Bocas del Toro: The Perfect 5 Day Itinerary

Bocas del Toro, Panama has become a must on anyone’s Latin American tour. But if we are totally honest, the region itself is pretty small and doesn't really need more than a few days. To make sure you don’t waste a single day, and coming from someone who spent a whole month there, I put together the ultimate 5 day itinerary that will maximize your experience and create an immersive experience. 

Getting from Panama City to Bocas del Toro

When you fly to Panama, you will most definitely fly into PTY. You can choose to spend a night here to help with the jet lag, but I personally just wanted to get to paradise as quickly as possible. I took an Uber all the way to the Albrook Mall. From here, you can cross the street and find the Albrook Bus Terminal.

At Window B31, you can find Panama Bus Tranciebosa and buy a ticket for roughly $27 from Panama City to Almirante. 

Bus Schedule:

Daytime (Only on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays)

7:30AM

Daily:

6PM

7PM

8PM

Here is where I went wrong. I thought that with my ticket in hand, I was ready to board my bus. Turns out, you need to get a Rapi>Pass and load it with at least $1 to get into the loading area to access your bus. (Think a metro pass in New York City)

*Note: Make sure you also have at least $3 CASH. And be at your terminal at least 30 minutes before boarding time. 

For more information on how to get a Rapi>Pass, visit: https://grantnt.com/tarjeta-rapipass/

After a long 8-10 hour bus ride, you’ll arrive in Almirante. As soon as you step off the bus, you’ll be greeted by an army of taxi drivers that will offer you a ride to the lancha station for $1. And from there, you can take a $6 lancha all the way to Isla Colon in Bocas del Toro. 

Where to Stay in Bocas del Toro

My top recommendation will always and forever be Klika Hostel. During my one month stay here, I had the best customer service, grew close with the staff, volunteers, and loved every moment. Not only are they a hostel, they have a great restaurant and even an in-house surf

school! 

Klika has a variety of amenities that I definitely took advantage of. Right next to Bocas surf Sessions is a small fitness room that has some weights, dumbbells and even a multi-use machine. 

Above the restaurant is a large deck space that has hammocks set up on sunny days for lounging and also hosts occasional acro yoga classes for guests.

On the second floor of the side building is the coworking space that has great AC, a large conference table, small workspaces and even a couple of private offices. 

Their outdoor deck area has swings, pull up bars, a slackline, a swimming area and board games for rainy days.

Book your reservation in advance through their website: https://www.klikabocas.com/

If you are looking for something different, here are a few other recommendations:

• Bambuda Bocas Town

• Aqua Lounge

• Bocas Estrella Hostel

I Made it to Bocas, Now What?

Now, it’s time to have some fun. If you only have 5 days, here is the itinerary I would recommend to my friends. No hassle, no wasted time. Only the best experiences you cannot miss while in Bocas. 

Day 1: Travel and Check In

Your first day will be a long one. Take it easy and enjoy a good meal, good company and take advantage of the events and amenities at Klika.

• Take the overnight bus from Panama City for about $27

• Check in to Klika Hostel

• Lunch at Sukha

• Enjoy happy hour at the Klika restaurant

• Bioluminescence Tour (glowing plankton)

  • Book at Klika reception

  • This tour only runs during and around the New Moon

Day 2: Learn to Surf and Explore Carenero

One thing to note is that Bocas has a reef break, not a beach break for surfing. This means that you get to the surf spot via lancha and will be in the water the whole time! Make sure to hydrate and enjoy the ride.

• Book a morning surf experience with Mono Loco Surf School

• Have lunch at Choco Bar Bocas

• Explore Carenero Island until sunset 

  • (take a $1 water taxi from Klika to Aqua)

• Dinner at Bibi's On the Beach

Day 3: Eat Well & Enjoy Nature

Eating well and enjoying nature are two of my favorite things. I went back to Cafe del Mar at least 5 times, and wish I could’ve spent more time at Isla Cayo Zapatilla. Manifest sunshine, and this will easily go down as your favorite day of the trip.

• Breakfast at Cafe del Mar

  • My favorite was their breakfast burrito with sausage and their carrot cake 

• Isla Cayo Zapatilla tour

  • Book one day in advance at Klika reception

• Dinner at Shanti at Reggeland 

Day 4: Exploring Isla Colon

Explore Isla Colon at your own pace. Spend as much (or as little) time as you want without the stress of finding a lancha home. And to finish the night with a bang, visit the two best venues for nightlife in Bocas Town.

• Rent scooters from Chillin' Bocas

  • Right across the street from Klika Hostel and right next to Sukha

• Explore Playa Estrella, Boca del Drago and Playa Bluff

• Dinner at Olazul

  • $6 dinner plates make it very affordable and delicious

• Night out at La Buga and Baco Hundido

Day 5: Living in Luxury

Visit Red Frog Beach Resort and Palmar Beach Lodge on Bastimentos Island. And meet Pirate and Canela, the best horses in Bocas.

• Bagel Sandwich breakfast at Panis

  • Only open Tuesday through Saturday

• Visit Red Frog Beach Resort

  • Average one way water taxi is between $8-$10 USD

  • Expect to pay another $5 USD as a resort fee

• Lunch at Selva Restaurant (Palmar Beach Lodge)

• Book a sunset horseback ride on the beach with Pircana Tours

If you only have five days in Bocas del Toro, this itinerary will give you a little bit of everything: adventure, surfing, beaches, good food, nightlife, nature, and plenty of time to actually enjoy yourself. And trust me, after spending an entire month here, I can say with confidence that these are the experiences I would prioritize if I were doing it all over again.

Bocas may be small, but there is so much personality packed into these islands. The best part? You don't need an enormous budget or a perfectly planned trip to experience it. A little planning ahead, a good hostel, and a willingness to hop on a water taxi and see where the day takes you is really all you need.

So pack your swimsuit, bring some cash, leave a little room for spontaneity, and get ready for one of my favorite corners of Latin America. Bocas del Toro is absolutely worth the trip.

And if you want to see what Bocas actually looks like beyond this itinerary, check out my vlog where I take you around Bocas Town and some of my favorite spots.

See you in paradise! 🌴🌊