Sightseeing in Bocas del Toro

Bocas del Toro has become a popular tourist destination in Panama, mainly because of its beaches. Not only are the beaches pristine they are surrounded by rainforest, making the area an excellent place for seeing wildlife. While the beaches are the main attraction to Bocas there are a number of other sightseeing activities that you are not going to want to miss. It should come as no surprise that in an area known for its natural beauty most of the sightseeing activities revolve around nature. The province is fairly small so it is easy to get around and see all of the attractions that it has to offer.

One of the best sightseeing activities in Bocas del Toro is to take a day long boat tour of the islands. The province is made up of a number of islands and it is really quite remarkable how different the islands are. A boat tour will not only allow you to visit the beaches of all the islands but you can watch the dolphins at Dolphin Bay or the red frogs at Red Frog beach. On most of the islands the beaches are surrounded by rainforest which makes seeing a variety of wildlife almost a given when you take a boat tour.

If you have an interest in trees or plants the Finca Los Monos botanical garden is a great option. There is a two hour tour that will introduce you to the wide variety of plant life that grows in the local rainforest. Other good options for viewing the nature of the rainforest are the Smithsonian Tropical Lab tour which will introduce you to some of the work the Smithsonian is doing in the rainforest. Probably the best way to see the rainforest is to take a tour. This is usually best done with a tour operator.

A river tour is another great way to see the rainforest; it will allow you to see a wide variety of the areas wildlife. The river tours will also include a visit to an Indian village. The locals of the village still live in their traditional way which really hasn't changed in centuries. There are a number of tour operators who offer river tours.

Of course the primary attractions of Bocas del Toro are the beaches; a lot of people are perfectly content to just sit on the beaches. The water around the beaches is teeming with marine life so that makes snorkeling and scuba diving a popular activity. If you don't know how to scuba dive your visit to Bocas would be an excellent time to learn. There are a wide range of diving courses available for all levels of experience to help you become a more proficient diver. Taking a course will make your visit more enjoyable since it would be a shame to travel to an area with so much marine life and not see any of it.