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.
History of Town
On his fourth and final New World voyage, Christopher Columbus visited the Bocas territory in 1502. He was so impressed by the natural beauty of the place that he named many of the sites after himself: Isla Colon (Columbus Island), and Isla Cristobal (Christopher Island).
Later, the buccaneers built and repaired their ships on the islands, with wood from the forests. They ate many sea turtles that nested on the beaches. Even today most of the archipelago is flush with virgin rain forests, and four species of sea turtle continue to lay their eggs on its beaches, just as they have done for thousands of years.
Around the end of the 17th century native Indians intermarried with French Huguenot settlers who had newly discovered Bocas del Toro. By 1725, Spanish militiamen sent to dislodge the French settlers killed many of the Indians and Huguenots in vicious wars.
From the late 1800s the history of Bocas is in fruit. Bocas del Toro's banana industry dates from 1890, when the Snyder brothers, 3 Americans, arrived and set up their company. This began a long history of fruit cultivation in the area. United Fruit and smaller growers established banana plantations, most of which still exist, over a vast area stretching from the archipelago to the Costa Rican border. Many of the roads, bridges, homes, restaurants, clinics and schools were initially created for these fruit workers.
But most people don't come to Bocas del Toro for the bananas. They come to enjoy the water and the beaches, to snorkel and scuba dive, and to explore in the rain forest. Bocas is an island-lover's delight and an explorer's treat, with wide, jungle-flanked beaches, huge swaths of rain forest and long stretches of coastline largely devoid of humans.
Smithsonian
The Smithsonian Institution has established the most advanced laboratory for tropical biological research in the world in Bocas Del Toro. It is the home to the Smithsonian's most active research center, which offers daily lectures on the rare and precious abundance of life that abounds in the archipelago.
Population
There are 9,883 inhabitants (2000 census) in the entire Archipelago. The people are kind, hospitable, and helpful. The official language in Panama is Spanish but English is widely spoken in Bocas del Toro.
Getting to Bocas del Toro
You have two options when deciding to visit Bocas del Toro. Flights are available daily from Panama City aboard Aeroperlas or Turismo Aero. The flight lasts around one hour and may or may not stop in Changuinola first. The landing strip in Bocas is just 3-4 blocks off of the main street, and is easily within walking distance to most hotels and restaurants. Taxis are usually there and will shuttle you to your final destination for $1.00.
You can take a bus from Panama City to Almirante or Changuinola, which departs Panama in the evening hours and arrives early morning. Upon arriving at either port you can take a water taxi to Bocas del Toro (Isla Colon). Water taxi service is available from both Almirante and Changuinola, the latter being the most popular with those visiting Bocas del Toro from Costa Rica, and the former being more popular for those arriving from Panama City.
Water taxis that service Almirante cost $3.00 each way per person, and the ride takes approximately 25-30 minutes. A taxi from the Almirante bus stop to the water taxi (launcha) is 50 cents per person. Water taxi service is available between 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. leaving every half-hour.
Water taxis departing from Changuinola cost $5.00 each way per person, and the ride lasts approximately 50 minutes to Bocas (Isla Colon). Taxi service to and from the dock to the Changuinola bus terminal costs $2.00 each way per person. A bus (van) that runs at specific times is $1.00 each way per person. If you are in a hurry, go for the regular taxi. Water taxi service is available between 8:00 a .m. - 5:30 p.m. from Changuinola and from 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. from Bocas del Toro.
Traveling between Changuinola, Almirante and David by bus:
Small, comfortable buses travel between Changuinola and David several times a day, passing by Almirante on the way. (David is the capital of the Chiriqui Province and has a local airport with daily flights to and from Panama City, Changuinola and Bocas del Toro).
The bus ride between Changuinola and David takes approximately 3 1/2 - 4 hours and costs $8.00 or $10.00 per person depending on where you arrive or depart. The trip goes primarily from north to south, forging through some of the country's most mountainous terrain. The buses do not stop for food or drink along the way.
There is one major bus terminal in David, which is located just minutes from the city's central park, and the phone number for the bus terminal in David is 775-0268. (If you don't know your way around or are taking a taxi just ask for the "terminal de bus.") All local buses use this same terminal. Once there, you'll have no problem finding your way, as there are numerous buses lined up with their final destinations posted on the respective buses.
Below is more detailed information.
Getting to or from Changuinola and David:
Changuinola is just 30 minutes from the Costa Rican border. There is a bus terminal in central Changuinola from where all local buses depart, and it's easy to find or to get to in a taxi. Buses depart daily from David/Changuinola between the hours of 4:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Getting to or from Almirante and David:
All buses between Almirante and David depart between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. They do not actually enter the town of Almirante when traveling between Changuinola and David, but rather stop at the edge of town. This stop is known as "el cruce", and there is a small restaurant on the corner. You will probably see other people waiting for the bus.
Local Newspaper: The Bocas Breeze
www.thebocasbreeze.com
