Bastimentos
Discover Bastimentos
Bastimentos is an island in Bocas del Toro province in the Caribbean West of Panama. The island, together with several nearby small islands, makes up the Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park, a protected natural area that protects mangrove swamps, shallow waters, and beaches that are nesting areas for four species of sea turtle. For everyone who feels a bit overwhelmed by the party scene in Bocas town, this is the place to go. In Bastimentos you are going to find the relaxing atmosphere the loud taxis and bars on the main island can't offer.
What to Experience in Bastimentos
Taste of Bastimentos...
There are several restaurants in Old Bank. Roots and Alvin are safe bets for good food at a very reasonable price. Not so much for going out here. It is more to calm down from Bocas del Toro experiences. But if you are lucky and have an accommodation on the water, where hanging out is a treat. Also, Old Bank has a different vibe than gringofied Bocas town - more real but not always in a nice way. Poverty is much more apparent, and after dark the settlement can feel a bit intimidating at times. A bunch of local kids will try to sell you weed along the towns main walkway. Try to be nice. Drinking publicly is apparently not allowed and if the paroling officer see you with alcohol, you will have to drop it in the bin.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsYou can take a taxi boat for $5 (one way) from the Bocas Town of Isla Colon. There is a specific ferry dock from where the boats go to Bastimentos. It is about 200-300 m further south from the main ferry terminals and has an obvious sign. Otherwise, from the main terminals (for Almirante), there also enough boat man waiting to take you for $5 per person. The only village on the island is called Old Bank, consisting of a walking path lined with rustic buildings. There are no cars or roads on this island, so walking and water taxis are the ways of transportation. There are several beautiful beaches in walking distance from town. One is "Wizard Beach" (1.2 km or 20 min from town). The other one is "Red Frog Beach" (~1 hr walking from Old Bank town). The path is extremely difficult to negotiate, especially during rain. But you might get around paying the $10 park entrance....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The only village on the island is called Old Bank, consisting of a walking path lined with rustic buildings. There are no cars or roads on this island, so walking and water taxis are the ways of transportation. There are several beautiful beaches in walking distance from town. One is "Wizard Beach" (1.2 km or 20 min from town). The other one is "Red Frog Beach" (~1 hr walking from Old Bank town). The path is extremely difficult to negotiate, especially during rain. But you might get around paying the $10 park entrance. There have been regular reports of robberies with machetes on the path between the town of Old Bank and Wizard Beach since 2006. Leave your valuable in your ho(s)tel, ask local sources and always use common sense. Also, you might be better off taking the path across the Cerro Bastimentos hill. This side of town feels far less threatening than the southeastern one. The supermarket right next at the docks is the most expensive one.
Where to Stay
A bunch of local kids will try to sell you weed along the towns main walkway. Try to be nice. Drinking publicly is apparently not allowed and if the paroling officer see you with alcohol, you will have to drop it in the bin.
Money & Budget
The supermarket right next at the docks is the most expensive one. There are two more walking the path along the water down the village. There are several restaurants in Old Bank. Roots and Alvin are safe bets for good food at a very reasonable price. Not so much for going out here. It is more to calm down from Bocas del Toro experiences. But if you are lucky and have an accommodation on the water, where hanging out is a treat. Also, Old Bank has a different vibe than gringofied Bocas town - more real but not always in a nice way. Poverty is much more apparent, and after dark the settlement can feel a bit intimidating at times. A bunch of local kids will try to sell you weed along the towns main walkway. Try to be nice.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
There have been regular reports of robberies with machetes on the path between the town of Old Bank and Wizard Beach since 2006. Leave your valuable in your ho(s)tel, ask local sources and always use common sense. Also, you might be better off taking the path across the Cerro Bastimentos hill. This side of town feels far less threatening than the southeastern one. The supermarket right next at the docks is the most expensive one. There are two more walking the path along the water down the village. There are several restaurants in Old Bank. Roots and Alvin are safe bets for good food at a very reasonable price. Not so much for going out here. It is more to calm down from Bocas del Toro experiences. But if you are lucky and have an accommodation on the water, where hanging out is a treat. Also, Old Bank has a different vibe than gringofied Bocas town - more real but not always in a nice way.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Bastimentos
green coconut palm trees under blue sky during daytime
Cayo Zapatillas,Panamá. Green beautiful Island. Drone view.
an aerial view of a tropical island with a sandy beach
Bastimentos Islands, Bocas del Toro - Panama Red Frog Beach photo made by rouichi / switzerland
palm trees on beach during daytime
Bastimento Islands - Bocas del Toro / Panama photo made by rouichi / switzerland
an aerial view of a tropical beach with palm trees
green tree on white sand beach
green trees on beach shore during daytime
woman in body of water
green coconut palm trees under blue sky during daytime
Cayo Zapatillas,Panamá. Green beautiful Island. Drone view.
an aerial view of a tropical island with a sandy beach