As in any coastal destination, seafood is the star in Bocas del Toro. From high-end to popular local street vendors, Bocas del Toro offers a little bit of everything. Popular dishes are “pulpo” (octopus) and “patacones” (fried plantains) among other Caribbean specialties. Many restaurants are on the water making the experience a scenic and entertaining one.

Igidae Coastal Walk makes for a wonderful hike along the shore of the Sea of Japan. The path itself is of moderate difficulty, with some parts featuring pedestrian bridges and others running directly through natural terrain. The entire path is about 4km long and should take about 2 hours to complete in its entirety, but there are access points along the way which you can use to cut through to a nearby bus stop. The trail can be done both north to south and vice versa, although heading north is reportedly easier and comes with an added bonus of finishing the hike at the scenic Oryukdo Skywalk, standing on a see-through platform and looking down onto the rocky shore.

Jim Thompson was an American entrepreneur who helped revive Thailand’s silk industry in the 1950s and 60s. His home, a cluster of traditional teak houses moved from around the country and reassembled here, is now a museum filled with his collection of Asian art, antiques, and textiles. The guided tour is the only way to see inside, and it’s worth it for the stories about Thompson’s life and mysterious disappearance in 1967, which still hasn’t been solved. The garden café and small silk shop round out your visit.

Good old rock and roll, a cold beer, great food, a dartboard, live music, and your favourite sports game on the TV… what else do you need?