Cays Zapatillas, Bocas del Toro, Panama in nature, article nr. 13920

Bocas del Toro is the capital of the Panamanian province of Bocas del Toro and the district of Bocas del Toro. It is a town and a tourist resort located on the southern tip of Isla Colon in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. The town has resorts, many specializing in ecotourism and All Inclusive tourism. Bocas del Toro had 3,139 residents in 2000 (12 years ago). The city does not have filtered or treated water, and visitors are highly discouraged from drinking anything but bottled water.

Population and tourism

Relatively few Panamanians live on the island, opting for cheaper housing on the mainland. Mainland residents working on Isla Colon travel by boat. Bocas del Toro is a popular tourist destination year-round. Tourists choose Bocas del Toro because of its white sand beaches, ecological parks, diving keys, restaurants and food, nightclubs, attractions, tematic parks, shops and markets along the beach and downtown. Tourists come from North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia alike. The area provides excellent scuba diving and snorkeling.

Bocas del Toro is small enough that most places are within walking distance. The bank, tourist information office, ferry docks, and police station are located on Calle 1. Numerous businesses are located along Calle 3. The streets are arranged in a grid. Avenidas (avenues) run east-west and calles (streets) run north-south. Avenidas are named, south to north, Avenida A (Avenue A) to Avenida H. Avenida H follows the northern beach. Callesare numbered from east to west. Calle 3 is the main street. Avenida Central crosses Calle 3 at Simon Bolivar Park (Parque Simon Bolivar).