THEBocas del Toro archipelago was our second 4 day stop on our Panama tour. We stayed there from December 30, 2018 to January 3, 2019. It was a wonderful stay in the heart of the wilderness that we loved!
The archipelago of Bocas del Toro
BOCAS DEL TORO is one of the 3 main archipelagos that make up Panama. Located on the border with COSTA RICA, this Koh-Lanta filming location breathes the Caribbean.
This archipelago is spread over 400 km². Its main islands are: Isla Colon, Isla Solarte, Isla San Cristobal, Isla Pastores, Isla Zapatillas, Isla Loma Partida, Isla Popa, Cayo Roldan, Cayo Agua and Isla Bastimentos. The latter hosts a 13 hectare National Marine Park.
Here is the map of the archipelago of Bocas del Toro :
Why go to Bocas del Toro?
With an ambitious vision about to untouched nature, I can confirm that Bocas del Toro is a true jewel of the Caribbean. This is definitely my favorite in Panama.
Indeed, this archipelago offers tourists who love wild nature white sand beaches, turquoise waters, colorful reefs, waves popular with surfers around the world, fishing areas, diving spots, mangroves and forests. tropical. It is the homeland of sloths, howler monkeys, endemic frogs, raccoons, ocelots, panthers, parrots, toucans ... The diversity of exotic animals, birds, aquatic fauna and corals is impressive and is found in few places in the world. Bocas del Toro looks like some places in Costa Rica as it is the last refuge for many endangered species.
But unlike Costa Rica, Panama and Bocas del Toro in particular is much less touristy. We had the opportunity to walk in tropical forests without ever meeting a single tourist!
On the other hand, encounters with animals in their natural environment are frequent (see photos below).
How to get to Bocas del Toro?
AIR PANAMA offers daily flights to Bocas del Toro in the morning and afternoon from Albrook Airport in Panama City. Adventurers who have time can get there by road by bus (leaves Albrook bus station at 7 am) or by car from Panama City or from David to the port of Almirante. From there, water taxis leave for half an hour towards Bocas del Toro with BOCAS MARINE TOURS or TAXI 25.
For those who want to keep their rental car, a ferry provides the sea route every morning except Monday.
Thinking of saving time and to put it simply, I preferred to choose the plane.
So fromSan Blas archipelago, we left for Panama City to take the Air Panama - Bocas del Toro flight to Albrook airport.
8:00 pm Collective maritime transfer to Gartí
9:00 pm Collective 4X4 transfer for the journey by road San Blas- Albrook airport
12:00 pm Arrival at the airport. Our Panama-Bocas del Toro flight was scheduled to take off at 14:30 p.m.
There, bad surprise: we are told a delay. And hour after hour, we learn that we will not take off before 20 p.m. !!!
Finally, it is at 20:30 pm that we will finally take off for Bocas del Toro. We will have spent 8 hours in the airport… I am not a complainer but here, I can tell you that I was angry because we lost the whole day and the evening in transport and in waiting!
21h30 Arrival in Bocas del Toro and taxi to Playa Bluff where we had reserved the hotel.
22h00 Installation in our hotel
Where to stay in Bocas del Toro?
Find cheap hotel in Bocas del Toro is quite difficult. Indeed, in this archipelago are many islands with, for the most part, a very varied hotel offer which goes from the room at the inhabitant to the superb luxury hotel…
I had booked a chalet in the North East of Ile Colon at JunglePaunch
This complex is located 3 minutes walk from the beach Playa bluff on the edge of the Jungle as its name suggests. This accommodation was the cheapest (75 € per night) compared to the other hotels I had found. In addition, it seemed calm and its location was perfect for enjoying nature, the beach, excursions to the other islands in short, it was ideal! See this hotel on Booking
But with this type of accommodation, you have to prepare your meals, plan the groceries… and after staying at the San Blas in the rudimentary comfort of the cabins, I didn't want to cook. So I changed my mind and preferred a good, comfortable hotel with breakfast included. It was a little more expensive (105 € per night) but I do not regret it because the hotel Playa Bluff Lodge that I finally chose was too good!
With an outdoor swimming pool, it is very well located in La Gruta, north of the town of Bocas del Toro, in the heart of the jungle and right by the ocean! With its free Wi-Fi, our room had a large ceiling fan, a beautiful bathroom and a lovely terrace with rattan lounge and a view of a tropical garden.
From Playa Bluff Lodge, we go directly on foot into the forest to observe the animals (sloths, monkeys, toucans, raptors…). You should know that its beach is one of the most beautiful in the archipelago for its wild side. But you can't swim there because of the waves which are huge and dangerous. On the other hand, for surfers, it is paradise!
You can also take the bus - see timetables opposite). The stop is right in front of the hotel and the bus takes about 30 minutes to get to the village.
From the village, you can go on excursions to the different islands of the archipelago.
What to eat in Bocas del Toro?
Rice is the basis of the diet (sometimes with coconut or with a kind of peas flavored with Guandu) and accompanies almost all dishes with patacon (banana pancakes). We eat a lot of fish, especially Corvina (a kind of sea bass), Centollo (Crab), langoustines and lobsters but also Ceviche (raw fish marinated in lime juice). Tropical fruits (mangoes, papayas, pineapples…) are delicious!
The hotel restaurant next door to ours (The hummingbird Restaurant) offered typical or international dishes for prices ranging from 8 to 15 USD.
What to do in Bocas del Toro?
The Archipelago being composed of islands surrounded by mangroves and crystal clear waters, the main activities are of course linked to water sports (surfing, snorkeling, diving ...) or to the pleasure of the beaches (see my article the most beautiful beaches of Bocas del Toro). The activities in the heart of the tropical forest are also interesting and exotic (cycling, walking, quad biking, animal watching).
Excursions in Bocas del Toro
In the village of Bocas del Toro, you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to excursions. Indeed, near the pier are dozens of water taxi agencies that offer many tours that you can book on site. Count between 30 and 40 USD a day without the meal. See examples below:
We tested the Total Adventure tour below but were a bit disappointed. Indeed, in the bay of dolphins we did not see any dolphins and the snorkeling spot was not great. The meal not being included, we were left in front of a single restaurant (tourist trap) where we ate a very average dish at 15 USD! In addition, throughout the tour, we had no explanation, no comment.
The only positive point remains the trip to theZapatilla Island which is a small wonder (see photos below).
In addition, the Canyon Bastimentos Sky Zipline Canopy Tour (6987-8661) is an adventure that offers 7 lines with water taxis leaving from the port at 5 USD / person.
Jungle Tours offers excursions off the beaten track with a naturalist guide from Bastimentos: www.amazingjungletours.com
The Oreba Chocolate Tour (6649-1457) or a visit to the Green Acres Cacao Farm (6716-4422) should be included in this tour. So you can learn more about the cultivation of cocoa from the seed to its transformation into chocolate.
La Finca Los Monos offers guided tours in a 10 hectare botanical garden: Bird watching, half day tours can be booked there.
Jungle or beach trail walks can be arranged. Contact the Bluff beach Retreat hotel (6677-8867) or with Panala Horseback Adventures (6905-9659).
For boating, fishing, snorkeling or diving, you can call the Bocas Dive Center at 757-9737.
How long in Bocas de Toro?
We stayed there for 4 days which was enough to enjoy the forest, the beaches and to make trips to the islands.
If you want to find out
the 5 most beautiful beaches
from Bocas del Toro:
Hi,
We are leaving in 2 weeks for Bocas Del Toro with the family. We are taking all the information that can be found on this place which seems to be beautiful!
We would love to take a trip with our kids and were drawn to your comment on “Jungle Tours offers off the beaten track tours”. We tried to go to the site you kindly provided but it doesn't work and we can't find any info when looking for Jungle Tours….
Would you be so kind as to give us their contact details if you have them.
Thanks in advance !
Hello,
Indeed, I have just discovered that the site no longer exists and I am not in a position to inform you about other eco-tours… On the other hand, I can suggest that you contact Zulmy REVETTE at TUCAYA PANAMA: +507) 64 26 77 46 E-mail: panama@tucaya.com who may be able to organize a personalized tour for you.
Have a nice trip !
Hi,
Thanks a lot for the information.
I also wanted to thank you for taking the time to share all your travel experiences with us, your blog is a real gold mine !!!!!!!!!
Good evening, we are preparing our trip to Panama for the month of April, and we would like to know how to reach the San Blas Islands from the Bocas Del Toro Islands? Thank you for your help.
Good evening Christine,
From Bocas del Toro, you will need to take a flight to Panama City. From there you will have to go there by road with a private driver. Here are the contact details of the driver we took: Oziel GONZALEZ Tel: + 507 6004 4721 or + 507 6576 6663
Otherwise, we also met a very nice taxi driver who also provides national transport in Panama: Ricardo Alberto Dominguez + 507 6515 5496 ricardoad@hotmail.es
I wish you a good trip !
Hello,
I am currently preparing my trip to Panama next March. We booked a few nights at the Playa Bluff Lodge, but I have a few questions. Can we find restaurants near this hotel open in the evening? And is it easy to move around in the evening between the various hotels and restaurants on playa bluff?
You mention a bus stop in front of the lodge to reach the village, does it run in the evening?
thank you in advance
Hello Manon,
The Playa Bluff Lodge does not have a restaurant. However, nearby (100 m) is a beach bar which offers snacks and pizzas for lunch and dinner. There is also for the evening the restaurant of the hotel next door: The hummingbird which offers typical or international dishes for low prices. The setting is nice with bar, swimming pool ...
You can walk there in 3 minutes (bring a flashlight). Another solution if you don't want to move, you have to discreetly ask the cook (the one who prepares the breakfasts) if he can prepare a snack for you and take him to your room. So, you can eat a good local dish for 5 USD on the terrace of your room (but shhh ... I understand that it is in the form of service and that it is not official).
To travel in the evening, no bus (they stop between 18 p.m. and 18 p.m.). If you have to go to the village in the evening, you will need to book a taxi (30 USD).
Ok great thank you for this information.
The hotel does have a small private beach, right?
And do we find taxis easily in the evening ?!
Thank you
There is indeed a beach in front of the hotel. The hotel has a few lounge chairs but it is not a private beach. For taxis, I do not know because we did not take in the evening. On the other hand, we saw some circulating.