro Beach Guide," on top of a background of Polo Beach.

One of the main reasons why people come to the islands of Bocas del Toro is to visit our amazing beaches! 

But did you know? 

The most promoted, talked about, and visited beaches in Bocas del Toro are not necessarily the best ones.

There are actually over 20 beaches in Bocas del Toro within a 1-hour boat ride from Bocas Town, but you’ve probably only heard of 2 or 3 of them. Well, our guide covers over 12 of them, and we rank them based on our own, extensive experience of chilling on them.

Enjoy!

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The best Beaches in Bocas del Toro, Ranked:

#1: Polo Beach, Isla Bastimentos

polo beach
Polo Beach, Isla Bastimentos

It’s no surprise that we are big fans of Polo Beach on Isla Bastimentos. If you’ve read through our blog you will see it pop up at the top of our lists for best things to do, reasons to visit, ect. 

The bottom line is that if you visit Bocas del Toro and the weather and sea conditions are right, you should go to Polo Beach for a day. If you can’t make it out by boat, then you can hike the 30-45 minutes from Red Frog Beach. If you want a full day hike that includes stops at Red Frog and Polo Beach, call Titi. It’s worth it!

What to do at Polo Beach: 

Snorkel, walk the beach, view monkeys and sloths in the surrounding jungle, hang out with and eat lunch at Polo’s. 

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#2: The Zapatilla Islands, Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park

Isla Zapatilla with paddle boarders and clear turquoise water.
Isla Zapatilla

The Zapatilla Islands are the most popular day-trip destination in Bocas del Toro – and for good reason. The Zapatillas consists of two perfect, palm tree-lined islets taken right out of your old desktop screensaver. They are located within the Bastimentos National Marine Park which means they enjoy a higher level of protection than the surrounding areas. This means more abundant sea life and great snorkeling when the sea is calm. 

Pro Tip: Go to the Zapatillas early and you will have the islands to yourselves. If you’ve had enough of the Zapatillas and want to escape the crowds when they show up, hop over to the next beach on our list!

What to do in the Zapatilla Islands: 

Snorkel, walk around the island (about 1 hour), and walk the trail through the island. 

Lean more about Panama: 13 Bucket List Things To Do in Panama, Is Panama Safe?, Panama Surf Guide

#3: Old Point (Punta Vieja), Isla Bastimentos

Old Point on Isla Bastimentos has some of the nicest swimming water in all of Bocas del Toro, shown here.
Old Point (Punta Vieja), Isla Bastimentos

Old Point is one of the most stunning beaches in the archipelago and enjoys year-round calmness no matter the sea conditions. It gets overlooked as a day trip destination because it is located so close to the Zapatillas, and the Zapatillas are where the tours go! 

What’s that mean? 

It means the beach here is empty! Like seriously – where is everyone???

Want to be a real pro? 

Go to Zaptilla in the early morning to enjoy it empty as well. When the tour boats show up around midday – escape to Old Point (it’s just a few minute’s boat ride away!)

What to do in Old Point (Punta Vieja)

Walk the beach, look for seashells, enjoy the white sand and calm water. 

Where to Stay: Casa Cayuco (Get a 5% Discount at Casa Cayuco – Enter the Code: “Solbungalowsblog” at checkout!), Al Natural

Don’t miss our Ultimate Travel Guide to Bocas del Toro

#4: Bluff Beach, Isla Colon

Bluff Beach on Isla Colon is the 4th best beach to visit in Bocas del Toro.
Bluff Beach, Isla Colon, VIa Bebs Hollman

Bluff Beach on Isla Colón is another stunning and beautiful strip of coastline in the Bocas del Toro archipelago. It’s one of the big turtle nesting beaches, it’s a hotspot for howler monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds, and although there is increasing development in this area, it still feels raw and untouched. The downside, and why it ranks at #4 on our list, is because the waves here are so powerful that it is not safe for swimming during many months of the year. (The surfer’s sure do love it though!)

What to do in Bluff Beach:

Explore the area on horseback, watch the surfers (or surf), have lunch at one of the hotel restaurants, swim if there are no waves. (Read our Bocas del Toro Surf Guide)

Where to Stay: Bluff Beach Retreat, Oasis, Hummingbird, Island Plantation

#5: Wizard Beach, Isla Bastimentos

wizard beach
Wizard Beach, Isla Bastimentos

Wizard Beach is another one of those places you show up to and feel like you have entered into another dimension. 

There’s no development along its shores, it’s remote, and oftentimes the only other people around are a few surfers from the local Afro-Caribbean town of Old Bank. 

Getting here is difficult and old rumors abound, but after living in Old Bank for three years and visiting Wizard often to surf, camp, swim, or walk the dogs, I can say that things have changed. 

I still wouldn’t hike here with a backpack full of expensive camera gear and leave it on the beach while I surf though… (or anywhere, for that matter). (Read our full guide on Bocas del Toro Safety)

Things to do in Wizard Beach:

Surf, swim if the waves are small, hike the beach. 

#6: Red Frog Beach, Isla Bastimentos

Red Frog Beach on Isla Bastimentos from the drone.
Red Frog Beach, Isla Bastimentos

Red Frog Beach is awesome. We have grown to love it even more now that we have young kids who can play in the sand while we sit and enjoy a cold beer from one of the local beach bars. 

There’s some waves for body surfing, beach volleyball, and a sense of community amongst the ex-pats that frequent the beach for their weekend escape. 

Kids from the nearby indigenous community of Bahia Roja cruise around selling coconut oil, empanadas, and coconut bread. 

It’s also accessible year-round, and the waves, while sometimes dangerous for swimming, break far out enough that you can still play in the water without problems.

Things to do in Red Frog Beach:

Swim or surf, hang out at the beach bars, beach volleyball, hike the beach. 

Where to Stay: Palmar Beach Lodge, Red Frog Resort, Red Frog Bungalows, Selina Red Frog (Hostel)

#7: Boca del Drago Beach, Isla Colon

Mokum Surf Club model poses on a palm tree in Boca del Drago, Bocas del Toro.
Somewhere in Boca del Drago, Isla Colon, by Mokum Surf Club

Boca del Drago Beach basically consists of the whole strip of beach and coastline before you get to Starfish Beach. This area is where the bus stops and the tourists get out to either walk the rest of the way or taxi a $1 water taxi over to Starfish Beach.

There are a few nice areas to relax and swim along this coastline, and aside from passing tourists headed to Starfish Beach, you will most likely be the only people in your area. The more crowded area is right where the bus stops, but keep going and you should be able to find some seclusion! 

What to do in Boca del Drago Beach:

Grab something to eat or drink at the beach bars, explore the entire coastline, walk to Starfish Beach, swim. 

#7: Starfish Beach, Isla Colon

Starfish Beach is the #7 best beach in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
Starfish Beach, Isla Colón

Starfish Beach is another one of the top tourist destination beaches in the archipelago… So yeah, there can often be a lot of tourists there! 

It’s also a very popular place for the locals, especially on the weekends. This can mean big loud beach parties, or it can mean a cool cultural experience, depending on your mindset! 

Try to visit during the week for less crowds, and I would probably avoid holidays also. It is a nice spot with good food to be had, starfish to see, and calm, shallow water to play in. But, contrary to popular opinion, we don’t rank Starfish Beach as one of the best beaches in Bocas del Toro, and that’s why it comes in at #7. 

Things to do in Starfish Beach

Eat/ drink at the local beach restaurants, view the starfish without touching them, rent a jetski or ride the banana boat, swim.

#8: Mimbi Timbi Beach, Isla Colon

Mimbi Timbi Beach is the 8th best beach in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
Mimbi Timbi Beach, Isla Colón

Mimbi Timbi on the far side of Isla Colon is one of our top choices for a day trip. In fact, it’s where I had my bachelor party – camping on the beach for a few nights with my spearfishing buddies. 

The best part about Mimbi Timbi is what it doesn’t have – development and crowds (or any people at all really). The problem is that we like to do everything by boat, and Mimbi Timbi is only accessible when the sea is super calm, which ain’t very often. So while we love to go to Mimbi Timbi, it only happens a few times at most per year. 

What to do at Mimbi Timbi Beach:

Explore the area for some incredible surprises, enjoy the beach, snorkel, swim.

#9: Playitas of Isla Carenero

Doña Mara Hotel sits in front of a nice calm beach in Bocas del Toro.
Doña Mara Beach, Isla Carenero

The playitas (little beaches) of Isla Carenero are perfect for grabbing a beachside lunch, cooling off in the ocean, and enjoying the island views, all at a convenient 2 minutes from Bocas Town. 

They serve their purpose of fulfilling your need for a Caribbean vacation experience when you don’t have tons of time to venture somewhere nicer but farther away. We love them for this exact reason, but it should be said that these are not the best beaches in Bocas. So, while they are great for enjoying an afternoon, we recommend heading to one of the other beaches above for a full-day adventure!

Here’s the main playitas of Isla Carenero:

Bibi’s Beach – Named after the nearby Bibi’s on the Beach Restaurant, which serves some of the best local food in town! 

Doña Mara Beach – Named after Doña Mara Beach Hotel which has one of the best restaurants in Bocas attached to it: Receta Michelá

Carenero Beach – Just down from Bibi’s Beach, not named after a restaurant, but is the most beachy of the three playitas. 

What to do at these playitas:

Eat/ drink, swim in the shallow and calm water, enjoy life!

Where to Stay: Casa Acuario, Doña Mara Beach Hotel, Pirate Arts Experience Resort (BONUS: Get 25% OFF with Direct Bookings at Pirate Arts Experience Resort when you mention “The Bocas del Toro Blog”/ This Article.

#10: La Piscina, Isla Colón

The drone's view of La Piscina reveals the lagoon and secret beach.
La Piscina, Isla Colón, by Brett Henninger

La Piscina was created back in the days before environmental protection. The story goes that the banana company wanted an easier way to access their banana plantations on this side of the island, so they dynamited their way straight through the reef, of course.

Today, it’s a secret lagoon of sorts – very remote, calm, and beautiful. The ATV trail does pass by here though…

What to do at La Piscina

Swim, snorkel, hike the surrounding jungle, hike to the blue lagoon

#11: Long Beach, Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park

Long Beach on Isla Bastimentos is remote, raw, covered in raw jungle and has clear blue water.
Play Larga, Isla Bastimentos

Long Beach on Isla Bastimentos is a sea turtle nesting site and also one of the best surfing beaches in Bocas del Toro. It sits out on a far corner of the island, completely uninhabited aside from a small marine park guard outpost. 

While you are allowed to go to the beach here, it is mostly inaccessible due to the surf. You can hike here from different directions, but it is a very far and very rarely done hike. 

While Long Beach is beautiful, raw, and a dream for surfers, it’s distant location and lack of accessibility make it one of the least popular beaches in Bocas, especially for tourists. 

What to do at Long Beach:

Surf

#12: Hospital Point Beaches, Isla Solarte

Hospital Point, Isla Solarte

Isla Solarte features two small playitas of it’s own, located in the area known as Hospital Point. The main beach is easily accessible and can be hiked to or boated to. There is also a mooring buoy to tie up your watercraft. Like all beaches in Bocas del Toro, this is a good place to not leave your valuables on the beach while you go snorkeling or swimming ;).

The second beach here is harder to get to by land as the trail is very steep, and can be very slippery if it has rained. However, it is much nicer, and if you can get in on a paddle board or kayak, I definitely recommend heading here!

The biggest downside of the Hospital Point beaches are that they are very small, and the tall trees of the island quickly block out the sun for the day. However, like the Carenero beaches, if you only have a few hours and want sand in your toes with nobody else around, this is a good place to come!

What to do at the Hospital Point Beaches

Swim, snorkel, hike around the area.

Where to Stay: Sol Bungalows, Bambuda Lodge

Thanks for reading!

So that’s it! Now you know all you need to know about the best beaches in Bocas del Toro. As always, we hope this guide helps you to have the best possible Bocas del Toro experience!

What do you think about this guide? Tell us in the comments!

Check out more of our guides below!

11 thoughts on “The 12 Best Beaches in Bocas del Toro Panama (Ranked)”

  1. Pingback: 7 Best Things To Do in Bocas del Toro, Panama [2021 Update]

  2. Great article – exactly what we were looking for as we plan our trip. The different characteristics of each beach is especially helpful. I am wondering if it is possible to get in touch with the authors? We also have a small child (4), so our traveling is a bit different than it used to be. We would welcome additional suggestions and/or recommendations. Thank you!

  3. Hi, it seems these are all only accessible by boat. Are there water taxis there? Which boat operators do you recommend?

    1. Hi Erin! Yes there are water taxis which is the main form of transportation throughout the islands. Isla Colon has roads and cars/ public transportation but to get around the other islands you will use the water taxi system. These can be found around Bocas Town with ease. We use TAXI 25 mostly (next to Brother’s Burgers) but any of them will do. Just make sure to confirm the price of the trip before getting in any taxis in Panama.

  4. Oh, my god!!! This is a great blog, I am happy that I have come across this one. It’s an amazing blog to read, so many things about beaches in Bocas del toro. Thanks for this wonderful content.

  5. Hi!
    I’ve been reading A LOT of your articles, and they’re very informative. We’re staying at Palmar Beach Lodge in May, and I have a couple questions:
    *how do we get around Bastimentos, is it possible to explore it by foot and get to some beaches to cool down?
    *How does one explore Parque Marino Bastimentos?
    *Is it realistic to explore Isla Colon in 1 day & visit La Piscina & Mimbi Timbi?
    Thank you so much!

    1. HI! Glad our articles are helping you out!

      You can hike along the coast of bastimentos as there is a footpath that leads from Wizard Beach all the way to Long Beach. It is recommended to go with a guide for safety and to not get lost. You can try to contact Titi who I mention in our activity guides, he leads the Polo Beach Hike. In Punta Vieja there is also a path that leads around the coast, but I am unfamiliar with that one. The Bastimentos National Marine Park which includes the Zapatillas is best explored by boat. And yes you can do Isla Colon in one day, if the ocean is flat you can take a boat to La Piscina and Mimbitimbi, and Bird Island, even Bluff Beach. If there are too big of waves in the ocean then you will want to go by land with an ATV. I’ve only been to Mimbitimbi by boat so i’m not exactly sure how to get there by land… Have fun and be safe, remember that you are on an island with very little infrastructure and medical care, I do recommend using a guide to go to these places if you have never been there, or only with a group!

  6. I visited Bocas del Toro last year and I was amazed by the beauty of its beaches. There are so many options to choose from, but my favorites were Polo Beach, Zapatilla Islands, and Starfish Beach. Polo Beach is a secluded paradise with crystal-clear water and abundant wildlife. Zapatilla Islands are two stunning islets with white sand and palm trees. Starfish Beach is a relaxing spot where you can see hundreds of starfish on the seafloor.

  7. Pingback: Digital Nomad Panama: Why It Is The Best Place To Live In 2023

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