Bocas del Toro, also known as Mouths of Bull, is a beautiful and remote part of Panama. However, it is not unknown and its distance from Panama City doesn’t keep people away.

The San Blas Islands, another Panamanian jewel, must compete with this pearl on the Caribbean Coast of Panama. It also has to compete with the many paradise-like beaches of nearby Costa Rica. We must admit that it’s doing well.

We were happy in Bocas Del Toro, perhaps because we had a down-to earth attitude.

Bocas Town does have some problems.

The town is not very clean, and to get to the best beaches, you will need a car, a bike, or a tour.

If you’re in your mid-twenties and older, you won’t be surprised by the lively party atmosphere in Bocas del Toro. But you can still have a great time if you stay in a hostel that is not a backpackers one or leave the city center.

After highlighting the negatives of Bocas del Toro let’s look at what you can enjoy on the island.

If you have realistic expectations, we believe that you will be pleasantly surprised.

BIKING

The best beaches are located a little bit outside of Bocas Town. Some might find this challenging, but it was great for us as we were able to rent bikes, get some exercise, and explore the island before hitting the beach.

Biking is the best way to travel around the island. Both locals and visitors use it every day to get to their destination.

The lowest price we found for renting a bicycle was $5 per day. Don’t be surprised if you cannot change gears because there is no shifting mechanism and you have to pedal backwards when you want a break.

Check the quality of the bike before renting it. I rented a bike and rode it for 200 meters and then it suddenly stopped working. I had to go back and get another bike.

BEACHES

People are attracted to Bocas del Toro by the beaches of the main island, Colon, and the beaches on five other larger islands that are nearby. These can easily be visited via a boat ride.

Playa Boca del Drago is the most popular on the opposite end of the island, where public transportation runs frequently.

Bastimento island (accessible by water taxi) has Red Frog Beach and Wizard Beach.

ISLAND HOPPING

Island hopping can be a fun way to spend a relaxing and active day away from the main islands. This is the most popular tour, and Bocas Town is a ghost-town during midday because most visitors are on tours.

A tour that is very popular is the one where visitors can go dolphin watching and then to Zapatilla Island to enjoy the warm sea with white sand. Another activity is snorkeling and stopping at another island to observe starfish and sloths.

Officially, the tour costs $30 for six hours (we negotiated and paid $25)

You can pay a deposit of $5 when you book and the remainder on the day of departure. This is because the weather on Bocas del Toro can be unpredictable (the summer months from December to February are the best for clear skies and rain-free days).

Several agencies offer the same tours along the main road near the water.