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, and a myriad of other animals that social media adores.

Bocas del Toro also has white sand beaches, vibrant and diverse coral reefs, palm tree-lined islets, world-class surf, and clear Caribbean waters. Add all of these things up and what you get is a booming tourism economy that supports 95% of the local population.

But here’s the thing…

A booming economy is great, but an unsustainable booming economy is a recipe for disaster in the long term.

That’s why we created this list of the, “7 Things you SHOULD NOT do in Bocas del Toro.” We hope this list informs future travelers on best practices to abide by while in the islands (or any destination). We believe this will not only make your visit more fulfilling but also help to make Bocas del Toro a model for sustainable tourism. And it starts with you!

#1 Thing You Shouldn’t Do: Touch the Starfish! (Or the Red Frogs)

It’s a fact.

Starfish get likes.

Strawberry Poison Dart Frogs the size of a nickel, also get likes. 

And, although our society places a high level of prestige on those that get a lot of likes; the ability for these animals to get likes has caused their populations to sharply decline (especially in the areas specifically named after them, like Starfish Beach and Red Frog Beach).

So here’s the deal: don’t touch them. 

Just leave them be in their natural habitat to eat, jump around, or whatever they do.

Take a picture next to them or just take a picture of them. But don’t pick them up to take a picture with them. 

The negative effects of this activity are proven and should be obvious. If you don’t understand why you can try thinking this way:

What if someone came and picked you up, held you underwater for several minutes to pose for an Instagram picture, and then dropped you back on land. 

Several times a day.

How would that make you feel?

#2 Thing You Shouldn’t Do: Go on Dolphin Watching Tours to Dolphin Bay

The Bocas Dolphin, our uniquely evolved bottlenose dolphin species, has had enough.

They do not enjoy being chased around by 40-100 boats an hour. 

They hate not being able to communicate with their group members while they hunt.

And they certainly do not like dying from boat collisions. 

The pandemic has shown us that these dolphins do, in fact, love a Bocas that is free of this kind of tourism. 

You can help the Dolphins by:

• Finding a responsible boat captain that will take you on a private tour to this area and will respect the dolphin-watching rules.
• Stay at an eco-lodge in Dolphin Bay and view the dolphins by kayak or paddleboard.
• Donate to the researchers

Dolphin Watching Rules:

• keep your distance (at least 100 meters)
• keep the boat running on idle (so they know where you are)
• drive your boat parallel with the dolphins if they are moving (not at them or around them)
• reduce the number of boats in Dolphin Bay at one time

Save the Starfish!: Pin this Post for others to see!

#3 Thing You Shouldn’t Do: Buy, Use, or Accept Single-Use Plastics

Single-use plastics are devastating to our environment, our oceans, and even the air we breathe.

This problem, building up over decades, has exploded during the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

The negative effects of single-use plastics are felt even more on small islands in developing countries. It is especially felt here in Bocas, where the local population is estimated to be 16,000 residents, with over 200,000 visitors each year. 

How can we deal with 200,000 people’s water bottles, sunscreen bottles, bug spray, snack bags, takeaway containers, plastic bags, coffee cups, etc., when we already have a tough time disposing and recycling the trash from the 16,000 of us?

Here’s how you can help:

• Use a reusable water bottle (there are refill stations and clean drinking water at accommodations)
• Take the empty sunscreen and bug spray bottles home with you.
• Bring a reusable bag for groceries (or buy one here) and take it home with you. Plastic bags are banned in the islands, so you will need one anyway!
• Eat at restaurants, or bring a Tupperware container and utensils with you, so you can avoid using styrofoam and plastic utensils for takeaway.
• Visit the Plastic Bottle Village to learn more about this issue and how Bocas del Toro is tackling it!

#4 Thing You Shouldn’t Do: Walk Around Bocas Town with Your Shirt Off

It is literally against the law, and you will get a ticket if the police see you. 

This is one of Bocas’ decency laws and we agree with it. Panamanians are generally very conservative when it comes to the way they dress (except on beaches), and the streets of Bocas Town are no exception. 

Bocas Town is not just a tourist town. Real people do live there. They go to church, walk their kids to school, and hang out in the park. 

We know you are on vacation and you want to, “Suns Out Guns Out,” but let’s be respectful of the local culture. Walking around shirtless or in a bikini is just not what grandma wants to see. 

#5 Thing You Shouldn’t Do: Stay in One Place

If variety is the spice of life, then Bocas del Toro is muy Picante!

There’s overwater bungalows, treehouses, overwater hotels, private islands, tent lodges, apartments, hostels, B&B’s and Airbnb’s… 

Bocas del Toro has it all! 

And we recommend you try to experience more than just one place (and one island) during your stay. If you are only coming for a week, then staying just at Sol Bungalows is good 😉 . But if you are coming for a week or more, you could definitely stay at two different places.

Additionally, when you are choosing your accommodation, we encourage you to seek out eco-friendly and community-friendly places. If you support those that are doing good in the islands, more will want to follow in their footsteps!

Read our Island and Area Guide to find out which places are best for you!

#6 Thing You Shouldn’t Do: Miss Out on The Cultural and Eco Tours of Bocas del Toro

So on the surface, Bocas del Toro is all about white sand beaches, turquoise waters, thick rainforests, and world-class surf.

But below the surface, there’s a huge number of NGO’s and just awesome people who are supporting the local communities in a bunch of different ways. One of the best ways to experience this (and to support it) is by participating in one of the tours that they offer or volunteering your time.

Some of our favorite sustainable tours, places to visit, and NGO’s are:

• Up in the Hill – An organic cacao farm and coffee shop focused on permaculture and reforestation. Cacao farm and cacao making process tour available.
• Oreba Chocolate Tour – learn how to make chocolate the traditional way! Explore an indigenous farm on the mainland of Bocas del Toro, with lunch, for around $45 per person.
• Rutilio Milton’s Nivida Bat Cave Tour – One of the first eco-certified tour guides in Bocas del Toro with one of the best local run tours of the Nivida Bat Cave on Isla Bastimentos.
• The Plastic Bottle Village – A Guinness World record holder for, “largest castle made of plastic bottles.”
• Give and Surf – Education and community development for local communities – runs several preschools, community centers, and sports programs – accepts volunteers!
• The Darklands Foundation – Supports Indigenous Social and Economic Development, Rainforest Renewal and Conservation, and Integrated Agriculture. Tours available.
• The Conscious Market – a street market-style event with local artisans selling handicrafts, food, drinks, and much more, all with a sustainable emphasis. All are welcome!
• Cacao Blessings – An ethical local brand that aims to create an impact by providing more economic opportunities and quality education through working with local cacao farmers and bringing their products to market. Chocolate-making tour available!
• The Back Bay Project – empowering the people of Bocas Del Toro through vocational education in hospitality while supporting a culture of sustainable community-led tourism. Group volunteer trips available!

#7 Thing You Shouldn’t do: Leave your valuables unattended on the beach

You’d think this would be a no-brainer, but unfortunately, this still happens a fair amount in Bocas.

Please don’t leave a bag full of your valuables on the beach unattended. And please only bring what is necessary with you when you explore the archipelago. We hear stories and things get posted on Facebook about people who brought a bag to the beach (or to surf or go snorkel somewhere) with their wallets, cameras, drones, cell phones, passports, even wedding certificates, and when they come back from the ocean their bag is no longer where they left it.

No, the bag didn’t grow legs and run away. And now your vacation is ruined because you didn’t take care of your stuff.

Sure, the fault is definitely on the thieves who mostly steal so they can maintain their drug addictions, but if you practice some common-sense traveler safety, then this entire ordeal is 100% avoidable, and that’s on you.

Read more about crime and health safety in Bocas del Toro, here.

Conclusion

We have to work together in order to ensure a sustainable future for Bocas del Toro, and all tourism destinations for that matter. Now more than ever is it important that we, as travelers, take responsibility for our actions while abroad. We must respect the communities and environments that we visit. In the end, where we put our dollars is one of the most powerful drivers for change.

Check out more Bocas del Toro Travel Guides below!

Browse the guides below or visit our blog homepage here.