Bocas del Toro Archipelago
A group of Caribbean islands, mangroves and clear bays in the northwest of the country. Water taxis link beaches, snorkelling spots and small communities, giving it a relaxed island-hopping character.
Bocas del Toro
Relaxed beaches, snorkelling, starfish and dolphins draw people to this Caribbean island group, which also has a lively backpacker scene.
Attractive locations
Colón Island
The main island of the archipelago, home to Bocas Town with its wooden houses, small restaurants and boat docks. It is the usual starting point for boat trips to other islands.
Bastimentos Island National Marine Park
A protected area of coral reefs, mangroves and rainforest. Its beaches are nesting grounds for sea turtles, and snorkelling trips explore the colourful reefs around the park.
Bastimentos Island
A large, forested island with quiet villages and beaches such as Red Frog Beach. Small red frogs live in the forest behind the sand, and hiking trails run through the jungle.
Zapatilla Cays
Two small uninhabited islands with white sand, palm trees and clear water within the marine park. Boat trips from Bocas Town stop here for swimming and snorkelling.
Airports
Bocas del Toro "Isla Colón" International Airport BOC
It is about 1 km in a straight line from Bocas del Toro.
Changuinola Captain Manuel Niño International Airport CHX
It is about 32 km in a straight line from Bocas del Toro.
Enrique Malek International Airport DAV
It is about 107 km in a straight line from Bocas del Toro.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan24.2 °C124 mm
- Feb24.2 °C67 mm
- Mar24.6 °C82 mm
- Apr25.3 °C132 mm
- May25.6 °C295 mm
- Jun25.6 °C278 mm
- Jul25.2 °C320 mm
- Aug25.3 °C269 mm
- Sep25.4 °C245 mm
- Oct25.3 °C316 mm
- Nov25.0 °C361 mm
- Dec24.6 °C197 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Mar. Wettest months: Jul, Oct, Nov.
Costs
Prices here are about 45% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
911 for police, ambulance and fire.
local government
Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá (ATP)
Helps with: Panama's national tourism authority. Its website lists a central phone line and email, plus regional offices and airport information centres, for tourism information.
Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Panama or planning a trip there.
Phone: +507 526-7000
Email: inversiones@atp.gob.pa
Address: Edificio BICSA, Financial Center, Piso 29, Ave. Balboa y Aquilino De La Guardia
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Panama
Helps with: The UN migration agency. Its Panama office, in Ciudad del Saber, works on migration matters in Panama; its contact page lists a phone, email and address.
Who qualifies: Migrants and migration-related cases in Panama. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +507 305 3350
Email: iompanama@iom.int
Address: Calle Vicente Bonilla, Edificio 110, Ciudad del Saber, Clayton, 0819-00017 Panamá
local government
Emergency number 911 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches police, ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 911
local government
Police emergency number 104
Helps with: Reaches the police. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 104
local government
Ambulance and fire emergency number 103
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 103
ngo
Panamanian Red Cross
Helps with: The ICRC supports the society's humanitarian work, including family unity and restoring contact between family members. No contact details are given, so use the society's website.
Who qualifies: The page does not say who can use it. It describes the society as an auxiliary to the State, with volunteers.