Starfish Beach

"Most people tend to stay on the Bluff side of Colón, but Starfish Beach and Playa Boca del Drago attracts visitors to explore the other side of this island. These beaches are right next to each other and easy to see both. The enchanting blue perfectly calm waters are unlike the wild waves you'll find at Bluff and Paunch on the other side. That's why, in my opinion, it's the best beaches for swimming in all of Colón. Remember not to touch the starfish as it can kill them and use ocean/reef approved sun screen! Getting there: You can take a colectivo from the park at the center of town. There are small 20 person white vans labeled Playa Boca del Drago across the windshield that will take you to Starfish Beach for $2.50 each way. Now, if you're rolling with a bunch of pals, you could always opt for a taxi, but keep in mind it'll be a bit pricier. The colectivos run like clockwork, departing every half an hour, and they'll bring you back from Starfish just as frequently until the last ride at 6 PM. When you hop off the colectivo, you'll find yourself at Yarisnori, a restaurant situated on Playa Boca del Drago. You could totally kick back on the beach chairs here and soak up some sun, but if you're eager to reach Starfish, you'll have to take a 15-minute stroll along a trail from Boca del Drago. Now, pay attention to the trail. It starts off by winding past a few private homes, and you might even come across a private dock with a sign claiming it's off-limits. Don't fret though—just keep on going over the dock and continue along the trail. Before you know it, the trail will veer away from people's yards and lead you into a lush, tree-covered path. Follow this trail for 15 minutes, and you'll find yourself at Starfish. Here's a little secret: along the way, you'll stumble upon several spots where you can take a dip in the water. Some even argue that these spots are even better than Starfish itself! The beaches in this area are equally stunning, adorned with more starfish, and the best part? There are way fewer people around. Now, don't get me wrong, Starfish Beach is fantastic, but it tends to get pretty crowded. Once you reach the end of the trail, you'll discover a handful of restaurants scattered along the beach, as well as plenty of cozy sitting areas to enjoy the view. If you're up for a fantastic day on Colon you can see Starfish Beach, Playa Boca del Drago, and the Bat Caves (La Gruta) in one day. Make sure to tell your collectivo driver you want to stop at La Gruta on the way if you're interested in seeing it. More details below about La Gruta. Trust me, you won't be disappointed! "

"EN: Take a local bus for around $5 into the center of Bocas del Toro. For timetables, it's best to enquire directly at the bus station. The journey takes around 1 hour, and the bus will take you to the other side of the island. The first beach you'll pass is called Boca del Drago. From there you'll find a small path that will take you to Playa Estrella. This path runs along the shady beach. You'll find plenty of photo spots. Once at Playa Estrella, grab a sun lounger from one of the beach clubs and relax. You can also eat there if you wish, the food is generally good for the price. Don't forget your diving goggles to watch the starfish. Starfish can be found in turquoise water at a depth of 30 cm. These are real starfish that you can observe very close up, but be careful not to touch them so as not to disturb them. If you don't feel like taking the public bus, you can do this tour with a tour operator for $35. You'll make 2 stops and enjoy a good meal. FR : prenez un bus local pour environ 5 dollars jusqu'au centre de Bocas del Toro. Pour connaître les horaires, il est préférable de se renseigner directement à la gare routière. Le trajet dure environ une heure et le bus vous emmène de l'autre côté de l'île. La première plage que vous traverserez s'appelle Boca del Drago. De là, vous trouverez un petit sentier qui vous mènera à Playa Estrella. Ce chemin longe une plage ombragée. Vous y trouverez de nombreux endroits pour prendre des photos. Une fois à Playa Estrella, prenez une chaise longue dans l'un des clubs de plage et détendez-vous. Vous pouvez également y manger si vous le souhaitez, la nourriture est généralement bonne pour le prix. N'oubliez pas vos lunettes de plongée pour observer les étoiles de mer. Les étoiles de mer se trouvent dans l'eau turquoise à une profondeur de 30 cm. Ce sont de vraies étoiles de mer que vous pouvez observer de très près, mais veillez à ne pas les toucher pour ne pas les déranger. Si vous n'avez pas envie de prendre le bus public, vous pouvez faire cette visite avec un tour opérateur à réserver sur place pour 35 $. Vous ferez 2 arrêts et dégusterez un bon repas. "

"This beach can be reached by bus from Bocas town or by taxi boat. It’s is famous for the many starfish, which you shouldn’t be touching. The beach is lined with bars and restaurants and there are some water sports activities as well."