Bocas town in the Bocas del Toro archipelago serves as the capital for the Bocas del Toro province and has the highest population of any town in this island area of Panama. Bocas town is located on the southern tip of Isla Colon and features many amenities including hotels, restaurants, banks, a small hospital, regional airport, bars, and local stores and services. Bocas town can be accessed by air, ferry, or water taxi from the mainland. From Bocas Town, it is a short 15 minute boat ride to Isla Bastimentos.
Many tourists that come to Bocas del Toro and stay in Bocas town do not realize that there is no beach there. Most activities and water/island adventures are accessed by water-taxi. For those wanting to stay closer to a beach, lodging options at Bocas Bound or Red Frog Beach are good choices 15 minutes away by boat (cost $3-$5).
Bocas town is famous as a tourist destination and has a more tourist atmosphere than the other islands. The Bocas del Toro residents are very friendly and are accustomed to travelers as thousands of tourists visit yearly.
