Panama - Bocas del Toro
Feel the immediate sense of having arrived in unspoiled nature. Allow yourself to 'unplug' from the grid and enjoy the simplicity life offers in this calm and slow archipelago. The many islands and islets, which are lush and green, will surprise you with its sunny beaches, coral reefs in crystal clear waters, mangrove islets and enchanting lake-like scenery.
The friendly inhabitants of the ngobe indian villages on the islands , may visit you in their man made canoes and share an insight into their lifestyle which is in pure harmony with nature.
The underwater scenery is sure to give snorkelers and scuba divers a generous treat. Islands are also a sanctuary for a wide range of birds and even the endangered three toed sloth, which can be viewed from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, close to Bastimentos Island.
Here is sample itinerary of what you may expect while enjoying a sailing vacation with TradeWinds in Bocas del Toro, on the Caribbean Sea in Panama. Weather or other outside factors may mean that your Captain sets an alternative course.
Embarkation is at 5PM. You are welcome to check in and drop off your luggage when you arrive in this little village. Your catamaran will be moored at Bocas del Toro Marina, in beautiful Macca Hill Bay on the island of Colon. Upon arrival at the Marina, you will be greeted by your crew, who will go through the check-in procedure with you and help you feel at home. At 5 pm, you will be welcomed onboard and introduced to your fellow sailors whilst enjoying a refreshing welcome cocktail. After being shown to your cabin and your new home for the week, take a little time to settle in. Enjoy a delicious dinner aboard, your yacht remains in the small quiet harbour for the evening.
Breakfast is served followed by a safety briefing and a first look at the proposed itinerary for the week. We will pull up the anchor for a short early morning catamaran cruise towards an amazing lagoon. Here you will anchor and explore the wonders of a sunken two hundred foot long landing craft. It sank some forty five years ago and is now home to a wide variety of marine species including Carey turtles! This spot is ideal for diving and snorkeling as the landing craft is sat in shallow water and close to a pretty little reef only four feet under the surface.
After the dive and snorkel, lunch will be served followed by a two hour catamaran cruise to a pristine beach which awaits you at Buttonwood Cay. We will spend the night at anchor at this idyllic Cay, and have dinner on board. You can take a romantic starlit stroll along the beach after dinner, before falling asleep in your luxury cabin under those same stars!
After breakfast, we set sail to Isla Shepherd where the crew will take you on tour of a chocolate, coffee and spice plantation including seeing how chocolate is made. It's not obligatory to taste it, but we certainly recommend it!
After lunch, the afternoon will be spent in one of numerous idyllic bays in the area where you can relax, swim, snorkel and sunbathe. The crew will ensure that you are never too far away from a Cocktail to ensure an afternoons paradise!
Another wonderful dinner is served after which your captain may invite all guests up on deck for a night cap and a late evening of some amazing stargazing.
You'll pull up anchor early and set out for a two hour catamaran cruise to Isla Cristobal where you'll discover some of the best reef diving and snorkeling in the area! Explore the waters with there pristine coral and amazing fish life, not to mention the great visibility! After dinner, sit on the stern with your toes in the water, look up at the Caribbean sky and re-discovered paradise!
After a great nights sleep and a tasty breakfast we will hoist the mainsail and set sail for Almirante; a peninsula just off mainland Panama where we will disembark. Your crew will guide you to a stunning two hundred foot high waterfall cascading down to a wonderful swimming hole. On the way you'll encounter monkeys , sloth's and parrots; just part of the exciting wildlife that awaits you in tropical Panama!
We spend the day discovering the sights and sounds of the waterfall and surrounding rain forest. In it you will find some local Indians who will spit roast a delicious lunch for you. Afterwards you can enjoy a swim in the pool and listen to the water cascade down the falls.
We rise early and set sail for the outer islands of Blue Ground range. Here you'll find another idyllic reef where you can dive, snorkel or sit back and soak up the sun! Cocktails will be served on-board as the sun sets over another perfect day.
Breakfast is served followed by a second day discovering the many varied wonders of the Blue Ground range. If you feel adventurous you can learn to surf just outside the reef. If that sounds like too much activity then hang a rod off the stern and sit back with a fabulous glass of local aged Rum.
After a last delightful breakfast onboard, it is time to gather your belongings, as well as your wonderful memories of a week in this most beautiful environment. Before exchanging fond farewells, your crew will arrange transport to the airport. You will already be planning your next cruise with TradeWinds.
Bocas Del Toro and its archipelago of enchanting Islands are situated on the Caribbean coast, in north east of Panama, five degrees north of the equator.
Fly into Panama City before catching a domestic flight to Bocas Del Toro.
There are two airports in Panama city; the Tocumen Panama International Airport (PTY) for International flights and the Marcos A Gelabert regional airport (PAC) for domestic flights
Most flights to the International Airport arrive in the afternoon or evening. You will be unable to transfer directly to the domestic airport to get your onward flight to Bocas del Toro as these flights depart early in the morning, hence a hotel stop over is recommended (see "further information" for recommended hotels).
When you land at the International airport please take a taxi to your hotel. Taxis are plentiful and some hotels offer airport shuttles at a cost.
The following morning, take a taxi from your hotel to the domestic airport. From there take a flight to Bocas del Toro "Isla Colon" airport (BOC).
Copa Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Iberia have daily flights to Panama.
As of the end of February 2012 there is only one company that offer domestic flights, find more details on their website were you can book (in English):
Upon arrival at the airport you will be greeted by several taxi drivers. Choose any taxi and ask the driver to bring you to a water taxi. This will cost approximately US$1 per person and take about 2 minutes. The taxi driver will bring you to a small skiff (hard bottom boat). Ask the boat captain to bring you to Bocas Marina. This will cost approx. US$2 per person and take about 5 minutes. The 'skiff' boat captain will drop you at the designated water taxi dock which is on the same dock directly opposite the TradeWinds yacht.
If you experience delays and you feel that you cannot get to the base in time then please call our Grenadines office on 001 784 457 3407 leaving your name(s) and a short description of the problem along with contact details for where you are. Our Grenadines office will relay your information on to our local Panama base.
Your charter ends, after a delightful breakfast, on Saturday at 9 am. Your yacht will have arrived on the dock from Friday evening so if an early flight is on your schedule, then our staff can book a taxi pick up for you on Saturday morning. Departure taxes are included in your outbound flight. There is a morning and afternoon flight leaving Bocas del Toro "Isla Colon" airport (BOC). You can catch either one on the day you disembark.
See our further information section for information on visas, currency, weather and more.
Updated April 2012
The inhabitants of the islands of Bocas del Toro are a blend of indigenous peoples from the Guaymie, Ngobe and Teribe and tribes, people from mainland Panama and Afro Caribbeans.
Bocas del Toro has developed from the hunt for Carey turtles and the trading of cocoa and mahogany. It has been largely bypassed by tourism and as such remains underdeveloped.
The area is made up of an archipelago of small islands, bays and reefs. It is situated five degrees north of the equator and is on the Caribbean coast.
Panamanian weather is tropical, and uniform throughout the year. Temperatures range from around the mid to high 80's (approximately 27°C) all year round it is not in the hurricane belt. It does have some heavier rain fall between mid June to mid August and again from mid December to mid February.
Please pack as lightly as you can. Most of our guests wear only a fraction of what they bring! All you really need are shorts, tee shirts and beachwear. Soft luggage is preferable if you have it. We have some limited storage onshore for your empty bags, but please bring as little as you are comfortable with. Between meals, fresh fruit is available. If you like to eat more between meals, please feel free to bring snacks with you.
Please bring footwear for walking comfortably; either heel backed sandals or footwear, such as TEVA- style sandals, that you can wear wet for the land based parts of the itinerary. Flip-flops are not suitable. You will be barefoot whenever you are aboard.
It is advisable to bring a change of clothes and toiletries in your hand luggage. If your luggage got lost enroute it will not be able to be delivered to you until days later.
You will be around water for the week. If you are concerned about getting your purse, wallet or watch wet, bring a small dry bag. These can be purchased from sports and outdoor vendors. Some of them roll up and trap the air inside which has the added benefit of making the bag float.
All of our yachts have a fishing rod onboard - we usually troll a line when sailing from island to island and will often catch yellow fin, wahoo, mahi-mahi or similar ...... which might become lunch or dinner!
We strongly advise that all guests cruising with us have fully comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all eventualities such as hotel accommodation, lost baggage, changes to flights etc.
Please read our travel insurance recommendations for more information.
Your Government provide a service under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention where you can find information that may assist you further. Useful information can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Electricity in Panama is 110 Volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. You will need flat blade plugs or an adapter.
The US dollar is accepted throughout Panama. The Panamanian currencies are equivalent in size and value to those of the USA.
There is only one bank in Bocas del Toro, a branch of the National Bank of Panama (on the way to the airport). It is open Mondays to Friday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.
We do not recommend that you stay in Bocas del Toro as it is too small. However, Panama City itself has some charming hotels. If you aim to stay overnight in the City, then we recommend a hotel fairly close to the Panama City Airport and in a nice neighborhood or taking a taxi and staying in heart of Panama City at a 4 or 5 star hotel.
For longer stays we recommend the Los Cuatro Tulipnaes hotel in the old quarter of Panama city
Los Cuatro Tulipnaes,
Casa las Monjast
Telephone +507 6717 4059
(Mention TradeWinds and get a discount!)
www.loscuatrotulipanes.com
Alternatively, El Panama Hotel is a real 5 star Panamanian experience, in the heart of the city in the busy shopping and business district. From US$160 per night. Wear your Panama hat with pride and be prepared to enter "old world elegance!".
Radisson Decapolis Hotel is a trendy international hotel from US$120 per night.
For those with a lower budget Hotel Roma Plaza from US$65 per night. The hotel provides you with a friendly, decent quality service. It is located in the business district.
For U.S., Canadian and European citizens, a valid passport and return/continuing ticket is required. A Tourist Card will be issued at the airport for all arriving passengers, after you cleared immigration. The card cost less than US$10 per person. If you are not coming from one of the above mentioned countries you can check on your status on the Panamanian Consulate web page.
Updated April 2012