Tranquilo Bay is located on the southeastern end of Bastimentos.  It is a short boat ride from the Bocas Town on Isla Colon by one of our boats. Access to different areas or beaches can be made on foot, boat, or kayak.

Bordering Tranquilo Bay is Bastimentos National Marine Park. Bastimentos National Marine Park encompasses a large portion of Bastimentos Island, and the Zapatilla Cayes, in addition to the waters and mangroves that surround the island. The western tip of the island, better known as Bastimentos (a small village), is clearly visible from Bocas Town, and is not part of the national park itself.

The eastern side of Bastimentos Island faces the Caribbean Sea, which tends to be rougher than the western side of the island. The landscape is much more dramatic, with large rock faces, stretches of long beaches, in addition to coves and inlets. While there are numerous beaches that provide ample space for boat landings, some of the beaches may be accessed only when the seas are calm because of the rocky shorelines. Between the months of August-October the water conditions tend to be the calmest, and at times you can access this portion of the island from the water. 

The islands of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago have been called the Galapagos of the Caribbean. They are located in the extreme western part of the country, only 25 miles from the Republic of Costa Rica. This Archipelago has the perfect combination of  historical and cultural traditions, with a charming variety of aquatic species, coral reefs, mangroves, beaches with crystal clear water and undisturbed jungles with all the flora and fauna you can imagine.

Without any doubt, the most famous visitor to this piece of paradise was the Admiral Christopher Columbus on October 6, 1502 on his fourth and last trip to the Americas. He entered with two vessels into a wide bay, now called Almirante Bay, took in provisions on the present Bastimentos Island and careened a ship in the vicinity of Carenero Island.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the brothers "Snap" arrived from Jamaica with their slaves, at the same time with the "Shepherd" family that inhabited Shepherd Island.

A few years later various Scottish and English families emigrated from the San Andres and Providencia islands, also together with their slaves, in order to evade tax payments. An important commercial exchange started with the settled Indians of the region trading live turtles, turtle shells, cocoa and mahogany with the English people that came from Jamaica.

Bocas del Toro possesses a rich, ethnic culture that is reflected in its traditions, customs, gastronomy, music, dances and other afro-antillean manifestations; combined with the indigenous culture that remains intact. 

It is not known for certain from where the name of this incredible Archipelago, forgotten by time, comes.  It is said that when Christopher Columbus landed at one of the fantastic beaches, he saw various waterfalls in the form of "bocas del toro" (mouth of the bull). Columbus also distinguished a large rock on Bastimentos Island that has the form of a bull that is lying down. The sound of the immense waves hitting the large rock is similar to the roaring of a bull. On the other hand, there are locals that assure us that the last "cacique" (chief) of the region was known as "Boka Toro".