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.

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.

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.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Over 50 types of indigenous plant and tree species have been planted at the Marina Village on Bastimentos. These plants include edible items such as passion fruit, star fruit, coffee, and amazon tree grape. There are also a number of plants that give off pleasant aromas that visitors will enjoy (these scents also help repel bugs). Heliconia & hibiscus should bring many birds and frogs to the area.

Our unique tropical climate is conducive to the growth of thousands of different types of tree and plant species.  We want to share a slice of the rainforest with you by bringing this amazing array of biodiversity right to your doorstep.  That’s why we’ve decided to initiate a landscaping program that is organic, eco-friendly, and uses the native species that thrive in this area. The Nursery is in an idyllic location, set on hillside overlooking the rainforest just a short walk from the marina.

Several different species can be found here, including: starfruit, pepper plant, curry plant, cilantro plant, mango, pineapple, banana or plantain, hibiscus, cinnamon, etc. A complete list is as follows:

The border crossing was relatively easy, if you consider toting six surfboards, two large suitcases, and backpacks over a degenerate bridge that looked ready to collapse at any given moment, easy. Fortunately, the locals were eager to help for a small pittance. Another short bus ride later took us to Changuinola, Panama, a small town that is only a hop, skip, and 50 mile per hour boat ride from Bocas del Toro. Zipping through mangrove swamps at frightening speeds led us to Bocas Del Toro, a beautiful chain of islands on the Caribbean. We arrived in Bocas just in time for Caranval, a four day celebration that resembles Mardi Gras, and managed to find a bar that was showing the Super Bowl. What a game that was! (Megan now believes in the “Curse of Seau”.) Carnaval was a blast with lots of costumes, dancing, music, and international travelers.

The next day, we made our way over to Isla Bastimentos and found a serene, seculded beach after a 30 minute hike through the jungle. The jungle hike was gorgeous but watch out for the ants. Those little buggers will light you up! Our second trip to Bastimentos took us through a jungle river to a cave called Nivida. There we waded through water up to our chins to explore the cave with our companions, the nectar bats. On the way out on the river, Greg was startled by a sloth that brushed up against his arm. Boy those things are slow!

Other than that we have been taking it pretty easy, trying not to get too badly sunburned and enjoying good food.

We left Bocas bound for David, Panama´s second largest city. En route we passed through beautiful green mountains so high they were fully enveloped in clouds. I was glad the bus driver knew the roads because I would have certainly driven off the side of the mountains, the clouds were so thick. Our next stop is a remote peninsula called Punta Burrica to camp at a place called Mono Feliz (Happy Monkey). Camping this far away from civilization should be interesting! We will keep you posted.”

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