Head of Province: Bocas del Toro (the town of)
Population: 9,883 inhabitants (2000 census) in the town 89,269 in the Province.
Coastal Area:Caribbean
Surface:
Major Islands: Colon island, Bastimentos, Popa island and Cristobal island

The Province of Bocas del Toro lies on the northeast of Panama. It borders with Costa Rica on the North, the province of Chiriqui on the West (across the mountain range), the province of Veraguas on the South and the Caribbean Sea on the East. The head of the province is the town of Bocas del Toro situated in Isla Colon.

This caribbean jewel is currently one of Panama's touristic hotspots. Here you will find calmed, clean seas (if there isn't a storm) as well as large selvatic areas. Bocas del Toro is in some aspects the last refuge of some species in danger of extinction. Its diversity in bird and other terrestrial and acquatic fauna is almost unsurmounted in the world.

Mainland Bocas del Toro is inside the Chiriqui Lagoon (not to be confused with the province of Chiriqui). There are several major islands such as Isla Colon, Isla Bastimentos, Isla Popa, Isla Cayo de Agua and Isla Cristobal.

The major rivers in this province are the Changinola, Teribe, Cricamola and Chiriqui rivers and to a lesser extent the Sixaola river that divides Bocas del Toro from our neighbouring country Costa Rica.

There are several restaurants serving local cuisine (excellent seafood) Bocatorian style. Not only will you love the variety of seafood that can be made available to you but do not forget the Arroz con Coco (Coconut Rice).

Exploring by car

The only way to arrive by car is from the Chiriqui province by crossing over the continental divide. On the descent you arrive to the town of Chiriqui Grande from where you can either take the ferry boat to Colon Island or Almirante, or continue by car all the way to the town of Almirante (also on the mainland).

By Public Transport - Bus Terminals

You can also go to Bocas del Toro by bus from Chiriqui or Panama.

Additionally you can also fly to the towns of Changuinola ($56 one way) and Bocas del Toro ($55 one way) from the airport the Albrook airport Panama city (this is not the international airport). If you fly from David it will cost you about $30 one way.

Cruises, Boat trips, To the Islands

There are no cruises as such but plenty of opportunities to take boat trips or make use of the ferry boats to transport yourself from the mainland to the islands. The marine taxis from the town of Bocas del Toro cost about $3.00 to Almirante and $5.00 to Changinola.

Hotels, Pensions, Bed & Breakfast

There are a lot of small economical hotels and pensions in the city of Bocas del Toro.

Coastal Areas - Beaches

There are beaches all over the place both in the Chiriqui Lagoon, the islands and the caribbean sea on the outer part of the islands.

Bocas del Toro has excellent beaches of which we can recommend Bocas del Drago and Bluff beach in the northern part of Colon Island. It takes about 45 minutes by boat and 20 minutes by car.

Sports

Scuba diving and Snorkeling are probably the best sports you can practice in Bocas del Toro to admire its underwater beauty. This can be done virtually anywhere but Isla Escudo de Veraguas seems to be the most popular spot.

• Bocas Water Sports
• Star Fleet Eco Adventures

Villas and Resorts in the Area

Outside the head of the province (town of Bocas del Toro) you can find several tropical resorts. These can range from rustic eco-resorts to super comfortable resorts with orthopedic beds and high cuisine.

Recommended side-trips

Parque Nacional Maritimo Bastimentos. This maritime park comprises 11596 maritime hectares and 1630 terrestrial hectares. It is one of the most beautiful habitats presently found.

Local Events

Related Articles

1. Biodiversity in Bocas. Hernan Arauz. 2000. Panama.
2. Tiny poisonous frogs and banana hospitals. Dana den Hertog. 2003. The Netherlands.

• ITEC Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation