Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 757-9008; adult/child US$5/2; 9am-3pm Mon-Sat, 9am-noon Sun)
A great morning trip
from Bocas town is the adorable Bocas Butterfly Farm, which houses species from every
corner of Panama. There is no road access: hire a water taxi for US$1 one way.
Activities
Ixa's Bike World
BICYCLE RENTAL
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
(Av H;
8am-6pm)
Repairs and rents a wide selection of bicycles.
Boat Tours
The most popular tours in the area are all-day snorkeling trips, which are perfect for non-
divers wanting a taste of the area's rich marine life. A typical tour costs US$20 per per-
son and goes to Dolphin Bay, Cayo Crawl, Red Frog Beach (US$2 entry) and Hospital
Point.
A trip to the distant Cayos Zapatillas costs US$25 (plus an additional US$10 for ad-
mission to the marine park) and includes lunch, beach time and a jungle hike on Cayo
Zapatilla Sur.
Many 'tours' are really little more than boat transportation to a pretty spot. If you have
your own snorkel gear (or if you rent it), you can also charter motor boats. Agree on a
price before you go.
Transparente Tours
TOUR
( 6583-0351, 757-9915; transparentetours@hotmail.com; Calle 3, Bocas del Toro;
9:30am-5:30pm)
This recommended tour operator provides guides, gear, drinks and radios
on excursions.
Diving & Snorkeling
With nearly 40 rivers unloading silt into the seas around Bocas del Toro, the ar-
chipelago's waters are notorious for their poor visibility. If it has rained a lot in recent
days, visibility may be limited to only 3m.
Although experienced divers accustomed to crystal-clear Caribbean diving may be dis-
appointed with Bocas, the islands still have much to offer. The emerald-green waters of
the archipelago are home to the usual assortment of tropical species and with a little luck
you might see barracuda, stingrays, dolphins and nurse sharks. Better sites include
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