For guests who want a real adventure, the Nivida Bat Cave on Isla Bastimentos is one of the most memorable things to do in Bocas del Toro. It’s a natural limestone cavern with a subterranean river, hundreds of nectar bats and dramatic stalactites — a genuine off-the-map experience led by a knowledgeable local guide.
Getting there
The trip combines a boat ride across the marine park with a short walk through jungle and mangroves to reach the cave entrance, so the journey is part of the adventure. Your local guide — from the Ngäbe community that looks after this land — leads the whole way.
Inside the cave
You’ll wade through the cave’s underground river, which ranges from ankle-deep to chest height in the narrower sections, past overhead colonies of nectar-feeding bats and limestone formations built up over thousands of years. Deeper in, there’s a hidden natural pool with a small waterfall where you can swim. Guests spend roughly 1.5 hours inside the cave itself.
What’s provided
Your guide supplies a helmet, gloves and a headlamp, and leads you safely through every section of the cave.
Good to know
- Price: $35 per person, plus a $20 per person cave entrance fee.
- Includes: pick-up and drop-off at Saigon Bay, guide and safety gear.
- Group size: minimum 2 people.
- Timing: flexible — the departure time is set to suit you.
- Bring: water shoes or sturdy sandals, swimwear, quick-dry clothes, a dry bag and a waterproof phone case.
You pay the guide in cash on the day, with no prepayment needed. Let us know at least a day in advance so we can arrange your guide. The boats and captains we work with have the highest reputation in Bocas del Toro, and almost all of our guests use them and come back delighted.
Before you goAntes de ir
You must pay the park fee onlineDebe pagar la entrada al parque en línea
Cayo Zapatillas is inside Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park. The $10 per person entrance fee is not included in the tour price and is paid online.Cayos Zapatillas está dentro del Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos. La entrada de $10 por persona no está incluida en el precio del tour y se paga en línea.
Wait until the morning of your tour to pay. If the weather turns stormy, you can cancel the tour that day, just let the captain know ahead of time, and you will not have paid for a park ticket you cannot use.Espere a la mañana del tour para pagar. Si el clima amanece tormentoso, puede cancelar el tour ese mismo día, solo avísele al capitán con anticipación, y no habrá pagado una entrada que no va a usar.
- On the morning of your tour, open the MiAmbiente park reservations site (button below).La mañana de su tour, abra el sitio de reservas de parques de MiAmbiente (botón abajo).
- Select Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park (Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos).Seleccione Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos.
- Choose that day's date and the number of people, then pay.Elija la fecha de ese día y el número de personas, y pague.
- Keep the confirmation on your phone for the day of the tour.Guarde la confirmación en su teléfono para el día del tour.
From our dockDesde nuestro muelle
Book with your hostsReserve con sus anfitriones
- Pickup at Saigon Bay or your hotel anywhere in Bocas del ToroRecogida en Saigon Bay o en su hotel en cualquier parte de Bocas del Toro
- Pay the captain in cash on the daySe paga al capitán en efectivo el mismo día
- Plus the $10 park fee, paid online the morning of the tourMás la entrada al parque de $10, que se paga en línea la mañana del tour
- Message us at least a day aheadEscríbanos con al menos un día de anticipación
Not staying with us? We still book it for you, and the boat picks you up at your hotel.¿No se hospeda con nosotros? Igual se lo reservamos y el bote lo recoge en su hotel.
See more Things to Do
Club Remo Caribe – Outrigger Canoe Paddling
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Starfish Beach, Boca del Drago & Bird Island Tour
Isla Colón
$30 / person • Departs 10:30 AM
Cayo Zapatillas Tour
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$35 / person • Departs 9:30 AM
