Afro Heritage

Visit Old Bank to discover the music, cuisine, and architecture of this fascinating Afro-Antillean town. 

The Afro-Antillean community in Old Bank tells the story of African people who were enslaved by the French and English. After gaining their freedom in the Antilles, they made the most of the boom of banana cultivation and arrived on the islands in Bocas to look for work and live a decent life. 

While exploring the town, you’ll find proof of this identity at impromptu calypso concerts and in the delicious dishes that combine the sweetness of coconut with the spice of the Caribbean.

The Ngäbe-Buglé Community

Visit towns where the Ngäbe-Buglé Indigenous community lives in Bahia Honda and Salt Creek. Here, community leaders offer community-based tourism experiences. They act as the guides themselves, so you will explore their stunning territory, as well as learn about their customs and religion. You’ll also be able to try their traditional cuisine.

Go on a hiking tour, where Ngäbe guides will teach you about the biodiversity that surrounds you. Take part in a workshop to produce organic cacao, led by women in the community. Or visit a bat cave, a totally unique and fun experience. 

From Red Frog to Polo Beach

This path goes along the beach and through the forest. You’ll see different types of vegetation and white-sand beaches, where you can stop to rest. Admire the scenery, the ocean, and the shade the trees provide. At the end of the trail, you’ll reach Polo Beach, where you can meet the famous Polo, the only resident here. 

Polo Beach Trail

Follow the path to the forest at the end of the beach to discover a well-known secret. In the tropical forest, rainbow eucalyptuses, trees characterized by peculiar, multicolored bark, are a delightful surprise. Don’t miss the chance to experience this little-explored spot.

From Red Frog to Wizard Beach to Old Bank

The first part of this path leads you along beaches and between houses, until reaching Wizard. It’ll be easy to recognize this immense, wild beach. If you want to keep walking, cross the beach and continue down a trail through the forest. You’ll cross a bridge over the mangroves before reaching the town of Old Bank.

Explore the forests on the island to discover its enormous biodiversity: sloths, capuchin monkeys, white-faced capuchins, titi monkeys, caimans, frogs, bats, snakes, and much more.

Beach Day

At Red Frog, there are beach bars and restaurants to enjoy the Caribbean scenery and good vibes. If you want to round out a beach day with an adventure in the forest, walk along the path known for its small, colorful frogs. Want to feel like you have the beach all to yourself? Wizard, Polo, and Larga Beaches await you for a day spent connecting with nature on pristine beaches surrounded by dreamy scenery.

The Canal and Polo’s Caves are two of the best dive sites in the country. Just 30 minutes off Colon Island, you’ll find the Canal and Polo’s Caves, which are two of the best dive sites in all of Panamá. The light dances between crevices in the rock formations and the canals, creating an incredible sight, especially for underwater photography.

You might see sharks, stonefish, rays, and lobsters, among other animals. Due to difficult conditions, diving in this spot requires experience, but for experts, it’s definitely not to be missed.

Cayo Coral, just 20 minutes from the island, is the perfect site if you want to learn about marine biodiversity but you’re not an experienced diver. The reef is so close and so large that you can see several species while snorkeling.

If you want to surf on your next vacation in the Panamanian Caribbean, choose between the three beaches on Bastimentos Island. Here, you’ll find waves with different difficulties so you can surf based on your experience.

• Silverbacks: for pros. 

• Primera or Wizard Beach: for beginner to advanced surfers. 

• Red Frog: for beginner to advanced surfers.