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 Isla Bastimentos in Panama are Red Frog Beach and the Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park which is home to the Zapatilla Islands.

The most popular activities on Bastimentos Island are hiking, surfing, snorkeling, and beach-going. The slow-paced island life on Bastimentos is infectious and many people who visit end up getting “stuck” for months on end.

Learn about Isla Bastimentos in Panama, in this quick travel guide, put together based on our experience of living in the islands since 2015.

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Map of Isla Bastimentos in Panama

How to get to Isla Bastimentos in Bocas del Toro, Panama

Step 1: Fly to Panama City, Panama or San Jose, Costa Rica.

Step 2: Fly to Bocas del Toro with Air Panama from Panama City, or with Sansa if coming from San Jose, Costa Rica.

Step 3: Once you land on Isla Colon, you will make your way to a water taxi station and from there you can take a water taxi over to Isla Bastimentos. This ride takes about 10 minutes and costs $3-$5 per person to get from Bocas Town to Old Bank (the main town on Isla Bastimentos). Getting a water taxi in Bocas Town is easy, as there are water taxi stations all along the coast of the town. Just walk around and eventually someone will ask you if you need a taxi.

Insider Tip: You should always ask and agree on the price before getting in a taxi in Panama, especially water taxis in Bocas.

Insider Tip: Bring small US bills with you, like $1 and $5, so you have change for water and land taxis.

Read our full guide on how to get to Bocas del Toro.

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

The Best Things to do on Isla Bastimentos Panama

The best things to do on Isla Bastimentos include hiking through the island’s vast rainforest, visiting the beaches, exploring the cultural capital of Old Bank, and doing adventure sports like surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, or exploring a bat cave.

While Isla Colon and Bocas Town are known to be fairly touristy, Isla Bastimentos is where you can go to escape the crowds and find a more local experience.

Here are our favorite things to do on Bastimentos Island:

Visit the Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park (and Zapatilla Islands)

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One of the most popular day trip options in Bocas del Toro is to visit the Zapatilla Islands which are located inside the Bastimentos National Marine Park. There is also a stop to go snorkeling at Coral Cay included in the tour.

This is a great way to experience the Bastimentos National Marine Park and you’ll also have a chance to see dolphins, have a local-style lunch at an overwater restaurant, explore the uninhabited Zapatilla islands, and see starfish.

Important: You should seek out boat captains that are respectful to the environment and especially the dolphins. Ask them about this before booking! Read more about what we recommend not doing in Bocas del Toro, here.

Surfing

Bastimentos Island is home to some of Bocas del Toro’s best surfing. Silverbacks, an internationally known big wave spot, is visited each year by professional surfers when the biggest swells hit the islands. Wizard Beach can be one of the best beach breaks in Bocas del Toro, and Long Beach is loved for its clear water, hollow tubes, and always-empty lineup. 

For beginner surfers, Red Frog Beach is a top choice with its white water waves and sandy bottom.

Read our full Bocas del Toro Surf Guide.

Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

Snorkeling or Scuba Diving around Isla Bastimentos is also a popular activity, especially when the ocean is calm. There are several really good reefs to snorkel, and some of the best freediving and scuba diving locations in all of Bocas del Toro are located here. 

Silverbacks, the popular big wave spot, is also an amazing diving location due to the underwater cave system that can be found here. And Polo Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, is also home to an amazing underwater cave system. 

Snorkeling around the mangroves on the bay side of the island is also a beautiful sight, where many species of young tropical fish call home.

Insider Safety Tip: Make sure you don’t go swimming or snorkeling where there is boat traffic unless you go next to a kayak or paddleboard so you are visible to the boat drivers.

Kayaking and Paddle Boarding

Taking out a kayak or paddle board to explore Bastimento’s coastline is highly recommended. The bayside of the island offers calmer waters and some shallow coral reefs to discover.

If the ocean conditions are calm, you can also explore the ocean side of the island as well. The area of Bahia Honda which is located on the bayside of the island is also known to be a hotspot for dolphin sightings. Imagine kayaking or paddle boarding with dolphins swimming nearby!

Visiting the Beaches

Out of our list of the best beaches in Bocas del Toro, Isla Bastimentos is home to 5 of the top 6.

There’s Wizard Beach, Red Frog Beach, Polo Beach, Long Beach, Punta Vieja, and the Zapatilla Islands which are all worthy of your bucket list.

Getting to these beaches takes some effort in the form of a hike, a boat ride, or both. The harder-to-reach beaches are mostly empty of people and development while Red Frog Beach and the Zapatilla Islands can be busy during peak seasons. 

Local Tip: The kids on Red Frog Beach sell empanadas for $1 if you are looking for a cheap snack!

Titi’s Polo Beach Hiking Tour

Titi is a Bastimentos local who runs a unique island-wide hiking tour. The tour starts in the cultural Afro-Caribbean town of Old Bank and takes you through the rainforest, across several beaches, and all the way to Polo Beach (our favorite beach in Bocas!).

You’ll stop to try some wild tropical fruits he finds along the way, and have a small beach BBQ at Polo Beach!

• Time: 11 AM – 5 PM
• Cost: Around $50-$65 per person depending on group size, includes lunch
• Contact Titi: +507-6788-1331

Exploring the Nivida Bat Cave

This is probably the most unique tour on offer in Bocas del Toro (and also the best opportunity to see sloths!). 

The tour starts with a slow meandering boat ride under the rainforest canopy where sloths, tropical birds, and monkeys abound. Once you reach land, you’ll start the short hike to the cave and spend up to 1 hour (or more depending on how far you want to go) inside of the cave. 

• Time: About 3 Hours (starting at 10AM or 1AM)
• Cost: Around $40 per person, plus $8 cave entrance fee
• Contact Rutilio for Cave Tours: +507-6726-0968

Up in the Hill Permaculture and Cacao Farm Tour with Lunch

This is the best Cacao Farm tour in Bocas del Toro that is close to the center of the islands. It’s located just a 15-minute hike up from Old Bank and you’ll get to learn how cacao is grown and harvested and also how it is turned into chocolate. You’ll also learn about many other plants, trees, animals, permaculture and sustainable living. The tour also includes a hand-picked, farm-fresh lunch!

• Time: About 3 hours with lunch
• Cost: (Around $40 per person, minimum 4 people)

Explore Old Bank, the historic and cultural capital of the island 

The Town of Old Bank is one of the cultural jewels of Panama and a must-see for those interested in an authentic cultural experience. The main activity here is simply to see and experience – take a seat on a bench in the park or somewhere along the main sidewalk of the town and just soak it in!

Stopping for a local-style Afro-Caribbean lunch is highly recommended. We love the overwater Alvin & Kecha’s Restaurant or Lysette’s Place by the main park. And if you can find your

Where to Stay on Isla Bastimentos Panama

Isla Bastimentos in Panama is home to some incredible places to stay including overwater bungalows, jungle lodges, hostels, AirBnb’s, and beachfront lodges.

The island is big, with several different areas to stay in, each offering a different experience. Old Bank and Red Frog Beach have a lively social scene with restaurants and bars frequented by locals and travelers, while areas like Old Point are more remote and quiet.

For a more detailed guide about the different areas you can stay in on Bastimentos, please see this guide. 

Here are some of the best places to stay on Bastimentos:

Red Frog Beach

Bahia Honda

Old Bank

• The Firefly – Bohemian lodge on the ocean side just outside of Old Bank
• Eclypse del Mar – Overwater Bungalows across the bay from the main town
• Up in the Hill – Cacao and permaculture farm in the rainforest above town
• Carmen’s Place – lodge with fishing charters across the bay from town

Old Bank Locally Owned Places

• Hostal Bastimentos – Big hostel built into the hillside of the town, great views
• Hotel Caribbean View – Overwater hotel with a restaurant and great views of the bay
• Surf n’ Chill – Small lodge on the trail to wizard beach, in the jungle

Old Point (Punta Vieja)

• Al Natural – beachfront eco-lodge, all-inclusive

Where to Eat on Isla Bastimentos

Bastimentos is home to some of the best local food in Bocas del Toro. The town of Old Bank has several restaurants that serve a wide range of Afro-Caribbean delicacies, including red snapper, lobster, octopus, and even secret-menu items like iguana.

There’s also some great international cuisine as well, like what is served at The Firefly. Most of the restaurants are located in Old Bank or in the tourist areas of Red Frog Beach or Cayo Coral.

Some of the best restaurants on Bastimentos are:

• Alvin and Kecha’s (Old Bank, Locally Owned)
• Lysette’s Place (Old Bank, Locally Owned)
• The Firefly (Old Bank, Top Ranked in Bocas del Toro)
• Palmar Beach Lodge (Red Frog Beach)
• Nacho Mama’s (Red Frog Beach)
• Up in the Hill (Permaculture lunch provided only during their tour)

When to Visit Isla Bastimentos

It is important to understand that Bocas del Toro has a Tropical Rainforest Climate, and that means lots of rain, all year! There’s also plenty of sunshine, and most months are a great time to visit. Although there is no definite dry season and rainy season like other tropical destinations, there are months that are dryer and months that have more rain.

Typically, the months of June, July, and August see more rainfall, and January – March see less rainfall. September, October, and November are also known to have some of the best weather and calmest ocean conditions.

Is Isla Bastimentos Safe?

Yes, Isla Bastimentos is safe with very low incidences of crime. The main form of crime on Bastimentos is theft and the biggest health dangers are rip tides and boat traffic.

\Some of the less frequented hiking trails on the island have been known as areas where muggings can take place and unattended backpacks can get stolen from beaches.

The biggest danger to your safety on the island are riptides and boat traffic. Wizard and Red Frog Beach both have very powerful riptides that claim lives every year, and you need to be mindful of where you go swimming or snorkeling as there is alot of boat traffic throughout the waters of the archipelago.

Here are some safety tips:

• Always swim or snorkel with something that marks your position
• Check the ocean for riptides before swimming
• Do not leave your valuables unattended on the beach
• Only bring what you need to the beach or hiking and leave unnecessary valuables at home
• Lock up your room/ accommodation when you leave and at night
• Avoid drug dealers as they are frequently also the thieves
• Go with a group or a guide if you want to hike around the island

Check out our full safety guides for Bocas del Toro and Panama

Isla Bastimentos Property for Sale

Bastimentos is one of the most popular places to live for ex-pats as well as being the second most popular island for tourism. There are several popular areas here to buy real estate, including the areas of Old Bank, Red Frog Beach, Bahia Honda, and Punta Vieja. 

If you want to learn more about real estate in Bocas del Toro, please see our Essential Property Buying Guide

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