ZAPATILLA BEACH
Two uninhabited national park islands of blinding white coral sand, turquoise water, and healthy barrier reefs.
Cayos Zapatilla are two small, uninhabited islands (Zapatilla 1 and Zapatilla 2) located out in the open sea inside the protected Bastimentos National Marine Park. If you’ve seen postcard photos of Bocas with blinding white sand, turquoise water, and leaning coconut palms with nothing else around, it was almost certainly taken here. Because they are protected park islands, there are no hotels, roads, shops, or bars. Boats anchor in the shallows on the calm leeward side and you wade ashore. You can walk around the entire island in about 35 minutes along a sandy trail, swim in crystal-clear water, or snorkel the outer coral reefs where sea turtles and nurse sharks feed.
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.
