Bocas del Toro - a Remote Working Mini-Guide
Working at Selina, Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro is a small island located on the northern coast of the county. It’s popular among backpackers and remote workers—known for its surfing, wildlife, and beautiful coastline. If you’re looking for a relaxing, beautiful location to work remotely, that is also activity-filled, Bocas del Toro may be your next stop.
Where to stay
Depending on where you are staying, you can easily walk from the airport to the main strip in Isla Colon. If you’re staying on a different island, such as Bastimentos (Red Frog Beach) or Crisotobal Island, you’ll have to walk across the island and catch a boat to your final destination.
Isla Colon is the most happening island in Bocas del Toro. Here you will find the most restaurants, shops, accommodations, and the biggest party scene. If you want the resources that Isla Colon has to offer, but don’t want to be too far out in the middle of nowhere, I recommend staying in Isla Carenero. Isla Carenero is a small island right across the channel from Isla Colon. You can pay $1 USD to get a boat to ferry you across. This small island is home to several beautiful beaches is extremely calm and undeveloped compared to Isla Colon. This island is also home to one of our favorite restaurants, The Big Fish—where you can find vegan dishes and fresh fish sandwiches.
For a more relaxed and quieter vibe, consider staying at either Bastimentos (Red Frog Beach) or Crisotobal Island. Even if you don’t stay at one of these islands, they are both worth a visit and are easily accessible via boat.
Remote Working
Working remotely from Bocas del Toro is extremely doable. The main island, Isla Colon, will be your best bet for a consistent and strong internet connection. You can find a Selina here, where you can stay or just buy a pass into their coworking space. They have a good sized coworking space that boasts air conditioning, several desks, and a few private meeting spaces. Their high speed internet spreads across the whole property though, so you can also work while lounging by the water and drinking a smoothie from the Selina restaurant.
Remember that staying at Selina doesn’t grant you free access to their coworking space. While Selinas are a great chain hostel, they aren’t everyone’s speed. You can easily stay at another hostel or hotel in Isla Colon or across the channel on Isla Carenero, commuting to Selina each morning for work. Another option is Bocas Coworking, which offers private offices, meeting rooms, and communal space for networking and collaboration.
Surfing
Bocas del Toro may not be the first destination you think of as a surfing destination, but it’s actually home to some world-class surfing and there are several surf schools on the island. Playa Bluff is a popular spot which has waves for all surf levels. The most unique part about surfing in Bocas del Toro is hiring a local boat to drop you off at the break. If you’re a beginner, there are several surf schools on the island where you can rent boards and sign up for lessons.
Activities
If surfing isn’t your speed there is still plenty to get into on Bocas del Toro. You can relax along the beautiful beaches, snorkel and explore the coral reefs, or take a boat tour around the surrounding islands. You can also rent a bike on Isla Colon and explore the island on your own time, beach hopping along the way.
Be sure to spend a day exploring Bastimentos National Marine Park, where you can hike through the rainforest and see a variety of wildlife, including monkeys and sloths. Another favorite activities is a boat tour of the famous Red Frog Beach, named for the tiny red frogs that inhabit the area.
Getting Around
Getting around Bocas del Toro is both easy and affordable. On Isla Colon, you can rent a bike or scooter to explore the island on your own or you can hire a taxi. To explore the surrounding islands, water taxis are readily available, easy to grab, and affordable.
