Bocas Del Toro

Introduction

Bocas del Toro

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Bocas del Toro is an archipelago and the main place to go in Panama for relaxing on the beach, snorkelling, diving and many other marine activities. It's a popular place amongst travellers.

Geography

Cities

Sights and Activities

Events and Festivals

Weather

The weather usually is tropical, with warm and humid weather year round. Daytime temperatures range from around 28 °C in October and November to around 32 °C in March and April. Nights are mostly around 22-23 °C. Although usually December to May is somewhat drier, the differences with the rest of the year are not as pronounced as elsewhere in the country. Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are possible year round!

Getting There

By Plane

Bocas del Toro "Isla Colón" International Airport (BOC) offers flights to/from Changuinola, David, Panama City-Albrook, Panama City-Tocumen, Pavas and Tamarindo. Aero Perlas is the main airline.

By Train

By Car

By Bus

From San Jose, Costa Rica:
The bus departs the Coca Cola bus station at 9:00am for Changuinola in Panama. It takes about 7 hours to arrive at the border. From the border you have to go to the control booth on the right hand side before the bridge. From here you have to show your passport and hand in your Panama visa form. Be careful: the border here closes at 5:00pm. Once this is done you walk accross the bridge into Panama to another control booth on the left hand side after the bridge. You must then show your passport, after which, you head next door to again show your passport and you may or may not have to pay for a tourist card (depends on your nationality, USA cost is $5). Once you recieve this card you go back next door where you just were, and then they will stamp your passport. Welcome to Panama. Re-board your bus and head to Changuinola.

By Boat

From the Changuinola bus station take a taxi to the boat (takes aobut 10 minutes, about US$5). Last boat leaves at 5:30pm and takes about 45 minutes to Bocas town. If you miss this boat or you are cutting it close, take a taxi to Almirante instead. The last boat leaves here at 6:30pm and costs US$3. If arriving in Bocas late, it is recommend to make an accomodation reservation prior to arrival.

Day Trip:
You can take a boat to the Red Frog Beach (Playa Pristina), go snorkeling and dolphin watching. You should pay no more than US$15 for the whole day and you grab a boat leaving from the docks around 9:00am. Take plenty of water, some snacks, and a few dollars for lunch (be patient because lunch takes a while).

Getting Around

By Plane

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Eat

Drink

Sleep

There are plenty of accomodations in the Bocas but a few recommended ones are as follows:

• Mondo Taitu - Dorm beds cost $8, it is highly recommended and fills up fast
• Heike - Same owners as Mondo, and an excellent choice
• Casa Max on Isla Colon - Accross the street from Mondo it costs a bit more, triple run $36 a night but have a ceiling fan and private bath.