Rickshaw Travel
Costa Rica, Panama & Nicaragua
Bocas del Toro

Panama Island Getaway

Bite-sized trip

    • Itinerary:
      Bocas del Toro
    • Duration:
      4 days / 3 nights (flexible)
    • Price:
      From £ 270.- per person (excluding flights)
    Bocas del Toro is a group of Caribbean islands near the border with Costa Rica. The water is clear and warm and perfect for snorkelling. You'll find local bars with a relaxed vibe and pastel coloured wooden houses on stilts. Go for a walk along the beach, spend some time snorkelling, take a boat trip to dolphin bay or rent a mountain bike and ride inland through mangrove forests, creeks and rivers.
    Bocas del Toro hammocks on jetty in sea
    Bocas del Toro huts on water

    Day 1 – Arrival in Bocas del Toro

    When you arrive in Almirante you will be transferred by speed boat straight to your the main island of Isla Colon. On arrival you’ll make your own way, just down the road to your cosy hotel near the coast; a perfect base to relax, swim and explore the islands. Explore the colourful streets, browse souvenir shops or sit back and watch village life unfold with a Panamanian beer in hand. There are plenty of restaurants serving local cuisine but you’ll also find European and Asian options too.

    Day 2 – Free time

    Much like the UK, in the tropics, your daily activities are very much determined by the weather! If it’s calm, you can book a boat trip to one of the deserted sister islands of Bocas. Keep an eye out for dolphins playing in the waves from the boat, especially near Dolphin Bay. If the captain spots anything, he’ll sail in circles, making extra waves for the dolphins to splash around in.

    Bocas del toro sunset over beach
    Panama Bocas del Toro beach island boat

    Days 3-4 – Free time & departure

    Today you can visit Red Frog Beach. Here you’ll find tiny red frogs who’ll happily sit in your hand whilst you take in their beautiful colour. Back in the village, take some time to wander through the streets then sit on a bench, grab a tropical cocktail and watch the Bocas life pass you by.

    On the morning of day 4 this trip comes to an end and you can continue your adventure.

    Accommodation

    Bocas del Toro accommodation bed
    Bocas del Toro accommodation sunset over water
    Bocas del Toro accommodation sea view

    For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options

    1Add to my trip

    Upgrade to our In Style accommodation

    • Price:
      From £ 570.- per person (excluding flights)
    • Included:
      In Style accommodation, excursions, transport and meals as described above

    For this bite-sized trip we have an alternative option available for your accommodation. Our In Style version is something a bit more special or unique but still with lots of local flavour! If you would like to upgrade your accommodation for this bite-sized trip select our In Style option below.

    2Add to my trip

    Snorkelling tour to Dolphin Bay and Cayo Zapatilla

    • Price:
      From £ 60.- per person
    • Included:
      Half-day boat tour with English-speaking guide and snorkelling equipment

    Hop on a shared boat and spend the day exploring some of the prettiest spots around Bocas del Toro. You start in Dolphin Bay, where there is a good chance of seeing dolphins gliding through the water. From here, you head on to Cayo Zapatilla, a postcard-perfect island with clear water for swimming and snorkelling. Later, you slow things down at Sloth Island, keeping an eye on the trees for sloths resting in the branches. You finish at the Hollywood Sea Star area, where shallow waters are dotted with bright, colourful starfish.

    3Add to my trip

    Cooking under palm trees

    • Price:
      From £ 159.- per person
    • Included:
      5-hour cooking workshop in a small group

    Step into the world of Ngäbe cuisine on this hands-on cooking experience. Together with local hosts, you head into the rainforest to collect edible plants and roots, before cooking over open fires using traditional techniques. You learn how to prepare a fragrant coconut broth and dishes made with medicinal plants, all part of everyday Ngäbe cooking. Local speciality ‘Johnny Cake’ is a highlight too, as you bake your own bread and hear stories about local life and traditions. You end the experience by sharing your freshly prepared meal in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

    This bite-sized trip combines well with