Bocas del Toro, Panama, is one of the coolest places you’ve never heard of. Located in the extreme northwestern corner of Panama, it is between the border with Costa Rica and the Caribbean Sea. This Panamanian province offers everything great about visiting and living in Panama. However, it doesn’t have the crowds of Panama City or the more established resorts.

The province has two distinct sections: a continental side and an archipelago stretching into the Caribbean. It offers opportunities to explore the mountains and jungles or enjoy the beaches. Combined with this idyllic natural paradise is a gastro, mixology, and nightlife. After days of enjoying the mountains or beaches, you have a vibrant party scene to explore.

These features make Bocas del Toro one of the hottest new tourist destinations. Beyond that, it’s also becoming popular among digital nomads and other professionals looking for a great place to get stuck. Compared to what Key West was like in the 70s, Bocas del Toro has a laid-back, prototypical tropical vibe. It’s like something you might imagine in a Jimmy Buffet song. If you were looking for what people think of when they think of the tropics, this is it.

Moreover, it’s only a 45-minute plane ride from Panama City and has its own international airport. The past decade has seen a thriving hospitality industry grow here. It particularly targets Millennials and Gen-Zers with a great eco-friendly and environmentally conscious lifestyle. Additionally, it is an ideal landing spot for people with the wanderlust of digital nomads. Bocas del Toro can also be good for young people who are still searching for where they belong.

Read on as we explore why Bocas del Toro is quickly becoming a favorite among digital nomads.

Bocas del Toro: The Latest Hotspot for Digital Nomads

Your Prototypical Tropical Paradise

Three main islands and hundreds of uninhabited islands make up Bocas del Toro’s archipelago. Isla Colón is the archipelago’s most developed island, home to Bocas Town. This rustic and colorful town is the only one in the archipelago with paved roads, so getting around town is relatively easy. It also has many options for lodging and vacations with amenities such as Wi-Fi and easy access to beaches. The town has everything from bungalows and hostels to luxury hotels. Isla Colón has the best nightlife, restaurants, stores, banks, and other day-to-day services.

A 2-minute water ferry ride away from Isla Colón is Isla Carenero. It only takes an hour to walk around the entire circumference of the island utilizing a walking path. The path takes a little longer, but it’s worth it. Walking along the path will take you by beaches, bars, and surfing spots. The other main island of the archipelago is Isla Bastimentos. Bastimento National Marine Park, Panama’s first marine park, can be found on Isla Bastimentos, and the wildlife draws many visitors. Meanwhile other Isla Bastimentos highlights are the pristine beaches largely untouched by human hands. It also has some of the most sought-after waves in the Western Hemisphere for surfing.

Bocas del Toro’s continental side boasts greenery as far as the eye can see. Most of it is now a nature preserve. It is part of the protected areas of La Amistad International Park and the Bosque Protector de Palo Seco. The Naso Tjër Di is a local indigenous community with land protected from development. That leaves a lot of open space for people who love to hike, explore, and spend time in the jungle.

An Organically Developed Community

The eco-friendly nature of Bocas del Toro is one of the main draws for Millennial and Gen-Z digital nomads. They also like the laid-back, tropical vibes the area exudes.

Bocas is also no stranger to international trade, which goes back centuries. As the Spanish and Portuguese colonized the region, Bocas was the halfway point between southernmost Mexico and South America’s northern coasts. The coastline’s geography and topography made it an ideal resting spot for the ships of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In the early 20th century, Chiquita had tens of thousands of people living and working in Bocas del Toro. As a result, communities grew in the area.

Lastly, one of the most beautiful things about Bocas del Toro is that it developed organically over centuries. It’s not some pre-planned tourist development or resort that locks you into their version of paradise. While packed with hotels, Bocas Town is still a small Central American town. For example, you’ll find brightly colored shanties and kids playing baseball. It has dusty roads in front of locally owned and established bars, restaurants, and shops. This is why, Bocas Town is an authentic community that more independently minded Millennials and Gen Zers will appreciate and gravitate toward. Not only that but the town is relaxed and loose, with no structure to conform to. It is what independent contractors and remote workers dream of: to set their schedules and experience the dream of tropical living.

Why Digital Nomads Should Consider Bocas del Toro, Panama

To put it succinctly, Bocas del Toro is the perfect spot for a digital nomad to spend a few weeks or months. There are accommodations with Wi-Fi, multiple restaurants and bars, and unbeatable weather. Here are some things to consider.

• Natural Beauty: The entire Panamanian nation has natural beauty, but Bocas del Toro is a place that offers everything that Panama has. You can find mountains, jungles, ocean and sandy beaches.
• Work-Life Balance: People become digital nomads to set their own schedules. Bocas del Toro is the perfect place to plug in and work hard for however long you need to. Once you’ve finished work, you can unplug and enjoy this beautiful locale’s benefits.
• Affordability: Panama uses the US dollar as its currency. That means no worries about the exchange rate, and the cost of living is favorable. Bocas Town has hotels and hostels that can suit anyone’s needs.
• Infrastructure: Along those same lines, the province recently underwent a massive infrastructure realignment. Underwater cables connect it to the national grid, improving the Wi-Fi speed. That makes it even better for remote workers.
• Easy Access: The local international airport makes it easy to get to Panama City. From there, most places in the US are easy plane rides away.
• A Growing Community: The secret is out on Bocas del Toro. Digital nomads are flocking here for all the reasons above. Now, there are opportunities for networking and socializing.

If there is one thing you need to worry about as a digital nomad spending time in Bocas del Toro, you might find yourself having too much fun. That is not an exaggeration. People have mentioned that there is so much to do and many places to eat and drink. They also talk about the many outdoor activities to explore. It can make it easy to get distracted from the work you’re there to do. That’s why work-life balance is key. Get your work done, and then enjoy everything that makes Bocas del Toro special.

Do you want a little Key West, a little Maui, a little South Beach, and a little Rio? Bocas del Toro, Panama, has everything on your wish list. The Agency Panama is here to help you realize that dream. Click here to find out how we can make your Panama dreams come true.