Bocas del Toro
Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean · Panama
Did you know?
- Water taxis connect the town with Carenero, Bastimentos, Cristóbal and Solarte.
- Starfish Beach can be reached by taking a bus to Drago and walking along the coast.
- Bars and clubs stand on stilts over the water.
See also
Boquete
Panama8.78°N 82.44°W · 1,200 m
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Costa Rica9.66°N 82.75°W · 4 m
Overview
Bocas Town mixes island life with a busy backpacker dining and bar scene. Waterfront nightlife and access to neighboring islands make it a convenient base for exploring the archipelago.
Languages: Spanish
Why go?
Bocas del Toro, also known as Bocas Town, is the most developed hub in the Bocas del Toro archipelago. It offers an interesting mix of islanders, expats, and backpackers, with an abundance of restaurants, hotels, and bars. The town has a reputation as a party destination, with several bars and clubs built on stilts over the water. It also serves as a base for exploring surrounding islands and beaches.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get around
Bocas town is compact and walkable. Taxis are plentiful and cost about 60 cents for a ride around town. For travel to other islands, water taxis are the main mode of transport.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
Bocas del Toro has a tropical climate with heavy rainfall throughout the year. The wettest months are typically December, August, July, and April, while March is relatively drier. The warm temperatures remain fairly constant year-round.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and drink
There are plenty of eateries lining the main streets. A cheap meal costs about $5–7, with specialties including empanadas, fried chicken, and patacones. Food carts are common. Restaurants range from casual to upscale, such as El Ultimo Refugio (seafood, from $35 for two), Trattoria Pane e Vino (Italian, $30 with wine), and Cafe del Mar (best coffee, $3). For drinks, bars are abundant; Selina hostel's waterfront deck and Barco Hundido (a disco over the water) are popular. Backpackers often buy beer from grocery stores and drink while walking.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to do
Popular activities include scuba diving (about $60 for two tanks, certification from $199), horseback riding, visiting Starfish Beach (take a bus to Drago and walk 20 min), and the Zapatillas Day Tour ($30). The town is also a base for exploring other islands like Carenero, Bastimentos, and Cristóbal.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
Accommodation in Bocas Town ranges from budget hostels to luxury overwater bungalows. Dorm beds start from $10 at party hostels like Mondo Taito and Heike twin hostels, or $12 at Twin Fin Hostel. Quieter options include Hostelluego ($10 dorm, $24 private) and Hostel Hansi ($25 double). Mid-range hotels like Hotel Olas ($40-60) and Hotel Angela are available. For splurging, Punta Caracol offers overwater bungalows from $285/night. Many visitors also choose to stay on nearby islands like Carenero for quieter settings.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Budget
A typical backpacker budget: dorm bed $10-12, cheap meal $5-7, local taxi ride $0.60, beer from grocery store about $1-2. Scuba diving $60 for two tanks. Daily budget could be around $30-40 excluding diving.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day trips
Starfish Beach is a popular day trip accessible by bus and walking. Zapatillas Day Tour ($30) includes a boat trip and snorkeling. Other islands within the archipelago – Carenero, Bastimentos, Cristóbal, and Solarte – are reachable by water taxi from Bocas Town. Further afield, destinations like Gualaca, Boquete, and Changuinola are common onward stops.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
Onward destinations include the islands of Carenero (smallest, with good restaurants), Bastimentos (beaches and national marine park), and Cristóbal (agrarian). Further along the backpacking trail: Gualaca (cloud forest, waterfalls), Boquete (adventure hub), Changuinola (border town), and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in Costa Rica.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
Calipso Hostel
On the main street, it offers excellent dorms and private rooms. Rooms are clean with a/c and private bathroom. A shared kitchen, internet and cheap tours are available. The place is run by an extremely friendly and helpful lady.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Cliff's Hostel
Budget hostel with a reputation for good value and a very friendly and helpful owner.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Dolphin Bay Hideaway
A small Bed and Breakfast on the shores of Dolphin Bay on the Island of San Cristobal, a 20-min boat ride from Bocas town. It is a very quiet and secluded hideaway offering personalized service. 3 beautifully decorated rooms. Meals are prepared using fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables. Room rates start at $115 and they include full breakfast and transportation to and from Bocas town.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hacienda del Toro
Swimming pool, restaurant and bar, horse stable with well-trained horses for jungle tours. Rooms from US$90. Includes breakfast and transportation. 2 nights minimum.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hostel Hansi
Extremely clean German-run hostel with fans in every room. Some rooms also have a balcony. Spacious kitchen facilities and plenty of room in the fridge. The focus is on a family-orientated hostel, rather than a backpacker hangout centered around a bar. Free Wi-Fi. Use of facilities after the checkout incurs a $2 surcharge.
Recorded price: $25 double
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hostelluego
Chilled out place 40 m from the party hostels. Very nice and clean, very safe. Nice chill out area, Free laptops, Wi-Fi, pancake breakfast and all rooms A/C. $10 per person dorm, $24 for a double private
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hotel Angela
Run by Claudio, a US expat from California. The hotel is clean and safe, located a block off the main avenue and away from traffic noise. The hotel also has its own restaurant and bar over the water. Happy hour 15:30–17:30: 2-for-1 drinks. The staff are extremely courteous and friendly.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hotel Olas
Hotel built in 2004. Clean, spacious rooms fitted with AC, wiFi, private hot showers, TV and balconies. Waterfront bar below. Bicycles, kayaks and snorkelling equipment for rent. Various island tours and expeditions can be arranged. Cake and coffee offered every morning. Great deck with hammacs to chill out. Good location.
Recorded price: $40-60 double rooms, high season $48-68
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Accommodation
Range from party hostels to overwater bungalows.
Day trips
Starfish Beach, Zapatillas tour, nearby islands.
Food
Specialties: empanadas, fried chicken, patacones.
Money
Expect to pay $5-7 for a cheap meal; dorm beds from $10.
Nightlife
Party town with bars on stilts; popular spots include Selina and Barco Hundido.
Transport
Taxis within town cost about $0.60; water taxis to islands.