Activities

Popa Paradise offers a wide selection of excursions designed for our guests to experience the beautiful, sparsely populated islands of Bocas del Toro. We can tailor each experience to your specific interests, or you can join us in a planned activity. Prices vary for our off-site excursions, and all are weather-dependent.

The restaurant, swim-up bar and pool are open to day guests. As a courtesy we ask that you call ahead of time so that we may prepare for your arrival.

Water Activities

Explore the undersea world

Snorkeling here is spectacular, with crystal clear waters, only a few hundred meters from our shore.  The average sea temperature is 82 degrees year round. Snorkel gear is available at no charge to our guests and the fun starts right off our beach. Like a giant aquarium, clouds of colorful tropical fish inhabit our reefs. Lobster and crab populate the coral. Larger fish patrol the slightly deeper water fronting our reef system. Don’t be surprised to see turtles, big amberjack, harmless nurse sharks, or a playful dolphin! From beginner through advanced swimmers, snorkeling in the Caribbean reefs can keep you busy for weeks.

Kayak Safari

We maintain a fleet of single and double kayaks.  There are literally miles upon miles of calm waters to explore right from our shore. Sandy beaches, abundant coral heads, and tiny islands are all in waters less than 15 feet deep. Disappear for a half or full day and lose yourself in the beauty of it all. We can pack an ice chest with snacks, lunch, and cold drinks for your kayak cruising pleasure.

Kayak Fishing

We have all the gear for kayak fishing, all you have to do is get the fish to bite! Great fishing starts right off our beach. There are too many species to name, but our favorites are pargo, mero, and barracuda.

Guided Fishing

Bocas fishing ranges from reef fishing and trolling outside our offshore reef, to deeper sea fishing with charters available. We can also hire a shaded panga for guided fishing trips.  Gabriel, our local Bocas fishing guide and captain, grew up fishing these waters. He knows every hotspot for miles and loves to share his knowledge.

Surfing

Bocas del Toro offers some great surfing, set in beautiful, picturesque locations.  There are a wide variety of surf spots around the archipelago from beach breaks to clean point breaks. Clear, warm waters and green tropical islands provide the canvas for days of shredding the best waves in the Caribbean Sea.  Our boats can take you to Bocas town where there are surf schools and shops.

Land Activities

Popa Paradise offers a variety of on-island activities as well. We have several board games and ball games for our guests. We also have a pool table and ping-pong. We have a beach volleyball court, great for sunset games with the staff.

Hike our jungle trail, which leads into primary rainforest, where you can see green tree frogs, sloths and birds. We provide the Wellington boots and local guide.

Our spa offers massage by appointment. We also have a DVD Library, book exchange and Satellite TV for those days when you just feel like lounging in the cool A/C of your casita.

Families

Popa Paradise Beach Resort is a perfect location for anything from small family vacations to family reunions.  We have a variety of activities to keep children entertained, from pool activities to swimming in the gentle ocean, shelling, or exploring nature in the jungle, kids never find an end to the fun here.

Weddings

Popa Paradise is the destination in Bocas del Toro for a tropical, beach wedding. Whether it is a barefoot beach wedding ceremony or a formal tux and tails event, the staff and facilities are more than happy to accommodate all your needs. Contact us for availability and begin planning your wedding package in paradise today!

Off-Site Excursions

Join us on a day trip around the area, and explore the beautiful islands of the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Below are a few examples of excursions offered. Tours can be customized based upon your interest, and are priced accordingly. We provide a packed lunch, snacks and beverages for our guests and a guide. All of our day trips are weather dependent.

The Zapatilla Cays

A part of the Bastimentos Marine National Park and just two miles off our beach lie the incomparable Zapatilla Cays. These are two uninhabited islands, each about a mile long, ringed by sandy beaches, virgin reefs, and some of the clearest water known to man. Imagine hardly a soul in sight, wandering the shoreline in search of shells or following nature trails in the interior. Gently swaying palms provide shade for your lounge chair, ice chest, and personally prepared lunch and refreshment choices. Eat your heart out Robinson Caruso; this is what the Popa Paradise experience is all about!

Bastimentos Island

Located a few miles North, Bastimentos is the largest island in the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Sparsely populated, there are no roads, and primary rainforest descends to all shores. The side facing Popa and the Caribbean Sea feature several miles of sandy beaches and rocky shoreline perfect for a picnic or sunset stroll. Tour Salt Creek, a native Ngobe Bugle village, and shop for native crafts, or we can arrange a trip through the jungle to Playa Larga beach where the shelling can be fabulous!

Dolphin Bay and Snorkeling

Get your cameras out, as we head over to Dolphin Bay, a playground and natural sanctuary for our underwater cousins. Keep an eye out for dolphins as their natural curiosity and need for fresh air drive them to the surface for excellent photo opportunities. After a break for a picnic lunch on the boat, we head over to Cayo Coral, to snorkel from the boat over pristine reef in calm waters.

Land & Sea Tour

This tour provides insight to Bocas del Toro below and above the waterline. First stop is the indigenous village of Popa Dos, known by its Guyami name Sandubidi. The Ngobe-Bugle villagers are our closest neighbors and their resident fisherman provide a majority of our food here at the resort. We tour the Ngobe-Bugle village, accompanied by the American Peace Corps Volunteer who lives there and can even take a hike up to a lookout on Isla Popa. A local women’s group provides jewelry and handi-crafts for sale.

Bocas Town

The gateway to the archipelago, Bocas Town is a funky Caribe town that has a unique blend of Creole, Panamanian, and international influences. We can arrange a shuttle to let you enjoy the warm friendly atmosphere of town, do some shopping, and perhaps grab a meal at one of the many fine waterfront restaurants. It’s a great town to watch people , meet fellow adventurers, and watch the boats go by. Our sister hotel, Bocas Paradise Hotel is built over the water and offers 30 rooms, an incredible restaurant, and a wonderful bar with some of the best views in Bocas. It sets the bar for Bocas accommodations!

Customized Tours

Snorkeling and beach combing at Playa Polo, checking out the hordes of starfish at Starfish Beach, birdwatching at Isla Pajaro (Bird Island), exploring bat caves at Isla Bastimentos, dancing to reggae in the Afro-Caribe town of Old Bank, or surfing at some of the best spots in the Carribean Sea are more fun options. We have a number of exciting and incredible adventure tours to offer based on your interest.