The Bocas del Toro region is part of the larger La Amistad area, which holds Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site statuses for its rich ecosystems, including the reefs of Panama’s Bastimentos National Marine Park. The waters are inhabited by a wonderful variety of tropical reef creatures including starfish, sting rays, nurse sharks, lobster, angel fish, parrot fish, damsel fish – the list is endless. Dive schools regularly visit up to 15 locations with depth ranges from 2 to 18 meters inside the bay area. Many centers offer try-dives, open water courses and education right through to dive master. Some dive sites include Crawl Cay, The Wreck, Hospital Point, Buoy Line, Playground and many more. The best time of year for diving is April-May and Sept-October but there is good visibility year round.

If time allows, do make the trip to Punta Brava across Mar Menor from La Manga. Some of the best views over the Strip (and Sierra Mineras on the other side) unfold from here, and hiking along the coast rewards with ever more landscape vistas. Trains to Cartagena depart from the nearby Los Nietos.

This Neo-Romanesque building, that gives the Cathedral Quarter its name, is full of impressive multi-coloured mosaics, and is sumptuously decorated with elegant marble. The church has been at the forefront of cross-community initiatives in recent years, hosting weekly 'heal our land' services for people of any denomination.

Situated in the lush setting of the Botanical Gardens, Ulster Museum is all about art, archaeology, local history and natural sciences. Come here and admire their fine permanent collection, as well as rotating exhibitions and events that promote diverse voices and new perspectives. Dinosaur bones, ancient weapons, meteorites, shoe exhibits, ship models, musical instruments, historical documents and jewellery; there's just a little bit of everything. The time period and the range of topics covered are extensive, so you might even want to visit the museum twice.