New Hotel Data Puts Bocas del Toro Ahead of Panama City in Occupancy
New tourism data has placed Bocas del Toro ahead of Panama City in average hotel occupancy, offering a clearer view of lodging demand outside Panama’s capital.
According to an August 4 report from Infobae, PROMTUR Panama expanded the number of hotels participating in the CoStar platform from 53 to 146. That represents 93 additional properties and an increase of approximately 175% since July 2025.
The larger sample now allows tourism officials to examine several regional hotel markets separately instead of relying primarily on data from Panama City.
Bocas del Toro Records the Highest Regional Occupancy
In the CoStar sample reported by PROMTUR, Bocas del Toro registered an average hotel occupancy rate of 70.4% during the period analyzed in 2026. That placed it ahead of Panama City at 67%.
Hotels across the remaining provinces averaged 63.9%, while Chiriqui recorded 57.7%. The combined national average in this particular dataset was 66%.
The result does not mean every hotel in Bocas del Toro is operating at 70.4% occupancy. It represents the average among participating properties and should be understood as a broader market indicator.
PROMTUR Director General Salomon Shamah described the expanded sample primarily as an improvement in measurement. Previously, most participating hotels were concentrated in the capital, making it difficult to determine how destinations outside Panama City were performing.
Tourism Arrivals Are Also Increasing
The new occupancy figures coincide with growth in international tourism.
Panama received 1,755,998 international visitors between January and June 2026, an increase of 17.4% compared with the same period in 2025, according to official figures released by the Panama Tourism Authority.
The tourism authority separately reported nationwide hotel occupancy of 67.6% for the first half of 2026 using STR indicators. This differs slightly from the 66% figure cited in the regional PROMTUR report, likely because the statistics refer to different datasets, reporting groups or measurement periods.
Together, the figures point to stronger visitor activity while also showing why buyers should examine the methodology behind any tourism statistic.
What the Results Mean for Bocas del Toro Real Estate
Hotel occupancy and vacation-rental occupancy are not interchangeable. CoStar tracks participating hotels, not the complete inventory of independently operated homes, villas and Airbnb-style rentals.
Nevertheless, the regional results provide a useful indication of accommodation demand. Buyers considering income-producing property in Bocas del Toro now have stronger evidence that the destination can compete with Panama City for overnight visitors.
That does not guarantee a particular rental return. Performance can vary significantly depending on location, beach access, transportation, property condition, management quality, nightly pricing and seasonal availability.
Featured Property: Ocean View Villa at Red Frog Beach Resort
A current example of resort-area inventory is this ocean-view villa at Red Frog Beach Resort, listed at $695,000.
The property offers four bedrooms and three bathrooms, including a three-bedroom main villa and a separate one-bedroom casita. It provides approximately 2,782 square feet, or 258 square meters, of combined interior and covered living space on a 315-square-meter lot.
Nearly $100,000 has reportedly been invested in recent improvements, including a new swimming pool, restored and repainted roofs, updated appliances, refreshed exterior finishes and other upgrades.
Its location within an established resort may give it advantages such as recognizable branding, on-site amenities and an existing tourism market. However, the asking price is not a closed-sale comparable, and prospective buyers should independently confirm availability, expenses, management arrangements and income history.
What Rental-Focused Buyers Should Investigate
Strong regional occupancy is a reason to examine the market, not a substitute for property-level due diligence. Buyers should request documented rental histories where available and evaluate:
- Monthly occupancy and nightly rates
- Management and booking fees
- Resort or homeowners association charges
- Transportation and boat-access costs
- Insurance, utilities and maintenance
- Seasonal demand and weather exposure
- Rental restrictions and title status
These factors determine whether an individual property can convert regional tourism demand into reliable net income.
Casa Solution Can Help
Whether you are comparing Bocas del Toro with Coronado, Playa Venao or Panama City, Casa Solution can help you evaluate available properties, local conditions and the practical costs of ownership. Contact our team to begin exploring real estate opportunities across Panama.
Article written: August 21, 2026
