Playa Estrella
Playa Estrella
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Duration: More than 3 hours
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4.0
1,307 reviews
Excellent
610
Very good
361
Average
180
Poor
80
Terrible
76
Diogo Patão
Lisbon, Portugal1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Couples
We went to the beach by public bus (30 min drive) which you catch near the park for 2.5 usd. The road is not the best but it is alright and id recommend you to arrive 10min before as the bus may get full. I believe the bus departs every 30min (we went at 10am).
After that you must do a 15 min walk to get to the beach from Bocas del Drago (easy walk mixed by little jungle and beach).
Indeed one of the best beaches! Crystal clear water, no waves and great area to enjoy.
Nevertheless, there are at most 10 to 15 starfish left alive. This place is an authentic mess of boats arriving packed with tourists (30 to 50 a day id say) with jetskis and even boats to pull banana and donuts - basically everything they could do to destroy it (the starfish are extremely sensitive to vibration) is being done.
The overcapacity of restaurants and bars, loud music and smell of gasoline kills the experience. Plus, good luck finding the poor starfish and not getting mad at every single tourist touching the ones left, despite the warnings everywhere informing not to do so.
If you go for the beach experience, cross all the mess until the end of the bay and you have a little space left untouched. If you have a little of environmentalist in you, this place will make you sad.
If you still want to go... Go by bus and save a starfish.
After that you must do a 15 min walk to get to the beach from Bocas del Drago (easy walk mixed by little jungle and beach).
Indeed one of the best beaches! Crystal clear water, no waves and great area to enjoy.
Nevertheless, there are at most 10 to 15 starfish left alive. This place is an authentic mess of boats arriving packed with tourists (30 to 50 a day id say) with jetskis and even boats to pull banana and donuts - basically everything they could do to destroy it (the starfish are extremely sensitive to vibration) is being done.
The overcapacity of restaurants and bars, loud music and smell of gasoline kills the experience. Plus, good luck finding the poor starfish and not getting mad at every single tourist touching the ones left, despite the warnings everywhere informing not to do so.
If you go for the beach experience, cross all the mess until the end of the bay and you have a little space left untouched. If you have a little of environmentalist in you, this place will make you sad.
If you still want to go... Go by bus and save a starfish.
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kirkb
4 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
Spring break... covid still taking a toll on tourism! It is a bumpy 30 min bus ride from bocas town, $2.50 pp. Sit by the window take in the countryside it's jungle and activity and farms etc. Once you arrive a short $ 1.00 pp boat ride gets you to the beach. Yes there are tables chairs loungers food drinks, we considered that accomodating and we're grateful for the facilities. Very little activity mid week, a couple of starfish c'mon if you seen one...it's not like they entertain. Stayed approx 3 hrs overall a great day
Written 25 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
slmse
Minneapolis, MN22 contributions
Dec 2019
Although the view of the mountains across the water is stunning, that's about the only good thing I can say about Starfish Beach. The beach itself is very narrow and many boats are tied up to shore. Looking into the trees in back of the beach made me sick - the woods were full of garbage bags and the whole place smelled like sewage. Two in our party of 8 got sick after this trip.
Getting to this beach by driving across the island in golf carts was the best part of the day- many interesting views and things to see. We parked at Drago and took a water taxi to Starfish. On the way back we walked the path through the woods from Starfish to Drago. The path was mostly through the woods rather than a walk along the water. Again, a disappointment There are many wonderful places in the Bocas area. This wasn't one of them in my opinion.
Getting to this beach by driving across the island in golf carts was the best part of the day- many interesting views and things to see. We parked at Drago and took a water taxi to Starfish. On the way back we walked the path through the woods from Starfish to Drago. The path was mostly through the woods rather than a walk along the water. Again, a disappointment There are many wonderful places in the Bocas area. This wasn't one of them in my opinion.
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rhona D
Calgary95 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
I agree with most of the reviews here but since we were at Playa Del Drago, we decided to walk the 15 minutes along the beautiful path to Playa Estrella anyway. We did see several large starfish easily in the water but you had to dodge all the boats as you snorkelled so it was a bit alarming. As soon as you swam out slightly too far, the lifeguards would whistle you back in. Way too crowded and so many gorgeous beaches on this island so it’s
worth a quick visit to see the starfish then head elsewhere.
worth a quick visit to see the starfish then head elsewhere.
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark D
Surrey, Canada12 contributions
Jan 2020
I agree with the "Hell" review. We saw 1 starfish. We saw some idiot driving his personal watercraft very close to people snorkling and swimming. This is definitely not a quiet beach with all the restaurants and bars and boats. The government needs to close this beach down or half of this beach down so it can recover with really big signs (not the little ones that are there) telling people not to touch.
There are some nice quiet semi-private beaches in Bocas Del Toro area. This is not one of them.
There are some nice quiet semi-private beaches in Bocas Del Toro area. This is not one of them.
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Josee M
Ottawa, Canada30 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
We headed out to the much talked about Starfish Beach. Have to say we were a little underwhelmed. The ride out by a collectivo bus was an adventurer as the road is currently under construction and is very bumpy with lots of twists and turns. When you get to Drago Beach you have the option to walk to Starfish Beach or take a water taxi. The water taxi folks will tell you it is a long walk but it is only 10 min and a very easy walk to do.
The beach itself is not fantastic but the plus about this beach is that the water is very calm so good for swimming. They do have several waterside restaurants and chairs for rent but the atmosphere was nothing compared to Zapatilla Beach. We did however see several starfish but after an hour and a half we felt we had enough and made our way back. So a long trip for a short time at the beach. If you can only do one beach excursion Zapatilla wins hands down.
The beach itself is not fantastic but the plus about this beach is that the water is very calm so good for swimming. They do have several waterside restaurants and chairs for rent but the atmosphere was nothing compared to Zapatilla Beach. We did however see several starfish but after an hour and a half we felt we had enough and made our way back. So a long trip for a short time at the beach. If you can only do one beach excursion Zapatilla wins hands down.
Written 7 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Knut K
Karlskoga, Sweden65 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
We hired a taxi from Long Beach to go up north to visit the starfish beach. A spectacular beach by itself and even more when the amazing amount of starfish are seen. Water is quite clear so it is a nice area for snorkeling. Can be recommended.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jillparker864
Colorado Springs, CO169 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Fun day at the beach to see the Starfish. You can either take a short hike to the beach or a water taxi. We opted for the hike thru to he jungle! Nice beach with calm waters and lots of Starfish. Many restaurants to choose from on the beach . Go early to get a lounge chair- free if you buy beer/ food from restaurants otherwise $5.00 day. Great day at the beach!!
Cash only.
Cash only.
Written 16 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claybo67
Doncaster, UK8 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Took a trip to this part of the island on the quad. Parked up at Drago beach and then walked for 10 minutes or so to starfish beach.
I can vouch for the other reviews and say that it is a terrible shame what they have allowed to happen at this beach. On the walk up i counted several car tyres among the usual other rubbish dumped along the path. And then you know that you are getting close when you hear the music. Get onto the beach and its mainly scruffy looking food shacks side by side that would probably get a zero food hygene rating in most countries.
We walked the whole length of the beach to find a quiet spot at the end and during that walk saw one starfish. Unfortunately after us other people saw it and used it as a photo prob despite notices not to pick them up. Then walking back you notice the amount of rubbish thrown in the jungle behind the shacks...old toilets amongst other things.
I can vouch for the other reviews and say that it is a terrible shame what they have allowed to happen at this beach. On the walk up i counted several car tyres among the usual other rubbish dumped along the path. And then you know that you are getting close when you hear the music. Get onto the beach and its mainly scruffy looking food shacks side by side that would probably get a zero food hygene rating in most countries.
We walked the whole length of the beach to find a quiet spot at the end and during that walk saw one starfish. Unfortunately after us other people saw it and used it as a photo prob despite notices not to pick them up. Then walking back you notice the amount of rubbish thrown in the jungle behind the shacks...old toilets amongst other things.
Written 16 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
radman99
chicago,il368 contributions
Feb 2020
We did see starfish easily. Was a relaxing day. We took a tour to get the water taxi. If you buy food you can use the beach chairs the restaurants have. Water was clear and great for swimming. We were there on a Saturday so there was lots of action and boats went by trying to get people to do banana rides and tubing. Saw slothes in the trees right of the beach
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beautiful beach, we went by bus to Bocas del dragão and then walked to the beach. Good restaurants, clean water. I loved the place.
Written 9 October 2018
No hay hospedaje es para pasar el día. Hay un hospedaje 5 minutos antes de llegar a la misma se llama Yarisnori. Pasamos por fuera no se cómo será. Saludos
Written 22 June 2018
Comment aller à plaça estrella depuis le centre de bocas
Written 31 January 2018
el buss lo esperas frente a la plaza, cada 30 min. pasan , no es caro tarda aprox 40 min en llegar a playa estrella
Written 2 February 2018
Que tan costosa es la comida, es decir, un plato esta sobre los 15 dolares?
Written 19 October 2017
Hola Jose!
Eso depende de lo que quieras comer, porque hay variedad de opciones. El plato más caro cuesta $25 y es langosta.
Con $15 puedes comerte casi cualquier cosa.
Saludos,
Mabel
Written 20 October 2017
pao13polanco
Guatemala Department, Guatemala
Can someone say how much they spend I a day or 2 in Boca del toro
Written 7 July 2017
Like the person above stated, you can spend as much as you want. If you want to travel by bus, boat , walk or ride a bike all depends on you. It can be really cheap if you research the trip and plan it out. It doesn't cost anything to walk or very cheap to ride a bike. If you bring your own food, you can save money. Just don't leave anything on the beach unattended because you may come back to a missing bag.
Written 7 July 2017
Its easy!
Just take the public bus from the main square in Bocas del Toro. From the last stop you can walk for 20 min. or take a boat for 5 min.
Written 6 July 2017
Como se llega a Playa Estrella del modo mas económico? Hay bus público o hay que tomar las vans?
Gracias
Written 18 January 2017
Hola. Hay buses que salen de la plaza/parque de Bocas del Toro. En cuanto se llena uno sale. Cobran USD 2,50.- por persona hasta Playa del Drago. De ahí hasta playa estrella es una caminata de 10 minutos que también se puede hacer en bote.
Negociando bien se puede tomar un bote desde Bocas hasta playa estrella directamente si es un grupo a un costo de unos USD 5 por persona. Pero hay que pelearla. Saludos
Written 19 January 2017
hola me gustaria quedarme en un hostal en playa estrella pero no tengo numero al cual llamar me pueden dar informacion de algun paquete economico que tengan
gracias
Written 8 January 2016
Es una playa semi virgen, no hay construcciones donde hospedarse, únicamente hay lugares para comer y se hacen paseos del día.
Written 20 October 2017
Qual o nome da barraca em que ela comeu a Lagosta por USD 50. obrigada!
Written 5 February 2015
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