Beaches in Bocas del Toro

Although the capital is Changuinola, Isla Colón in Bocas del Toro has developed as the commercial center and the one with the greatest tourist development in the province.

As the largest island, Bocas del Toro Isla Colon doesn’t just hold the airport and the central town of the Island; it also features a great night life with pubs and restaurants and some of the easiest-to-reach family-friendly beaches in Bocas del Toro.

For those of us looking for extremely calm, shallow water perfect for swimming and stress-free relaxing, we absolutely have to suggest visiting Starfish Beach, which gets its local fame from the abundance of brightly colored starfish resting right in the warm, clear shallows. Nearby, the equally tranquil Boca del Drago provides another perfectly sheltered bay, and farther north, we can find La Piscina, a gorgeous natural pool area formed by the ocean, which is ideal for a safe and refreshing dip.

In sharp contrast to the peaceful northern coves, the eastern coastline of Bocas del Toro Isla Colon delivers the spectacular, untamed beauty of Bluff Beach, a dramatically long stretch of sand that is backed by thick jungle and often sees heavy waves from the open Caribbean Sea.

Bluff Beach is widely recognized as one of the best beaches in Bocas del Toro for serious surfers during the high season, though we must always exercise caution, as swimming here is typically discouraged because of the consistently strong undertows and currents.

Even if we skip the surfing, the journey along the coastal road to admire the raw power and natural, undeveloped feel of this remote coastline is something we highly recommend doing on your trip.

To truly appreciate the amazing geographical richness within the whole Bocas del Toro Panama province, we need to hop off the main island and check out some of the neighboring Bocas del Toro islands, each of which has its own special feel and distinct shorelines. One of the bigger and most important islands is Isla Bastimentos, which is home to the protected National Marine Park and features the well-known Red Frog Beach, a spectacular stretch of golden sand often considered the archipelago’s most popular destination for its clear water and lively beach bar amenities. This iconic beach gets its unique name from the tiny, vibrant strawberry poison dart frogs that inhabit the dense rainforest that frames its edges.

Isla Bastimentos offers far more than just the main tourist spot, providing several more secluded options for those willing to venture further into the island’s quieter corners. For instance, we can find the beautiful and remote Wizard Beach after a short jungle hike from the local village of Old Bank, or we can seek out the tiny, sheltered cove known as Polo Beach, famous for its incredible snorkeling and the legendary local resident who often hosts visitors. For a quieter water experience, the southern point offers Old Point, a frequently overlooked spot with reliably calm water and excellent visibility for snorkeling right off the beach, proving that some of the best beaches in Bocas del Toro require a little extra effort to find.