Hostels in Isla Bastimentos, Panama

Isla Bastimentos, Panama, is an island in the province Bocas del Toro in the Caribbean West of Panama. Around one hundred twenty-five thousand people live in this province, whereas on Isla Bastimentos there are fewer than two thousand inhabitants. On the island, you find an unspoilt nature and the relaxing atmosphere that is not possible to find in the bustling streets of Bocas Town. Getting there from Bocas Town, it is only a ten-minute ride by water taxi, making the island an easy escape for backpackers; the easy access is the reason for the growing popularity among tourists. A large part of the island belongs to the Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos.

The Isla Bastimentos, Panama hostels, apartments, and guesthouses on the island are mostly situated in the northwest, facing Isla Carenero. They are not located inside the national park. For the size of the island, the offering of places to stay is numerous. Tourists can choose from a variety of Isla Bastimentos, Panama hostels, apartments, and guesthouses that meet their expectations. The level of hostels in Isla Bastimentos, Panama is good -- the guests are generally satisfied with the offered services. Most guesthouses and apartments boast a good quality, as well. These places combine the typical island lifestyle with simple and clean comfort.

The Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park (in Spanish, Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos) was established in the late eighties as Panama's first national marine park. The park protects one hundred thirty islands of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, including caiman, monkeys, sloths, crocodile, and twenty-eight species of amphibians and reptiles. In particular, the Cayos Zapatillas (in English, Shoe Cays) are well worth seeing -- they resemble a pair of shoes and are two island refuges for birds, mammals, reptiles, and coral reefs. They are also popular with turtles that use the area as nesting place. If you look for a beautiful and quiet remote beach, check out Wizard Beach -- you can get there by a footpath through the wilderness from Old Bank in dry weather.