Five Experiences That Capture the Soul of Bocas del Toro
With its lush biodiversity, vibrant cultures, and idyllic beaches, Bocas del Toro is much more than just a Caribbean getaway and the following five experiences are proof. From oceanfront wellness retreats to ancient cacao ceremonies, hikes along trails nestled between forest and sea, hidden caves, and indigenous communities that have preserved their identity, Bocas del Toro is an invitation to disconnect from the noise and reconnect with what’s essential in one of the most magical corners of Panama.
By: Margarita de los Rios
Photos: Javier A. Pinzón
1. Retreat into Silence on Isla Colón
Panama is slowly becoming a celebrated destination for wellness retreats and, without a doubt, Bocas del Toro is one of the pioneers. There, tucked in a corner where the jungle meets the sea and the breeze whispers through the palms, lies one of the country’s wellness epicenters: La Coralina Island House.
This 3.7-acre wellness center, with its bamboo-lined trails, ceremonial gardens, and endless views of the Caribbean, offers ancestral and modern therapies. But there’s no need to limit yourself to the occasional treatment while visiting Bocas del Toro. The hotel organizes, or hosts on its premises, retreats led by experts specializing in age-old medicines who offer dietary guidance, conferences, exercises, and focused therapies.
Two upcoming and transformative experiences stand out among the many choices on the calendar of events: Sambalá (Aug. 20-23), with Panamanian doctor and composer Juan Chial, who specializes in traditional Chinese medicine; and Clean (Aug. 31-Sept. 7), led by renowned Uruguayan doctor Alejandro Junger, known for his integral approach to health and his detox programs. Among the many other options is Okan, scheduled for April 2026, a five-day retreat inspired by ancestral temazcal medicine. According to Holistic Center director Carlos Gustavo Villamor, Okan, is more than a retreat; it is a rite of passage in which “the soul remembers what the body never forgets.” From La Coralina, you’re just a stroll away from iconic beaches like Punch, with its powerful waves, or a bit further on, Bluff, where the golden sand and vast ocean invite you to just “be.”
Clean will be leaded by the cardiologist and internist Alejandro Junger, which after being disappointed with the traditional system, traveled to India to learn alternative medicine. After five books that have been on the New York Times best sellers, he is considered to be the father of the detoxification.
2. Flavors, Accents, and Jungles on Isla Bastimentos
Bastimentos is more than an island; it’s an entire universe. Here, the jungle wraps around cliffs, the colors seem more intense, and each community holds a story that deserves to be told. In the small Afro-Antillean village of Old Bank, you’ll hear people speaking guariguari, a mestizo language that has stood the test of time. The wooden houses, Caribbean rhythms, and the hospitality of the people create a warm, authentic atmosphere. Savor a traditional lunch at Lysset Place or treat yourself to a seaside dinner at The Firefly, where fusion cuisine mixes with the salty breeze. Your evening will most likely be enlivened by calypso tunes played by local musicians.
The trailhead at Old Bank leads to Wizard Beach, a long, wild beach that looks like it was only recently discovered. On this walk, the sounds of the forest and the leaves crunching underfoot remind you that the path itself is the journey.
This walk is only for people that enjoy the activity. If you wish, it is only one day of beach, you ask the “lanchero”(small boat captain) that he takes you directly to the Red Frog port. There, after paying a fee to use the private trail, in less than ten minutes you will be arriving to a beautiful beach with restaurants and sun loungers in front of the sea.
The trailhead at Old Bank leads to Wizard Beach, a long, wild beach that looks like it was only recently discovered. On this walk, the sounds of the forest and the leaves crunching underfoot remind you that the path itself is the journey. From Wizard Beach you can walk for more than three miles over beaches and through woods until you reach, first, Red Frog, and then Playa Polo. The color of the sand varies from gold to intense orange as you travel. You’ll find two or three different lunch options halfway along the trail at restaurants in Red Frog, as well as restrooms and fresh water, but after that, it’s nothing but the solitude of totally virgin beaches marked only by your footprints in the sand. On Playa Polo you’ll meet the strange character who gave the beach its name, the only inhabitant for lonely miles, and further ahead the waves crash on entirely deserted beaches. When you reach the end, just a bit before the vegetation closes in, a forest of rainbow eucalyptus trees blocks the trail, delivering a visual reward.
3. Discover One of the World’s Best Beaches
Floating like a white jewel in the turquoise waters off the coast of Bastimentos is Zapatilla Cay. There are no buildings, only soft sand, palm trees leaning into the water, and the natural music made by the mingling of gentle waves washing onto the sand and the wind whistling through the vegetation. It’s no wonder Zapatilla Cay was included on the 2025 World’s Best Beaches list. Its pristine beauty, vibrant marine life, and peaceful atmosphere give it an almost sacred feel. The World’s Best Beaches list, which evaluates beaches from around the world, is compiled from the votes of over a thousand tourist industry professionals who choose beaches based on eight criteria: uniqueness, fauna, unspoiled nature, nature sounds, easy water access, peacefulness, absence of crowds, and the consistency of the idyllic surroundings. The judges explain that the key criteria tend to be natural beauty, a sense of peacefulness, and the power to awaken an almost emotional sensation. Although the trip to Zapatilla Cay is long, it has many rewards. The boat pilot will stop, for example, at Laguna de los Delfines (Dolphin Lake) and Coral key, an extraordinary snorkeling spot.
4. Cacao Ceremony on Isla San Cristóbal
Reservations: Juan Bocas Tour
Cel. 507 6734 2267 507 6734 2267
In the green hills of Isla San Cristóbal, the Ngäbe-Buglé community cultivates something more than cacao: wisdom. Here, far from city noise and demanding schedules, they celebrate an ancestral ritual that connects visitors with the earth and with themselves. The tour starts with a boat ride from Isla Colón and continues with a sweetly-scented walk among cacao trees. Led by women from the community, cacao ceremonies combine history, spirituality, and natural medicine. It’s not only about tasting the cacao; you’ll also feel it’s warmth, power, and energy.
Led by women from the community, cacao ceremonies combine history, spirituality, and natural medicine.
Ceremonial cacao —with no sugar or industrial processing— has been used for centuries to open the heart, cleanse the soul, and reconnect with nature. The female leaders of the Ngäbe-Buglé ethnic group speak of this and their traditions. Add to this a traditional lunch served on bijao leaves and conversations that, without a doubt, will remain etched in your memory.
5. Dive Deep Into the Secret World of Bats
Deep inside Bastimentos National Park is Nivida Bat Cave, which looks like something out of a legend. Just reaching the cave is an adventure; you’ll sail the sea, take a cayuco canoe through mangroves, and then walk a short distance through the jungle, where you may come across monkeys, sloths, and red frogs. Once you reach the cave, local entrepreneurs will provide you with the tools you need to go exploring, including the right shoes, a helmet, gloves, and a lantern. Properly equipped, visitors make their way slowly into the dark. Inside, the echo of hundreds of nectarivorous bats, the stalactites glowing in the humidity, and a subterranean lake that ends in a secret waterfall make this a uniquely magical experience. The perfect experience for curious travelers looking for something extraordinary.
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