The islands of Bocas del Toro dot the Caribbean, close to the border with Costa Rica. Accessed by plane, road and boat from Panama or Costa Rica, the main settlement is the small surfing town of Bocas, with its many delightful restaurants and coffee shops. The surrounding region is made up of lush rainforest, pretty coral reefs, crystal-clear waters, extensive mangrove forests and some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. These empty stretches of golden sand are also the nesting place of at least three species of marine turtle: hawksbill, leatherback and green.
There are some fabulously located, comfortable lodges in which to base yourself for a few days. There’s plenty to see and do including visiting Swan caye, the only known Caribbean nesting place of the red-billed tropic bird as well as the home of numerous brown boobies, frigates and a diverse range of gulls and terns. The waters off the islands are teeming with a wealth of marine life making this one of the best places to snorkel in the Caribbean. The archipelago is very much influenced by a laidback Afro-Caribbean culture but is also home to several communities of Ngobe Indians. You can visit their friendly villages to learn of their fascinating customs and have them guide you through their land, filled with sacred, medicinal or edible flora and fauna. This relatively untouched corner of Panama opens up a whole new aspect of this surprising country.