Fly direct to Panama City (PTY) from several major U.S. hubs on Copa Airlines. Then catch Air Panama's or Aeroperlas Regional's hour-plus flight at Panama City's domestic airport (PAC) to Bocas Town (BOC) on Isla Colón. copaair.com; flyairpanama.com; aeroperlas.com
Stay at the Eclypse de Mar Acqua Lodge on the northern tip of Bastimentos. Four overwater bungalows offer sunset views and open-air suites that sleep up to 4 people. Explore the property's nature reserve where you'll find red frogs hopping among banana trees, pineapple plants and even wild orchids. Rates start at $180, eclypsedemar.com. Popa Paradise Beach Resort offers beachfront as well as oceanfront cottages on the otherwise undeveloped Isla Popa. Paddle a kayak to the reef for snorkeling. Rates start at $215. popaparadisebeachresort.com
Shop for molas in Bocas Town. A booth at the end of the main shopping strip sells these exquisite story-telling tapestries, which are handmade by the Kuna Indians. Search through the piles of tabloid-size cloths -- each one unique -- for the perfect mix of neon colors & nature-themed shapes. Cloths start at about $20.
Eat a mix of Panamanian and Caribbean specialties throughout the archipelago. In Old Bank, a West Indian village on the west coast of Bastimentos, try Roots, a local hangout serving Balboa beer and even Creole-style fish. Red Rooster is an expat-founded restaurant whose varied menu features fresh wahoo and Caribbean lobster. In Bocas Town, munch on fried plantains and seafood salad at The Reef Restaurant.
See Bocas by boat. Take a water taxi to Bird Island, at the north end of the archipelago, and stop at Boca del Drago for a beach- side lunch and Starfish Beach, where the stars dot the shallows. Boat south to Zapatillas for snorkeling and picnicking.
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