For a post we did a couple of years ago about nightlife in Bocas del Toro, click here...

Hello fellow travelers and adventure seekers, Jaleesha here with some useful tips for when you’re planning your next trip to Bocas del Toro, Panama. As a Language Travel Consultant for Habla Ya Spanish Schools, I have the opportunity to help future students plan their Panamanian vacation. Being so, I have to make sure that I'm an expert in my field So when it came to the Bocas’ nightlife, I did some hands on research! Yes, that means I sampled a bunch of cocktails, hit the dancefloors and ended up having countless sleepless nights, all in the name of science (well, not really, but it sounds legit!). And, what I found would not only help students receive the full Bocas experience and party hard on the weekends, but I'm sure this advice will be useful for anyone on any day of the week for that matter!

Group of friends hanging out at TungaBar

Isla Colon, Bocas del Toro is a very popular destination within Panama. This island has steadily grown within tourism over the past few years and within tourism comes the night life. Everybody who is looking to get away from the norm and step out of their ordinary lifestyle for a bit is also looking for a way to relax and let their hair down, so to speak (unless you really want to let it down, we have no problem with that either!). Bars, clubs, bars that turn into clubs, hostels that have bars that turn into clubs and everything in between, the islands of Bocas del Toro can provide you with the party scene you’re looking for. From themed parties to simple "girls (and guys!) just wanna have fun!" parties, you are sure to find your groove. So, let’s dive right into the many different "party animal" scenes that Bocas del Toro has to offer and see why this location has been growing ever so popular over the past years.

Aqua Lounge

Aqua Lounge is a hostel, bar, club and water amusement park! Well, the latter is a little exaggerated, but they do have a slide and swings that catapult you into the built in ocean pool. This lounge charges a $5 cover to enter on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but not to worry, it includes a drink of your choice. Providing you with an indoor dance floor and outdoor patio overlooking the waters to neighboring islands, this is a party you have to see to believe. With only 2 nights of the week being their main party nights, it’s safe to infer that ¨go hard or go home¨ is their motto. With the Top 40 mix being their specialty in music choice, you are sure to keep your hips moving throughout the night. In contrast to Iguana Bar and their all lady staff bartenders, here at Aqua Lounge the ladies are able to take the night off and see some ab action behind the bar. Full male staff serving up drinks, shirtless and tattooed! What more could you ask for ladies? Good music, handsome men serving up strong drinks and a lively environment, 2 nights a week is all you need on this island to satisfy your island hopping experience. Even though Aqua Lounge is known to get the party going on Saturday nights, back across the waters on Isla Colon, Barco Hundido Bar is sure to keep the party going well into the wee hours as well.

Barco Hundido

Banco Hundido, literal translation "sunken ship" because when you walk onto the deck, you can see portions of a sunken ship under the bar. Cool, right? This element only adds to the great experience that you will have while here. Although this bar is open throughout the week, Saturdays have been dubbed the "go to" night. On Saturdays, the bar stays open until 4am, and even longer if the party scene is that good! The music of choice is reggae/dancehall, but you can also find a good mix of other genres as well. The Caribbean vibes are in full effect here, from bachata and merengue to soca and Panamanian plena music, you are sure to get the genuine Caribbean experience here at Barco Hundido. Ladies drink for free from 10pm - 12am and local beers are only $2. So come with the intentions to have a great time because they won’t settle for anything less. Dance the night away on the dance floor or take a dive into the ocean with the built in pool, the choice is yours and the night is young so do as you please!

Tunga Bar

Honorary mention on this list as Tunga Bar closed after several years of serving the tourist and local community of Bocas del Toro as a small locally owned business.

First stop, TungaBar! This small quaint dive bar is located right in the heart of town. As soon as you enter this bar, you are greeted with statues and paintings of the Tungara frog dressed in surfer paraphernalia, all adding to the relaxed environment. With the Top 40 playlist mixed with some old school hip hop playing in the background, party seekers are sure to enjoy themselves. With a strong cocktail, cold local Panamanian beer (Panama or Balboa) or even choose from the extensive list of imported beers that they have to offer, it’s your night so make the best of it! This dive bar is definitely the spot to begin your night with good company, rocking music and savory alcoholic beverages. Next, we head down the main road to Iguana Bar.

Bars not mentioned

Please don't party in a place where almost everyone who works there is not a Panamanian or a legally established expat who now calls Panama their home. If the business is not providing jobs to the local population, then our community is certainly not benefiting from your patronage to this business. Corporations who do not include the local population's welfare in prosperity creation are destructive and harmful to communities as ours in Bocas del Toro. Please party with people who make sure to really improve the local welfare. If 10 out of 10 of the bartenders are not Panamanians (even if they're really good looking and young), then the party isn't boosting the local community. Your cute bartender is probably a tourist getting some extra cash to keep traveling more or staying more time without breaking the bank in our stunning home. .

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