Bocas del Toro

Bocas del Toro sits on Colon Island and displays colorful wooden houses arranged along the Caribbean waterfront with thick tropical greenery surrounding everything. The mix of bright structures and water creates the town's most recognizable character.

The city rose to importance in the early 1900s when it became a major port for banana trading after the Panama Canal opened. This trade brought wealth and shaped how the settlement expanded over decades.

The local community blends Caribbean, Indigenous, and Latin American traditions that show up in everyday life through music, celebrations, and seafood-centered meals. You can feel this heritage woven into how people interact and celebrate together.

Water taxis link the main island to neighboring islands, and the local airport runs regular flights to Panama City. Getting around relies mainly on water transport, and the weather stays warm and humid throughout the year.

The city features a network of wooden walkways built above the water that connect residential neighborhoods together. These pathways let people move between buildings and areas, particularly useful when tides rise higher than usual.

Location: Bocas del Toro District

Inception: November 16, 1903

Elevation above the sea: 10 m

Website: https://bocas.municipios.gob.pa

GPS coordinates: 9.33333,-82.25000

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02