PAUNCH BEACH
The laid-back surf hub of Isla Colón with punchy A-frame reef breaks, open-air jungle cafes, and shallow tidepools.
Paunch is the cultural hub of the Bocas surf scene. Located just 15 minutes north of Bocas Town along the eastern coastal road of Isla Colón, it's not a typical wide white-sand sunbathing beach. Instead, it's a rugged coastal strip where dense jungle meets fossilized coral shelves and rock tidepools. What makes Paunch famous is its world-class A-frame coral reef wave that peels fast lefts and hollow rights for intermediate and advanced surfers. Across the dirt road, cool open-air treehouse cafes, taco spots, and yoga studios are tucked right into the rainforest canopy, making it a great place to spend an afternoon drinking coffee, eating fish tacos, and watching surfers.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Take a shared van (colectivo) from Simón Bolívar park in Bocas Town to Boca del Drago (30 mins). From Drago dock, walk the flat 15-minute jungle path along the water or take a local lancha boat directly to the sand.
History & Origins
In October 1502, Christopher Columbus anchored his fleet just north at Boca del Drago to wait out heavy storms. The name "Drago" came from the dangerous dragon-like current in the outer channel, while Estrella remained a quiet indigenous fishing cove for centuries.
Real Talk & Safety
Never lift starfish out of the water—they breathe through tiny skin gills and suffocate in seconds. Also, bug spray and chemical sunscreens on your hands poison their skin. Admire them underwater with a mask.
