There are several amazing places to hike on Isla Bastimentos and nearby islands. While native guides are recommended for jungle hikes on the mainland, many of the islands in the Bocas del Toro archipelago can be explored without a guide. Spectacular rain forest trails lead to empty beaches with pounding surf, past ancient banana plantations, cacao groves and caves filled with bats. Local guides can help you spot well-camouflaged wildlife such as iguanas and sloths, and will share the secrets of the forest. Many of the hiking trails are very remote, with no facilities. Hikers should take plenty of drinking water and food, as well as protective clothing and sun screen. Muddier jungle trails may require rubber boots, and you should aim to be back to Bocas Bound before dark.
On Isla Bastimentos, hikers can experience an expedition through abandoned cacao plantations frequented by hungry capuchin monkeys, and through the forest of Bastimentos National Marine Park to the Bat Cave.
A hike to palm-covered beach called Punta Vieja is also a must. You can take the Casa Cayuco Trail beneath the canopy of the lowland coastal forest. Once you reach the windward side of Isla Bastimentos, continue down the pocket beaches towards Punta Vieja. Ferns, bromeliads and other epiphytes cover branches hanging over the beach. Small tannin-stained freshwater creeks back up as they approach the beach and provide excellent wildlife observation points. Observe the marine life of patch reefs just off the beachfront. Depending on which way you go, you can also cross several fresh water creeks that drain from the hills of the rainforest. There are tall rock bluffs with incredible views of the forest, barrier reefs, and rock outcroppings protecting the front of the Island. The trail will dart in and out of the jungle to avoid impassable sections of rock cliff coastline.
Visitors can also take a boat ride to the stunning Zapatillas Keys. These two secluded islands south of Isla Bastimentos, are home to the best beaches in the Bocas archipelago. Walk the beaches while wandering in and out of the trees to admire the amazing flora and fauna. Beautiful shells, sand dollars, starfish, coconuts, almond and sea grape trees line these white sand beaches. On the second Zapatilla, there is a trail leading to the forested interior. On the shaded trail, watch for more flora and fauna, including birds, lizards, flowering plants, and colorful insects.
On the mainland, hikers can enjoy exploring Cope National Park en route to La Yeguada. This is a hike that takes you through a pine forest that is part of a pine plantation that was set up by the Panamanian government in the 1970s. The pleasure of hiking from the Park to La Yeguada is seeing Lake Yeguada in the distance. The lake is set high up in the mountains and is very isolated.
Only two hours from Panama City and cradled in the world’s second largest volcano crater lies El Valle. This valley is the shaped by by jagged mountain peaks and surrounded by a vibrant forest nourished by the rich volcanic soil. The temperate climate here in the mountainous escape is almost perfect all year. The El Valle trail begins on the valley floor and slowly rises up to the cloud forest then quickly descends back down into the verdant valley. Here you’ll see small picturesque homes on the valley floor of Altos del Maria. After hiking for a while, you will come to the top of the mountain that separated the Continental Divide.
Other notable locations to visit include:
• The Desert of Sarigua located in the province of Herrera.
• La Amistad binational park, which stretches from Costa Rica into Panama.
• Panama’s highest peak, Volcan Baru.
• The thermal pool and mud bath in El Valle de Anton.
• The village of the Ngobe Indians of Salt Creek, and the village of Quebrada Sal in Bastimentos National Park.
• Punta Valiente, the eastern rim of the Archipelago.
• Red Frog Beach and Wizard Beach, located on Isla Bastimentos near Bocas Bound.
