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.
Isla Colón
Isla Colón is the main island of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago. Bocas Town, the provincial capital, sits on its southeast side and serves as the base for beaches, the La Gruta bat cave and water taxis to the other islands.
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Isla Colón is the main and northernmost island of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago, on Panama's Caribbean coast. It covers about 61 km² and is the largest island in Bocas del Toro Province and the fourth largest in Panama. Bocas Town, the provincial capital, sits on the island's southeast side and is the province's main tourist draw, with over 150,000 visitors a year.
Beachfront hotels, restaurants and nightclubs are concentrated on the island, and residential districts sit alongside them. Starfish, Bluff, Big Creek and Itsmito Beach are among the beaches. Local yellow pickup trucks and Transporte Colectivo minibuses run the local routes. The Main Park, the Governor's Building, Hotel Bahía and La Gruta bat cave give you places to see between swims. Reaching the other islands needs a private boat or a rented water taxi. The climate is tropical wet, with temperatures steady at about 26.5°C (79.7°F) all year.
Isla Colón in five
- Do the beach circuit by bike or taxiBoca del Drago, Starfish Beach and Playa Bluff sit away from town, and Isla Colón has the archipelago's only paved roads. Rent a bike or hire a taxi instead of waiting for boats.
- Look at the starfish, don't touch themThe tourism authority asks visitors not to touch starfish or take them out of the water, because they are living animals that need protection. Walk the mangrove boardwalk trail to Starfish Beach.
- Treat Playa Bluff as a surf beachPlaya Bluff is a wide stretch of golden sand with small hotels, restaurants and bars facing big waves, which the authority says suit professional surfers. Swim with care.
- Take a boat to Bird Island from Playa DragoBoats leave from Playa Drago for Isla Pájaros, which suits birdwatching, snorkeling and diving. Ask lodging or operators at Boca del Drago for departures.Island-hopping planner
- Pick a side of the island to sleep onBocas Town has the nightlife and services. The outskirts and far side are quieter, with surf hotels, yoga retreats and rental houses listed by the tourism authority.Bocas del Toro Town
Things to do in Isla Colón
See all attractions in Isla Colón
Need to know
- Main town
- Bocas Town, the provincial capital
- Roads
- Only island in the archipelago with paved roads
- Beaches
- Boca del Drago, Starfish Beach, Playa Bluff
- Rentals
- Bikes, kayaks, ATVs, surf and dive gear
- Getting there
- Airport in Bocas Town, or a boat from Almirante in about 35 min
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain26 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Showers, surfJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 249 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers, surf
- FebruaryRain23 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Drier, bikesFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 177 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, bikes
- MarchRain26 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Dry spell, bikesMarchRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 153 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry spell, bikes
- 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°Rain, greenJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 451 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, green
- 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 seaSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 295 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calm sea
- OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Calm, quietOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 396 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calm, quiet
- 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 surfDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 398 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, big surf
Average daily high and low in Bocas Town, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Isla Colón
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 90%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 90%
Bocas Town
12:03 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°25°90%Tuesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Wed29°24°53%Wednesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Thu28°25°78%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Fri29°25°85%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 85%.
- Sat29°25°77%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 77%.
- Sun29°25°76%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 76%.
Updated 10:11 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · 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
- Bird Island (Isla Pájaros)boat from Playa DragoBirdwatching, snorkeling and diving very close to Isla Colón.Read the guide
- Isla Carenero2 minutes by water taxi from Bocas TownA small island with a loop path, surf spots and beach bars.Read the guide
- Isla Bastimentosa boat ride from Bocas TownThe marine park, Old Bank and Red Frog Beach.Read the guide
Before you go to Isla Colón
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Isla Colón, checked
Plan around Isla Colón
Regions, entry basics and money
Read the guideBocas del Toro overviewThe wider archipelago on one page
Read the guideBocas del Toro TownAirport, ATMs and boats on the same island
Read the guideIsland-hopping plannerLink Colón with Carenero and Bastimentos
Read the guideIsla BastimentosMarine park and Old Bank by water taxi
Read the guideWhere to stayCompare areas and property types
Read the guideIsla Colón FAQ
What is there to do on Isla Colón besides Bocas Town?
Visit Boca del Drago for kayaking and gentle waves, walk the mangrove trail to Starfish Beach, surf at Playa Bluff if you are experienced, or take a boat to Bird Island. Bikes, kayaks and ATVs can be rented on the island.
Can you get around Isla Colón without a car?
Yes. It is the only island in the archipelago with paved roads, so bikes, taxis and walking cover most plans. Boats from Playa Drago and Bocas Town reach the rest of the islands.
Is Playa Bluff safe for swimming?
Treat it with caution. The tourism authority describes huge waves that seem to have no rest, and the UK advice warns of strong currents and undertows on Panama's beaches. Swim only in calm conditions and ask locally.
Where can I see starfish on Isla Colón?
Starfish Beach, reached by a trail with wooden bridges through the mangroves. Do not touch the animals or take them out of the water.
How many days do you need on Isla Colón?
Two or three days cover the beach circuit by bike or taxi with a boat day to Bird Island or Bastimentos. Add days if you plan to dive or learn to surf.