How bad are the mosquitoes and other bugs and insects in Bocas Del Toro, Panama?

The bugs and mosquitoes in Bocas del Toro, Panama can be nuisances depending on the time of day.  Since Bocas del Toro is located in a tropical area the bugs seem to be a bit more prominent depending on the time of day.  The worst times of day are an hour before and after sunrise and an hour before and after sunset.  Just to be on the safe side one should always apply a bug / mosquito repellant before venturing out.   

The bugs and mosquitoes in Bocas del Toro, Panama can be nuisances depending on the time of day.  Since Bocas del Toro is located in a tropical area the bugs seem to be a bit more prominent depending on the time of day.  The worst times of day are an hour before and after sunrise and an hour before and after sunset.  Just to be on the safe side one should always apply a bug / mosquito repellant before venturing out.   

The bugs in Bocas del Toro can drive you crazy if you let them.  It is a tropical paradise for those little buggers just as much as it is for humans.  Burning citronella candles help a lot as does insect repellant.  DEET will kill anything of course, but natural repellents help too.  Coconut oil is popular and one local business makes and sells an all natural bug juice that works as well.  Different things work for different people, so be prepared to...

The bugs in Bocas del Toro can drive you crazy if you let them.  It is a tropical paradise for those little buggers just as much as it is for humans.  Burning citronella candles help a lot as does insect repellant.  DEET will kill anything of course, but natural repellents help too.  Coconut oil is popular and one local business makes and sells an all natural bug juice that works as well.  Different things work for different people, so be prepared to experiment with a few things to find the one that works best for you, but do not let the bugs keep you away from Bocas!

​Here is the some important things to know about Bocas Del Toro and the bugs.

 

First, a little geography. Bocas Del Toro is a huge province that covers the whole side of the mountain range on the north side of the continental divide, west end of the country and opposite the province of Chiriqui. The archipelago of Bocas Del Toro, which is the best known part, is a group of islands off the coast on the Caribbean side. Often when...

​Here is the some important things to know about Bocas Del Toro and the bugs.

 

First, a little geography. Bocas Del Toro is a huge province that covers the whole side of the mountain range on the north side of the continental divide, west end of the country and opposite the province of Chiriqui. The archipelago of Bocas Del Toro, which is the best known part, is a group of islands off the coast on the Caribbean side. Often when people say "Bocas" they are referring to the islands which are a very small part of the picture. That said, as in any tropical climate, we are not with out our share of insects. The most important determining factor other than dusk and dawn as someone already mentioned is the location. The waterfront and beaches have a lot of sand fleas or chitres or "no see ums".

 

Mangroves and jungles are usually the favorite home of these insects and often places where mangroves have been removed to create beaches.Thus on the islands you have more biting bugs. Mosquitos included. Standing water and bogs breed mosquitos, so most residents are in the habit of not leaving standing water around for them to breed. The natural standing water cannot be avoided.

 

Organic repellents do work it is true and if you have a little breeze it helps with the mosquitos as it is difficult for them to fly and land.  

 

We have a lodge and cabins in Bocas on the mainland at about 800 feet elevation and have found that biting bugs are not a real issue unless we are deep in the jungle. I make the organic repellent and it works great. Avoiding all perfumes and products with sweet smells makes a huge difference. 

 

 

 

Although the mainland of Bocas Del Toro is not a destination yet it holds some of the most most beautiful scenery, rivers and forests of the country, relatively unspoiled, green year around and with much of the primary forest still intact.

 

Sloths, monkeys, toucans, jauguarundis, tayras all live here. 

 

We are fortunate to be in a raptor migration corridor and enjoy migrating hawks, kites, falcons, vultures and a wide variety of beautiful hunting birds as they travel twice every year. Not such a great deal for the chickens but all worth it for the show.

 

The protected La Armistad International Forest  shared with Costa Rica is also is part of the Bocas Del Toro Province on the mainland.

 

There are plenty of insects to learn about in the Tropics but really fewer biting ones than in Florida where we come from and the non-biting ones can be very interesting. 

The mosquitos and bugs in Bocas del Tor area present a challenge to folks who live there and can be a health hazard to visitors who under-estimate the risk associated with mosquito-borne diseases such as Denue, Yellow Fever, Chigges, etc.  

 

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The mosquitos and bugs in Bocas del Tor area present a challenge to folks who live there and can be a health hazard to visitors who under-estimate the risk associated with mosquito-borne diseases such as Denue, Yellow Fever, Chigges, etc.  

 

Suggestions:

Note that many tropical diseases start with flu type symptoms (fever, weakness, headache).  If you experience ANY symptoms head to the nearest ER.  Service is typically effective and rather affordable even in the most expensive hospital in Panama ($135.00 for ER visit inclusive of the doctor's fee).  Insist on getting tested for Dengue (most common T.D.).  Note that the Dengue test has a 50% false/negative and must be repeated after 10 days. 

 

BE WELL and STAY HEALTHY.  In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, do not hesitate to contact our office for medical evacuation from any part of Panama to the capital city or to Miami.