5 Bucket List Things You Should Do in Bocas del Toro
There’s plenty to do and see in Bocas del Toro. With nine main islands and far, far more islets and cays, this archipelago in Panama is home to beautiful beaches, is teeming with wildlife, and is packed to the gills with adventure. However, if you’re only staying for a limited amount of time, are there certain activities that you should move to the top of your itinerary, to ensure you can fit them in with ease?
Absolutely. Here are five bucket list things to do in Bocas del Toro. These are the experiences you’ll want to make time for, before you see or do anything else.
1. Visit Starfish Beach
One of Bocas del Toro’s most famous beaches, Starfish Beach sees a fair number of visitors, but for good reason. It’s simply not a first trip to Bocas del Toro without seeing and experiencing this special beach.
The beach is a starfish habitat, which means, right offshore, the crystal-clear waters are filled with large, orange starfish. Visitors wade in next to the starfish and take photos, and simply enjoy being up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. The only rule? Don’t touch the marine life!
(You’ll most likely need to take a water taxi or guided tour to get to Starfish Beach.)
2. Go on a Boat Tour
If you’re not a fan of the water, Bocas del Toro might not be for you; if you love being out on the ocean, though, you’ll feel right at home while you’re here. As an archipelago destination, Bocas del Toro’s attractions and best sites are spread out across our islands, and it’s nothing uncommon to hop between islands during a day of sightseeing and explorations.
While water taxis are easy to come by, a boat tour is a must during your first trip to Bocas del Toro, as it will allow you to rely on your guide’s local expertise, and make sightseeing convenient and easy. You’ll find boating excursions that cater to an array of interests, whether you want to go diving or snorkeling, or wildlife watching, or you just want to enjoy simply sailing around and taking in the scenery.
3. Take a Surfing Lesson
Surfing is big in Bocas del Toro. We have so many beaches that are renowned and internationally acclaimed surfing spots, drawing avid surfers from all over the globe. However, there’s no need to be a skilled surfer, or even know how to surf at all, to enjoy Bocas del Toro’s surfing scene. You can easily book a surfing experience during your trip, during which an instructor and guide will take you to some of the best surfing spots for beginners, and teach you the ropes.
4. Grab a Local Bite and a Drink (or Two!)
Don’t miss your chance at trying some of the local cuisine during your trip, as well as visiting some of the local watering holes. In Bocas Town, you’ll find local eateries serving up the region’s incredibly fresh seafood, as well as bars right on the water.
5. Slow Down and Enjoy the Calm
Last, but certainly not least, you can’t visit Bocas del Toro without embracing the island’s laid-back vibes and regenerative calm. If you walk away from Bocas not feeling like you’ve truly relaxed and escaped from all the worries and stressors of real life, you haven’t experienced the best parts of Bocas.
So, connect with nature. Take a yoga class. Schedule a massage. Soak up the sunsets and sunrises. However you slow your pace and find your inner Zen, make it a priority to do so during your Bocas del Toro vacation.
Your Home Base for All of the Above and More? Casa Botanica
Casa Botanica makes the perfect home base for experiencing all of the above, plus so much more. With our convenient location, you’re just a short distance away from top sights and attractions near town. Plus, when it’s time for you to slow down and enjoy the calm, Casa Botanica is the ideal spot to do so, with its tranquil environment, set in the rainforest and with views of the ocean. Casa Botanica is your oasis.
