Bocas del Toro 1-day itinerary

Start on Isla Colón, the main island and hub of Bocas del Toro. The colourful wooden town of Bocas sits on the water's edge — Caribbean-style clapboard buildings in bright blues, yellows, and greens line the main street. Walk along the waterfront past dive shops, hostels, and restaurants built on stilts over the turquoise water. The town is small and walkable — in 30 minutes you will have seen the main street, the park, and the docks where water taxis depart for the other islands.

Take a water taxi or ride a bicycle 30 minutes north to Playa de las Estrellas (Starfish Beach) — a calm, shallow bay where large orange starfish dot the sandy seabed in crystal-clear water. The beach has a Caribbean postcard quality — palm trees, turquoise water, white sand, and virtually no waves. Snorkel to spot starfish up close (do not touch or remove them from the water), swim in the bath-warm shallows, and eat fresh seafood at one of the beachside restaurants.

Bocas Town has the best nightlife in the Panamanian Caribbean. The bars and clubs along the waterfront host different themed nights throughout the week — from reggae and salsa to electronic music and pub quizzes. Aqua Lounge (a hostel/bar built entirely over the water with diving boards into the sea) is the legendary party spot. The mix of backpackers, surfers, expats, and Panamanians creates an energetic, inclusive atmosphere.