19 Fun Things to Do in Bocas del Toro

Bocas del Toro is a beautiful area of Panama known for its mix of adventure and relaxation.

From snorkelling colourful coral reefs to lounging on beautiful beaches to exploring bat caves, there are so many fun things to do in Bocas del Toro. I just keep coming back.

You can chill on a beach one day and explore the jungle the next.

Let’s get right into the best options for what to do in Bocas del Toro to connect with nature while embracing the laid-back island vibes.

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1. See Colourful Coral while Scuba Diving

Having embarked on scuba dives all over the world, I knew I wanted to do some diving during my trip to Bocas del Toro!

During my scuba excursion, I saw sponges, corals, stingrays, schools of fish, and so much more! I recommend scuba diving in Bocas del Toro.

Many scuba diving companies offer tours ranging in price depending on the length of the trip and your experience level. And the discovery fun dives are perfect for beginners.

2. Snorkel in Caribbean Waters

Don’t feel like diving? Snorkelling is one of the best ways to see all the sea life and corals Bocas del Toro is home to.

The Caribbean waters are known for being warm and clear, perfect for both new and experienced snorkelers. While you won’t find turtles like snorkelling in Barbados, there are a few snorkelling spots here.

Some of the best places to go snorkelling in Bocas del Toro include Admiral Bay and Hospital Point. I snorkeled at Hospital Point.

3. Go on a Sailing Adventure

Enjoy the hidden gems of the Bocas del Toro archipelago while sailing through the serene Caribbean waters aboard a luxurious sailboat.

Guests can craft their own multi-day adventure including swimming, surfing, snorkelling, paddleboarding, fishing, or simply basking in the delightful sailing experience.

All food and activities are included, so all you need to do is sit back and enjoy a slice of paradise.

⛵ Enjoy a sailing adventure on this 3-Day Guided Panama Sailing Excursion

4. Visit the Remote Zapatilla Island

If you want to go somewhere quiet and more remote, visit Zapatilla Island. Zapatilla Island is one of two uninhabited islands in the Bocas del Toro region, making it a secluded spot to spend the day.

From the island, you might spot dolphins and starfish. There are no amenities on this island, so plan ahead and bring plenty of snacks and water.

Several tour guide companies in Panama can arrange tours to show you around the island. Visitors can spend the afternoon walking along the beach and swimming in the calm waters.

Exploring Zapatilla Island I felt like I was on an episode of Survivor. Funnily enough, the Panamanian version was filmed there.

5. Visit Starfish Beach

When planning what to do in Bocas del Toro, check out Starfish Beach. Starfish Beach is a picturesque beach known for its starfish population.

The starfish head to this area of Bocas for the mild, calm waters, and seeing them in their natural habitat is a fun experience. But please don’t touch them!

It’s also one of the most beautiful beaches in Bocas, so even if you don’t visit the starfish, enjoy lounging on the beach and its clear waters.

To get to Starfish Beach, make your way to Bocas del Drago by bus or bike and then either walk down a 20-minute-long trail to the beach or hire a boat from there for about 1 USD. Additionally, there are boat tours that will take you directly to Starfish Beach from Bocas Town.

During my visit to Starfish Beach, I had the whole beach to myself, which enhanced my experience.

6. Search for Wildlife

Throughout Bocas del Toro, you can find a variety of animals like monkeys, sloths, frogs, and more. I saw more wildlife here than while exploring the jungles of Panama City.

Embark on a guided hike through the Panamanian jungles to spot some of these beautiful creatures, or visit to one of the province’s beautiful beaches to spot marine.

Keep your eyes peeled, and you will be sure to spot some wildlife during your time in Bocas del Toro. I saw this sloth on a boat tour.

7. See the Bioluminescence

Did you know Bocas del Toro is an amazing spot to experience bioluminescence? Bioluminescence is the incredible process of living organisms, such as invertebrates and bacteria, producing and emitting light.

The bioluminescence throughout the Caribbean waters is one of the best things to see in Bocas del Toro.

You can embark on a guided tour to see this natural phenomenon or stay at an over water hotel near the bioluminescence.

It is best seen around the time of a new moon, and unfortunately, my visit was during the full moon, so the tour was unavailable.

8. Tour a Chocolate Farm

If you love chocolate like me, I have the perfect recommendation on what to do in Bocas del Toro: tour a chocolate farm.

There are a few chocolate farms located throughout the area including:

• Up in the Hill Coffee Shop & Organic Farm
• Green Acres Chocolate Farm and Nature Preserve
• La Loma Jungle Lodge and Chocolate Farm
• Oreba Chocolate Tour

Visitors will learn about the chocolate-making process and sample locally-made chocolates. 

9. Visit Bird Island

Bird Island is a small Caribbean island home to thousands of tropical birds.

The island is easily accessible via boat ride from Bocas Town, and this is one unique thing to do in Bocas del Toro.

The island itself is rugged, with sheer cliffs and lush vegetation.

There are several native Panamanian bird species you can only find on Bird Island, and countless more migratory species travel to the island every year.

Many companies will combine tours of Bird Island with a visit to Starfish Beach, as they are accessible from the same side of Colon Island.

10. Explore a Bat Cave

Bocas del Toro has caves that are home to large colonies of bats.

Exploring one or several of these bat caves is one of the most unique things to do in Bocas del Toro. Visitors will see a whole other side of the region often overlooked by tourists and see how cool bats can be. 

During my visit to Bocas, I toured the Nivida Bat Cave and it was one of my favourite things I did.

A local family owns the Nivida Cave, but for a small entrance fee, you can enter for a guided tour. You can arrange a bat cave tour with one of the several tour companies in the area.

11. Take a Yoga Class in the Jungle

For something to do in Bocas’s jungles other than hiking or snorkelling, try a jungle yoga class.  

I had the opportunity to do so during my stay at La Selva, an amazing jungle escape consisting of charming bungalows tucked among the trees.

It’s one thing to see or hike through the jungle, but taking a yoga class allowed me to fully immerse myself and take in the beautiful nature surrounding me.

12. Bike Around the Island

One of the most popular things to do in Bocas del Toro is to bike around the island.

Biking is not only a great way to get in some physical activity, but it also offers an opportunity to experience a unique side of the island.

Its one of the best ways to get around and Colon Island is the perfect place to explore by bike.Make your way to Bocas Town to rent a bike for a few hours or the whole day. 

13. Look for Wild Dolphins

For an incredible experience that is considered one of the top things to do in Bocas del Toro, visit Dolphin Bay.

Dolphin Bay is a small lagoon located several miles off the coast of Colon Island that is known for attracting pairs and small pods of dolphins.

There is an eco-lodge along the lagoon where you can stay the night, but there are also boat tours if you prefer to visit for a short while. I did a boat tour.

The best time of year to see dolphins is June and July when the waters are calm and inviting.

If planning a visit to Dolphin Bay in Bocas, be kind and don’t chase them throughout the bay. 

14. Go Kayaking

If you haven’t already guessed, most of the best things to do in Bocas del Toro Panama revolve around water and water sports.

The Caribbean waters in this province are known for being exceptionally calm and beautiful, and kayaking is one of the best ways to experience this for yourself.

Bocas Town is a great home base to rent a kayak and explore the coast for a few hours or half a day or stay on the other islands. Certain hotels like Casa Acuario include them as part of your stay to enhance your visit. 

15. Relax in a Hammock

For the ultimate relaxation, relax in one of the many hammock spots throughout Bocas del Toro. Lounging in a hammock is one of those quintessential island activities that everyone can agree is a must.

Bocas Town is home to several hammock shops and rental spots where you can unwind with the sound of ocean waves.

There are also plenty of accommodations that have hammocks available to guests.

Watching the stars at night while lounging in a hammock was one of the most relaxing things I did on my vacation in Bocas del Toro.

16. Explore the Jungle at Red Frog Beach

Red Frog Beach, privately owned by a local resort, is a spot to spend an afternoon lounging in the sun, surfing, or walking on the soft sand. You can swim but I found the water too rough and didn’t swim long.

The lush jungle surrounds the beach, where you can spot sloths and other animals, like the famous red frogs that gave this beach its name. 

After taking a water taxi to the dock, you pay an entrance fee to head along the path that leads to Red Frog Beach. Spend the afternoon walking along the beach and surfing Bocas del Toro waves.

If you have to choose between Red Frog Beach and Starfish Beach, I preferred Starfish Beach for its calm waters. Red Frog Beach is better for surfing than swimming.

17. Surf the Waves

Surfing is another popular activity in Bocas del Toro.

The surfing season in Bocas del Toro ranges from December through March. This is when the weather and waves are at their best.

Colon Island is home to some of the top surfing locations in Bocas del Toro, though you can also find some great surf spots on some of the smaller islands in the area.

Rent a surfboard and hire a water taxi to go surfing on your own, or take lessons through a local surf school.

I visited outside surf season so I couldn’t try the waves, but I have done surfing in Nicaragua and it’s pretty fun!

18. Enjoy Fresh Seafood

Bocas del Toro is also known for its fresh seafood-centric cuisine.

A great variety of seafood is available throughout the islands, ranging from shrimp to tuna and octopus.

Some of the best seafood restaurants in Bocas del Toro include:

• El Último Refugio
• Bibi’s On The Beach
• The Blue Coconut Restaurant.

A visit would be incomplete without trying some fresh seafood, and the experience is one of the most essential things to do in Bocas.

During my time in Bocas, I had the best shrimp, trying grilled garlic and fried coconut flavours. It was on par with the seafood I had on my trip to Barbados. And even better than the seafood I had in Antigua.

19. Enjoy Street Food in Bocas Town

Head to Isla Colon to sample some delicious street food.

Enjoying a variety of fresh dishes from the street vendors in town is one of the most delicious things to do in Bocas Town.

Bocas del Toro is known for having a very relaxed and laid-back atmosphere, and the region’s food scene is no exception. During my visit, they had the best meat skewers and empanadas. I kept going back for those empanadas!

Enjoy dining on yummy local cuisine from all the street food vendors and small restaurants in Bocas. It’s one of the things I preferred in Panama vs Costa Rica. I didn’t see street meat in Costa Rica, but maybe I was in the wrong places for it.

Where to Stay in Bocas del Toro

• Casa Acuario – an over-the-water boutique hotel with complimentary kayaks on Isla Carenero (I loved it)
• La Selva Nomad Tree Lodge – treehouses in the remote jungles of Isla Colon (I loved it)
• NAYARA Bocas del Toro – a Bali-inspired resort with a luxury-site spa on Isla Frangipani

FAQs about Visiting Bocas del Toro

Final Thoughts on What to Do in Bocas del Toro

For a laidback beach destination with plenty of adventure activities, make sure to include Bocas del Toro on your Panama itinerary.

There are so many sights and experiences throughout this province that it can feel overwhelming to decide what to do.

From snorkelling to exploring bat caves to surfing, you’ll find enough to keep your vacation active.

So start planning how you will get to Bocas del Toro today.

Happy travelling!