Things to do
BEACHES
In Bocas del Toro, you’ll have your pick of beaches. Some are made for pure barefoot bliss. Others dance to a different beat. There’s Playa Estrella where hundreds of starfish form an ocean constellation. Isla Pajaros where tropical birds flock. While jungle-backed Playa Bluff is a true surfer’s paradise. A careful visit to Playa Larga from May onwards is the time to see turtles and their nest eggs – or hop to Red Frog Beach, being sure to keep a distance from the tiny amphibians themselves. They’re called poison-dart frogs for a reason.
WATER
Off the sand and under the aquamarine water, Bocas is one of the world’s most awe-inspiring diving sites – its closely guarded coral reefs a kaleidoscope of colour and (wild)life. Surf’s up at Carenero and Bastimentos islands, best reached via water taxi. You can also bring a board to Red Frog Beach, being mindful of the coral beneath the waves.
NATURE
Languid sloths. Capuchin monkeys. Upside-down bats and ‘strawberry’ frogs. When you pass through Bocas, keep eyes tree-ward to see the region’s resident wildlife. Or sail through mangroves and past waterfalls across the sprawling Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park, watching the snouts of crocs and caimans cresting the water. For getting closer to nature while staying close to Bocas del Toro Town, La Gruta caves are home to hundreds of bats. But Nivida Bat Cave is a true adventure – requiring head lamps, guide and a boat.
