There is just one Bocas del Toro hotel or resort that offers instant access to these Beaches.  The Red Frog Beach Resort has a variety of accommodations available to budget or upscale visitors.  This is not a Bocas del Toro Hotel in the true sense of the word, but it is a resort that is in the early stages of becoming a magnet to the region.  With a marina, zip line canopy tour, hiking trails and fully functioning beach club with an activity center, this Bocas del Toro Hotel is starting to gain the attention of travelers.

Most visitors to the Bocas del Toro archipelago want to experience the marine environment in ways that are meaningful and leave a lasting impression.  Boat tours, diving trips, snorkeling adventures are often on the list for visitors to local Bocas del Toro Hotels.  But having access to the marine environment- and in particular the Bastimentos National Marina Park- with its pristine coral reefs and golden sand beaches and aquamarine waters is a highlight of many a visitor’s vacation to the region.  The Red Frog Beach is the only Bocas del Toro hotel/resort offering that is contiguous to this National Marine Park.

During a vacation with just a week or a few days to explore, access is everything.  Being able to walk to the beach or through the rainforest just a few steps from accommodations is the holy grail of vacationing here in Bocas del Toro.   Many Bocas del Toro hotels are in town- which is great for access to dining options and having a night out on the town.  However, a quick ten minute boat ride is all it takes to enjoy these pursuits without the noise and riff raff that can exist in Bocas town.   We encourage those planning a visit to Bocas del Toro to have a look at our offering. Please take a look at what our visitors had to say about our resort on Trip Advisor.   We hope that your visit to Bocas del Toro is a great one.

The next thing to understand when choosing a Bocas del Toro Hotel is that Bocas town does not have a beach nearby. The entire waterfront in Bocas town has been developed with hotels and restaurants. There is a main street just behind the waterfront buildings with more hotels, restaurants and a few grocery stores along that road. These Bocas del Toro Hotels range in price from around $40 to $180/night. The nicest hotels are probably Tropical Suites and El Limbo. There are also several Bocas del Toro hotels in town as Bocas has a reputation for being a party place with bars such as the “wreck deck” which includes a floating bar over an underwater-lit submerged ship (note that in Bocas there are no railings on the floating docks…watch your step).

There are other Bocas del Toro Hotels on Isla Colon 10 – 40 minutes away from town. The most famous is Punta Carocol which is the Tahitian looking aqua lodge accommodations that are frequently shown in Panama’s tourism media.  There is no beach here and it is a little pricey because of the over the water experience. There is a newer resort 15 minutes from Bocas town called Playa Tortuga. It is advertised as 5-star and not sure how they get away with that? It has a very small beach and a beautiful pool area.

Most of the other Bocas del Toro Hotels off of Isla Colon are what Trip Advisor calls specialty lodging or B&B type places that can accommodate 4—15 people typically. You will need to get a water taxi to get to these other locations and it is typically very easy to do and price depends on how far the hotel is located from Bocas town. Popa Paradise Resort (on Isla Popa) is a 30 minute boat ride away from Bocas town and this hotel is new and has received some good reviews and has a lovely pool area and some beach.

Isla Bastimentos is about 10 minutes from Bocas town and this island is known for the beaches and the national marine park that encompasses about half of the island. Most of the Bocas del Toro hotels on this island are on the backside (mangrove side) of the island so there is not a tremendous amount of beach on this side of the island. Al Natural and Tranquilo Bay are both great Bocas del Toro Hotels on this island. There is a new resort called Red Frog Beach and Bocas Bound that is on the north beach side of Bastimentos that has good access to those beaches (called Red Frog Beach and Turtle Beach).

One can look on trip advisor and see that there are probably 30+ Bocas del Toro hotels to choose from. Every traveler is different and there are a lot of good choices of where to stay during your trip to Panama. Many tourists start with deciding what they want to do during their stay in Bocas del Toro (zip line, cave tour, dolphin tour, yoga, surfing, bird watching, etc…..); once they determine the activities, choosing a Bocas del Toro hotel becomes easier.

The main focus of this article is focusing on similar designs and functions that zip line tours offer in particular. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all ziplines, but does focus on the most noted ziplines in Costa Rica, Panama, Belize, Hawaii, Thailand, Belize and the United States

Panama Ziplines

Boquete Tree Trek

Location: Boquete

Description: Offers a tour through century-old Panamanian forests, pristine rivers, waterfalls that border National Park La Amistad and the famous Baru Volcano. Boquete Tree Trek has partnered up with many other tour and accommodation providers and offer much more than just a canopy tour.

Number of Zips: 12 (3.5 kilometers)

Age/Weight Restrictions:

• Age – 6 and up
• Women – 170 lbs.
• Men – 250 lbs.

Price: $55 Student, $60 Regular

Time: 2.5 hrs. (1 hr 20 min of actual zipping)

Online Reservations: Yes

Panama Outdoor Adventures

Location: Portabelo (1 hr from panama city)

Description: “Rapidly gaining a reputation throughout Panama as one of the finest canopy tour sites operating in the country”. This facility offers very basic activities, amenities, and accommodations such as: river tubing, jungle camping, horse backing, rope swing into river, and group meals.

Number of Zips: 9

Age/Weight Restrictions:

• 1 year old. (but just took a 11month old they say)
• 300 lbs.

Price: $45

Time: 1-1.5 hrs.

Online Reservations: No

San Miguel Canopy Ecoventuras

Location: 35 min from Panama City

Description: No relevant information provided. From the pictures it looks like the tour crosses a small river and they also offer rafting as an activity. Their very basic website is in all Spanish. I tried to call, for more info but they hung up me.

Number of Zips: 8

Age/Weight Restrictions: ?

Price: ?

Time: 1.5-2.5 hrs. depending on group size and interest

Online Reservations: No

Panama’s Canopy Adventure

Location: El Valle de Anton (2hrs. from Panama City)

Description: This is a basic canopy tour. No on site facilities. Any other lodging, activities, or amenities are can be found in El Valle.

Number of Zips: 5

Other Features: It’s unclear on their website whether the guides rappel to the canopy floor or the guests do.

Age/Weight Restrictions:

• 200 lbs.
• 6 years old

Price:

• $52.50
• $131.25 with transportation, lunch, and a tour of a museum and El Valle

Time: 1.5 hr.

Online Reservations: No

Customer Reviews: The tour was very simple, but pretty fun. She did not feel like she received the value for the money she spent, but knew that was an activity that her and her husband wanted to do. She said it was well run and felt safe the entire time.

Bastimentos Sky at Red Frog Beach

Location: Isla Bastimentos, Bocas del Toro, Panama

Description: This is a Panama zipline with a ropes course high on a Caribbean island. The zip line is attached to Red Frog Beach Resort and Bocas Bound. Most amenities are present in this location including nice beaches and a bordering national park. Just opening August of 2010.

Number of Zips: 7

Other Features: Ropes course, tarzan swing, suspension bridge, interactive guide.

Age/Weight Restrictions:

• 300 lbs.
• ?

Price:

• $40 for zip line tour
• $50 for zip line and ropes course

Time: 2.5 hr.

Online Reservations: No

Customer Reviews: One of the most unique setting witsh the island rainforest atmosphere. Guides were well trained and professional. The ropes course is very exhilarating and one of the best activities I have ever done on a vacation.

Costa Rica

“The original Canopy Tour”

Location: Multiple locations throughout Americas

Description: This company comes up first in a Google Search For “Costa Rica canopy Tour” They claim to be the “pioneers” of the Costa Rica Canopy Tour Industry. The company was started by a Canadian in the 90’s and have many operating tours in existence throughout the Americas. They provide funding for canopy tour start-ups and structures them as a franchise.

Online Reservations: Yes, centralized website

Drake Bay Location

Description: Located in the Osa Peninsula near Corcovado National Park “one of largest untouched rainforest left in the country” The rustic lodge is accessed by foot, horseback or 4×4.

Number of Zips: 6

Other Features: 25 meter rappel to edge of stream, suspended observation walkway and deck

Age/Weight Restrictions:

• 5 Years
• 265 lbs.

Price:

• $45 Adult
• $35 Student
• $25 Children (under 12 years old)

Time: 2.5 – 3 hrs.

Monteverde Location

Description: Located on a private reserve behind the Cloud Forest Lodge. The tour starts with guided hike through a private 70 acre reserve and the first part of the tour goes through old growth rainforest and the second part through new growth. There is an onsite Hotel with Restaurant.

Number of Zips: 12

Other Features: An exhilarating rappel down from “Scary Tree”, climbing up a tree, and a tarzan swing

Age/Weight Restrictions:

• 5 Years old
• 265 lbs.

Price:

• $45 Adult
• $35 Student
• $25 Children (under 12 years old)

Time: 2-2.5 hrs depending on group size

Hacienda Gualchipelin

Location: Guanacaste

Description: This facility/lodge is located next to Rincon del la Vieja National Park and offers many amenities and activities. The surrounding area is very beautiful and has very many unique aspects like a volcano, hot springs, and slot canyons with rivers. The Canopy Tour is stunning and is said to be the among the best in Costa Rica.

Number of Zips: 12

Other Features: 24 platforms, climbing wall, tarzan swing, hanging bridges, and rappels,

Age/Weight Restrictions:

• 4 years old
• 300lbs.

Price:

• $50 Basic canopy tour
• $80 Canopy tour, horseback, tubing, hot spring access, and mud bath

Time: Half Day for Basic and Full day for package

Online Reservations: Yes

Cartagena Canopy Tour

Location: Guanacaste

Description: This tour is located in one the last dry forests in Guanacaste. No other amenities or features mentioned. Unable to get more info because they don’t speak English.

Number of Zips: 10 (1600 meters)

Age/Weight Restrictions:

• Suitable for all ages
• ?lbs.

Price:

• $40

Time: 2 hrs.

Online Reservations: Yes

Cedar Valley Canopy Tour

Location: Limon

Description: A well-developed tour with onsite butterfly garden, accommodations, restaurant, horseback tours, and more. Cedar Valley main influx of visitors come from the cruise ships that use Limon’s port for offshore excursions.

Number of Zips: 7

Features: A stunning 500 meter zip over the Banana River

Age/Weight Restrictions: 6

Price: $99 (includes transportation, guided nature tour, 1hr boat tour)

Time: 1.5hrs.

Online Reservations: No

Crazy Monkey Zip Line

Location: Limon

Description: A basic Canopy Tour with a lodge, and a cruise ship base of visitors similar to Cedar Valley Ranch. Spanish speaker answering phone.

Number of Zips: 13

Age/Weight Restrictions: ??

Price: $40

Time: 2.5 hrs. (1 hr 20 min of actual zipping)

Online Reservations: Yes

Turu Ba Ri Nature & Adventure Park

Location: Turubari Park

Description: This facility/lodge offers a great selection of amenities and activities, such as: a bamboo garden, butterfly garden, cactus garden, countryside farm, crocodile breeding, Iguana viewing, orchids garden, and a restaurant. Many package options available.

Number of Zips: 8 (4,900 ft.)

Other Features: 16 Platforms, Longest zipline in Costa rica (4,000 ft. superman style) Highest Tarzan swing in Costa Rica, 2,135ft long zipline, and arial tram to restaurant.

Age/Weight Restrictions:

• 5 years old 12 for 4,000 ft. superman zip
• 265 lbs. 6’7” tall

Price:

• $55 Basic Canopy Tour
• $55 4,000 ft. Superman zip
• $15 Tarzan swing add on
• Many package deals.

Time: 60-90 min. Based on the number of people participating in the tour

Online Reservations: Yes

Arenal Paraiso

Location: Arenal Volcano, (136km east from Monteverde)

Description: A well developed facility with amenities, accommodations and activities  such as: a wildlife refuge, rafting, canyoneering, a sky tram, hot springs, and hanging bridges.

Number of Zips: 11 (2km total)

Age/Weight Restrictions:

• 5 or 8 years old (conflicting information on website.) 70 years max.
• No weight limit stated because “all equipment are certified for 2,000 lbs.

Price:

• $45 Adults
• $35 Students with I.D. & children 5-8 years old.

Time: 2 hrs.

Online Reservations: Yes

Dream Forest Canopy Tour

Location: Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas

Description: Nothing specific described, but have teamed up with local oufitters and offer online and phone bookings of waterfall rappelling, catamaran island adventure, horse backing, kayaking, mangrove tours, white water rafting, and ATV tours.

Number of Zips: 13

Age/Weight Restrictions:

• 246 lbs.
• 3-4 years old.

Price: $60

Time: ??

Online Reservations: Yes

Hawaii

Big Island Zipline Tours

Location: Self explanatory

Description: This basic “island canopy tour” offers access to an isolated and exclusive eco-reserve. During the tour you will be served a gourmet, all-natural picnic lunch by a majestic waterfall, and an off-road journey in a Pinzgauer truck. No other amenities available as listed. Medium hikes during journey.

Number of Zips: 8

Age/Weight Restrictions:

• Age – No age restriction
• Weight – Between 80 – 270 lbs.

Price: $160

Time: 4 hrs.

Online Reservations: Yes

Thailand

Flight of the Gibbon

Location: 90 min from Bangkok

Description: Bangkok’s first zip-line tour and adventure course. This facility offers amenities, accommodations, and activities such as: golf, safaris, a nearby zoo and wildlife sanctuary, a restaurant, and a hotel. They advertise that 1000 orphans and under privileged children fly each year, and another 2,000 for a modest fee. Education and wildlife awareness are their major goals. They’ve set a goal to plant 1 million trees in the next 20 years.

Number of Zips: 17

Other Features: 6 educational signs, 18 unique challenges including: suspended bridges, spider nets, tarzan jumps, flying-fox, and flying swings.

Age/Weight Restrictions:

• No age restriction, (3’ 3” height restriction)
• 286 lbs.

Price:

• $75 Canopy Tour
• $65 Jungle Course add on
• Package Deals

Time: 1:15 to 1.5 hrs.

Online Reservations: Yes

Belize

Chukka Zipline Canopy

Location: Belize City

Description: Nothing stated other than “Bake-a-Bush’s Station” which serves lunch. The company does describe many other activities that are available including: horsebacking, 4×4 off-road safari, ATV safaris, dune bugyy adventures, tubing, kayaking, air-boating, cave tubing, dogsleding and caving.

Number of Zips: 5

Other Features: Tunnel-like entrance, Caves, and a Rappel.

Age/Weight Restrictions:

• 8 years old
• ??

Price: $95

Time: 5 hrs.

Online Reservations: Yes

United States

Cypress Valley Canopy Tours

Location: Texas

Description: A basic developed facility. Very nice Treehouse accommodation is available and food delivery. Ponds and small creeks. Very beautiful area.

Number of Zips: 6

Other Features: Superman style zip, ropes course, sky bridges.

Age/Weight Restrictions: (two separate restrictions)

• Canopy Tour
  • Good to moderate shape
  • 70-250 lbs.
  • 10 years old
  • Ropes Course
    • Excellent physical health and conditioning
    • 5 ft. min height

Price:

• Canopy Tour – $75
• Canopy Challenge – $85
• Combined – $140

Time: 2-3 hrs.

Online Reservations: Yes

Much of Bocas del Toro is an archipelago, scores of islands in a tropical rain forest with the main town of Bocas on the island of Colon. It is a sort of ‘surf town’ with a cool vibe and plenty of night life and is the main corridor for transportation in and out via plane and boat connecting with buses. One thing I wanted (and needed) for my Panama vacation was services. There is a whole host of services in Bocas del Toro – hospital, groceries, pharmacy in town and at Bocas Bound – phone, internet, tours and restaurants.

Bocas del Toro also has a fairly large indigenous population. They are a frequent site amongst the islands in their dugout canoes, fishing, transporting, and quietly going about their lives. They certainly add to the rich cultural diversity of this Bocas del Toro area. I was fortunate on this Panama vacation to visit the town of Bastimentos.  What a sweet little spot. It wasn’t that tidy or ‘put together’ but so unique! Got there by boat and had a nice hike around the town and a good meal at a reasonable price right over the water. I guess the fact that there are no vehicles and these nifty walking paths make it special.

One other stop in this Bocas del Toro area that is not to be missed is a hike into the jungle. I took a better part of a day hiking from Bocas Bound along the beach and eventually into the jungle. This was perhaps the highlight of my Panama vacation. Birds of all sorts, a caiman, sloth, little red frogs with black spots (apparently found only on the island of Bastimentos) and huge trees and plants, ferns and palms. I saw quite a few parrots, they usually traveled in pairs or sometimes three to a group – perhaps that was mom and dad with a young one, I don’t know. And I found the beaches quite wild and interesting, with the jungle and vegetation growing right down to the sand and beyond, almost encroaching on the beach,   giving it a very primitive feel.

If you are looking to lay by the pool, drink  cocktails and be served food all day long then this may not be the Panama vacation for you, but the Bocas del Toro area was perfect for me. I was so impressed with the quality of experiences, the diverse people I met and the way Mother Nature speaks to you almost everywhere you go. The only disappointment I had really was I didn’t have enough time to see it all, to do all the things I had on my ‘list’. Next visit to Bocas del Toro will include some kayaking, fishing, horseback riding and a cave tour into the National Park which is supposed to be spectacular! Oh my gosh, did I mention surfing? This Bocas del Toro area is supposed to have some of the best in all of Central America (of course I would need to take surf lessons first… no big deal). Well, I better stop while I can – this Panama vacation was a trip of a lifetime and I will certainly be coming back soon.

The Red Frog Marina is different from most Panama Marinas because it is located on a Caribbean Island. The rainforest and beaches on this island in Panama are extraordinarily beautiful. Boaters who keep their vessels at this marina can walk through native rainforest and visit several beaches –the most famous being Red Frog Beach.

While this Panama Marina is located in an exotic location in Bocas del Toro, there is plenty of activities and access right from this marina. Within walking distance from the Marina, boaters can walk to the largest covered activity center in Central America at Bocas Bound; there is a small general store here and a kitchen. This activity center serves as a lounge for diverse travelers that mainly come to experience some of the best beaches in Panama.

Boaters can quickly access Bocas town with many restaurants, nightlife and the Bocas del Toro airport. Many boaters that stay at this Marina in Panama comment on how beautiful the setting is but still able to access all that they need to enjoy their time in Panama. The Red Frog Beach Marina currently has a program where boaters that lease a slip can have 4 free boat rides to Bocas town per month (otherwise it costs $3–$5 per trip).

There are currently 38 boats at the Red Frog Marina with 24 slips and a 200Meter walkway. Over 40 slips are planned to be added by Fall 2010 to this Panama Marina. The marina is located with surrounding mangrove gardens and fringed by beautiful Panamanian Rainforest. Power was recently installed on the docks and boaters enjoy spring fed water with great pressure to their boats.

Many marinas in Panama are located on the Pacific side of the county. The tidal change on the Pacific is so much more dramatic than you will find on the Caribbean side. This marina is so well priced that many boaters throughout the Caribbean boating community  may consider bringing their boat to Panama for hurricane season. Many boaters do not realize that Panama and Bocas del Toro have never been hit by a hurricane which makes this Panama Marina so unique.

New visitors are welcome to come and stay at this Marina in Panama located on Isla Bastimentos in Bocas del Toro.

Opening August 2010

We are pleased to announce that the construction phase of our Bastimentos Sky Canopy Tour is coming to a close.  As of early June all platform structures have been built and all 7 zipline cables have been fully strung.   We are in the “integration” phase of the project which entails finish carpentry of platforms, coordinating systems with harnesses and final build-out of ropes course features.    We should be ready for internal trial runs and training in approximately two weeks.    A “community week” will give the opportunity to let local business owners experience what is sure to be a proud new feature of the Bocas tourism landscape.   All businesses should benefit from increased traffic to the region as a result of this new amenity.  We are proud of the fact that we are that the vast majority of guides have been sourced from our local community here in Bastimentos.

Red Frog Beach “Activity Center”

Opening August 2010

Our “Beach Club Activity Center” brings together two of the best features of Bocas del Toro:  the natural beauty of Red Frog Beach coupled with an array of incredible water sport activities.   This activity center will rent surf boards, paddle boards, kayaks, snorkel gear and boogie boards and will be staffed by a professional surfing tour operator.   Since Bocas del Toro is a growing hub for surfers, we will be the first outfit to originate surf tours and lessons directly on the beach.  Our goal is to become THE locale for new and experience surfers to originate their surfing adventures from.    Of course not all beach goers are looking to surf, so we will offer a variety of the aforementioned activities.   The activity center is due to launch by the last week in August.

“Punta Lava” Bar and Grill at Red Frog Beach

Over 1000 meals served over last 6 months.  Expansion slated for completion by November 2010

The Punta Lava Bar and Grill has quickly become a Bocas institution for visitors and locals alike.   The grill offers a solid menu of burgers, hotdogs, grilled chicken sandwiches with all the freshest fixings.   The bar features a variety of mixed beverages, beers and sodas.   Take in the international scene and expect to eat well and make a day of it at our choice location right on the beach.   We are currently undergoing an expansion of this beach club and restaurant and will feature greater choices for dining, seating and relaxation within the next five months.

Kayukos Restaurant and Island Lounge

Over 15000 meals served over last 6 months (Jan-Jun)

This restaurant and lounge serves as the nexus for dining, socializing and relaxing at The Red Frog Beach island resort.   The island ambiance and mellow music make this an especially attractive place to enjoy a reasonably priced meal and enjoy a cool drink.   The restaurant and lounge can accommodate special events, parties and retreats for up to 200 people.   A perfect event center just a five minute walk to Red Frog Beach.

Bocas Bound Island Hotel Suites and Hostel

Over 1100 visitors over last 6 months (Jan-Jun)

Located in a living rainforest, on a Caribbean island, Bocas Bound is the place to stay and visit in Bocas del Toro. Bocas Bound provides immediate access to surfing, rain forest hikes, snorkeling, kayaking, and beautiful beaches. Bocas Bound is an exotic destination that attracts back-packers, surfers, and cost-conscious families looking for a place that is extraordinarily different from a typical Panama Beach Resort. Trails from your doorstep lead you through dense jungle to breathtaking beaches and hidden coves.    Bocas Bound can accommodate up to 80 visitors per night, making this a terrific option for group events such as school retreats, meetings and corporate events.

Red Frog Beach Marina

Marina slips fully leased, new electric system complete, expansion for 43 more slips to commence in October 2010

The Red Frog Beach Marina currently accommodates over 20 vessels and has recently completed upgrades to its electrical and metering systems.   In July we will commence an expansion project in the marina which will allow it to accommodate an additional 25 slips.   Demand for space in The Red Frog Beach Marina continues unabated and is the result of state of the art construction and the fact that we have the perfect natural harbor setting for deep water Panama Marina. This Panama Marina offers unparalleled access to beautiful sandy beaches, resort amenities which includes our two restaurants, a large island activity lounge, small general store and boat service to Bocas del Toro town.

Red Frog Express

Key data points: 16,143 visitors in last 6 months (Jan-Jun)

The Red Frog Express is the quickest, surest and most comfortable means of getting back and forth from Red Frog Beach to Bocas Town.   Our shuttle service provides safe roads, clean bathrooms/bathhouses and most importantly several comfortable transport vehicles that will take you to Red Frog Beach via our public dock space adjoining the Red Frog Marina.   The public welcome center features a lounge area, cableTV (a hit during world cup season) and maintained tropical gardens.   Red Frog express has accommodated over 16,000 visitors to our beach area in its first six months alone.  Expect more to come as our amenities continue to develop.

A villa becomes very economical when interests are pooled.   With two families or couples travelling together the experience of deluxe accommodations are within reach.  Bocas del Toro Hotels typically do not offer kitchen facilities.  Add up a restaurant bill for 7 dinners/7 lunches/7 breakfasts and you can get the idea of what it would be like staying at a Bocas del Toro Hotel.  It is a rule of thumb that often times dining expenses are 1 to 1.5 times as expensive as the cost of hotel accommodation itself.  This alone might justify NOT staying in a traditional Bocas del Toro Hotel.  It is amazing to actually think that by upgrading to luxury accommodations you can save money- but you truly can.  Red Frog Beach is also the #1 destination for many who visit the Bocas del Toro Archipelago.   For those who want a true vacation with one of the best Panama beaches actually at their doorstep, this is a huge factor to consider.  Transportation costs around the Bocas del Toro archipelago can be very high.  By staying at the beach, the Red Frog Beach villa renter saves additional money.  After all, what is the point to heading to the islands if the beach isn’t at your fingertips?   The Red Frog Beach Resort is ideally located to make sure that those who seek the beach on vacation can truly get enough of the beach.

Bocas del Toro Hotels also are not as well equipped for “downtime” after a day at the beach or a night on the town.  A significant percentage of vacationers like to have time to relax in their accommodations.   A villa affords the opportunity to relax in luxury.   All Red Frog Beach resort villas have deluxe finish and appointments:  granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, private plunge pools and king or queen size beds with comfortable linens.    For the super active vacationer it is also a treat to come back to luxury accommodations in a priceless setting.  At the end of the day vacations are all about experiences and the memories they create.  Bocas del Toro Hotels are a stop gap and do “the job” for fulfilling basic accommodations, but the Red Frog Beach Resort aspires to creating these essential vacation experiences and memories.    At the end of the day, what is the value of feeling relaxed, fulfilled and doing it for less money in a comfortable yet amazing environment?  In a word: priceless.  We hope you enjoy your stay at our “Bocas del Toro hotel”-  the Red Frog Beach Resort!

Three of my friends and I spent just over a week in the province, and made it a point to not party too much, and explore everything that the Bocas archipielago had to offer.  We took the flight from Panama City directly to Bocas Del Toro instead of the bus, just because it wasn’t high season.  And with taxis to the bus, it was only about $40 more, and about 9 hours shorter.  The flight to Bocas was amazing!  I guess it is usually overcast from Panama City to Bocas Del Toro, but we lucked out, and it was sunny the entire trip, and you could see the different colors of the Caribbean the whole time that we were in the air!

As we arrived, we met a couple on their way to Colombia, and they gave us some good insight on what to do in Bocas Del Toro; there were a handful of Bocas del Toro hostels to choose from.  They said first to stay in Bocas del Toro town for a night and party, then head over to Isla Bastimentos and check-in at Bocas Bound Hostel.  Because we weren’t looking to party, we decided to take their advice and give up on the other Bocas del Toro Hostels and head straight to Bocas Bound on Isla Bastimentos.  It was about a 10-15 min boat ride to Isla Bastimentos.  We pulled up next to a beautiful marina full of massive sailboats and walked directly into an amazing organic garden full of colorful plants and flowers!  One of the workers happened to be doing some landscaping and happily drove us in a golf cart right up to the Bocas del Toro hostel called Bocas Bound.

As we pulled up, this Bocas del Toro hostel was just breathtaking!  A huge open-air lounge with a pool table, the World Cup playing on TV, and a basketball court just next to us!  The staff was uber-friendly, and walked us up to our very clean (and new) dorm room, where we each had a large locker next to our bed to easily put all of our belongings.  We locked everything up in our hostel room, and set out on a little afternoon excursion to Red Frog Beach!  And our Bocas Del Toro adventure had begun! We quickly realized that this Bocas del Toro hostel had the best access to EVERYTHING we wanted to do.

Day 1:  Body surfed at Red Frog Beach, walked 5 min. to Turtle Beach, and played Frisbee.  Day 2:  The most amazing cave tour in the world!  $25 for an all-day adventure…..DO IT!  I believe there is only one in all of Bocas Del Toro, so just ask.  Great spaghetti dinner at Bocas Bound Hostel.  Day 3:  Catamaran tour with Captain Marcel!  Absolutely hilarious, knowledgeable, and showed us so many fish, monkeys, sloths etc.  Absolutely amazing!  Day 4:  Went with about 10 other Bocas del Toro hostel guests and our guide for the day, “D-Lux” probably the funniest and most entertaining person we have EVER met in our lives, to a “secret” beach called Playa Limbo.  It turned out to be where they filmed Survivor Panama, and I can definitely see why- GORGEOUS!  Day 5:  Chilled in hammocks by the sea ALL DAY (about a 5 minute walk from our hostel).  Most relaxing day ever.  Day 6: Snorkel tour to Cayo Zapitilla.  Two islands completely surrounded by white sands, and the most beautiful reefs we had ever snorkeled.  WOW!  Day 7:  Starting to shed tears, knowing that we would be leaving Bocas Del Toro the next day, so we joined some guests from the other Bocas del Toro hostels at the beach bar on Red Frog, and had some “light adult beverages” as grill-master Brian would say.  Partied with the entire Bocas del Toro hostel scene that night, because it was our last.  Day 8: Woke up feeling quite well somehow, packed up had a great breakfast.  Said our goodbyes, and departed on our longest trip home ever.  There is nothing harder than leaving the most beautiful place on Earth………Bocas Del Toro

It is important to note that many visitors to Bocas del Toro really don’t want the “traditional” resort experience. Giant golf courses and theme-styled swimming pools don’t really have broad appeal here in Bocas del Toro. Visitors are now looking for authentic “eco-tourism” based activities. For a Bocas del Toro resort, this means activities that center around bringing visitors in touch with nature and the local communities. The Red Frog Beach resort is creating programs that involve jungle hikes, snorkel/diving trips, canopy tours (they have a zipline on site). This Bocas del Toro resort is also creating activities that provide for spending time and getting in touch with the local, indigenous communities. There are guided river and fishing trips with local guides. Trips to local handicraft villages and even volunteer possibilities with the local schools.

One could say that the notion of a Bocas del Toro resort has morphed into something truly unique and in line with the current needs of visitors and communities alike. Perhaps this is a byproduct of the global downturn or perhaps consumers are becoming more sophisticated in their need for experiential travel. Certainly though, it does not mean a visitor to a Bocas del Toro resort need to skimp on comfort. The Red Frog Beach resort offers deluxe accommodation in the rainforest with true beach access and associated activities. There are several Bocas del Toro resorts but Red Frog Beach is the only one with a complete beachside activity center. The opportunity to be active- or not- is a choice many visitors want the opportunity to make. Surfboards, boogie boards, paddle boards, snorkel gear and other options await the visitor to the Red Frog Beach resort. The fact that this is the most popular beach in the region also provides a great mix of locals and visitors. Bocas del Toro is one of the worlds jewels and it is being discovered one visitor at a time.

Isla Bastimentos in Bocas del Toro

We went to Isla Bastimentos which has some truly incredible beaches, one of which is Wizard beach. Wizard Beach is a popular beach with the surfing crowd around Bocas del Toro and it is easy to see why. There are great waves, white sands and palm trees galore. You can get to the beach from the town by a 30min hike. However, it had been raining the night before we went so the track got pretty muddy, not so good in flip flops! But it was well worth our muddy hike as the beach was beautiful. The laid back Caribbean vibe of Bocas del Toro is enhanced by the archipelago’s spectacular natural setting. The islands are covered in dense jungles of vine tangles and forest palms that open up to pristine beaches surrounded by mangroves. Another great beach in Bocas del Toro is Red Frog Beach on Isla Bastimentos where sea turtles nest from April to August. Red Frog Beach is named after the tiny red frogs that look cute but they are called strawberry poison dart frogs for a reason… they are highly poisonous so watch out! However, keep a look out for them as they may not be around the island in Bocas del Toro for much longer due to future development plans.

The only way to get around Bocas del Toro is by water taxi. They are really easy to get and you can arrange times to be picked up with any of the local drivers for a few dollars (depending where you are going of course).

Although Bocas del Toro town is quite small, there are numerous restaurants and bars on offer that cater for all tastes and cultures. Here you will find a mean cocktail to while away the afternoon or evening before moving on to heavier party places for further entertainment. Bocas del Toro offers Spanish classes in a relaxed environment to enable you to learn the lingo and converse with the locals, you can even put on a Caribbean accent for the full effect and to blend in like you have lived in Bocas del Toro all your life! You can also locate organizations that organize events and dance classes, some specifically cater for back packers and travelers alike.

We spent a day snorkeling around Isla Bastimentos in Bocas del Toro which was a great spot and definitely worth a visit as it was truly breathtaking. A group of us island hopped and snorkeled in the sunshine and had a great day. The marine life around Bocas del Toro was amazing and really beautiful with a huge variety of fish and corals in the waters.

Isla Colon is the main surfing spot around Bocas del Toro. You can have lessons in the surf school then take your board out to the open waters to test drive your new found skills and improve your technique! Playa Buff is Isla Colon’s most famous surf destination with very strong waves, so be careful as it has a reputation for board breaking!

We stayed in the hostel Bocas Bound in Isla Bastimentos which was a great base for our Bocas del Toro snorkeling escapades. The staff were really helpful and arranged our boat and a local Bocas guide for us. They also gave us loads of tips and advice on where to go around the islands and information on exactly the best places for snorkeling around Bocas del Toro. However, staying at any of the islands around Bocas del Toro allows you to have easy accessibility to boats. Just check that they have good equipment as this can certainly ruin your day (Bocas Bound had good equipment)! Our guide was really flexible and accommodating to our needs and gave us loads of information about the local eco system.

We would strongly recommend Bocas del Toro as there is so much to see and do, or just relax and unwind and take in the beautiful beaches. Everything is right there on offer to you at Bocas del Toro. Sit back and enjoy the Caribbean life and the natural beauty of Bocas del Toro.