Travel advisory · PanamaSome governments advise against travel to parts of Panama.The warnings cover only these areas: Mosquito Gulf, Colón, Curundú, El Chorrillo, San Miguelito.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Mosquito Gulf · avoid all travel · Canada, France, New Zealand, US
- Colón · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Curundú · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France
- El Chorrillo · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France
- San Miguelito · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France
Also named by one government: Darién border zone with Colombia (France), Darién Gap south of Yaviza (New Zealand), Darién south of Metetí to Colombian border (Canada), Parts of Darién Region (US), Arena (Canada), Arraiján (France), Calidonia (France), Colombian border zones (Spain), Cristobal (France), Darién Province (France), Eastern Darién Province (Italy), Eastern part of Guna Yala (San Blas) (France), El Cacao (Canada), Isla de Cusapín (Spain), Juan Díaz (France), La Chorrera (France), Pedregal (France), Quebro (Canada), San Felipe (France), Santa Ana (France), Tocumen (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | Remain vigilant, follow local authorities' advice after earthquake | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution due to crime (regional advisories) | Aug 19, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Take normal security precautions (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No advice against the whole country | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | High Degree of Caution | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Niveau de sécurité globalement satisfaisant, vigilance renforcée dans certaines zones (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro is a province on Panama's Caribbean coast. Most visitors base themselves in Bocas Town on Isla Colón and take water taxis to snorkel, dive and surf.
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Bocas del Toro is a province in Panama, and Bocas Town, its capital, sits on the southern tip of Colón Island in the Caribbean Sea. The town is also called Bocas or Isla de Bocas and is the administrative and commercial center of the province. Most of it is small enough to explore on foot, with avenues running east to west and streets running north to south. A fire in 1904 largely destroyed the town, which was rebuilt afterward.
The town sits within an archipelago that forms the bay of Almirante. Boats and water taxis reach the islands, since very few of them have roads. Bastimentos Island National Marine Park is about a 20-minute boat ride away, and the main surf season runs from November to April. Rain is heavy in every month, averaging about 3,458 millimeters a year, so pack rain gear. Plan several days to reach the islands you want to see.
Bocas del Toro in five
- Fly from Panama City or come overlandThe tourism authority gives a 45-minute flight to Bocas Town. Overland, both routes end at Puerto Almirante, where a boat of about 35 minutes crosses to Isla Colón.Overland route
- Get around by water taxiBoats link Isla Colón with Bastimentos, Carenero and the beaches. The island-hopping planner compares the bases.Island-hopping planner
- Bring cash from Bocas TownThe tourism authority lists ATMs in Bocas Town among its services, and smaller islands and lodges often take cash only.Bocas Town
- Plan for rain in any monthThe Caribbean side gets rain year-round. Late summer and early fall are often the calmest.
Things to do in Bocas del Toro
See all attractions in Bocas del Toro
Need to know
- Airport
- Bocas del Toro (BOC), about 45 minutes from Panama City
- Getting there
- Bus to Almirante, then a water taxi to Bocas Town
- Getting around
- Water taxis between islands, bikes on Isla Colón
- Best base
- Bocas Town for convenience, Bastimentos for quiet
- Time needed
- 3–5 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain26 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°ShowersJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 249 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- FebruaryRain23 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Drier spellFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 177 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier spell
- MarchRain26 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Drier spellMarchRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 153 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier spell
- AprilRain24 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°ShowersAprilRain
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 259 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- MayRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°RainyMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 345 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- JuneRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°RainyJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 451 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- JulyRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°WettestJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 596 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- AugustRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Rain easingAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 400 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain easing
- SeptemberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Calm, drierSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 295 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calm, drier
- OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Calm, drierOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 396 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calm, drier
- NovemberRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Rain returnsNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 530 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain returns
- DecemberRain29 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Wet, big swellDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 398 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, big swell
Average daily high and low in Bocas Town, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Bocas del Toro
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 96%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 89%
Bocas del Toro
09:58 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today30°24°89%Monday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 89%.
- Tue30°24°95%Tuesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Wed30°24°60%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 60%.
- Thu30°24°81%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 81%.
- Fri30°24°84%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Sat29°24°81%Saturday: Rain. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 81%.
- Sun30°24°65%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 65%.
Updated 08:01 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.119 USD
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Isla Colón beach circuitby bike or taxiBoca del Drago, Starfish Beach and Playa Bluff.Read the guide
- Bastimentos National Marine Parka boat ride from Bocas TownPanama's first marine park, beaches and Old Bank.Read the guide
- Isla Carenero2 minutes by water taxiA small island with a loop path, beaches and bars.Read the guide
Before you go to Bocas del Toro
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Bocas del Toro, checked
- Check entry rules for your passport with Panama's National Immigration Service (migracion.gob.pa) before you book flights.Source
- Health care is limited, so bring any medicines you need and carry the insurance you need.
- Tap water is not treated or filtered, so drink bottled or treated water.
- Riptides on some Isla Colón beaches can be dangerous, so ask locals before you swim.
Plan around Bocas del Toro
Regions, entry basics and money
Read the guidePanama CityWhere the flight to Bocas leaves from
Read the guideIsland-hopping plannerWhich islands to sleep on and how boats work
Read the guideBocas TownAirport, boats and services
Read the guideIsla ColónBeaches by bike or taxi
Read the guideIsla BastimentosMarine park and Old Bank
Read the guideBocas del Toro ProvinceAlmirante, the mainland and the road in
Read the guideBocas del Toro FAQ
How do I get to Bocas del Toro?
Fly from Panama City's Albrook airport in about 45 minutes, or take a bus to Almirante and a boat of about 35 minutes across to Bocas Town. The province page covers the road.
When is the best time to visit Bocas del Toro?
February to March and September to October are often the driest and calmest. Rain is possible in any month.
Is Bocas Town the only place to stay?
No. Carenero is two minutes away by water taxi and Bastimentos has the marine park and quieter beaches, but Bocas Town has the airport and tour desks. The island-hopping planner compares the bases.
How do I get from Bocas del Toro to Costa Rica?
Overland through the Guabito and Sixaola border crossing, usually with a shuttle that combines a water taxi, a van and the border formalities. Allow most of a day and carry your passport and some cash.
Can you see Bocas del Toro in a weekend?
Yes if you fly. Two nights cover Bocas Town and one boat day to snorkeling spots and beaches. By road you need at least one more day, because the drive and the Almirante crossing take most of a day.