The Bocas Del Toro Budget Travel Guide

An Introduction to Bocas Del Toro, Panama

Bocas del Toro is a province and archipelago located in the northeast region of Panama, nestled along the Caribbean coast. Among other things, it is known for its beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, and vibrant nightlife. The group of islands are a popular tourist destination from travelers all over the world, with a high number of European backpackers passing through en route to explore South America. Isla Colón is the capital of the province, a seaside town featuring plenty of bars, hostels, and restaurants.

The island chain is home to a diverse range of landscapes, including rainforests, mangroves, and coral reefs. There are many opportunities for outdoor activities such as snorkeling, diving, and hiking through the rainforests. Bocas Del Toro is regarded as an ecological paradise, and for good reason- there are an extraordinary abundance of species to see, including a unique color variety of strawberry poison dart frog on each of the main islands. The province is known for its rich marine life too, including dolphins, whales, and a large variety of fish species that can be explored at the many coral reefs or shipwrecks located around the island chain.

The Culture and People

In addition to its natural beauty, Bocas del Toro is also known for its vibrant culture. The province has a diverse population, with a mix of indigenous people, Afro-Caribbean communities, and people of European descent. This mix of cultures is reflected in the food, music, and art of the region. Each island has its own unique culture, with some more laid back and rustic, such as Isla Carenero, and others more developed and fast-paced, such as Isla Colon.

How Safe is Bocas Del Toro?

Like any Caribbean island, Bocas del Toro has its set of safety issues. It is generally considered to be a safe place to visit, but petty crime does occur somewhat regularly. The most common crime in Bocas Del Toro is theft from beachgoers and snorkelers, so plan accordingly. It is important to keep an eye on your belongings and be aware of your surroundings, especially along beaches. Robberies are known to occur during hikes, but can usually be avoided by traveling in groups of two or more.

My Experience With Safety

Most islands in Bocas Del Toro had posted warning signs about the risk of theft or robbery. During my stay I hiked about 50 miles around the entirety of Isla Colon, about 15 miles around Isla Bastiamentos, and several miles around Isla Solarte. With the exception of an ill-tempered bull and some very aggressive dogs, at no point did I feel threatened. Be smart, keep your possessions on your person at all times, and you’ll be fine. I was pleasantly surprised by the kindness of the locals, regularly stopping to check on me while I hiked and inviting me to ride with them. I even had a few people offer me snacks or drinks for my hike.

How Expensive is a Vacation to Bocas Del Toro?

If you’ve read any of my other Caribbean travel blogs, you’ll already know the answer to this question- it depends. Generally speaking, a vacation to Bocas Del Toro will cost you much less than most European vacations. Similarly, Bocas will save you considerably compared to vacationing in the United States. Though cheaper than the USA, Bocas lodging is more expensive than Roatan short-term apartments and Aruba Airbnbs. Shared lodging, however, was a different story. The availability, price, and variety of hostels far surpassed anywhere else I’ve traveled to in the Caribbean. 

Accommodation in Bocas del Toro can range from budget hostels to luxury resorts. A trendy hostel may be between $15-65 per night, while resorts may run over $200 per night. Prices can vary widely depending on the type of accommodation you choose and the time of year you go. Being socially awkward and a fan of hiking, I opted for a private room in Bambuda Hostel in the remote Isla Solarte.

Restaurant Prices

Food and drink prices in Bocas del Toro vary significantly depending on which island you’re on and what type of restaurant you’re eating at. Locally-owned restaurants catering to the local community will have a “plate of the day” special for 4 or 5 dollars, with more expensive menu items also offered. The plate of the day contains rice and beans, salad, a protein such as fish or curried chicken breast, and fried green plantains called patacones. These plates are filling, tasty, and a great value. Personally, I’d recommend sticking to these spots as they were almost always tastier than the tourist-centric options at a fraction of the price.

Street food is also a cheap and convenient option, with dishes such as empanadas and tamales available for a dollar or two. Before ordering from a restaurant without a visible menu, try to know the price- if you look like a tourist, some vendors will try to get you to pay double or even triple of what an item actually costs.

Foreign-owned restaurants are very common, especially in Bocas Town. Their menus are in English and the aesthetic is hipster chic, making them easy to differentiate from the local spots. Though the food is usually decent, expect to pay $15-30 per meal. My recommendation is to find the good local restaurants and support them- you’re wasting your money otherwise.

Grocery Store Prices

There are grocery stores located all over Bocas Town, with a small handful of others scattered across the other islands. Generally speaking, groceries are a bit more expensive than in the USA- especially if you try to buy American brands. Items that can be locally sourced, such as eggs, fish, and fruits, are often affordable. Dairy products and beef are expensive, which is to be expected for a small island chain.

For the best prices and the best quality, I recommend buying your groceries at a few different specialty locations. Fruit and vegetable stands, such as this fantastic one near the heart of Bocas Town, have much lower prices with better quality and a wider selection of goods compared to grocery stores. There are a few good bakeries as well, with my personal favorite being John’s Bakery in downtown. If you need fish, skip the grocery store and visit one of the several local vendors.

Airbnbs, Hotels, and Hostels in Bocas Del Toro

The best lodging option for your Bocas Del Toro vacation will come down to trip length, desired activities, and cost. While hostels provide the cheapest option, they lack privacy and are sometimes in less-than-ideal locations. Some upscale hostels, such as Selina or Bambuda Lodge, charge a bit more but have fantastic amenities and daily excursions. Some of these excursions are even free, like the hike I did to Hospital Point. The social and adventurous would be best suited for these, though be warned, there may be some late-night noise.

Hotels are not particularly common around Bocas, but there are a few notable ones. The most upscale is Red Frog Beach Island Resort, a remote luxury resort featuring easy access to the world-renowned Red Frog Beach. For more intimate (and affordable) lodging, overwater bungalows on Isla Carenero or an upscale hotel in downtown Bocas would be better options.

How to Find The Best Value Lodgings

My recommendation would be to use Airbnb, where daily rates are often competitive with hostels with a larger diversity of locations to choose from around the archipelago. If you’re staying a month, you can often find 20-50% discounts on the daily rate! As is always the case when you choose to stay in an Airbnb, be sure to read plenty of reviews before you make your decision.

My Airbnb sweet spot takes price, reviews, and location into consideration. Find a place at a low price point with enough positive reviews to not be suspicious, but not yet well established on the service, at a location just outside the pricier regions. This strategy landed me a $500 month-long in Aruba and a $1,000 month stay in Grenada, both right along gorgeous beaches. For Bocas, consider the isthmus region instead of downtown to save a few dollars. Remember, taxis into town are just a dollar.

Getting to Bocas Del Toro

Unfortunately, there are not a ton of options for getting to Bocas, and the options that are open are either troublesome or expensive. I chose to fly from the US to Panama City, an affordable flight from most any US airport, and then to catch a second flight from Panama City to Bocas- an expensive and bumpy flight. A bus route is available from Panama City as well, taking 10 to 12 hours and departing from the Allbrook Bus Terminal in the early evening. While the bus is cheap and is certainly an adventure, it drives through mountainous, bumpy terrain and is generally not for the faint of heart.

If you’re traveling from Costa Rica, you can take a bus from either San Jose or Limon to Puerto Viejo. A ferry carries passengers between Almirante and Isla Colon twice daily for only $1 per passenger, with total travel time of an hour and forty minutes.

Main Languages on Bocas del Toro

The official language of Panama is Spanish, and it is the main language spoken in Bocas del Toro. In addition to Spanish, English is widely spoken throughout the tourist areas. Many local business owners and service providers, such as hotel staff and guides, speak at least some English. You’ll also come across French, German, and Dutch speakers- many of the travelers passing through Bocas del Toro are backpackers from Europe.

Overall, Spanish is the dominant language spoken in Bocas del Toro, but English is somewhat widely spoken and understood. If you only speak English, you’ll be able to get along just fine, though may have some communication issues in more remote areas.

Be aware that tourists are often overcharged for services, so be willing to stand your ground to avoid overpaying for taxis, boat rides, and the like. To make your trip a bit smoother, try to learn some simple Spanish phrases before you go to Bocas Del Toro and get familiar with the normal prices for boat rides, taxi rides, and the like.