Bocas del Toro is one of Panama’s most touristic provinces internationally. Bocas is highly recommended by foreign promoters, as one of the must go Caribbean destinations. if you are looking for virgin jungle beaches., ne of the most popular islands is Bastimentos Island.
This island is the second largest in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago (approx. 52 km2) and one of the largest in Panama. A curious fact, the origin of its name Bastimentos dates back to the times of Christopher Columbus, when he classified it as a perfect place to “stock up” with food.
Its main town is Old Bank, a Caribbean community where the small colorful houses built on the sea stand out. Its inhabitants are of Afro descendent, which is why you can hear them speak ‘Wari – Wari’, a language very similar to Jamaican Patua, with a mixture of Spanish words.
Jungle Beaches
Bastimentos Island is the first marine natural park in the country, where there are highly valuable places such as Cayo Zapatilla Beach, made up of two uninhabited islands surrounded by a coral reef, and Playa Larga, where more than four species of sea turtles spawn, like Baula and Carey between April and September.
Beach of the Stars
For those who want to snorkel or dive, this beach is highly sought after by world-trotting beachgoers. It is frequently visited by biologists as water sports fans, who get surprised to see large number of star fishes that can be seen as soon as they wet their feet on the shore and in the depths of its crystal clear waters. As a main rule for conservation: you cannot touch and remove the stars from the water.
Red Frog Beach
If you are looking for luxury accommodations, Red Frog Beach and the resort that bears its name is perhaps the place with the most reservations on this island by clients coming from the international Jet Set. In this complex you will find villas with swimming pool, kitchen and an secure view to the ocean, where you can enjoy the tropics from the comfort of your room.
It is called the Red Frog, because it is common to see red frogs on the way to that beach. The trail entrance of this resort that leads to this and others beaches cost $5.00, and its path is well marked, built on mangroves with dirt and sand paths.
One of the activities that you can do within the resort is the Zip Line Canopy Tour, with several stations and more than five zip lines with different lengths and heights.
Polo Beach
Near Red Frog Beach is this venue, whose name is related to an inhabitant with the surname Polo, highly requested by tourists who have a pleasant conversation with him about the place, or you can also try their Caribbean dishes. It is said to be the loneliest beach on the island. Its waters are calmer and ideal for snorkeling or free lung swimming (apnea).
Islas Bastimento’s main attraction is that it meets the requirements of paradise beaches: which are uninhabited or sparsely populated, with little urban intervention, tourism friendly to the environment and its shocking beauty invites you to disconnect from the rest of the world, to reconnect with the marine world.
