Welcome to Cocovivo, a unique paradise for the curious and adventurous. Cocovivo is not your typical hotel; it is an eco-retreat designed to offer nature-seekers a more immersive experience of Bocas del Toro, both in the water and in the jungle. Many activities here at Cocovivo are free, but for a deeper connection to the area, we recommend signing up for one of our carefully crafted tours, unique to Cocovivo!
Free Activities
Snorkeling
The reef at Cocovivo is one of our best kept secrets. Not only is right on your doorstep, it's one of the healthiest and happiest stretches of coral in all of Bocas del Toro. To make it as accessible as possible for guests, we offer basic complimentary snorkeling gear in a wide variety of sizes. The snorkel gear can be found at the Reef Center, which -- as the name suggests -- is also the launching point for swimming and snorkeling. Please do not touch the reef, both for conservation reasons and for your own, as there are many sea urchins ready to give you a spiky splinter.
Stand Up Paddleboarding and Kayaking
One of the best ways to experience Cocovivo is by water. We have a selection of complimentary standup paddle boards and kayaks for exploring our little lagoon. Don't be surprised if a school of dolphins splashes by you; they also love it here! For a midday snack, paddle across the lagoon to Ernie's Chicken shack for a local fried chicken treat (if you don't see it immediately, ask the locals!).
Hiking around our 55 acre grounds
Cocovivo began as a reforestation project and now our jungle is teeming with life. Slip on some closed-toed shoes and explore to your heart's content. Keep an eye out for sloths, howler monkeys, and kinkajous along the path. Having trouble spotting these critters on your own? Book our popular Jungle Tour and one of our local guides will reveal the secrets of the rainforest.
Yoga at the Reef Center
When the weather is calm, there’s nothing more relaxing than spreading out a yoga mat at the Reef Center with 360 degrees of sparkling water as a backdrop for your downward dogs.
Bioluminescence
Here in our lagoon, the combination of still waters and red mangrove trees create the ideal environment for bioluminescent micro-organisms to thrive. The ideal viewing time is a new moon night or before the moon rises. Any kind of motion causes the bioluminescence to light up: swimming, kayaking, or even just jumping on the dock!
Spot Wildlife at Night
Borrow a bright headlamp at the reef center, and look up into the trees. It's amazing how many critters come out to play when the sun goes down. In particular, keep an eye out for kinkajous - a curious Panamanian mammal with the body of the monkey and the head of a bear. They can be found scampering around the bamboo and fruit trees.
Local Tours
Offered by Cocovivo or our neighbors in Tierra Oscura.
Jungle Trek (Most Popular)
-
A walking tour of CocoVivo’s 55-acre biodiverse grounds that leaves right from the Reef Cabin. Trek through thick jungle foliage and climb small waterfalls. Learn to identify the trees, fruits, and creatures of the jungle. Your guide will take you to the secret hideouts of the jungle’s more exotic species: sloths, howler monkeys, and kinkajous, and we will be looking for fresh tropical fruit and coconut water on the way.
-
We provide rubber boots and bug repellent. Long pants recommended
-
Duration: 2-3 hours
$24 for 1-2 people. $8 per additional person.
Frog Discovery Adventure
-
Researchers from all over the world come to Isla Cristobal to study our frogs - especially Oophaga pumilio, the strawberry poison-dart frog, famous for its widespread variation in coloration. We call our population the “blue jeans” morph, and you will see why.
-
This frog-scouting adventure is a beautiful and intense hike through some undeveloped swaths of jungle with awe-inspiring trees whose roots may be taller than you are! In addition to frogs, odds are you'll also see a sloth or two and maybe some howler monkeys. This hike is also on CocoVivo land, but only accessible by boat.
-
We provide rubber boots and bug repellent. Long pants recommended.
-
Difficulty level: Adventurous: Deep into the jungle, steep hillsides and slippery slopes
-
Duration: 2-3 hours
$45 for up to 3 people, $10 per additional person
Oreba Chocolate Tour
At a nearby finca owned by a community of indigenous Ngobe people, the indigenous villagers show how they cultivate and process their award-winning fair trade organic chocolate. The tour includes a stroll through a traditional village, informational tour about the gastronomical and medicinal plants of the jungle, and chocolate-making demonstration. The visit culminates in a delicious and filling traditional meal of root vegetables, steamed fish, fruit, and of course - chocolate.
Duration: 2-3 hours
$35 per person directly to the cacao farm
$80 per group for the boat ride
Green Acres Chocolate Farm
Green Acres is one of the most popular tours in Bocas del Toro and for good reason - the owner, Gary, is the ultimate jungle guide, brimming with passion for the diverse species of the jungle and their conservation. While often referred to as a chocolate activity, Gary’s tour is more of a lively botanical introduction to the flora and fauna of Bocas del Toro that happens to culminate in a delicious chocolate tasting. You will come away inspired!
-
Duration: 3 hrs (incl. 10 min roundtrip boat ride)
$20 per person to Green Acres
$10 per person for the boat ride, $30 minimum
Beach Tours
For less than 6 people, it might be more economical to book these trips from an operator in Bocas town, but if you’re at CocoVivo and would like some white sand beach time, here are your options:
Zapatillas
Cayos Zapatillas are islands in a small archipelago plucked straight from a postcard and dropped off of the coast of Isla Bastimentos, Bocas del Toro. The white sand beaches, crystal clear water, and palm trees are quintessentially Caribbean. Optional stop to spend up to 3 hours at a floating monkey sanctuary along the way where you can cuddle and play with the rescue monkeys.
Duration: 6 hrs (incl 1.5hr boat ride, sometimes a bit choppy)
$150up to 5 pax. $20 per add'l
$20/pax. Monkey entrance fee
Starfish Beach
Our favorite! This white sand beach with crystal clear calm water is known for its gigantic bright orange starfish. Bring a mask and snorkel or just look at the from the surface. This beach is at the northern end of Isla colon. Food options range from lobster dishes to local vegetarian food. A 20 minute walk takes you to Bocas del Drago beach, which is less developed.
Duration: 4 hrs (incl. 1.5hr boat ride)
$125up to 5 pax. $25 add'l
Red Frog Beach
Located on nearby Bastimentos Island, Red Frog Beach is one of the most scenic white sand beaches in Bocas del Toro. In recent years, a resort has been built up around the beach where guests can choose from an array of dining options, sip cocktails by the infinity pool, or book a relaxing massage.
Duration: 4 hrs (incl. 1h boat ride)
$100up to 5 pax. $20 add'l