About Bocas de Toro
Since the late 1990s the Bocas del Toro archipelago has been growing as an expat community with many foreigners from around the globe moving to these Caribbean islands and calling it home. Over the years, expats started businesses in Bocas such as speciality shopping stores, hotels, restaurants, tours and much more. As more foreigners moved to Bocas del Toro, the tourism sector exploded making Bocas del Toro one of the most popular travel destinations in Panama. The proximity to the Costa Rican border and explosion of tourism in the neighboring country helped grow Bocas as a travel destination, turning this region into an interesting place to invest whether for property or in the tourism sector. Isla Colon has an airport with flights from Panama City and San Jose, Costa Rica and is also the main hub of the islands. Within the next few years large infrastructure investments will be completed such as electric and fiber optics from the mainland, new roads, and much more. If there was ever a time to invest in Bocas it would be now. Our time living in Bocas and watching its growth over the past +20 years has given us an insight on what it’s really like to live in Bocas as a foreigner. Whether you’re looking for a dream property to call home or an investment property you have come to the right place.
Isla Colon
The main hub of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, Isla Colon is by far the most popular place for buying Bocas del Toro real estate. Home to the only airport on the islands with 45 minute flights from Panama City and San Jose, Costa Rica, and daily ferry service to the mainland, Isla Colon is connected to the rest of Panama, either by ferry and road or by a quick and easy flight. Isla Colon is also home to the capital district of the province of Bocas del Toro known as Bocas Town, a historic small Caribbean style town with restaurants, stores and an exciting nightlife. Bocas Town is very touristy but still has no large resorts like other destinations. Despite being a popular tourism spot in Panama, it still has a small town feel to it. Outside of Bocas Town are neighborhoods popular with expats that can be accessed by car (and even electric carts, bikes, ATVs and taxis) such as Big Creek, Paunch, Bluff and Boca del Drago. All these areas are close to beaches and have small beachfront restaurants and bars where locals and tourists alike hang out to enjoy the live music and island vibes. Isla Colon is a favorite for expats and it’s the island where we have most of our properties listed.
Isla Carenero
One of the smallest islands in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, Isla Carenero has lots of potential, especially as an investment property. Here you can find some of the best restaurants on the islands as well as hotels and hostels perched over the water or just behind the palm lined coasts of Isla Carenero. Isla Carenero is only a few minutes from Bocas Town by boat, and has no roads, just an island path. Most expats that live here have docks where they park their boats or simply use water taxis that are always available day and night for only a few bucks. Despite being so close to Bocas Town, Isla Carenero has a totally different vibe, where time seems to slow down just a bit more than the main hub Bocas Town. Home to beautiful white sand beaches with crystal clear seas, Isla Carenero truly offers an authentic island vibe without being too remote. Isla Carenero is also a favorite for surfers with waves for beginners as well as experienced surfers. The island’s proximity to Bocas Town, the natural beauty of its surrounding makes it a great investment for people looking to start a small oceanfront bed and breakfast or a luxury Airbnb rental.
Isla Bastimentos
One of the biggest islands in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, Isla Bastimentos is known for having some of the best beaches. On Isla Bastimentos you have two coasts, one facing Bahia Honda and the mangrove islands with calm coasts line and deep anchorage and then there is the other side that faces open ocean with beautiful beaches and thick jungle. Bastimentos has Panama’s first marine park and is one of Panama’s most popular ecotourism destinations. Isla Bastimentos is home to communities such as Old Bank, a local community with no roads but instead island paths that connect the town with hills overlooking Bahia Honda and surrounding archipelago. Bastimentos is also home to the famous Red Frog Beach Villas, a private gated community with beautiful homes and a world-class marina. Other areas worth mentioning are Salt Creek and Punta Vieja, home to beautiful beaches and views to the famous Cayos Zapatillas. Isla Bastimentos can be the perfect place to buy a home or an investment property.
Isla Solarte
Some people prefer to live a bit further from the buzz like Bocas Town or communities on Isla Colon, and if you’re looking for something like this but not too remote then Isla Solarte is an excellent choice. Once more of a place to look for a home to live, now Isla Solarte is also drawing interest from investors, and because of its strategic location it’s no surprise. Over the years, hospitality businesses such as small ecolodges and yoga retreats have developed on Isla Solarte. Some of the most popular hostels are also located here as well as one of the most photographic spots for the famous party known as Filthy Friday. Isla Solarte has coasts facing Isla Colon with beautiful sunsets and views of Bocas Town with ocean breezes, while the other side has views of Isla Bastimentos and Bahia Honda with beautiful views of sunrise over Isla Bastimentos and some areas with deep waters out front the coasts perfect for docks, over the sea bungalows and marinas. Located only a few minutes from Bocas Town, Old Bank, and Red Frog Beach, Isla Solarte is quickly becoming the new hotspot in the Bocas del Toro archipelago.
Isla Popa, Bocas del Toro
Popa Island is the second largest island in Bocas
Isla Popa is the second largest in Bocas del Toro and also consists of a group of islets and cays that form part of this district. One of the least visited islands in the archipelago, Isla Popa does have a few resorts, both bungalows over the sea and beachfront luxury resorts. There are a few expats that call this island home but for the most part it’s home to different local indigenous communities and fishing villages. Isla Popa has amazing wildlife such as toucans and other birds and mammals. Some parts of Isla Popa face Cayos Zapatillas with a nice ocean breeze hitting its coasts, other parts are in protected areas with mangrove islets and calm seas.
Isla Cristobal, Bocas del Toro
Tierra Oscura, Bocas del Toro
Isla Pastores, Bocas del Toro
Punta Laurel, Bocas del Toro