Panama 2004

We spent the majority of our time in Bocas del Toro, an archipelago in the northwest corner of the country.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Once you're in Bocas, the best (and often only) way to get around is by boat. If you're on Isla Carenero, the cost is /person into Bocas town. From Bocas town, it’s roughly to Bastimentos, though they'll charge upwards of -60 to get to the eastern side of Bastimentos.

Taxis are on Isla Colon only. It costs roughly to get anywhere in Bocas town, but you can walk everywhere in town, so they're not necessary. It costs out and back to Playa Bluff and to Bocas del Drago (on the western side of the island, definitely worth visiting by taxi or a long but rewarding bike ride).

Flights from Panama City to Bocas are roughly one-way. Other option is to fly to David, take a 45-minute bus up to Boquete for a day or two, and then return to David, and bus/fly to Bocas. The bus ride from Panama City to David is fairly long, but the express buses are extremely comfortable. More rewarding is the bus ride from David to Almirante and the Caribbean coast. Note: if you take a bus from David to Bocas you'll most likely catch a boat from the mainland at Almirante. . . prepare to get hustled.

Though it's definitely not for everybody, staying at Al Natural was probably THE highlight of our time in Bocas. Don't go expecting A/C, TV, etc. Do go expecting to completely unplug and have a truly unique experience.

The rooms are essentially open-air platforms, fronting the beach and surrounded by forest. Beds are right out in the open (but completely private) and mosquito-netted. All power is solar, and hot water is not an issue, even on cloudy days! The food is included (as is wine with dinner) and is incredible.

Activities range from exploring other islands by boat and foot to kayaking (included) to snorkeling to doing absolutely nothing; fortunately, Al Natural's dock is perfect for the latter!

Included in the price, which is steep, is drop off and pick up from the Isla Colon area, which is normally a $50-60 trip.

Red Frog is a beautiful, beautiful beach on Isla Bastimentos. The standard boat tour of Bocas includes a stop at Red Frog (along with Coral Cay and Dolphin Bay), though you can probably arrange for a boat to take you there independently. There is a short hike from where you are dropped off to the other side of the island and the beach. Entrance to the path is roughly $1.

CAUTION: There is a STRONG rip current and swimming can be dangerous.