Bocas International 2026: The Tropical Dream Continues in the Caribbean Surf Capital of the World
Bocas International returns to Bocas del Toro July 20-26 for its fifth edition, and organizers promise the biggest, most ambitious festival yet. What began as a one week bodyboarding event has grown into a full on surf and cultural festival, now with a new Surf Open division that brings elite surfers to Bluff’s famous barrels and expands the show beyond the bodyboard niche. With top names confirmed and expanded programming, next week’s event is poised to fill the islands with visitors during a traditionally slower part of the year.“We moved the event to July because the waves are perfect, and our mission is to make this month a high season for everyone on the island, ” explained co-founder Rubén Villegas in an interview on the EmprendeMentex podcast.
A true Bocas del Toro community grass roots effort, so far the event has been supported logistically by the Bocas del Toro Municipality and Chamber of Tourism, but the organizers are proud to report greater support from Panama City-based institutions. “This year we secured a very significant contribution from the Panama Tourism Authority,” says José Sierra of the Loco Bluff Crew, co‑organizer of the event. “Their connection with Promtour has been crucial to lift the event to a world class level, from competitors to structure and broadcasting.”
Organizers say that connection came after Rubén Villegas reached out to Minister of Tourism Tutti de León, bodyboarder herself, and that her intervention to link the festival with PromTour marked a turning point, allowing the team to raise production standards across judging, live streaming and event infrastructure, helping position Bocas International as a global stop that attracts riders and audiences from across the Americas and beyond. “We are very grateful to Minister Tutti de León. She is a bodyboarder and she opened the doors for us by connecting Bocas International with PromTour,” Rubén adds.
The festival schedule now includes far more than competition heats. Opening night will be hosted at TropicalArts Resort in Carenero and the closing party at Klika Hostel, musical guests such as MNKYBSNSS of Colombia are on the bill, and activations include a Choco Experience with Cacao Blessings, champion talks and daily livestreamed coverage. “We want this to be a festival, not just a contest, music, food, art, talks with champions. It’s perfect for families,” Jose explains. “It’s more than a contest,” adds Rubén. “It is a platform to show Panama as a top surf destination, and to put Bocas del Toro on the map.”
El Capital del Surf en el Caribe is what the guys at Loco Bluff Crew call it, and with good reason.
Ruben has long argued why Bluff is perfect for a world class stop, and his 2022 interview with The Bocas Breeze he lays it out plainly: Bluff offers challenging, high quality peaks with lefts and rights, powerful barrels and long runs over reef and sand. “It is a paradise for bodyboarders,” he said, with warmer water, fewer crowds and an atmosphere more accessible than many global spots. That variety and power make Bluff equally attractive to the most daring of seasoned stand up surfers as well.
On the competitive side, this Surf Open is the headline change. Bluff will host a full surf division for the first time, drawing high level surfers capable of charging big barrels and aerials on the reef. Bodyboarding remains central, with a $15,000 prize purse split across divisions, a purse that continues to attract top international talent. As Rubén put it, “We want unity: bodyboard and surf together on the same wave. Adding a full Surf Open opens the door to new brands, new fans and bigger crowds.” Confirmed athletes include last year’s world bodyboard champion Armide Soliveres and reigning women’s champ Alexandra Rinder, alongside other seasoned tour riders and regional stars. “We’ll have the two world champions here, the level will be insane. It’s going to be a total show,” Jose says.
The confirmed roster keeps growing and features the likes of Jericco Rosero, a prominent Ecuadorian bodyboarder; Miguel Tudela, Peruvian pro and Tokyo 2020 Olympic surfer; Oli Camarena, Panamanian surf champion from Santa Catalina; Mini Mike Prada, a rising local Bocas surf talent; and Martin Passeri, six‑time Argentine national champion who will appear with his son Thiago. New talent is being announced every day on the official Bocas International Instagram page @panamatropicaldream.
Local businesses and hotels have leaned in as partners, offering competitor discounts and hospitality, Klika, Tropical Arts, Palma Royale, Island Plantation, The Monkey Bowl and Aqua Lounge among those already involved, and a long list of island properties are offering packages for visitors.
Organizers emphasize that staging the festival in July is a deliberate strategy to inject visitor spending into a quieter month. “We chose July because the waves are perfect, and our mission is to make this month a high season for everyone on the island,” Jose notes. He adds that many hotels and restaurants are offering special rates and support to make the event accessible to competitors and visitors alike.
Beyond immediate economic gains, the festival’s organizers frame Bocas International as destination marketing with lasting value. Professional livestreams and strong social reach have put the islands in front of audiences in the U.S., Chile, Spain, Portugal, Brazil and elsewhere, the event also creates pathways for local youth, judges and businesses to grow in the sport and tourism sectors. “We believe this place should never have a low season,” Jose says. “There’s diving, islands, surf, so our job is to show that July can be as strong as any other month.” On EmprendeMentex Rubén noted, “These events create a real economic injection. Competitors come for weeks with family and friends, filling hotels, restaurants and boat operators. That’s how you beat seasonality.”
For competitors, the registration deadline is today July 15; for spectators, Bluff Beach and festival venues will be buzzing from July 20 to 26. Stay tuned to our Event Calendar for festival related activities.
At the time of this publication, organizers continue to welcome sponsors and partners. The livestream exposure and social content deliver significant international visibility and since these ads don’t have to be printed, they can be accepted during this last week of preparations. “Any brand that joins now will be seen by people around the world, this event brings real exposure and real impact to the island,” Jose adds.
Bocas International is more than a contest, it is a statement that Bocas del Toro can host world class surf and bodyboarding, stage vibrant cultural programming, and turn a quiet month into a moment that fills the island with visitors, revenue and global attention. Mark your calendar and come see Bluff light up. It’s going to be a show!
Like any competition with a playing field depends on weather, the exact competition dates and times will be confirmed last minute. The best place to find out is on Instagram @panamatropicaldream and The Bocas Breeze will be sharing on our platforms as well.
It’s important to note that Bocas International has survived Bocas’s most challenging years. The festival was launched in the aftermath of a global pandemic in 2022, endured two major protests that shut down tourism, two significant droughts and prolonged infrastructural projects that made getting anything off the ground in Bocas between the years of 2020-2025 feel like a miracle, or now more like a dream come true.
Much respect to the founders of Bocas International, Ruben Villegas and Gustavo Pinilla, to co‑organizer Jose Sierra, the whole Loco Bluff Crew and everyone involved keeping this Tropical Dream alive. A special recognition to all the sponsors past and present and especially to the 2026 sponsors.
Bocas International 5.0, Panama A Tropical Dream: July 20-26, 2026 on Bluff Beach. Don’t miss it!
You don’t have to be a corporate sponsor to contribute your grain of sand to the mountain of community support that keeps the event alive. Anyone can pre-order a limited edition 2026 Bocas International official event t-shirt for $25 and proceeds help keep the festival organization lights on. Reach out on Instagram to pre-order yours: @panamatropicaldream or WhatsApp +507 6388-6430.
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