Panama's Bocas del Toro - The Perfect Caribbean Vacation

[Shannon Farley]

Your next vacation needs to be to the Bocas del Toro Archipelago in Panamá. Easy to get to from North America and Europe via Panama City, or combine with a trip to Costa Rica, Bocas del Toro has everything you could want in a Caribbean vacation – sun, clear turquoise Caribbean Sea, white sand beaches, coral reef, dolphins – but without the crowds.

 

Located off the Caribbean coast of northwestern Panama, very close to the border with Costa Rica, the Bocas del Toro Archipelago is an area of incredible beauty, blue water, green jungle, and abundant animal and plant life. Thanks to the fact that Bocas is outside the Caribbean’s “hurricane zone”, the coral reefs here have some of the best preserved hard and soft coral in the world – over 95% of the coral species found in the Caribbean Sea.

 

There are nine islands, 52 keys and 200 islets to discover and explore. Most of the small population of Bocas del Toro is concentrated on Colón Island, the largest and most developed, and the capital of the province. The town of Bocas del Toro is located here. 

Laguna Azul eco-boutique hotel on blissfully remote Popa Island is one of the best hotels in Bocas del Toro. Built on the edge of a beautiful, clear blue lagoon, all around the six-suite luxury eco-hotel are virgin mangroves, coral reefs and an endless stretch of translucent blue water. The nearest beach is an easy 15-minute boat ride. It is ideal for snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, swimming and relaxing, and there are plenty of fun day tours to do in Bocas del Toro.

The description I like best is: “The romance and isolation of staying on a completely uninhabited island in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago. Of course, the silence and isolation of Laguna Azul is at the heart of its appeal, so leave time for a swim out to the anchored platform at dusk — it’s a memory that will linger long after you return to the grid.”

 

Visitors from all over the world have discovered this hidden gem, rated with 5-star excellence by TripAdvisor.

“I cannot find the right words to describe this secluded portion of paradise. The place itself, the people just ready to help you always with a smile, the food, everything is just set to relax,” wrote one traveler on TripAdvisor. “If you want to unplug and get away from everything, this is the best place to do it. Amazing location, excellent service. Best place ever! Like heaven on earth! Will go again with my family as soon as possible,” wrote another recent traveler.

With only six rooms, it’s nearly like being at your own private island resort. Service is attentive with a personal concierge. Meals are all-inclusive. There are many open lounge spaces to enjoy the views and sea breezes. There is a really large swimming pool – it’s called the tranquil Caribbean Sea! You can enjoy sunbathing on the floating deck, or stargazing on a clear night. The hotel also has a spa, TV lounge, pool table, table tennis, a fully-equipped gym and complimentary Wi-Fi in the lobby.

 

So, the question is, how soon are you going?

 

Reservations: Check availability and make reservations online.

 

How to get there: From Panama City, Air Panama flies to the Isla Colón International Airport on Colón Island. From there it is a 35-minute ride by private boat to Popa Island to Laguna Azul Hotel.  From San José, Costa Rica, you can fly Nature Air to Colón Island.