Bocas del Toro

BOCAS DEL TORO

The Undiscovered Caribbean

Cruiser friendly, little-known but greatly appreciated archipelago in the Caribbean coast of Panama

Bocas del Toro is a flat out superb cruising ground.  There are several big islands with peaks of about 400ft and a whole bunch of mangrove islands that top out around waist height.  

The reefs are young and show little signs of bleaching. Surfing is sensational. While hiking you might encounter monkeys, parrots, sloths and frogs as colorful as M&Ms. Many ex-pats live on the shorelines or on their own islands and they always welcome a visit from a sea gypsy. There are dozens of completely empty anchorages and because it is an inland sea, the waves are never more than thigh-high. The only reason to put in a double reef is to see if you can still remember how to do so. 

The little town of Bocas del Toro is charming in an uber-funky way and has much to offer. Dozens of bars and restaurants, an assortment of hardware stores, and a plethora of family-run Chinese grocery stores where you will often find three generations working side by side. 

The area attracts the more adventurous traveler types – surfers, backpackers and sailors. You would never mistake it for a trendy cruise ship port. In fact, it is so laid-back that it is almost laid-over.

By All at Sea Magazine

Why Come to Bocas del Toro?

  • Bocas Town has a wide diverse expat community
  • Nightlife, restaurants, shopping available in Bocas Town
  • Water taxis are easy to find
  • Lots of places to go and explore, islands with cruiser communities all around
  • Abundance of culture and history: Afro-Antillean locals and indigenous communities
  • Caribbean warm water and tropical temperature
  • Variety of beaches available at Isla Colon, Isla Bastimentos, Cayos Zapatillas and more
  • Fun snorkeling and diving
  • Lots of offshore fishing and lagoon fishing too

  • Hurricane safe zone
  • Diverse tropical ecosystem
  • Outdoor adventure and abundant wildlife
  • Only 45-min flight from Panama City, Central America’s most cosmopolitan city
  • 9 main islands, thousands of islets- a cruisers paradise
  • Lots of shopping, services available at Bocas Town
  • Bank with ATMs, restaurants accept credit card, fast Wi-Fi
  • During September and October go explore further more exotic locations such as Escudo de Veraguas