There is plenty to do in Bocas Del Toro but the most important thing to do is relax. You will find this easy at La Casa Blanca! We've often fallen asleep whilst relaxing in one of the loungers on the veranda or dock pretending to read a book and listening to the gentle lap of the Caribbean. We are putting together a small library of books and you are free to exchange and leave others as you wish. So bring some good paperbacks and feel free to leave them for others when you're finished rather than haul them back home.
Bocas Main Street. Courtesy of Captain Ron.
Some of the things you can do in Bocas:
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All of these activities and more are easily arranged in Bocas town. For example:
- "Spanish by the Sea" great Spanish instructors and very flexible plans to teach you Spanish.
- Bocas Water Sports and Starfleet are both excellent dive centers that can certify you in about three days. They are both located on Bocas Main Street waterfront.
BOCAS BOATING
Boating tours and snorkeling adventures are available along the waterfront. There are signs in many of the businesses. Tours are reasonably priced. You may also be approached by locals who will ask you if you want a boat tour, to go snorkeling or a ride somewhere. These local entrepreneurs have their own cayucos or boats and know the local waters well. You will find them pleasant and amiable. You will usually be able to negotiate a price for what you want to do and where you want to go. They can be less expensive than an organised tour particularly if you don't want to go on a long tour or simply want your own private tour. Most speak english well. Our caretaker, Augustine will take you anywhere you wish in his cayuco at very reasonable costs.
BOCAS BIG GAME FISHING
The fishing in Bocas is good but in truth for world-class deep-sea fishing you will need to pop over to the Pacific coast. However, some great fish are caught in Bocas and articles have been written in The Bocas Breeze. There are professional fishermen that can take you out look them up when you arrive. Another less expensive and possibly less predictable option is to go out with a local indian fishermen using hand lines like they do. Jane and I have done this a number of times with Augustine and his family and we have always caught loads! Both these options are available on the waterfront and for the latter once again Augustine will oblige. The weekly English/Spanish newspaper The Bocas Breeze often has advertisements for many of these services and activities.
For more information see: Exploration Panama, WorldWide Fishing Guide: Bocas
BOCAS BREAKS
If you surf you probably already know that there is good surfing here. Carenero point break is considered one of the best breaks in Central America and surfers come from around the world to catch it. There are five or six more excellent breaks -- both beach and reef. You can grab a water taxi to the Carenero break or Paunch or Dumpers. For more information see: Magic Sea Weed who supplied this photo and Panama Surf Tours.
BOCAS BARS AND RESTAURANTS
There are many excellent restaurants catering for all tastes and to suit all wallets. A good meal is inexpensive and a cullinery delight. Try El Pecado or The Reef. There are a number of nightspots, mostly bars with music and lots of mingling and the most popular is Barco Hundido in Bocas. Fondly called the "Wreck Deck" because of the boat sunk just off its dock. There are other interesting spots such as Mondo Taitu (must have a "Naturalito" here), and the Liki Tiki just a little bit out of town. For good pub grub, a glass of guiness or a British "Shandy" try the Big Bamboo on Main Street. There are many other restaurants, bars and clubs, simply ask around on the streets of Bocas.