Some say it was named by one of it's earliest and most famous visitors, Christopher Colombus.  Others claim Bocas Del Toro, or "Mouths of the Bull" describe's the shape of the outlying islands as one enters the archipeleago from the open sea.

While islands such as Isla Colon and Isla Cristobal certainly bear the name of perhaps the most storied explorer in history, the name Bocas Del Toro remains a bit of a mystery.

Such a mysterious label is only befitting of this magical place, situated about 15 miles south of the Costa Rican border, although "the land that time forgot" is probably just as deserving.

The town's first documented colonization stemmed from the relocation of the United Fruit Company to Isla Colon in the early 1900s.  A booming banana trade brought transplants from Jamaica as well as indigenous people from the Panamanian mainland to find steady employment.  As an infrastructure worthy of North American standards was created, the banana trade flourished and the town of Bocas was born, replete with it's government center and colorful, wooden, colonial style houses.  As the United Fruit Company, which later became known as Chiquita, moved to the mainland, the quaint wooden town of Bocas was left behind to soak up the sun and Caribbean breezes.

Visitors now will find Bocas in a state of flux.  While still retaining it's unique, multi-cultural charm and early colonial, Caribbean flair, Bocas is on the verge of experiencing a small development and tourism boom.  While there are no large resorts in Bocas, small eco-hotels and "once-in-a-life-time dream homes" are dotting the coastlines as people around the world slowly discover the marine and rain forest wonder that is Bocas Del Toro. 

Building here is an arduous process so finding something turn-key is a rare opportunity.  With it's lack of hurricanes and consistently warm weather, new interest in Bocas Del Toro is generated by the minute and on any given day people are finding that last great bargain in the Caribbean!

Like to Eat??? Click here for Bocas Restaurant Review!

Click here to email owner for more information