The best of the best tour in Bocas: visit the Zapatillas Islands. The excursion begins with Dolphin Bay. A simply magnificent place to experience dolphins in their natural environment. If they're in the mood, they might come jump and play near you! If you see them from a distance, it is an equally captivating sight. On the way to Zapatilla, you stop for a snorkeling session, where you can observe corals and many marine species. Then the boat drops you off at Zapatilla. A deserted and completely virgin island with transparent waters, fine sand, and an ocean as far as the eye can see... It is literally paradise on earth! Beach lovers will land to enjoy the scenery and the sun, while adventurers can tour the island walking. Your next stop is Cayo Coral. A place where you can enjoy, among other things, a tasty fresh fish in a restaurant lost in the middle of nowhere, entirely surrounded by water (à la carte, price not included in the excursion). And that's not all! The expedition continues with discovering the sloths' island and Hollywood, where many starfish have decided to take residence. Finally, on the way back, you will travel through the National Maritime Park of Bastimentos. You will criss-cross between hundreds of mangrove islands with, in the background, a breathtaking sunset and a feeling of immense gratitude for the adventure you have just experienced. One of the most beautiful days of your vacation awaits you!
Duration: all-day
Price: 35 USD in cash only.
You must register through this online form
to access the national park.
A fee of $10 per person, payable online only,
applies. Don't forget to take a screenshot as proof of payment.
No internet signal is available at Zapatille.
A perfect excursion for birdwatchers! Bird Island, or Swan's Cay, is a small rocky island located on the north coast of Bocas and covered with abundant lush vegetation. Its small size, about 70 meters long and 55 meters high at its highest point, does not prevent it from being home to thousands of birds. It is a true tropical bird sanctuary! Here you can see the Red-billed Chough, known for its long tail feathers, in its only nesting place in all of Panama. Bird Island is also home to other species such as brown booby, brown pelican, frigatebird, and much more. A guide accompanies you to provide you with as much information about this fascinating island and its inhabitants. The island can only be visited by boat.
After this magnificent discovery, your captain sets sail for the quiet little village of Boca del Drago. A sublime walk on a path bordered by the coast and wild jungle takes you to Starfish Beach. An utterly magical beach with a 100% Caribbean atmosphere.
A little treasure to spend the afternoon and end an incredible day!
Duration: all-day
Price: $30 US
The Chocolate Tour takes you to the small indigenous Ngöbé community of Rio Oeste Arriba, on the outskirts of Almirante. There, you will learn everything about this mystical fruit that is cocoa! The tour is divided into several parts. First, your local guide expert in nature and botany, takes you on a tour of the cocoa plantation. He introduces you to the fruits, flowers, and medicinal plants that the community uses daily throughout the walk. Then, the guide will explain everything there is to know about cocoa: the different varieties of the fruit, its origins, its conservation, and its uses. Finally, women from the community will be waiting for you under a small straw roof to familiarize you with their art of making chocolate. From opening the fruit to the roasting of its seeds, you will witness all the stages of the production of chocolate, this world-renowned culinary delight. In summary, an educational, authentic, and 100% local excursion.
How to get there: Meet at Pana Bocas (formerly Taxi 25) in the city center, where your guide will meet you to take the boat to Almirante (25 minutes). Then a taxi takes you to the small village of the community in the heart of the valley (15 minutes).
Included: a small snack
Duration: 4 hours (departure 9:00 am or 1:00 pm)
Price: $35 + $10 for transportation to Almirante