15 Best Beaches In Bocas Del Toro – Panama

This list of the best beaches in Bocas Del Toro includes all of our favourites from our time on the islands!

While Panama is most well known for its impressive capital city and one-of-a-kind Canal, it is also holding on to some pretty special secrets. Their Islands along the Caribean coast are spectacular. In this post, I am going to share with you some of the absolute best beaches in Bocas Del Toro.

Bocas Del Toro is an Archipelago of multiple islands located in the Caribbean Sea. It is also the name of the island’s main town and is located on Isla Colon.

We spent a week here during our travels through Central America and immediately fell in love. The laid-back island way of life mixed in with stunning beaches and some of the best diving in the world!

I say it all the time that of all the places I have been, if I could go back to any tomorrow it would be Bocas Del Toro. Well, because that’s not entirely practical, Instead I’m going to share with you my love for the Islands and all the juicy details you might need to enjoy your stay there as much as I did.

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These are in no particular order, by the way, they are all amazing!

1 – Starfish Beach (Playa Estrella)

Starfish Beach is located on Isla Colon on the very far side of the Island to the town. It is a beautiful and fairly secluded beach but still relatively easy to get to. You can rent a scooter or ATV, or take a bus or taxi to the other side of the island to reach it. Alternatively, you can visit as part of a boat trip.

If you travel across the island by road, you will end up at a beach restaurant called Yarisnori. From there it is around a 20-minute walk along the shoreline to reach starfish beach. We have more details in our full guide to Starfish Beach.

The main attraction of this beach is in the name; it is home to hundreds of large orange starfish who all chill beautifully in the shallows.

We had a great day relaxing on the beach and swimming with the starfish. I have never seen so many in such a small space before.

My TOP TIP is to try and get there before midday as this is when the boat trips all seemed to arrive at once and it got pretty crowded. And remember not to touch!

2 – Carenero Island

Carenero Island is located only a couple of minutes from Isla Colon by boat. In fact, it is so close you can easily reach it by Kayak or paddle board.

The Island makes it onto the list of the best beaches in Bocas Del Toro because it is so small you can paddle around the entire island in about an hour. There is also a hiking trail that goes around the whole island taking you along its entire shoreline.

Every inch of Canero Island is beautiful, including the stunning turquoise waters that surround it. It is the perfect place to escape the bustle of Isla Colon. Find yourself a quiet spot and enjoy some peace.

3 – Red Frog Beach

Red Frog Beach is another incredibly unique beach that as you may have guessed is home to the brightly coloured red poison dart frogs.

Located on the eastern side of Isla Bastimentos, you can reach Red Frog Beach in just 10 minutes by boat from Bocas Del Toro town.

While if you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of one of the tiny red inhabitants in the surrounding jungle, the beach itself also has a lot to offer. It is home to some special resorts and hotels, restaurants and bars. You can snorkel among the coral if you are careful of the currents and even surf if the swell is right.

4 – Playa Bluff

Back on the main Island, Isla Colon, you will find the longest beach on the Bocas Del Toro archipelago. Playa Bluff is a 6km long stretch of golden sandy beach that is undeveloped and unspoilt.

Protected by the marine park this gorgeous beach is also the chosen location for various species of sea turtles to come and lay their eggs. Species such as leatherback and hawksbill turtles.

While you would have to get pretty lucky to spot sea turtles, Playa Bluff is still a fantastic beach to visit.

This beach is easily accessible by road from the main town if you rent a scooter or ATV for the day. We found it easy to find a spot far away from anyone else to sit and listen to the waves crashing. The nice thing about this beach is it never feels crowded.

TOP TIP*** If you have enough time, I recommend walking to the very north of the beach and heading into the sloth forest to see if you can spot any of the sleepy creatures who live in the treetops.

5 – Long Beach

Long Beach is similar to Playa Bluff in that it is a long stretch of sandy beach, it is undeveloped and generally very quiet. It is located on Isla Bastimentos just a short ride down from Red Frog Beach.

It is also a protected beach and a known nesting ground for turtles. However, it is most popular for its surf waves. Suitable for all levels from beginner to advanced depending on the conditions.

6 – Cayos Zapatillas

The Zapatillas islands consist of 2 stunning, uninhabited islands about an hour’s boat ride from the main town. Best enjoyed as a day trip either as a stop on an organised boat trip or by hiring a private boat to take you for the day.

These are 2 islands that have been described by locals as the footprints of god. No matter what you believe, I’m sure you will agree with me when I say these islands are a little piece of heaven on earth.

They have pure white sand beaches and amazingly clear waters full of life. Just make sure when you visit that you take enough water and food because when I say uninhabited I mean truly untouched.

7 – La Piscina

This literal hidden gem had to be added to the list because there is no other place quite like it on the islands.

The narrow inlet from the sea that then opens up into a large ‘natural’ swimming pool, creates a calm and peaceful, safe place to swim and enjoy the sea. In truth, La Piscina is actually man-made by the Banana trade, long before we had things in place protecting marine areas.

However, you wouldn’t be able to tell now that nature had claimed it back as its own.

Ideal for families with small children, those looking for a relaxing float or anyone wanting to snorkel and enjoy the underwater life without the waves. Located on Isla Colon in the northeast of the island, on a pretty secluded stretch of the island.

The ATV trail does pass by the beach otherwise you would need to hire one of the island’s speed boats to bring you here.

8 – Old Point (Punta Vieja)

Punta Vieja beach is so similar to the Zapatillas islands, if someone dropped you off here and told you you were on the islands you would probably believe them. The main difference is that this beach is located on the very southeastern tip of Islan Bastimentos.

Just a short boat ride away from the Zapatillas islands. They share the same beautiful white sand beaches and clear seas. It is a notorious spot for having calm waters all year round.

The main difference is that the boat trips don’t stop here. Everyone is so keen to explore the islands, that this incredible beach is often overlooked leaving it empty.

And who doesn’t love having a paradise beach all to themselves?

9 – Costa Azul Beach

If you are a traveller on a real shoestring budget or short on time, then this beach is the perfect one for you. I say this because it is within walking distance from the main town on Isla Colon.

All you need to do is follow the main road out of the town (there is only one road out of town) and when it forks go right. Just a little further up the road, you will arrive at the beautiful white sand beach of Costa Azul. Lined with palm trees and clear blue waters, it has everything you could need to enjoy some relaxing island life.

10 – Polo Beach

Polo Beach is located on Isla Bastimentos, around a 30-minute walk from Red Frog Beach. This secluded cove is protected by a coral reef creating a calm and quiet island getaway. From the beach, you can see the reef about 50 meters out to sea with the waves crashing over it.

I particularly love the reason for the name Polo Beach. Named after the local man called Polo who has lived in a beach shack here for over 50 years, serving freshly caught seafood to visitors.

What a life!

11 – Boca del Drago Beach

Situated in the very northwest corner of Isla Colon, Boc Del Drago Beach is one of the most picturesque beaches in Bocas Del Toro.

Located not too far from Starfish Beach, Boca Del Drago shares the sma stunning shoreline and fantastically clear and calm waters. A stark contrast to the epic waves you can find on the east of the island.

You can get there by road or by speed boat. We visited this beach on our way to Starfish Beach. Had I not wanted to see the starfish so badly we could’ve easily spent a day here instead.

The water was so clear we could see the corals from the shore. This is a perfect spot for snorkelling.

12 – Mimbi Timbi Beach

Mimbi Timbi Beach is a pretty special one and is not often visited by travellers.

This secluded beach on the far north of Isla Colon is only accessible by boat and not just that but the sea conditions have to be just right for boats to be able to get to it.

This makes it a pretty rare occasion for anyone to be able to visit. This is why I think this beach deserves to be on the list. Not to mention that thanks to this isolation it is clean and undisturbed.

It is worth asking around the locals when you are on the islands if they can take you there and see if the conditions are lined up in your favour.

13 – Wizard Beach

Wizard Beach is one of the more visited beaches in Bocas Del Toro because of its location. Found on Isla Bastimentos just a short 30-minute walk across the north of the island from the Old Bank.

It is easy to see why people love it so much. Its beautiful golden sandy shoreline is a popular spot to find locals from the Old Bank surfing the large waves.

This beach is a great spot to watch the surfers, have a picnic and hike the surrounding jungle. Red Frog Beach is just a short boat ride away.

14 – Skullys

While Skullys is not actually a beach, it is a great beach bar that is perfect for spending a day in the sun.

Just a short drive away from Bocas Del Toro town, you can take the bus, a taxi or go by scooter. Once you get there you will find a large pool in the centre of the bar and restaurant area. They have several food truck-style kitchens to choose from, no matter what you have a fancy for.

Pick a seat on the beach and enjoy your drink while you wriggle your toes in the sand. The sea is just a few steps away if you want to explore the rock pools and take a dip.

We stopped by for a drink after we had spent the morning at Starfish Beach. It was great, we enjoyed a drink and a game of pool while listening to the waves.

TOP TIP*** Skullys also rent out ATVs and Scooters if you want to get around the island.

15 – Hospital Point Beaches

Last but not least Hospital Point is unlike any of the other beaches on this list and a real treat, especially for nature and history lovers. It can be found on the northernmost tip of Solarte Island, just a few minutes by boat from the main Island.

This beach was given its name, again thanks to the Banana trade industry in the 19th century when it was booming. They decided to build a medical centre on the island to better aid all the workers on the islands.

Today the old hospital serves as a botanical garden. The island is also home to various tropical frogs and its seas are a prime spot for snorkelling and diving.

Whilst diving you can even find old remnants of the island’s previous life such as old ceramics.

you can read more about diving around Bocas Del Toro here.

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We came from Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica via a shuttle bus and a speed boat. You can read more about the details of that journey in our guide. It is also possible to fly to Panama City, take an overnight bus, or even fly to Bocas Del Toro. We also go over the details of these options in our guide.

All flights to the islands go via Panama City, just make sure to check if you need to change airports for your connecting flight.

This is a great site for planning travel in Central America with the bus details if you are coming from Panama City by bus.

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Of course, you can also choose to stay on the nearby Isla Carenero or in Old Bank on Isla Bastimentos.

📍Isla Colon in Bocas Del Toro Town

This is where we stayed and I loved the atmosphere in the town, not to mention the access to dive shops, scooter rentals and great food.

I can highly recommend Surfari Bocas for anyone travelling on a budget. It was central, had air con and the owner was great!

✅ Check out Surfari Bocas here!

📍Isla Carenero

When you arrive you will see just how close Isla Colon and Isla Carenero are to each other. So really regardless of which island you choose to stay on it is easy to get from one to the other.

The benefit of staying on Isla Carenero is there are even more really great luxury options to choose from and it is easy to explore the entire island on foot.

Have you ever wanted to stay in an over-water bungalow?

Well, this is your chance and for a fraction of what you might pay elsewhere in the world! At Far del Colibri you can stay in a cute overwater bungalow for as little as $140 a night. Yet still have all the perks of incredible views, instant access to the sea and dolphins as your neighbours.

✅ Take a look at these awesome over-water bungalows here!

📍Isla Bastimentos

Now imagine overwater bungalows but in a secluded private bay. Peace and tranquillity. Sounds amazing right? Well if you head across to Isla Bastimentos you can stay in some of the most wonderful bungalows away from the buzz of towns.

At Eclypse de Mar Acqua Lodge each bungalow has a glass floor area where you can watch the marine life below. It is also located right next to the protected marine reserve if you enjoy hiking.

✅ See for yourself just how amazing these bungalows are!

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Is it safe to swim in Bocas del Toro?

This is a tricky one to answer. In many places, it is totally safe to swim and enjoy the corals and sea life. However, on many eastern shores of the islands, you will need to be careful of strong currents and waves that can make the sea pretty dangerous.

If in doubt always ask a local as they know the seas best. Starfish Beach, La Piscina, Boca Del Drago, Costa Azul and Polo Beach are all great beaches that are safe to swim.

When is the best time of year to visit?

Bocas Del Toro is a great destination all year round but you could argue the best time to visit is during the dry season of January to April.

How many days do you need in Bocas Del Toro?

I would recommend spending a minimum of 4 days on the islands. This will give you plenty of time to explore the islands, take boat trips out to some more secluded beaches and have time for some diving and snorkelling too.

For more inspiration on how to plan your time in Panama, you can check out our Panama Itinerary.

Is it expensive in Bocas del Toro?

We found Bocas Del Toro to be a pretty inexpensive place to visit. There is a wide range of accommodations of varying prices and it is possible to eat cheap street food. The speed boats around the islands are fairly cheap if you do one of the standard journeys and the diving was some of the cheaper diving we have done in Central America.

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If I had to choose, my favourite would have to be Starfish Beach because it was so special. But really, I recommend going to all of them 😉

Happy travels!