Old Bank is the main community on Isla Bastimentos, a town of brightly painted wooden houses along the waterfront with a distinctly Afro-Caribbean character. According to the tourism board, it is known for calypso music, architecture and coconut-spiced dishes that reflect the heritage of the people who came to the islands to work in the banana industry. A walk along the waterfront takes you past small shops, churches, pastel houses on stilts and kids playing football, and the pace is far slower than Bocas Town. The community has a strong cultural identity, with its own language mix, music and cooking, and it is the best place in the archipelago to learn how the islands were shaped by West Indian migration. You can reach it by water taxi from Bocas Town, or on foot on a jungle and beach hike that connects it with the beaches on the Atlantic side of the island.
Why it is worth visiting
Most island hopping focuses on beaches and reefs, but Old Bank lets you meet the people who live on the islands. The town has an unhurried, welcoming feel, and a few simple restaurants serve Caribbean dishes cooked with coconut, fresh seafood and local produce.
If you are lucky you will hear calypso, church singing or a domino game in the afternoon. It is a good counterweight to the resort and tour side of Bocas del Toro, and the kind of place where a short conversation teaches you more than a brochure.
What to know before you go
This is a residential community, so dress modestly in town, ask before photographing people and keep noise low. Carry small bills, since most businesses operate on cash and some will only open when there are customers. Water taxis from Bocas Town take roughly half an hour, and a boat captain can usually wait or arrange a pickup, so agree the return time.
The hike from Red Frog Beach to Wizard Beach and on to Old Bank, mentioned by the tourism board, is a rewarding option for fit walkers, but it crosses mud and roots, so wear proper shoes, carry water and allow plenty of daylight.
Making it work
Visit on a day when you have no tight schedule, ideally for lunch, and combine the town with a walk on one of the nearby beaches. If you are on a boat day to Bastimentos, ask your operator whether a stop in Old Bank is possible. Support the community by eating at a local place and buying handmade goods rather than haggling hard.
Plan for rain, since showers pass through regularly, and tell your hotel where you are going if you set out on foot. Together with Red Frog Beach and the marine park, it rounds out a full picture of Isla Bastimentos.
It helps to know a little of the history before you go. The community grew from West Indian families who came to work on banana plantations and in related trades, and their descendants have kept their own music, church life, food and way of speaking. Visiting with that context makes the town feel less like a stop and more like a place with a story.
Ask questions politely, listen more than you talk and let people choose how much to share. A relaxed afternoon here often becomes the moment travelers remember most from their time in the islands.
What to expect
The experience
A relaxed walk through an Afro-Antillean waterfront community, with local food, music and architecture.
Best time
A dry morning or midday, with time for lunch and a slow walk.
How long
Half a day including the boat ride or hike.
Tips
Dress modestly, ask before taking photos, carry small bills and agree your boat return.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travelers who want culture and history alongside beaches.
- Families
- Good for curious children; the hike from the beaches is long for little legs.
- Couples
- A lunch of coconut-spiced dishes and a waterfront stroll.
- Pair with
- Red Frog Beach or a Bastimentos hike.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
What is Old Bank known for?+
It is an Afro-Antillean community known for calypso music, wooden architecture and coconut-spiced cooking, linked to the banana-industry era.
How do I get to Old Bank?+
By water taxi from Bocas Town in about half an hour, or on foot on a trail from Red Frog and Wizard beaches for fit walkers.
Is it safe and welcoming to visitors?+
Visitors are generally welcomed. As in any community, be respectful, ask before taking photos and follow your guide or boat captain.
Where can I eat?+
There are simple local restaurants serving Caribbean dishes and seafood. Carry cash and be patient, as meals are made to order.
Is there an entry fee?+
No, the town is free to walk around. You pay for boats, meals and any guided hikes.
