The Top 3 Family-Friendly Activities to Do in Bocas del Toro

While Bocas del Toro might be most well known as a surfer spot and beachy backpacking destination, don’t let that idea of this Panama archipelago stop you from planning a family vacation to Casa Botanica. There’s plenty to do and to love for families who travel to Bocas del Toro. 

Not sure where to start? Here are our three favorite family-friendly activities to experience while you’re here.

1. Check out the local wildlife.

Adults and kids alike will love the various excursions available for wildlife watching around the islands, including dolphin-watching and birding tours. If you plan just one wildlife encounter into your stay, though, make sure it’s a trip to Starfish Beach, where you and the family can wade out among the giant, orange starfish that call the waters right offshore their home. 

Even if you don’t plan a specific outing around Bocas del Toro’s vast and varied wildlife, keep your eyes peeled as you make your way around the islands, and you’ll likely spot a few monkeys, sloths, tropical birds, and more. 

2. Plan an adrenaline-pumping adventure.

Bocas del Toro is packed with opportunities for adventure, no matter your children’s ages and no matter how intense they prefer those adventures. Go zip-lining through the forest. Dive underground to see the Nivida Bat Cave, with its nocturnal residents and a subterranean lake. Go on an ATV tour to see the jungle and beaches from a new angle.

Beyond these land-based adventures, you can also book adventures out on the water, from chill boating cruises to surfing excursions and experiences for the entire family.

3. See how chocolate is made.

What kid (or adult!) doesn’t love chocolate? Bocas del Toro is home to a handful of chocolate farms that offer cacao tours, wherein you can see how chocolate gets from the plant to the package — and, yes, samples are provided. This is one of the tastiest and most tempting tours you can book during a Bocas del Toro vacation!

Is Casa Botanica a Good Fit for Families? 

As you’re exploring and adventuring around Bocas del Toro with the family in tow, you’ll need a home base — and there’s no better fit than Casa Botanica. 

Casa Botanica is a luxury home rental that’s just removed enough from town to give you and your family privacy and plenty of space, but close enough to all the action that you won’t need to drive very long or far to find some fun. With views of the beach, lots of space indoors and outdoors, an all-natural pool, and a big kitchen that we can stock ahead of your arrival, it has everything you need for a comfortable, relaxing stay, whether your family is just a few people or a big group. 

So, stop searching for family vacation ideas that will make everyone happy. You’ve found it. Let’s talk, and start planning your tropical vacation now.