In this article, we divulge the best places to party, have a drink, and have some fun when the sun goes down on this little Caribbean paradise of Panama.
If you enjoy vibrant nightlife, Bocas del Toro is the perfect place to spend your vacation. With a wide variety of bars, Caribbean nightclubs, live music, and places to dine out, this archipelago appeals to all types of socializers. Whether you wish to have a good time with some friends or enjoy a night as a couple, the Bocas Town bars, oceanfront restaurants, and clubs are at your service.
To plan your nighttime Bocas del Toro activities, the first thing you should know is that there are nightlife options every night since Bocas is an essential tourist location as well as a vacation spot. Be it Monday, Friday, or even Sunday, there is always something to do in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Furthermore, and to make it even better, most of the nightly options are very close to our hotel, Bocas Divers Paradise. This means that you can easily walk back to your room at the end of the night or take a short taxi if you wish. One way or another, get ready to enjoy nights filled with the perfect combination of great music, great vibes, delicious drinks, incredible landscapes, and beautiful people.
In order to start the night off right, we recommend enjoying happy hour at Pier 19, our incredible bar with ocean views, calm vibes, and a relaxing atmosphere. We encourage you to also please take advantage of our special happy hour prices from 5:00 pm to 07:00 pm. From two-for-one national beer and glasses of red and white wine to margaritas and caipirinhas among other choices, who could resist? Also, if you want to pair your drinks with an appetizer, you can indulge in our “tapas” for only $8 and enjoy house options such as patatas bravas and shrimp tacos. Or, you can enjoy some cocktails before dinner and try our delicious Caribbean meals. If your wish is to commence your night with a taste of Panama, we promise that we can deliver. Don’t forget to follow us on our social media so you don’t miss our wine-tasting events. We are open every day from 7:30 am to 10:00 pm, check our menu here.
If you prefer to enjoy nighttime escapades, you should be able to tell already that happy hour is only the beginning of the fun and that the range of options in Bocas del Toro to continue your adventures is virtually endless. Where you will go after cocktails will likely depend on the day of the week that it is…
On the other side of town, you will find Barco Hundido. If you want to know and enjoy what true Panamanian dance looks and sounds like, then Barco Hundido is the right place for you. It is the bar most frequented by locals by far and stays open well into the morning for those who like to party until the sun comes up. Don’t forget to try the original Italian pizza which is made every day from 5 pm. As the night dances on, people come here when their parties have ended at other bars but their energy is still going strong. Reggaeton singers often visit the island and play live at Barco Hundido to pair with the frequent dance duels between local girls. Although this bar is open throughout the week, Saturdays are usually people’s favorite night to go. While reggae and dancehall usually reign supreme at this spot, you can also find a good mix of other genres such as merengue, salsa, and bachata. Every Tuesday night the “Afro Club Bocas” has a special event.
In Bocas Town, “Rush Bocas” is one of the most frequented nightclubs and the biggest for dancing. They have a great ocean view, play varied music, and have a capacity for up to 900 people. It is open as a disco on Monday and Wednesday from 10:00 p.m. Its cocktail bar is named MARIA by RUSH and it’s open every day from 3:00 pm, you will be able to enjoy unique cocktails made with special recipes. They also do the very famous monthly event FULL MOON PARTY, where you can dance in the middle of the ocean – literally, enjoying a cool night sea breeze and a sky surrounded by stars. Great DJs participate and sometimes there is also live music instead of the DJ. It starts early around 4:00 pm and lasts until 12:00 am.
Thursdays in Bocas del Toro means Reggae Night. Reggae Night is one of the favorite programs of the locals and it happens at Aqua Lounge, located at Isla Carenero. Starting at 10:00 pm, Reggae Night flaunts $2 beers and a night full of dance, Caribbean vibes, and Bocas flavor. It’s an informal, laid-back party attended by people from town and from all over the world. The most important thing on Reggae Night is to dress comfortably since we guarantee you will be dancing the night away. Many tourists also frequent it for its good atmosphere and quality service.
Surely you have already heard about Filthy Friday, one of the most recognized parties in all of Panama – and for good reason! It is an island-hopping adventure in which you go from one island of the archipelago to another island and yet another, all the while drinking and dancing at different bars together with locals and tourists from all over the world. It starts at 11:30 am and ends at 9:00 pm. Inside the party, there are also fun games to try out, like inflatable races and challenges with various prizes. People usually reserve their tickets in advance online to ensure their spot. For only $30, your Filthy Friday ticket includes entry to three bars on three different tropical islands, boat transportation between the other islands, and free shots to enjoy with friends.
Each of these places has different promotions that vary each week. From lady’s night to free shots and free tickets if you can arrive early to the nightlife. To get you in the know about the daily promotions there are always different young women handing out flyers on the main street of Bocas Town starting at 5:00 pm. If you want to know which is the most convenient place to visit, you only have to walk a block away from our hotel and someone will invite you to their favorite disco.
If you are visiting this region, you absolutely should not miss the opportunity to enjoy the incredible nightlife, and then share with us what you think! Come, relax, and bring your Caribbean dance moves.
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