Bocas Del Toro

A Caribbean archipelago of mangrove islands and calm waters, cosmopolitan Bocas del Toro is the country's most popular marine location with visitors. The largest island, Colon, contains Bocas town, with its shops, bars, restaurants and numerous small hotels. Offshore there are other islands, including Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park with its reefs for snorkelling and diving, one or two restaurants and a few hotels of varying standard. Sloths and monkeys can be seen on Colon, and of particular interest is the local endemicity of red dendrobates poison dart frogs, with various colourations found on different islands.

Punta Caracol

On an outlying mangrove island and the most upmarket option for accommodation in the area, this small boutique resort has a few comfortable, over-the-water bungalows connected by a walkway, good snorkelling on the surrounding coral heads, a pleasant restaurant serving great cooking, and a romantic getaway ambience.