Bocas del Toro
From Panama Travels Wiki
Bocas del Toro is an Archipelago of islands inhabited by immigrants from Jamaica. Christopher Columbus was the first white man to dock here in 1502. Later, English pirates used Bocas as a safe haven, and in the 19th Century it became a center for trade in cocoa and bananas. English is still a prominent language.
Deserted palm tree lined beaches, luxurious rainforests, and Caribbean turquoise waters make Bocas one of Panama’s top tourist destinations. Other area attractions include: surfing, bird watching, nature tours, stunning coral reefs, and abundance of flora and fauna. Additionally, located within the Archipelago boundaries are a Guayami Indian village and and Parque Nacional Marino, a marine park with the Cayos Zapatillas, perfect for cave diving and exploring undeveloped islands.
Specific island adventures include: Swan’s Cay for bird watching, Laguna Bocatorito for the possibility of swimming with dolphins, Cayo Crawl, the popular main area of Bocas where restaurants and hotels float above the water, and Isla Bastimento for the pristine north shore beaches.
