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The Bocas del Toro Archipelago is still a frontier area that the Panamanian government has largely ignored up until a few years ago. It is not the Bahamas, Virgin Islands or Hawaii, it's a jungle and relatively remote, with numerous gorgeous islands, peninsulas, bays and coral reefs. The remoteness of the area has been it's best friend, in that most areas are still pristine and beautifully preserved, but therefore lacking in infrastructure. No malls, theaters, or concerts in the park except for an occasional traveling musician. There are few roads, no community electricity, water or sewer, unless you live in town, and no street addresses anywhere. Most properties, whether they are on the mainland are "off-the-grid", with solar, generator and rainwater collection systems.
The only roads on any of the islands are on the main island of Colon and only go along the coastline from Bocas town to the end of Bluff Beach, and from Bocas town across the center of the island to the north ending at Playa Drago. There are also no roads to most of the mainland waterfront areas, access is mostly by boat.
The archipelago interior waters have mostly mangrove waterfronts. If you want a sand beach, they will be on the exterior side of Colon and Bastimentos Islands, the open Caribbean Sea, and access can be difficult at certain times of the year. If the sea is not too rough, the boat driver can drop you off on the beach and pick you back up between waves. These properties are only for the physically fit, adventurous type.
If you want a dock, you will need to buy a property on the inland waters, very much like the Florida Keys, including the mangroves. It is illegal to cut mangroves other than to make a channel for a boat dock and access.
Building costs range from $60 - $100 per square foot depending upon the quality, style and type of structure you want. We live on islands so transportation expenses are higher than other areas of Panama. Solar systems can range from $5,000 to $30,000 depending on the type you choose. Rainwater and septic systems are inexpensive unless you are going high-tech or innovative.
Here is a great You Tube video with many shots of the area:
http://www.youtube.com/bocasmarinetours
Why Bocas Del Toro?
This is such a difficult question to answer that we feel literally tongue-tied-where to start? Few people visit the Archipelago de Bocas del Toro and leave unhappy. Instead they leave the islands changed. Changed for the better. Changed because they have tasted, and in some cases gorged on, paradise.
These islands are known for their pervading tranquility, their intriguing residents, their natural beauty, and for their plethora of opportunities to explore and discover. The water is perfect and the surf is spectacular.
The people are friendly and the area is relatively safe.
GENERAL INFORMATION
CURRENCY: Balboa (B/)
Equivalent to the American dollar, which is widely used in the country. There are no balboa bills, only coins, which are equal to the American dollar in size and value. The American dollar is also a legal currency.
CLIMATE
Yearly average temperature: 27 Centigrade or 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Rainy seasons are from June to August and from November through January. Dry seasons are from February to May and September through October.
LANGUAGE
The official language in Panama is Spanish but English is widely spoken in Bocas del Toro.
GETTING TO BOCAS DEL TORO
AIRLINES
Bocas del Toro city is served by AEROPERLAS (www.aeroperlas.com), AIR PANAMA (www.flyairpanama.com) and NATURE AIR, (www.natureair.com) with flights to and from Panama City, David, Changuinola and San José (Costa Rica). Offices are in the airport. Phones: 757-9341 (Aeroperlas) and 757-9841 (Air Panama).
FLIGHT INFORMATION
The flight schedules are in local time. Confirm the flight times online. Passengers must be in the airport at least one hour before the departure.
Due to the heavy traffic, we recommend making reservations well in advance and to confirm the flights back.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The cost of the tickets are approximate because the airlines are often changing the prices according to the oil market.
PANAMA/BOCAS
$ 100.00 (one way), $ 200.00 (round trip)
AEROPERLAS
Mondays to Saturdays, at 6:30 am & 3:00 pm.
Sundays at 7:00 am and 3:00 pm.
AIR PANAMA
Mondays to Saturdays, at 6:45 am & 3:30 pm.
Sundays at 8:00 pm and 3:30 pm.
BOCAS/PANAMA
$ 100.00 (one way), $ 200.00 (round trip)
AEROPERLAS
Mondays to Saturdays, at 8:55 am & 5:00 pm.
Sundays at 9:30 am and 5:00 pm
AIR PANAMA
Mondays to Saturdays, at 8:00 am & 4:30 pm.
Sundays at 9:00 pm and 4:30 pm.
DAVID/BOCAS
$ 55.00 (one way), $ 110.00 (round trip)
AEROPERLAS - Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, at 11:20 am
BOCAS/DAVID
$ 55.00 (one way), $ 110.00 (round trip)
AEROPERLAS - Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays at 12:00 md
SAN JOSE (Costa Rica)/BOCAS
NATURE AIR - $ 160.00 (one way), 320.00 (round trip)
Sundays, Wednesdays & Fridays, at 7:10 am (local time)
BOCAS/SAN JOSE
AEROPERLAS - $ 160.00 (one way), $ 320.00 (round trip)
Sundays, Wednesdays & Fridays at 8:30 am
BUS SERVICE
You can take a bus from Panama City to Almirante, which departs Panama in the evening hours and arrives early morning. There is also bus service from the Costa Rican border to Almirante if you are coming from that direction. Upon arriving, water taxi service is available from Almirante to Bocas del Toro.
MARINE TAXIS
Connects Bocas del Toro with Almirante (mainland). There are two companies: Taxi 25 and Bocas Marine Tours. Taxi 25 leaves Bocas del Toro from the terminal on 1st Street. Bocas Marine Tours leaves from their 3rd Street terminal. The schedule is flexible but usually leaves every half-hour. Cost of the ticket $ 4.00 (one way) to Almirante or Bocas.
BANKS
There is only one bank in Bocas del Toro City, a branch of the National Bank of Panama, in the street to the Airport. Open Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 md.
CREDIT CARDS & TRAVELLER CHECKS
Many shops and service stores don't accept credit cards. Money from credit cards can be obtained at the ATM close to Taxi 25 (1st Street) and at Banco Nacional de Panama on 4th Street.
TRAVELER’S CHECKS CAN BE CASHED ONLY AT THE NATIONAL BANK during normal business hours. NO BUSINESSES WILL ACCEPT THEM.
ELECTRICITY
110 VAC/50 cycles. Some places have also 220 VAC/60 cycles.
GOVERNMENT AND COMMERCE HOURS
Most stores are open Monday to Saturday and a few are open on Sundays. Some businesses close during the lunch and dinner hours and open later. Most of the restaurants serve dinner only up to 10:00 pm.
Government offices are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. some close during the lunch hour. The Post Office is also open on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 md.
POPULATION
9,883 inhabitants (2000 census) is the population of the Archipelago islands.
IMMIGRATION
The Immigration office is in the Government building. All foreign visitors must have a valid passport and visa to enter or leave Bocas del Toro. The main office is in Changuinola city.
PUBLIC PHONES
There are many public telephones in Bocas del Toro city that accept coins or phone cards. The phone company is Cable and Wireless on 1st Street.
VISITS TO THE MARINE PARK
To visit the Park, tourists must go to the Zapatilla Keys refuge. The fee for nationals and Panama residents is $ 3.00 per visit. Foreigners pay $ 10.00 per visit. Fees can be paid in the Park (Zapatilla Key refuge).
TOURISM INFORMATIONS (TOURISM BOARD)
The office of APT (Panamanian Tourism Authority) is also the Tourism Visitors Center is on 1st Street next to the Police station. Phone/fax: 757-9642.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Police: 104; Fire Department: 103; Hospital: 757-9201; Information: 757-9257; Phone company national operator: 101, international operator: 106
LOCAL EVENTS
New Year: January 1; Carnival: February or March; Eastern: March or April; Sea Fair: middle of September; Independence from Columbia: November 3; National Flag Day: November 4; Bocas del Toro Day: November 16; Independence from Spain: November 28; Mothers day: December 8; Christmas: December 25.
LOCAL NEWSPAPER: The Bocas Breeze
www.thebocasbreeze.com
