The
Bocas del Toro Travel Blog
Travel guides and Insider Information about
Bocas del Toro, Panama
Welcome to the
Bocas del Toro travel blog
The Bocas del Toro Travel Blog provides travelers to Bocas del Toro, Panama, with all of the important travel information they need in order to have the best possible experience.
The Bocas del Toro archipelago comprises 9 main islands and thousands of smaller islets and cays, has 5 distinct local cultures, over 20 beaches, endless activities and areas to explore, as well as containing a National Marine Park and being a Mission Blue Hope Spot.
We have lived in the islands since 2015 and the best tip we can give you is this: do your research before visiting. We have covered almost all the important topics related to travel in Bocas del Toro on our blog, so that you can make informed decisions about your trip!
Getting Here - Safety - When to Visit
Getting from Panama City to Bocas del Toro (Quick Guide)
The best and easiest way to get to Bocas del Toro is to fly from Panama City, Panama with Air Panama. Alternative routes to Bocas del Toro from Panama City include taking the bus, renting a car, or flying with FlyTrip. Our favorite way, and what most traveller’s prefer, is
The Best TIme To Visit Bocas del Toro Panama + Monthly Weather Guide
The best time to visit Bocas del Toro, Panama is during the dry season from January to mid-April. Locals will also tell you that September, October and November are great months to visit. Overall, these months are statistically the driest and sunniest months of the year and your best bet
Is Bocas Del Toro Safe?: A Crime and Health Safety Guide (Update 2022)
Bocas del Toro is considered to be safe for travelers and has very low incidences of violent crime. Check The U.S. Department of State website for current travel restrictions. Check out our post on COVID-19 in Bocas del Toro for updated information on the current situation, or follow along with
General Bocas del Toro Travel Guides
Bocas del Toro: Quick Travel Guide 2024 (By A Local)
This Quick Travel Guide to Bocas del Toro, Panama, is written based on our first-hand experience of living and working in Bocas del Toro full-time since 2015. Bocas del Toro is an archipelago located on the Caribbean coast of Panama known for its stunning natural beauty, biodiversity, and laid-back Caribbean
Bocas del Toro, Panama: A Local’s Ultimate Travel Guide
This is The Ultimate Travel Guide to Bocas del Toro, Panama. We wrote this guide because we know Bocas del Toro is a challenging destination that requires research and guidance in order to achieve the best experience. You need to understand the geographical layout of the islands, how the areas
10 Reasons Bocas del Toro Is Worth Visiting
Bocas del Toro is worth visiting for its untouched beaches, lush rainforests, unique experiences, surfing, diving, and a slow-paced, small-town vibe. The islands have affordable overwater bungalows and jungle hideaways, and the boating lifestyle permeates everyday life. This off-the-beaten-path archipelago in the Caribbean has been referred to as what Hawaii
Where to Stay in Bocas del Toro
Where to Stay in Bocas del Toro, Panama (Island and Area Guide)
Choosing where to stay in Bocas del Toro, Panama is a difficult task for anyone who hasn’t been here before. Our Caribbean Island Archipelago is full of small, boutique-style accommodations that are spread throughout many different islands and communities. Each island offers a different experience and location plays a huge factor
7 Best Affordable Overwater Bungalows in the Caribbean
Dreaming of a tropical getaway in an affordable overwater bungalow in the Caribbean? Look no further! This post uncovers the 7 best affordable overwater bungalows that offer stunning views, crystal-clear waters, and all the luxury you crave – at a fraction of the price. Whether you’re searching for cheap overwater
9 Must-See Overwater Places to Stay in Bocas del Toro Panama
Bocas del Toro, Panama is an island archipelago much like the Maldives or Fiji, featuring several overwater bungalow places to stay, as well as overwater hotels, hostels, lodges, and AirBnb’s. In Bocas del Toro, being over the water isn’t just for luxury resorts, it’s the local way of life! We
17 BEST Places to Stay in Bocas del Toro Panama (Quick Guide)
The best places to stay in Bocas del Toro Panama include overwater bungalows, tree houses, overwater hotels, and rainforest canopy lodges. Bocas del Toro is a Caribbean archipelago unlike any other in Latin America! We have lived in Bocas del Toro since 2015 and have watched it develop into one
The Best Hostels in Bocas del Toro, Panama for 2023 (A Local’s Guide)
Hostels were the first big accommodation type in Bocas del Toro when tourism started over 20 years ago. Surfers were the first to discover the islands for the tropical paradise that they are, and a few hostels popped up to meet the demand. Jump to 2023, and you’ve got more
Things to Do in Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro Surfing Guide: Surf Spots, Seasons & Lessons (2024)
This article covers everything you need to know about surfing in Bocas del Toro, Panama, including a detailed surf spot guide, where to stay, the surf seasons, where to check the surf report, and where to find surf lessons! We have lived and surfed in Bocas del Toro since 2015,
33 BEST Things to do In Bocas del Toro (By a Local)
This guide breaks down the best things to do in Bocas del Toro on the 5 main islands of the archipelago: Isla Colon, Isla Carenero, Isla Bastimentos, Isla Solarte, and Isla San Cristobal. We have lived in Bocas del Toro since 2015 and have personally done every activity on this
Best Things To Do in Bocas del Toro, Panama (Quick Guide)
This quick list of the best things to do in Bocas del Toro is for adventure seekers who want a new and off-the-beaten-path experience. Of course, with over 20 beaches that fall within the boundaries of the islands, you could sit on a new beach every day of your trip.
7 Things you SHOULD NOT do in Bocas del Toro, Panama
Bocas del Toro is an island archipelago on the Caribbean coast of Panama with a reputation as being, “the Galapagos of Central America,” for its biodiversity both on land and in the sea. There’s an abundance of bottlenose dolphins, strawberry poison dart frogs, starfish, seahorses, sloths, monkeys, spotted eagle rays,
The 12 Best Beaches in Bocas del Toro Panama (Ranked)
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
Scuba Diving in Bocas del Toro Panama: A Dive Master’s Guide (2022)
Bocas del Toro is becoming recognized as one of the best and most affordable places in Central America for scuba diving! Scuba diving in Bocas del Toro has something to offer for divers of all levels, like colorful reefs, shipwrecks, and underwater cave systems! One of the things people love
Quick Travel Guides by Island
Isla Solarte: A Local’s Quick Travel Guide (2022)
Isla Solarte (also known as Nancy’s Cay) is one of Bocas del Toro’s most untouched and natural islands. It has a landmass of 3.1 square miles and a population of about 200-300 people, primarily made up of indigenous Ngäbe people and a small scattering of ex-pats. A town near the
Isla Colón, Panama: A Local’s Quick Travel Guide (2023)
Isla Colón on Panama’s northwestern Caribbean coast is the jewel of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago. The island is home to some of the area’s best beaches and tourism attractions, as well as the capital city of the islands: Bocas Town. While Bocas Town is known for being a busy
Isla Carenero: A Local’s Quick Travel Guide (2023)
Isla Carenero is Bocas del Toro’s smallest main island – just under 1 square kilometer – but it has the most to offer for tourists compared to its size. There are beautiful beaches and world-class waves, lively coral reefs, lush rainforest, palm trees, turquoise waters, and awesome places to both
Isla Bastimentos Panama Quick Travel Guide (By a Local)
Isla Bastimentos in Panama is the largest island in the Bocas del Toro archipelago and one of the most popular islands for tourism. The Afro-Caribbean town of Old Bank is the capital of the island and the second-largest population center in the archipelago. Other areas of interest for tourism on
Bocas del toro Real Estate Guides
Where to Buy Real Estate in Bocas del Toro Panama (A Local’s Guide)
Mark Johnson from Paradise Found Realty says that what most people are looking for when they buy real estate in Bocas del Toro are these five things: In fact, this is more or less what we told him we were looking for when he helped us find our property. Now,
7 Things You SHOULD NOT DO When Buying Real Estate in Bocas del Toro
Real Estate in Bocas del Toro is hot right now! It seems that everything is for sale, being bought, or already being built on. (But you already know this, and that is why you are reading this article!) Maybe you have already bought a property in Bocas del Toro, or
Real Estate in Bocas del Toro: Property Buying Guide + Insider Tips
So, you’ve heard about the paradisical Caribbean archipelago of Bocas del Toro and you are interested in buying property there. With all of the questions you may have about real estate in Bocas del Toro, it may seem overwhelming just trying to find where to begin! Well luckily for you,
General Panama Travel Guides
Panama: Best Affordable Overwater Bungalows in the Caribbean
Finding cheap overwater bungalows in the Caribbean, or anywhere else in the world, isn’t easy. Staying in an Overwater Bungalow isn’t known for being an affordable way to travel, after all. But what if there were cheap overwater bungalows, right here in the Caribbean Sea? Look no further than Bocas
Our Escape Clause: Unethical Travel Blogging Exposed in Bocas del Toro
Travel Blogging. What is it? What is its purpose? How do travel blogs help, or hurt, the destinations and people they talk about? Furthermore, who is a travel blogger? Who can be a travel blogger? And what does it take to be a travel blogger? And another thing; how do
Is Panama Safe?: A Local’s Guide to Safety in Panama
Key Takeaways: Is Panama Safe? In this article, we will uncover if Panama is safe for travel and give you actionable tips on how you can have a safe and crime-free visit to Panama. We have lived in Bocas del Toro, Panama, since 2015 and have found it to be
COVID-19 in Bocas del Toro, Panama
The purpose of this article is to provide important information and resources regarding the status of COVID-19 in Bocas del Toro, Panama. For up to date statistical information about the number of cases, number of deaths, or number of recoveries, please refer to the Ministry of Health of Panama website.
Best Luxury Hotels, Resorts, and Overwater Bungalows in Panama
Panama is quietly becoming one of the top destinations in Central America for luxury resorts, hotels and even overwater bungalows. As Costa Rica becomes too expensive, over-developed, and touristy, Panama is rising as a more authentic and affordable travel destination. We have lived in Panama since 2015 and are in
5 Best Hotels and Things to do in Panama City, Panama
This article explains our top picks for the best hotels and things to do in Panama City, Panama based on our experience of living in Panama 2015. If you only have a few days or even just one night to spend there, then you’ll want to make sure you pick
13 Bucket List Worthy Things To Do in Panama
This post uncovers 13 of the most bucket list worthy things to do in Panama. We have lived in Panama since 2015 and know that Panama should be at the top of your travel bucket list if you’ve ever dreamt of exploring a tropical paradise filled with rich culture, breathtaking
About The Bocas del Toro Blog
Our Mission: To provide honest, insider information to help you have the ultimate Bocas del Toro experience.
Hello! We are Drew and Tamara – the authors of the Bocas Blog and owners of Sol Bungalows. We believe that one of the best ways we can help tourism in Bocas is to give people honest insider information that they can use to have the best possible stay. Our goal is to leave you well informed so you can decide on what activities, islands, and accommodations are best for you.
There are many other travel blogs about Bocas written by people who only visited the islands for a few days. These blogs are full of incorrect information and are obviously written from a point of view that lacks understanding of the full Bocas experience. It is our intention with this blog to set the story straight – to defend the future of Bocas and the livelihoods of its people, where the local economy is 95% based on tourism.
Feel free to get in touch with us at info[at]solbungalowsbocas.com if you have any questions, and follow us on social media below to keep up with Sol Bungalows!
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Affordable overwater bungalows in the Caribbean
Come Stay With Us
A vacation in Bocas del Toro isn’t complete without staying in an Overwater Bungalow! Sol Bungalows offers affordable overwater bungalows and an authentic Bocas del Toro experience.
We have been living, adventuring, and guiding others in the islands since 2015. Our guests not only get to stay in some of the best (and most affordable) overwater bungalows in Panama; you also get our wealth of knowledge and experience to guide your trip!
