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 and Bali were like many, many years ago. The islands are still largely undeveloped and free of highrise hotels and big-name resorts, and there are no direct flights from Miami bringing in hoards of sun-out-guns-out tourists.

We made this list of the top 10 reasons we believe Bocas del Toro, Panama is worth visiting based on our experience of living in Bocas del Toro since 2015. While the islands certainly aren’t for everyone; those seeking an undiscovered, undeveloped and authentic travel destination should definitely check it out!

The Top 10 Reasons Bocas del Toro Is Worth Visiting In Panama:

2. Bocas del Toro has Untouched Beaches

Bocas del Toro has over 20 beaches within a 1-hour boat ride from the center of the archipelago. The two most popular beaches for tourism are Starfish Beach and Red Frog Beach. They have tons of great food and drink options, beach volleyball, and usually a lot of tourist action. The Zapatilla islands inside the Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park are another popular day tour option.

But let me tell you a secret…

The least popular beaches in Bocas del Toro are actually the best ones!

Wizard Beach, Mimbitimbi, Polo Beach, those beautiful little beaches out past Bluff and to the far east – Kusapin and Escudo de Veraguas! Parts of the Zapatilla Islands can also be found completely deserted. These are where you will find wild and raw coastlines free of resorts, hotels, and suns-out-guns-out tourists. They are difficult to get to and have little if any options for food or drinks aside from the fish you can catch and coconuts in the trees.

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3. Bocas del Toro has Lush Rainforests

Bocas del Toro has untouched beaches and it also has incredibly lush rainforests. In fact, many of the best beaches in Bocas are only accessible after hiking through the rainforest!

The islands have been called, “The Galapagos of the Caribbean,” for their biodiversity both on land and in the sea. Some popular species that you can see include tropical birds, sloths, monkeys, ant-eaters, poison dart frogs, sea turtles and even our own uniquely evolved bottlenose dolphin species! David Attenborough even filmed a scene in Bocas del Toro for his “Life in Color” Netflix documentary series about the poison dart frogs:

We highly recommend you experience the rainforest while you are here. Staying in one of the many jungle hideaway accommodations or going on a hike through the islands will give you a better appreciation for the majesty of the rainforest!

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4. Bocas del Toro offers Unique Things to Do

Travelers are constantly seeking out new and unique experiences, and Bocas del Toro has plenty of them! Some of the best activities in the islands are ATVing through incredibly rough island terrain, or exploring the jungle by horseback, or following a local indigenous guide through a particularly extreme bat cave. 

We also have Floating Bars, Zip-Lining, World Class Surf, super cheap scuba diving, deep-sea and inshore fishing, spearfishing, cacao and cultural tours, island camping, and world-famous island-hopping bar crawls!

Bocas del Toro is not dominated by big hotel chains and resorts that have gentrified all of the tour options.

What you find here are unique characters that are passionate about what they do and how they share it with the world. We have real people, both local and international, who are trying to make it in paradise doing what they love! The result is an abundance of unique experiences, accommodations, food, and stories all ready to be shared with you!

Check out our guides: 31 Best Things To Do in Bocas del Toro, or The 7 Best Things to Do for the full rundown of activities!

5. The Laid-Back, Small Town Vibe

The Bocas del Toro Archipelago has a small-town, neighborly kind of vibe. Most of the locals went to school together as kids, played soccer or baseball with each other, went to the same church, and shared stories in the same central park or restaurant their whole lives.

You hear the words, “Brother, Aunt, Uncle, Grandma, or Grandpa,” when people greet each other in the street. And when you get to know someone here, they will remember you and your name long after you have forgotten theirs. People here help each other without asking, respect their elders, and put on their best clothes when they go to town for the day.

In Bocas, “Ahora,” means later, and, “Mañana,” could mean never. What you have planned for the day largely depends on the weather. The erratic nature of the skies forces you to go with the flow. Although not true for everyone, there are many local people who I have met that have truly mastered the art of living “in the now,” probably without even noticing it.

Check out our post: 13 Bucket List Things to do in Panama

6. Bocas del Toro is the Boating Lifestyle

It is not #YachtLife however, and that’s how we like it.

Bocas del Toro is often referred to as the Venice of the Caribbean. The archipelago’s main islands are closely packed together so catching a water taxi between them is easy, cheap, and quick. The coasts are either lush jungles and tropical beaches or lined with overwater businesses and homes. Only the main island has roads and cars. The rest of the island communities rely on the Panga – the mainstay local-style fiberglass boat – or the traditional dugout canoe called a Cayuco. 

Island Hopping in Bocas is an everyday occurrence for both tourists and locals. Buying groceries, going to work, or visiting friends often requires transversing the channels between the islands. The water-taxis run all day and all night and there is nothing quite like coming home from dinner in Bocas Town and seeing deep space above you and bioluminescent water below you. 

The boats are, of course, also used for exploring the many beaches, islets, reefs, and waves around the archipelago. You can cheaply (like $25 per person or less for a group of 4) hire a private boat to take you wherever you want for the whole day. This is the side of Bocas del Toro you need to seek out while you are here!

7. World Class Surfing and Great Scuba Diving

Did you know that Bocas del Toro is said to have more surfable waves in a 2-mile stretch of coastline than anywhere else in the world?

There’s point breaks, reef breaks, beach breaks, massive big wave slabs, and tons of fun little waves in between. Many are accessible by land but the preferred method of rocking up to the spot is by boat.

There are spots that are perfect for beginners or those just learning to surf and are a handful of quality Surf Schools to choose from. You can find high-quality board rentals in town, private surf guides, and private surf photographers. Bocas del Toro is definitely worth visiting for surfers!

And when the waves are down, you can go Scuba Diving at some of the cheapest prices in the world and witness first-hand what “Panama’s Galapagos” has to offer!

Read our Bocas del Toro Surf Guide or our Scuba Diving in Bocas del Toro Guide

8. Bocas del Toro is Safe

Bocas del Toro is a safe vacation destination. Crime is low and the most common crime is petty theft. We have very little violent crime and many residents believe they are safer in Bocas than they would be in a city in the United States.

The biggest dangers to a visitor’s health and well-being are more along the lines of a sunburn, a big hangover, or dehydration. Bocas del Toro is malaria-free and zika free, but we do have some cases of Dengue Fever each year. The nature of the ocean and the jungle pose their own risks but following some simple safety guidelines can keep you out of trouble.

Check out our Crime and Health Safety Guide, here

9. Real Culture and Rich History

Bocas del Toro has a distinctly Panamanian-Caribbean culture and a very rich history. The local population is a mix of people with Spanish, European, African, Chinese, and Indigenous heritage. Each of these groups has a different story as to why they first came to Bocas del Toro and many still hold on to their cultural heritage and traditions. 

Old Bank on Isla Bastimentos Offers a Unique Cultural Experience

The town of Old Bank on Isla Bastimentos has a primarily Afro-Caribbean population. It is considered to be one of the last remaining places in the world where you can find an authentic Afro-Caribbean population. Their native language is a Creole mixture called Guari Gauri and many also speak English.

Old Bank is raw Caribbean. Run down, brightly painted houses, kids running and playing in the streets, and loud music thumping almost 24/7 without a single thing you can do about it. Some of the best local food in Bocas del Toro can be found in Old Bank where Lobster, Octopus, Iguana, and Pig Tail are local specialties. 

The Ngäbe (pronounced: “No-Bay”)

The Ngäbe Indigenous group is the largest indigenous group in Panama and the largest population of people in Bocas. Ngäbe villages are scattered all throughout the islands with some having populations of 800 or more people. They traditionally survived off of subsistence farming and fishing and most still do today. It is said that the Ngäbe people were the fiercest warriors in Panama and were the only indigenous group capable of kicking the Spanish out of their lands. 

Many of the Ngäbe in the islands have lost some of their traditional culture as they try to assimilate into the modern world. However, many people are working to preserve their culture and there are plenty of Ngäbe cultural tours to be explored. We recommend looking up Rutilio Milton from Tomorogo for a unique Ngäbe bat cave experience!

Panama’s Colonial History is still evident in the architecture around the islands. Brightly colored everything isn’t just a trend here, it is a tradition. Houses, buses, boats, clothing, and even government buildings are all brightly colored in classic Caribbean style. Combining the bright Caribbean hues with the Colonial Architecture, all along the water, gives Bocas a unique appearance unlike anywhere in the world. This classic style is one of the top reasons Bocas del Toro is worth visiting!

10. Great Food and Nightlife

The mix of people on the islands has also created a unique local food culture. You’ll find the traditional rice, lentils, chicken and patacones, but also spaghetti and meatball, chow-mein, fish rondon, pig-tail stew and fire-roasted iguana.

Many local restaurants are cafeteria-style. They serve up freshly cooked delicacies to the local workforce who happily spend a few of their hard-earned dollars on a home-cooked style meal during their lunch break. 

Expats from all over the world have also opened some amazing restaurants in Bocas. We have Indian Food, Burgers, Italian Pizza, Seafood, Sushi, Vegan Food, Argentinian Steak, and Mexican Tacos. Lobster, Octopus, Red Snapper, and Spanish Mackerel are caught daily to land on your dinner plate at night. Panama is also famous for its Ceviches and Bocas is no exception. There is something for everyone’s belly in Bocas and with the cheap prices, you can’t go wrong!

Anything-Goes Party Scene

The reputation that precedes all others about Bocas del Toro is that of it being a wild party destination. And, well, it’s true. Bocas del Toro parties non-stop and does have incredibly fun nightlife and day-party options.

Filthy Friday is a now world-famous island hopping bar-crawl that includes three islands, floatie races and fire shows. There is even a Floating Bar! If you love to party then Bocas del Toro is definitely worth visiting. Most of the festivities are located in Bocas Town and can also be largely avoided if it isn’t your thing!

Is Bocas del Toro Worth Visiting?

We have lived in Bocas del Toro Panama since 2015 and think it definitely worth visiting if you are looking for a unique destination and a special travel experience.

Come prepared to try new things, have an open mind, and be ready to go with the flow.

Bounce around a few islands and accommodations, try different restaurants, and experience the jungle, beach, and warm Caribbean sea. Take a surf lesson and an intro to scuba diving course. Relax in your overwater bungalow and watch the sun go down over the mountains across the bay.

Check out our blog on The Best Time to visit Bocas del Toro to learn about what season is best for you to visit!

Panama City Layover: Read – 5 Best Hotels and Things to do in Panama City

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