Bocas del Toro – Panama

Panama quite literally serves as a connection between two worlds (North and South America). It’s most well-known for being the site of the Panama Canal, but it’s also known for its amazing biodiversity and vibrant culture.

Panama attracts travelers who are looking for a blend of cultural influences, but it also attracts those who just want to enjoy a tropical getaway. Aside from the mainland, the country has over 1,400 islands in the Pacific and Caribbean. And the most popular of them is the Bocas del Toro island chain.

Bocas del Toro

Bocas is quickly gaining traction among coworkers as the “place to be” in Panama, and the turquoise water is only partly to thank for this. It’s got beautiful beaches for lounging around, SCUBA and surfing to keep things exciting, and, most importantly, decently fast internet and comfy coworking for getting work done.

It’s not quite on the same level as mountainous Medellin, the coworking capital of Latin America, but Bocas certainly has its charm.

About Bocas del Toro

Bocas Town on Isla Colón (the Main Island) is where 99% of travelers start; it’s possible to fly here directly from Panama City and San Jose. It’s easy to stay comfortable in Bocas Town since it has everything you need – supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants – to live a normal life.

If you’re looking for more of a wildlife adventure or just content with a quiet beach, it’s best to make your way off the Main Island. It’s an easy journey to Isla Bastimentos ($7-$10 USD by water taxi) and only takes about 15 minutes.

Even though it’s a quick trip, Bastimentos feels like a completely different world from Bocas Town. It’s quieter and more relaxed, yet there’s still plenty to keep you busy – especially if you have actual money-making work to tend to. The Selina Red Frog coworking space is located on Bastimentos, making this the perfect setting for work and play.

Getting to Bocas Town

There are two options for getting to Bocas Town. The easy route is to fly directly from Panama City or San Jose in Costa Rica. There are multiple flights per day from Panama City through Air Panama and direct flights from San Jose through Hahn Air or Equatorial Congo.

The more budget-friendly option is to take a bus or shuttle from your current location to Almirante on the coast (from Panama City to Almirante takes between 10 to 12 hours). Once in Almirante, hop on the 30-minute marine taxi (or 2-hour ferry) to Isla Colón.

To get to Bastimentos, just take a water taxi from Bocas Town to Red Frog Beach Marina.

Getting Around

You can walk just about anywhere in Bocas Town and Bastimentos, so there’s no need to spend on land/water taxis unless you’ve got a long ride across the island. Bicycling is popular here, and it’s a great choice if you plan to stay in Bocas for a while. If you do choose to rent a bike, just be sure to lock it up whenever it’s not being used.

For a more adrenaline-induced transportation method, renting an ATV is the way to go. Flying Pirates is a popular ATV rental and tour company in Bocas Town and renting with them is the perfect opportunity to go where the taxis won’t take you.

Things to Do

When you’re not working, the main activities (both in Bocas Town and Bastimentos) revolve around the water. Snorkeling, SCUBA diving, surfing, and wildlife boat rides are just a few ways you can fill your time out of the office. Hiking and jungle trekking are also options, but most travelers turn to the water for fun.

Places to Eat

The prime spot to eat in Bocas Town is El Ultimo Refugio, a nice upper-class restaurant with tables overlooking the beach. The food is good with lots of fresh seafood options on the menu, but also a few choices for meat lovers and vegetarians.

My Happy Place is another popular Bocas eatery, and unlike El Ultimo (which is only open for dinner), this is the best place to sit down for a cheap lunch. In terms of food, it’s all about the tacos here (that’s the only thing on the menu), but it’s a great spot for beachside drinks.

If you’re looking for the best fresh seafood in town, you’ll want to go to Octo. It’s not directly on the beach, but the menu makes up for this. There aren’t tons of menu options here, but if you like seafood, you won’t be disappointed with anything you order.

Bars & Nightlife

If you’re looking for a party, you’ll love everything about Filthy Friday. It’s like Sunday Funday in Nicaragua’s San Juan del Sur, but instead of pool hopping, you’ll be island hopping. Every Friday, the party starts at 11:30 am and visits three separate islands throughout the day with dancing, drinking, chilling, and a fire show to end the evening.

Aqua Lounge is a hostel and bar that’s part of the Filthy Friday agenda, but it’s open every day of the week. If you’re feeling frisky on any day other than Friday, this is the place to go. There’s a different special each night – beer pong on Mondays, cocktails on Tuesdays, wings on Wednesdays…the list goes on.

The Bocas Town Selina is another popular party spot with a bar that overlooks the water and live music now and then.