[Panama - Bocas del Toro].
There are two overland routes to get from Costa Rica to Panama. One runs along the Pacific coast toward Panama City, offering frequent buses and convenient transport. The other follows the Caribbean coast, where the food in Limón is arguably the best and most unique in Costa Rica! Plus, this route takes you along Route 32 (Túnel Zurquí)—often hailed as the most beautiful highway in Costa Rica—driving right through the breathtaking cloud forests of Braulio Carrillo National Park!
Two other coastal towns along this route, Cahuita and Puerto Viejo, are also renowned for their stunning beaches. I purposely chose the latter, planning to transfer in Cahuita, spend a few days, and explore the surrounding area. Unfortunately, my perfect plan was foiled by the rainy season! The forecast predicted rain for the entire week. Faced with Costa Rica's notoriously high prices for food and accommodation, I decided to pack up after just one night and catch an early bus to Panama.
For my first stop in Panama, I planned to head straight to Bocas del Toro, a place famous for its gorgeous tropical islands. Getting there, however, was quite a hassle. I had to take a bus from the small border town of Guabito to the nearby transit hub of Changuinola, transfer to another bus heading to the port town of Almirante, and finally catch a ferry to the island!
Setting out early in the morning, I didn't arrive on the island until almost dusk! Luckily, I stumbled upon a special summer promotion for the ferry, meaning my round-trip tickets were completely free! The island itself gave off a vibe similar to Utila in Honduras, but on a larger and more touristy scale—and noticeably cleaner. Being on the Caribbean side, there’s a prominent Afro-Caribbean local community. Aside from Spanish, you'll often hear them speaking the region's widely used Creole!
Bocas del Toro reminds me a lot of Fiji, consisting of an archipelago of various-sized islands. While hanging out on the main island is fun, the most popular activity for visitors is taking a boat out to explore the surrounding islands. So, on my second day, I found a boat operator that looked decent and booked a full-day island-hopping tour.
Our first stop was a bay to wait for dolphins, as local dolphin pods supposedly come here every morning to feed. The moment dolphins were spotted, all the boat captains immediately killed their engines to avoid startling or harming them. The dolphins would periodically surface right next to our boats to breathe. The captains were incredibly skilled, maneuvering the boats without ever bumping into one another! Next, we headed to an overwater restaurant built right on the reefs for lunch and some snorkeling. Swimming among the mangroves and coral reefs after our meal, we saw countless schools of tropical fish, small sharks, and even sea turtles! Finally, we made our way to a pristine, uninhabited national park island with calm waters and white sand. The lush jungle islands of the Caribbean paired with the brilliant blue sky and crystal-clear waters made it feel like an absolute wonderland!
My days on the island were wonderfully laid-back. I spent my time sunbathing on different beaches, trekking through the jungle, and even tagging along with locals to swim at a beach completely covered in starfish. One night, a hostel roommate even dragged me out to experience an authentic Caribbean reggae party! All in all, I’d say Panama's islands offer the best value for money of anywhere I've traveled in Central America! The scenery easily beats Costa Rica at a fraction of the cost, and it's cleaner, more convenient, and more comfortable than Honduras or Nicaragua! It is hands down my top recommendation for a Central American island getaway.