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

Areas with warnings

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.

an aerial view of a tropical beach with palm trees

Isla Bastimentos

Isla Bastimentos is a quieter island a 10 to 15 minute water taxi ride from Bocas Town, with Red Frog Beach and a national marine park.

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Isla Bastimentos is an island and corregimiento in Bocas del Toro District, on the Caribbean coast of northwest Panama. At about 61 km², it is one of the larger islands in the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Christopher Columbus landed here in 1502 and named it Bastimentos, meaning provisions. It is often described as a calmer alternative to the busy streets and bars of Bocas Town, and a water taxi from town takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the landing point.

Much of the island lies in Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park, which also covers the Zapatilla Cays, the surrounding waters and mangroves. The terrain is hilly, with forest trails and some lava rock outcroppings. Red Frog Beach, on the northeastern shore, is the island's most accessible beach, and it takes its name from the tiny red poison-dart frogs living in the nearby forest. The calmest water, when the south-side beaches are sometimes accessible, runs from April to June and August to October. Stay overnight if you want more time on the trails and quieter beaches.

Isla Bastimentos in five

Treat the marine park as a full-day tripBastimentos National Marine Park covers 132.3 km² of beach, mangrove, reef and forest, plus Cayos Zapatilla. Boats leave from Isla Colón, and your tour decides the route.
Walk the Red Frog to Polo Beach trailThe path follows the beach and then forest to Polo Beach, passing different vegetation and, near the end, rainbow eucalyptus trees. Wear shoes that can get wet.
Visit Old Bank for Afro-Antillean food and musicOld Bank tells the story of Afro-Antillean settlers through calypso, coconut-and-spice dishes and architecture. A trail from Wizard Beach reaches it across a mangrove bridge.
Book Ngäbe-Buglé visits with local guidesIn Bahia Honda and Salt Creek, community leaders guide hikes, cacao workshops and a bat cave visit. They are community-run, so arrange them through the community or a certified operator.
Ask about dive sites before you payExperienced divers can ask operators about the Canal and Polo's Caves; others can ask for Cayo Coral, which the tourism authority describes as suited to people who are not experienced divers.Island-hopping planner

Things to do in Isla Bastimentos

See all attractions in Isla Bastimentos

Sight · Isla BastimentosPlaya Pelicano cabin

Beach · Isla BastimentosPolo Beach

Sight · Isla BastimentosBastimentos Island

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Isla BastimentosPut the places you like in Isla Bastimentos on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Park: Bastimentos National Marine Park, 132.3 km²
Status: Panama's first marine park; IUCN category II
Camping: None in the park; use lodging on the island
Communities: Old Bank (Afro-Antillean); Salt Creek and Bahia Honda (Ngäbe-Buglé)
Getting there: Boat from Isla Colón; the route depends on the tour

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain26 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Showers
FebruaryRain23 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Drier, trails
MarchRain26 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Drier, trails
AprilRain24 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Showers
MayRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Muddy trails
JuneRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Rainy, muddy
JulyRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Wettest
AugustRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Rain easing
SeptemberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Calm reef days
OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Calm reef days
NovemberRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Rain returns
DecemberRain29 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Wet, swell

Average daily high and low in Bastimentos, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Isla Bastimentos

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 29°
Humidity: 82%
Wind: 5 km/h
Chance of rain: 98%

Isla Bastimentos

05:39 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-5

Today27°25°98%Monday: Rain. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 98%.
Tue28°25°69%Tuesday: Rain. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 69%.
Wed28°25°55%Wednesday: Rain. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 55%.
Thu27°26°53%Thursday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 53%.
Fri27°26°47%Friday: Rain. High 27°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 47%.
Sat28°25°53%Saturday: Rain. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 53%.
Sun28°25°61%Sunday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 61%.

Updated 05:36 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD

Amount

Converted to

USD · US Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Old Banktrail from Wizard Beach or a boatAn Afro-Antillean town known for calypso, cooking and architecture.
Red Frog Beach to Polo Beacha beach and forest trailBeach bars at Red Frog, then quieter sand and rainbow eucalyptus toward Polo.
Salt Creek and Bahia Hondawith a community guideNgäbe-Buglé villages offering hikes, cacao workshops and a bat cave.

Before you go to Isla Bastimentos

Marine park boat tripsCayos Zapatilla and snorkel stopsCompare day trips

Stays on BastimentosHostels, villas and rental homesCheck availability

eSIM for the park trailsOffline maps for forest pathsRead the guide

Cover for dive and trail daysDiving and boat-transfer exclusionsRead the guide

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Rules for Isla Bastimentos, checked

Bastimentos National Marine Park has no camping areas; use lodging on Bastimentos Island.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Cayo Zapatilla turtle season runs April to October; observe from a distance and do not litter or feed animals, per the tourism authority.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

Plan around Isla Bastimentos

All of Panama

Regions, entry basics and money

Read the guide Bocas del Toro overview

Access routes and seasons

Read the guide Island-hopping planner

Link Bastimentos with Colón and Carenero

Read the guide Isla Colón

The island with the airport and paved roads

Read the guide Bocas del Toro Town

Where Bastimentos boats start

Read the guide Tours and tickets

Booking guided trips the safe way

Read the guide Travel insurance

Cover for boat transfers

Read the guide

Isla Bastimentos FAQ

Is Isla Bastimentos worth visiting?

Yes, for the marine park, Old Bank, quiet beaches and community tours. It is wilder than Isla Colón, so it suits travelers who accept boats and simpler services in exchange for scenery.

Can you camp in Bastimentos National Marine Park?

No. The tourism authority says the park has no camping areas, though lodging on the island ranges from boutique hotels to hostels and rental homes.

What animals live in Bastimentos National Marine Park?

The authority lists the Panamanian golden frog, dolphins, hawksbill sea turtles, monkeys, birds and many reef species. Sea turtles nest on the beaches, so follow your guide's instructions and observe from a respectful distance.

How do you get to Isla Bastimentos?

By boat from Isla Colón, which has the airport. Flights from Albrook take about 45 minutes, and from Puerto Almirante a boat of about 35 minutes reaches Colón. Many lodges arrange pier pickups.

What is Old Bank on Isla Bastimentos?

An Afro-Antillean community that preserves the music, cooking and architecture of settlers who came to the islands during the banana boom. Visit for calypso and coconut-based dishes.