Things to see and do Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos

This beach, located between Red Frog and Playa Larga, is also very little frequented although it is accessible on foot and by sea in good weather. It is named after Polo, who decided more than 40 years ago to escape from civilization and settle here. Today, he is considered both a marginal and a living legend, and he contributes to the welcoming of this remote beach. He cooks very well and sells beers but it is not possible to sleep there anymore. Ask about the security conditions if you go there on foot.

More than a 3-hour walk from the village of Bastimentos and 1.5 hours from Red Frog Beach, this beach, which is part of the Bastimentos Marine National Park, is only accessible by foot to the most courageous. A challenging 6-hour day hike consists of a loop from Red Frog to Salt Creek via Playa Larga. Lanchas can go there but only when the sea is calm. It is possible to camp there and of course to surf. The turtles come to lay their eggs at night between May and August.

The two small islands of Cayo Zapatilla 1 and Cayo Zapatilla 2 are best visited for the marine life around them (trees, hard coral and a great diversity of fish). After snorkeling, the tours take you to one of the two islands where you can walk along the path and swim on the paradisiacal and completely virgin beaches with crystal clear waters. The western island (Zapatilla Menor) is the refuge and nesting place of the green sea turtles, Baula and Carey, which scientists come to observe.

Nívida, the bat cave, is accessible from Bahía Honda. There are stalactites and, as the name suggests, bats hanging from the ceiling, as well as crickets and spiders. In some places, the water can reach up to the chest. A dark and eerie place, but not dangerous. During the trip, the boat passes through the mangrove and allows to see caimans and sloths. A Ngäbe family lives nearby and welcomes visitors for a typical and very good lunch.

It is a beach located at the very end of the island, a little more confidential and accessible by foot from Salt Creek for example for good walkers who can go there with or without a guide. It is of course possible to swim there, to practice snorkeling and, for the experienced surfers in high season, to take the waves. You will be accompanied by the pelicans that gave the name to this beach and that particularly appreciate the life in the Caribbean from the two rocky promontories that face the coast.