Top things to do

Established in 1988, this 132-sq-km marine park was Panama's first. Protecting 130 islands of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, including the coral-fringed Cayos Zapatillas, and the wetlands in the center of Isla Bast…

A clutch of open-air tables facing rough surf, this reservation-only restaurant is the perfect sunset date. An American chef cooks up local and organic ingredients in Thai and Caribbean preparations. Think sweet chi…

For excellent pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan lunches, head to this over-the-water restaurant on Isla Carenero. Start with a cool cucumber-mint-coconut-watermelon shake. Quirky and flavorful offerings include 'hip…

When you smell gorgeous aromas spilling out onto the sidewalk, you're at this welcoming Indian cafe serving classic curries, korma and thalis. Service can be slow, so pass the wait with an original cocktail, such as…

A favorite splurge of Bocas locals, this mellow North American–run place on the edge of the sea does date night right. Caribbean and seafood dishes include red curry calamari and miso-crusted grouper on the chalkboa…

One of the joys of visiting Bocas is touring the 'Monkey Farm' botanical garden a couple of kilometers northwest of the center. Painstakingly carved out of 10 hectares of secondary rainforest over almost two decades…

This 6km-long beach on the southeast side of the island falls under the protection of the marine park. Hawksbill, leatherback and green sea turtles nest here from March to September. It's also good for surfing. To g…

Small but perfectly formed, Red Frog Beach is named after the rana rojo (strawberry poison-dart frog), an amphibian you're most unlikely to encounter here due to development, local kids trapping them to impress tour…

With great atmosphere, this over-the-water restaurant and surf outfitter makes tasty soups, killer ceviche (citrus-cured seafood), whole lobsters (US$27) and lightly fried fish. The service couldn’t be friendlier an…

Locals and travelers love this Mediterranean restaurant serving up gazpacho, goat cheese salad, and seafood and meat dishes such as tabbouleh couscous salad with chicken. The fish of the day comes in cream or white-…