Must-See in Bocas Del Toro, Panama: Red Frog Beach
December 14, 2019
I wasn’t THE biggest fan of Bocas Del Toro, but I will never forget my trip to Red Frog Beach. When it comes to secluded jungle beaches, this is a true hidden gem amongst the Caribbean coast. I have another blog post about the best activities in Bocas, but if you could only pick one, I’d 100% recommend Red Frog Beach!
Bocas Del Toro’s Hidden Paradise: Red Frog Beach
Here’s why I loved it so much:
After an amazing 30 min. boat ride (from Isla Colón to Isla Bastimentos) that takes you through the calm waters of the Archipelago, you arrive at a small wooden dock amidst the jungle. For a minute I was confused, as there was no beach in sight! However, it quickly became clear that we had to hike through the national park for another 20 min. before we’d reach our destination.
The hike takes you through the Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park, where you pay a 5$ fee at the entrance. Considering the well-maintained trail and the breathtaking views, I’d say this small contribution was absolutely worth it. Though short, I loved the hike because there was no other soul in sight. It was just us and the jungle and we discovered some really cool plants. I mean, check out this bamboo tree!
I couldn’t believe my eyes when we finally reached Red Frog Beach. For starters, it was HUGE. There were hardly any people around. The sand ticked off all the boxes (white, soft & clean), the ocean was vibrant and the perfect shade of blue.
What to do once you’re there:
I’m not the kind of person that takes a seat the minute I arrive on a beach. I automatically start walking in whatever direction that looks the most interesting, in hopes of finding some hidden path or a cool view point. I was lucky this time, as I found a wooden pathway in between the rocks that led to a small plaza with a table and some chairs. At this point I wondered if I’d entered someone’s property, because it was just the perfect little hideout. After taking a gazillion pictures, I did eventually take a seat and let myself be blown away by the view.
Of course, the real fun still had to commence: going for a swim in this wild and crazy ocean. Don’t expect to go for a relaxing float-around with your eyes closed, cause that’s just not going to happen. The waves are high and the current is strong. To me, going further than where you can stand in an ocean like this means drifting off never to return again. Okay, dramatic much. But still, don’t go too far. It’s super fun and exciting though, there’s so much energy in these waves and it’s amazing to be a part of that.
After being soaked in sun and sea salt for hours on end, I decided to cool off in the shade with a drink. For once, I broke my low-budget backpacker rules and splurged on a cocktail… It was worth it.
One of the great things about blogging is that you get to relive your memories, so I really enjoyed writing this blog post, as it was truly such an amazing experience! Let me know in the comments if I’ve been able to convince you Red Frog Beach in Bocas del Toro is worth a visit 🙂
