Highlights of Bocas del Toro

The Islands of Bocas del Toro, in North West Panama, are some of the last secluded and tropical CaribbeanIslands, still virgin and unspoiled by human development. Bocas del Toro Islands are part of the province of Bocas del Toro. Although the largest city in the province is Changuinola, also the main commercial and industrial center, it is the small town of Colon, on Bocas largest island Isla Colon which is the capital of the region. Bocas del Toro combines nature, indigenous culture and great scuba diving and snorkeling in some of the world’s most pristine and calm waters. The culture of Bocas is amazing. The original inhabitants of the islands are the Ngobe. However, nowadays you can also find other tribes such as the Teribe, Bri Bri and Cuna. Also, there is a large percentage of Afro - Caribbean population.

Isla Colon is the largest island of the archipelago. The town of Colon is the largest town in the area. Here you can find almost all the hotels, restaurants, bars and tourist information centers. Some of this attractions are Bluff’s Beach, The Cave or La Gruta. Boca Drago, Swans Key and StarBeach. Also, on a day without planned activities or organized Tours, it is nice to rent either bicycles or Scooters and go to Boca Drago, stopping on The Cave or La Gruta which is located in the center of the island.

The second largest island is Isla Bastimentos. Bastimentos is located across a marine canal from Isla Colon. Its attractions are RedFrogBeach, indigenous communities, the BastimentosMarineNational Park, the Fresh Water Lagoon of Bastimentos and other beaches, including Playa Polo, Long Beach and Punta Vieja, a great scuba diving spot. Nearby you can find Crawl Key or Cayo Coral. Here you can snorkel in crystal clear water and discover the amazing marine habitat and the colorful coral reef. Bastimentos is also inhabited by Ngobe Indigenous.

Zapatilla Keys, two smaller keys located north of Bastimentos are also part of the BastimentosMarineNational Park.White Sand Beaches, exotic and tropical vegetation and some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the world are some of its main highlights.

Isla Solarte is a smaller island located in front of Isla Colon. Solarte also has an amazing scuba diving and snorkeling spot called PuntaHospital or Hospital Point. Here you can find a great population of corals, especially soft corals. It is one of the preferred scuba diving spots in Bocas. Also, Isla Solarte is also still inhabited by indigenous, especially Ngobe, some of them still living in their original lifestyle.

Swans Key Swans Key is a small rocky formation just of the coast of Isla Colon. It is inhabited by many species of Marine Birds. Some species reside here year round, and some sop on a migration trip.

Cristobal Island or Isla Cristobal is located near mainland. Of its coast lies the DolphinBay. This “ Lagoon “ is the habitat of many dolphins that live here almost year round and feed from mollusks andfish. Isla Cristobal is also inhabited by indigenous people, some of them still living ion their original lifestyle.

Isla Popa is also located close to mainland. Isla Popa is known for the blue colored variation of the poisonous dart frog the inhabit almost al the islands and that differ in color from island to island. Also, Popa and Cristobal are still inhabited by the Ngobe Indigenous people, still living in their original lifestyle.