Zapatilla Cays
Two uninhabited islands with white sand and coconut palms, reached by boat from Bocas Town. A short trail crosses the larger cay, and the water around is good for snorkelling.
Bocas del Toro · Panama
Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park
Panama's first marine park in Bocas del Toro: the Zapatilla Cays, mangroves, coral reefs and beaches where turtles nest.
- Created in 1988
- About 13,000 ha, land and sea
- Visited by boat from Bocas Town
- Zapatilla Cays
- Entrance booked through MiAmbiente
About the park
Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park protects the north-eastern part of Bastimentos Island and the sea around it in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, on the Caribbean coast of Panama. It combines rainforest, mangroves, coral reefs, wild beaches and the two small Zapatilla Cays with white sand and palms.
Hawksbill, leatherback and green turtles nest on its beaches in season, and the forest is the home of the red frog, a strawberry-coloured poison-dart frog. Most visitors go on a boat tour from Bocas Town that combines the Zapatilla Cays, snorkelling, dolphins and a walk in the forest.
- The Zapatilla Cays, two small islands with white-sand beaches
- Snorkelling on coral reefs
- Beaches where turtles nest in season
- Rainforest with the red frog
Wildlife
Hawksbill, leatherback and green turtlesStrawberry poison-dart frogDolphinsSlothsReef fish and corals
What to see
Wizard Beach and Red Frog Beach
Two beaches on the north coast of Bastimentos, linked by a trail from the village of Old Bank. Red Frog Beach is the easiest to reach and the forest behind it is the home of the red frog.
Mangroves and reefs
The sheltered side of the island has mangroves and reefs that can be explored by boat, kayak or snorkelling.
Plan your visit
- Entrance
- Marine areas are in the higher price tier of the Panamanian system: foreign adults pay a fee set by the Ministry of Environment, which has been quoted between about $10 and $20 in recent years (children under 12 are free). The portal shows the price when you book.
- How to visit
- Boats and guides are booked in Bocas Town. Many boat tours include the entrance, but some do not; we state it in the quote.
- Turtle season
- Turtles nest on the beaches mostly in the warm months; the exact season depends on the species. Ask us for the best dates.
- Best time
- February to April and September to October are usually the driest and calmest months in Bocas del Toro.
- What to bring
- Swimwear, reef-safe sun protection, a hat, water, insect repellent and a waterproof bag.
Book your entrance online
Entrance to Panama's protected areas is sold online through the official MiAmbiente reservation portal: you choose the area and the date, enter the name and passport number of each visitor, and pay by card. You receive a code to show at the entrance.
If you book a tour or a stay with us, we can arrange the reservation for you.
Dates, areas and fees are approximate and based on published information from the Panamanian Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) and public guides; fees and rules can change. We confirm the current conditions when you book.
Getting there
By boat
Boats and water taxis leave from Bocas Town on Isla Colón. The Zapatilla Cays are about 40 minutes to an hour by boat, depending on the sea.
To Bocas del Toro
Domestic flights connect Bocas del Toro with Panama City, and a shared shuttle and water taxi connect it with Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica via the border at Sixaola. Ask us for a quote.
Tours in Bocas del Toro
Where to stay
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pay the park fee separately?
It depends on the tour. Some boat tours include it and some do not; we state it in the quote. You can also buy it online on the MiAmbiente portal.
Can I see turtles?
Turtles nest on the park's beaches in season, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Is it a day trip?
Yes, from Bocas Town. The Zapatilla Cays are often combined with snorkelling and dolphins.
Do I need a passport?
Yes. The reservation asks for the passport number of every visitor, and you need it for the border crossing from Costa Rica.