The Bocas del Toro archipelago is the rising surfing star in Panama. This archipelago is a collection of ten tiny tropical islands on the Caribbean coast, near the border with Costa Rica. A favourite destination with Panama residents, is is still mostly ignored by international tourists, although it has been popular with backpackers, hippies, divers and surfers for some years now. The archipelago offers several superb and still uncrowded waves and it has been the shooting location of Survival Series of no less than 12 different countries, including France, Spain and Italy ! Surf accommodation is offered at two locations: Bluff Surf & Eco Lodge, on the main island of Colon and next to this famous surf break, and Careno Key Surf Lodge, on the tiny Careno island, boasting its own break and a short water taxi ride from the town of Bocas.
Location:
Bocas del Toro - Caribbean Coast - Panama
Highlights:
Two surf lodge in the dreamlike Bocas arquipelago
Level:
Experienced
Products:
Accommodation
Open:
All year
THE SURF
The surf in the archipelago of Bocas del Toro can get so good that sometimes people compare it with Indonesia or Tahiti ! Swell is produced by seasonally strong trade winds and cold fronts in the Caribbean Sea which produce potent short period swells. The biggest and most consistent swell hits Bocas in winter, from December through March, but you can surf year round and Bocas does not suffer tropical Typhoons. The climate is tropical and the tiny islands covered by lush primeval forest. The beaches are long, with white sand and fringed by swaying coconut trees. The water is warm - westsuits are not necessary - turquoise blue and clear, so you can see the reef while you surf. This comes handy as several of the breaks are reef breaks over shallow water.
Bocas del Toro offers a variety of different and uncrowded breaks, distributed between the islands of Colon, Bastimentos and Carenero. Waves range from long barrelling reef breaks to powerful beach breaks, steep drops and spitting tubes. The islands of Bocas catch just about any swell in the Caribbean and the waves are rarely under 4 feet while they can get as big as 25 with a good swell. The tides hardly fluctuates, so that you can surf all day long without having to wait for the tide.
Although it hosted the first Latino American Bodyboard Championship in 2002, Bocas is still virgin to the surfing world and the spots uncrowded. So far, there is not surf shop in these islands, so bring you repair kit - the coral reef breaks are deadly for boards ... and surfers ! Locals will nevertheless help you out with repairs to make some extra money.
Surf Spots
Colon Island: There are two reputed spots on Bocas' main island, Bluff Beach and The Bump. Bluff Beach is a long beach with very strong waves, but not always good for surfing - the underwater drop off makes long and continuous waves that break almost on the beach ! The Dump is a favourite with local surfers but also quite dangerous as the waves breaks close to a coral reef. Surfers must be careful to end their ride before the reef !
Bastimentos Island: The surfspots of Bastimentos are less visited as they are more difficult to reach. They can be accessed by boat from Bocas town and then a fifteen minutes walk from the jetty through Bastimentos Island National Park, a bird sanctuary and marine park. The big reef break called Silverbacks can hold a Hawaiian-like 25 foot right - mostly a big drop and short tube ride.
Carenero Key: A 200 yards long zippy ride over a shallow reef, just as good and dangerous as The Dump, on Colon Island.
The Lodge is located on the tropical island Carenero Key, just five minutes by water taxi from the town of Bocas, on the archipelago's main island Isla Colon. With a population of only 450 inhabitants, Carenero has no roads or cars and offers a very peaceful and relaxing place to get away from it all. The island is covered by a tropical forest teeming with exotic birds and skirted by unspoiled beaches. Surf wise, there is an excellent reef break on Carenero key itself, which offers good surfing conditions year round.
Nestling in a coconut grove, the Surf Lodge offers seven beautiful rooms with various layouts catering for every specific need. Each room is spacious and equipped with air conditioning, comfortable bed and private tiled bathrooms with hot water. The house is surrounded by a wooded deck with large French windows opening up onto the lush rain forest and peering through coconut trees to the Caribbean sea. The hotel has all modern amenities such as Direct TV and internet/fax connections.
Bed & Breakfast Rates
Single: 55 USD
Dolbe: 60 USD
Triple: 65 USD
Rates are per room, per night
All rates subject to a 10% tax
We recommend 2 weeks to make the most of your trip !
BLUFF SURF & ECO LODGE
BLUFF SURF & ECO LODGE
Hidden within the trees lining the breathtaking bay next to Bluff Beach on Bocas main island Isla Colon, the Lodge provides a quiet refuge for nature lovers, beach combers, divers and surfers - it is just steps away from a reputed surf spot. There are two reputed spots on Isla Colon, Bluff Beach and The Bump. Apart from surf, bird watching, swimming in cristal clear waters, snorkelling or just lazing around are some of the favourite occupations at the Lodge.
At this Eco Lodge, energy is generated by the sun and wind, water collected by a rain catchment system and grey water used to water the gardens. Accommodation consists of 6 rooms in the Casa Azul, one-bedroom apartment at beach level in Casa Verde and 2 beachside private Cottages. All rooms have balconies with hammock and chairs, bathrooms with hot water, priavte/shared kitchen, mosquito nets and ceiling fans.
Accommodation Rates
Low Season (Mar > Jun + Sep > Nov)
Single: 15 USD (Rooms) + 20 USD (Cottages)
Double: 20 USD (Rooms) + 30 USD (Cottages)
Triple: 30 USD (Rooms) + 45 USD (Cottages)
Cuadruple: 40 USD (Rooms) + 60 (Cottages)
High Season (Jul > Aug + Dec > Feb + Carnival, Easter and Spring Break)
Single: 20 USD (Rooms) + 45 USD (Cottages)
Double: 30 USD (Rooms) + 60 USD (Cottages)
Triple: 45 USD (Rooms) + 75 USD (Cottages)
Cuadruple: 60 USD (Rooms) + 100 USD (Cottages)
All rates are per day, per person
All rates subject to a 10% tax
We recommend 2 weeks to make the most of your trip !
THE LOCATION
Bocas del Toro
The Bocas del Toro archipelago is a collection of ten tropical islands on the Caribbean coast of Panama, near the border with Costa Rica. Warm, turquoise waters, nice beaches fringed by coconut trees, tropical rain forest teeming with exotic birds and coral reefs for snorkelling provide and ideal background to get away from it all. Bocas del Toro has been the shooting location of Survival Series of no less than 12 different countries, including France, Spain and Italy !
The archipelago was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502 and the main island named after him (Isla Colon). At the turn of the century, the main town, Bocas on Isla Colon, was the headquarters of the US United Fruit Company. Boasting 25,000 inhabitants, the town had six consuls and five newspapers. But its heyday ended in the 1920's, when banana blight put an end to this thriving commercial centre. Most of the stately colonial buildings and parks from that time still remain, giving the town its special flair. Bocas has many different European styles bars, restaurants and hotels - most are run by Europeans who have moved to Bocas and started these businesses. The town attract a lot of hippies, backpackers, divers, surfers and ecologically friendly travellers.
THE TRIP
Bocas del Toro
Caribbean coast, overnight road trip from Panama City
Bus from Panama City:
Bus departing daily from Panama City in the evening and arriving early morning in Almirante, from which you take a ferry to Bocas (30 min. trip)
Bocas del Toro Airport (BOC)
Daily flight from Panama City Albrook Airport, then taxi to Isla Colon (Bocas) and water taxi to Carenero.
Panama City Albrook Marcos Gelabert Regional Airport (MPMG)
Daily flight to Bocas (Mapiex and Aeroperlas)
Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Major US and European airlines
Warning! Many airlines will refuse to check-in your board to Panama !
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