Working remotely from Bocas del Toro, Panama can be a perfect escape from the daily grind: tropical island beaches, turquoise waters… and surf! It can all be combined with your work schedule.
We spent a few days in Bocas del Toro, balancing work and play. If you’re thinking of Bocas del Toro as your next remote work destination, read on!
What’s the wifi like in Bocas del Toro, Panama?
Good Wifi in Bocas del Toro isn’t widespread, but it can definitely be found.
If you’re staying on Isla Colon (the main island in the archipelago), you shouldn’t have any issues finding good 4G coverage pretty much anywhere in the island, although it’s obviously best in the main town.
If you’re looking for an Airbnb to work from (or any other accommodation in the area), we recommend searching for the words “internet”, “wifi”, and “wi-fi” in the Airbnb listing comments to get the scoop.
We made the mistake of staying in a hotel where the wifi was shared, so we had pretty slow internet, even for regular work tasks like emails and docs.
Are there any coworking spaces in Bocas del Toro, Panama?
Yes! Luckily there were a few cafes with high speed internet connection that we worked from: Amaranto (my favorite) and Cafe del Mar.
There’s also a Selina in town, which means that even if you’re not staying there, you can buy a day ($10 USD), weekly ($50 USD) or monthly ($160 USD) pass to use their coworking space.
What else is there to do in Bocas del Toro, Panama?
Now let’s get to the fun part! Bocas del Toro is full of things to do, see, and eat. These are our main highlights:
What to Do:
Starfish Beach – One of the prettiest beaches on Isla Colón. Take the bus across the island to Playa Drago and then walk 15 or so minutes down the beachside path to reach this spot where the seafloor is filled with starfish.
Tour to Zapatilla Islands – Take a day trip to visit a few different spots around the archipelago and go snorkeling, see dolphins, and spend a couple hours on the deserted white sand beach of Zapatilla Island.
Carenero Island – Just a quick 5 minute boat taxi ride from Isla Colón, here you can walk all around this island to visit the town and find stretches of beach that you can have all to yourself.
Red Frog Beach – Schedule a water taxi to take you to this remote beach with some of the clearest water and whitest sands you’ll find. If you visit during a swell, this is also one of the top beaches in the area for surfing.
Where to Eat:
La Fonda el Fruta de Pan – Local food, great seafood, and lobster for way cheaper than other restaurants in the area
JJ’s at Bocas Blended – Waterfront dining with delicious fish and chips, fresh juices, and more.
La Buga Gastro Market – Food market with several different stalls offering options for every palate. Here you can find burgers, sushi, Mexican, and cocktails.
Coco Fastronomy – One of the more affordable restaurants in the area with great views of the water and a unique menu.
Toro Loco Sports Bar – American style sports bar with amazing wings.
Amaranto – Some of the best coffee and breakfast foods in town.
Aqua Lounge – Part hostel, part bar/lounge with a swimming area and music. A great place to spend the day relaxing, getting some sun, and eating/drinking.
Nightlife:
Barco Hundido – One of the only actual nightclubs in town. Here you’ll find a huge dance floor, reggaeton, and waterfront stage.
Filthy Friday/Malamore – Bocas famous Friday bar crawl which takes you to several different bars throughout the day and finishes up at Malamore – a fun bar that spills out into the streets.
Additional Information about Bocas del Toro, Panama:
Depending on what you’re looking for out of your visit to Bocas, you should keep in mind the seasons: find the best diving and snorkeling from August – November when the water is calmest while surfers can enjoy picture perfect waves from December – March.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the main form of transportation in Bocas is the water taxis. They can take you pretty much anywhere in the archipelago and are generally pretty affordable (ask a few different places to get a feel for prices before you commit). Simply go to one of the many docks on the water and let them know where you’d like to go!