Isla Zapatillas
Isla Zapatillas
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
614 reviews
Excellent
432
Very good
140
Average
22
Poor
10
Terrible
10
Thutur
Sao Paulo, SP22 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Avoid this +507 6415-1377. The tour operator operate at the tourist info where boat leaves. It is full of disrespectful people treating you like gringos. We took a zapatillas tour. Instead of staying 3 hours at the beach, we spent only 1.5 hours and didn’t make an island. We spend way too much time at a restaurant not mentioned in the reservation. It was a crap full of tourist. A SHAME. Pay attention on the tour. The tour is around 20$.
Written March 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gottagosumware
British Columbia, Canada281 contributions
Jan 2023
For a snorkelling destination, it is a shame that the reef is a 1/4 mile away from shore. The little island are very pretty, but quite populated. Since these islands are the furthest ones "out," be sure you have perfectly "cloudless" skies. You must cross a large body of unprotected water (meaning no islands to shelter) So, if a storm comes up, like it did for us, it is a loooonnng way back in very angry water. I would select a closer snorkeling spot, if that is what you are looking for.
Written February 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Benoit
Panama City, Panama1 contribution
Mar 2021
With the company COOPEGUITOUR in Bocas del Torro,
they are real thieves. liars. and they laugh at the customers. for them tourists are only dollars. they are absolutely very dishonest. TO AVOID ABSOLUTELY.
they are real thieves. liars. and they laugh at the customers. for them tourists are only dollars. they are absolutely very dishonest. TO AVOID ABSOLUTELY.
Written March 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
frog1010
Vancouver Island101 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
We enjoyed the tour booked through Coopegitours We saw a dolphin, enjoyed the starfish in a protected part of the mangrove, enjoyed snorkeling at Coral Cray. The Zapatillas Islands were beautiful, stunning colours. We saw a couple of sloths quite close on protected Sloth Island. At 30 dollars each it was a good deal. Things fell apart at the lunch spot. They had captive scarlet macaws. Not good. I contracted food poisoning at the restaurant which was more than double the price quoted by the tour operator. Other people at our hotel also contracted food poisoning the day before on this trip we found out afterwards. If you choose this tour bring your own food. I do not know the name of the restaurant but am including pics.
Written February 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janice
Sydney, Australia49 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
These islands are beautiful, with white sand and crystal clear water. Definitely worth going, but best to do it on a sunny day without much wind, as it's about a 35-40 minute boat ride out there. There are a ton of different companies in Bocas Town selling island hopping boat tours that include Zapatilla in the tour. They range in price from $30-50 per person, however, we HIGHLY recommend ditching the crowds (some boats have 20 people on them) and hiring a private boat instead. We paid $45 per person (and there were only two of us) and got the boat from 10am to 4pm. We also didn't have to pay the $10 marine park fee that tour companies add on top of the tour fee (not sure if this fee is actually a thing of the tour companies just use it to make more money?). We didn't have to stop at any other islands (unless we wanted to) and got to Zapatilla 1 before anyone else, so had the whole island to ourselves for a while. Most boats stop on the same side of the Zapatilla 1, and it gets quite busy, but you can just walk around the island to the other side and find a secluded spot to yourself, or get your boat to take you to the other Zapatilla island. Make sure you bring lots of water and snacks for the day - the boat guys will provide a chilly bin (cooler) and ice.
We walked around Zapatilla 1 and it took about 30-40 minutes, going slow. It's an easy walk around, but there are some spots where you have climb over and duck under trees growing out over the water or you can wade in the water up to your waist to go around them.
We walked around Zapatilla 1 and it took about 30-40 minutes, going slow. It's an easy walk around, but there are some spots where you have climb over and duck under trees growing out over the water or you can wade in the water up to your waist to go around them.
Written August 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eric A
Long Beach, CA26 contributions
Feb 2017 • Family
I have been to Bocas on several vacations, and the Zapatilla Islands are a must. There are two islands, Zapatilla 1 and Zapatilla 2...go figure! We have always had our guiedes suggest Zapatill 1 for some reason. Never a disappointment though! If you plan to go, make sure the guide has an ice chest and bring your own beverages (Panama Light for this fat guy!) and snacks. Make sure you plan for a full day. You can snorkel in Zapatilla, but you need to be away from the beach to see any fish. Although while the wife and I were chest deep, a couple fish swam right between us! The island is pristine Caribe jungle! There is not much beach area, but what is there is nice. Plan with your guide to see Zapatilla, stop by a coral reef to swim with exotic fish, and then try to make it to Dolphin Bay and Sloth Island. We have seen dolphins and sloth (sloths?) every time! We also stopped at this little restaurant in the middle of no where and had an awesome meal every time. Sorry, I have no idea what the name of it is! After that we go to Bluff Beach and hang out at Island Plantation. Best food on the island!
If you want to see non-touristy real Caribbean islands, make the trip to Zapatillas!
If you want to see non-touristy real Caribbean islands, make the trip to Zapatillas!
Written August 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChrisBrown38
Brentwood, UK198 contributions
May 2017
Nice island as part of day trip incl Dolphin Bay, Coral Cay, Starfish Bay, lunch at end of Bastimentos and sloth island. Good value trip @ $20 + $10 national park entrance (for what? - to keep out the riffraff.) Somewhat dodgy boardwalk takes about 90 minutes, but good swimming and shade on beach. Bring your own drinks and snacks.
Written May 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ZheAleman
San Francisco, CA2 contributions
Jan 2014 • Friends
There is two islands. The small one (zapatilla I aka menor) and the Isla Mayor. The Isla Mayor was absolutely terrible. Don't go there. The park rangers have turned the island into a plantation. All natural trees and vegetation was removed and you can now "enjoy" a Coconut plantation with lots of trash everywhere. There seems to be 3-4 park rangers who just want to get any money from you. We didn't want to stay and denied to pay $10 so then they said we could also just pay $5. Which seems like it just goes into their own pockets since an officially set price shouldn't be flexible like that.
Written January 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MvdHoff
Aalsmeer, The Netherlands850 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
We stayed at Bastimentos and hired Carlito with his boat for a day. We went to Dolphin bay first to look at the Dolphins, then went snorkeling at Coral Cay (beautiful), ordered lunch at Macca Bite restaurant (nice fish and rice), then stayed two hours on Zapatillas (absolutely gorgeous), then returned for the prepared lunch, and topped of at Red Frog Beach. All the ingredients for a top day in the region. A must do trip. Renting a private boat is much better then a tour boat, expect to pay around 125 for the boat (this excludes the entrances and lunch).
Written August 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DBangit
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico68 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
Zapatillas are stunning undeveloped islands with beautiful white sand beaches and that gorgeous turquoise Caribbean water. My husband and I came here as part of a boat / snorkel trip that stopped at 5 locations, including Dolphin Cove, Sloth Island, Hollywood, Solarte and Zapatillas. Zapatillas were definitely the highlight (although the whole trip was very worthwhile and for the $30 it cost, great value). The day we went, there was a big storm out at sea so the surf was intense around the islands and the currents were dangerously strong for swimming and snorkeling so we hiked through and around the island on a little trail that cuts down to every beach and then back into the jungle. You can easily walk around the island in the 2 or so hours that most boat trips spend here. Definitely recommend this day trip. Bring running shoes or water shoes if you plan to walk around the island.
Written December 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anyone recommend a particular tour operator? Or just rent a water taxi?
Written July 9, 2022
Hi there! I am looking to go with my girlfriend and appreciated your advice about chartering a private boat. Your experience sounded great and I was wondering if you remember who you contacted to charter the boat you found. Thank you for your time in advance.
Written October 26, 2019
Hello
It was absolutly superb but you have to go quite a bit behind the little islands
Our boat was owned by Bolo from Bastimentos village he is a great guy for all you want to do
His tel. Number is +50766963875
Please say hello from Albert and his mother
Have a great time you will love it
Bye for now
Tuus
Written December 7, 2019
Es posible ir a isla zapatillas directamente sin contratar un tour tan largo con diferentes paradas ?
Written June 1, 2018
Jaiver M
Bogota, Colombia
Probablemente es muy costoso hacerlo de esa manera.
Written July 1, 2018
What was the name of the company that took you to the 5 locations?
Written January 5, 2018
Hallo. Wir haben einen Tour direkt im Hostel gebucht.
Written November 3, 2017
Hola, para llegar a esta Isla solamente se puede con tours, o hay algún otro medio como transporte ....
Written October 17, 2017
Hi Trip adviceroonies, I'm heading to Costa Rica and wondering whether to include BDT in my Itinerary or not. I have two weeks to occupy myself and i guess if i visit Panama i would choose BDT. So my main concern is whether BDT is safe for solo travellers, and does anyone have any advise (hard fast rules) for a solo travellers to follow?
Written May 16, 2017
We're actually standing in LAX having just flowing in from SJO after 8 days in Bocas, and BDT had so much more to do than the Caribbean side of CR/Puerto Viejo. But from PV to BDT is around 4.5 hours door to door, border crossing and the water taxi can take quite a bit of time depending on staffing/weather. Definitely safe, only a few streets are what I would consider "locals only." It's not worth it if you've only got a day or two, you'll want at least one full day to enjoy Isla Colon, another to do a boat tour of the surrounding areas like Coral Cay and Zapatilla (honestly easier than trying to research/plan on short notice). But it was so much more enjoyable than our experience in CR (YMMV in CR but we found we almost exclusively drank booze on the beach/visited a couple animal sanctuaries). Did it with my SO but from observation, hostels off the main drag look more accommodating for seasoned solo travelers vs those near bars/clubs (as has always been my experience anyway). Will find it's cheaper to group up for shuttles/water taxis. Expect it to be hotter/more humid than mainland, storm mostly at nights. Took about 2 hours yesterday morning to get from the dock BDT through the border into Costa Rica. IMO I'd spend more time in BDT unless you're more of the hiking/mountain type.
Written May 23, 2017
Hallo wie kommt man vom Hafen von dem Kreuzfahrtschiff zum isla zapatillas ?
Lg
Written January 3, 2017
Hola Laura, como hiciste para ir por tu cuenta? Es facil? Como programas que te vengan a buscar a la vuelta? Gracias
Written October 3, 2016
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