Bocas del Toro, Panama

Isla Colon

Restaurants, Events, Nightlife and Golden Sand Beaches

Isla Colon is home to the capital district of the Bocas del Toro province. It is the most populated island in the Bocas del Toro archipelago.

Isla Colon

The Hub of the Bocas del Toro Islands, Panama

The central hub of the Bocas del Toro archipelago is where most of the hotels, restaurants, bars, tour operators, and businesses are located. Bocas Town is where you will find the Bocas del Toro International Airport with direct flights from Panama City. Home to the majority of events and activities, this is where you will find a lively downtown atmosphere and wild beaches and lush jungle. This island truly has it all.

Bocas Town

Bocas Town sits on the southernmost node of Isla Colon, and it is the capital and main town of the Bocas del Toro islands. Though Bocas Town is the bustling center of the area, it is still small and easy to get around. Most hotels, restaurants, and bars are located on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd street (Main St). In the center of town is the Simon Bolivar Park where artisans sell food and handicrafts. Taxis are everywhere, but most locals get around on bicycles, which are rented all over town.

Walk around Bocas Town and explore the shops for artisan work. See live music in over-the-sea restaurants, the center of town, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of downtown Bocas.

There are many restaurants in Bocas Town, in fact, you might be surprised at the quality and variety of food you can find in such a small town. Over-the-water restaurants offer happy hour specials from late afternoon onward. At night, Bocas Town lights up with music and events. Check out the many bars and discotheques and enjoy a night dancing and letting loose in Bocas Town.

Bluff Beach

Bluff Beach is famous for its golden sand and jungle backdrop. Dotted with beachfront restaurants, this is a magical place where you can still find a little section just to yourself. This beach is also a significant nesting area for different species of sea turtles. Go on horseback tours in the jungles. Disconnect from everything by just laying on a hammock by the beach or grab a few tubes in its shore pounding waves- Bluff Beach shouldn’t be missed by any visitor.

Starfish Beach

Boca del Drago is a great option for snorkeling or enjoying a relaxing day at the beach. Here you will find delicious beachfront restaurants offering fresh seafood and local cuisine. Have lunch and then enjoy great snorkeling just out front. You can also walk over to Starfish Beach or take a boat tour to Bird Island. Starfish Beach is an excellent spot for swimming as it faces the mainland and doesn’t have waves.

Bird Island

Bird Island, a municipal reserve, is a small rocky outcropping just out from the northern tip of Isla Colon. Sea birds such as terns, frigates, shearwaters, and gulls circle around the island while smaller forest-dwelling birds flit in and out of the dense canopy. This is the only place in Panama you can see the Red-Billed Tropicbird, identifiable by the long ribbon-like tail feathers flowing behind them as they glide around the island. The area around the island is accessible only during calm seas. This is a bird watching paradise and the perfect place to get a taste of the wild Caribbean. Remember, people are not permitted to access the island itself.

Information

History of Isla Colón

Bocas del Toro is a picturesque archipelago located in the Caribbean Sea on the northern side of Panama’s isthmus. These islands were first discovered (and named after) Christopher Columbus in 1502, utilized initially as a place used for refuge and repairs to his fleet of ships.

Isla Colón Culture

Bocas del Toro was once one of Panama’s most critical provinces during the 20th-century banana boom. During this time, Europeans, Afro-Antillean workers from the Panama Canal, and Americans around the continent came to Bocas del Toro. They came to work for the banana plantations and help build what once was a bustling Bocas Town. Fast forward a little over 100 years – Bocas del Toro is a mix of Afro-Antillean and indigenous locals as well as European, Asian, and American ex-pats. All these residents call Bocas del Toro home.

How to Get to Isla Colón

Bocas Town is where you will find the Bocas del Toro International Airport with direct flights from Panama City and San Jose, Costa Rica. There are also boat taxis and the Bocas Ferry transporting both people and vehicles to Isla Colón.

Safety on Isla Colón

Bocas Town is the hub of the Bocas del Toro islands, is where the central police station is located. Lots of police are supervising the islands, but it’s important to practice common knowledge when visiting. Make sure to not leave your things along on the beach if you decide to go for a swim.

Isla Colón Tips & Tricks

Make sure you pack the right attitude. Remember, you are in the Caribbean on island time. Things may take longer to happen, plans may change, it may rain, and the ATM, the electricity, the internet, and even the water service could run out on you at times. This is all part of your adventure, so take it as the material for a good story, and you will enjoy your stay a lot more.

Divers Paradise Boutique Hotel	If you came to Bocas del Toro to dive then Divers Paradise Boutique Hotel is the perfect option offering a boutique hotel with new and high quality installations with restaurant and in-house dive school, all located in Bocas Town.
Gran Hotel Bahia	The oldest running hotel in Bocas del Toro, Gran Hotel Bahia operates in a historic building that was built in 1905 as the headquarters to the United Fruit Company (Chiquita Banana). Since 1968 it has been operating as a hotel, with local owners and staff.
Hostel Mamallena Bocas	Located over the sea with a fun vibrant bar Hostel Mamallena Bocas offers a comfortable place to relax and meet other travellers with the privelage of enjoying ocean views.
Hotel Bocas del Toro	With ocean and town views Hotel Bocas del Toro is a classic when it comes to personal service and a beautifully decorated boutique hotel offering a full over-the-sea Caribbean inspired restaurant and bar.
Hotel Don Chicho	The colorful Hotel Don Chicho offers private accommodations just steps away from the center of Bocas Town making this a great option for budget travelers looking for comfort and relaxation.
Hotel Palma Royale	With 180 degrees views of the Bocas Islands it’s no wonder why Hotel Palma Royale is one of the most popular places to stay and enjoy what Bocas has to offer- complete with private rooms and suites and a delicious Italian restaurant below.
Hotel Vista Mar	Comfortable and offering excellent views and delicious local cuisine, Hotel Vista Mar is the perfect place to discover what Bocas has to offer– rumor has it some of the best fishing tours are also offered here!
The Bocas Inn	The Bocas Inn is a charming family lodge located on the water’s edge of isla Colon, in Bocas Town offering private rooms and a lovely deck to enjoy the views of the Caribbean sea.
Saigon Bay Bed & Breakfast	Perched over Saigon Bay on Isla Colon, Saigon Bay Bed & Breakfast offers private comfortable rooms with workspaces available for the digital nomad looking for a place to relax and enjoy Bocas like the locals do.
Somewhere	Somewhere is a luxury, nine-suite property located just outside of Bocas Town between high palm trees and the tourquise ocean offering an unforgettable experience.
Tropical Suites	Nestled in the heart of Bocas Town, Tropical Suites features a modern, elegant design and comforting amenities, allowing guests to truly relax and enjoy their trip to the beautiful tropical island of Colon.
Yarisnori	One of Bocas del Toro’s most popular restaurants and famous for seafood dishes, Yarisnori is a beachfront restaurant and hotel located at Boca del Drago, Isla Colon.
Pier 19 Restaurant	The PIER19 Restaurant, located in the Divers Paradise Boutique Hotel, has gastronomic service every day, from 7:30 am to 10:00 pm, offering a diverse and quality menu. It has breakfast until 10:30 am offering different dishes adapted for all audiences, from vegan breakfasts to the classic Eggs Benedict. From 10:30 am to 10:00 pm, you can taste international and local dishes, accompanied by a good wine from our “Petit Wine Bar” and classic and modern cocktails. You should also take into account the preparation of bread, desserts and various products made from the kitchen of PIER19. The restaurant is characterized by having an excellent location on the sea and with tables located on the pier in the middle of the afternoon, to enjoy the sunset. PIER19 also offers a calendar of leisure-cultural activities such as wine tastings, live music concerts, gastronomic workshops and more.