Panama-eco vs. AI resort
 

Looking into vacation early in '06 - have just started doing some reading on spots like Boca del Toro. Any feedback on various eco resorts or All inclusives for that area or others in Panama. Also, how bad are the bugs? If they are there no matter how much repellent I wear bugs will find me.

We were in Panama for two weeks this past Janaury. My husband got bit my sand fleas while we were in San Blas. Other than that, no problems with bugs.

I avoid all-inclusives with the exception of meals included places in isolated areas, so can't help with your decision. Lots of good restaurants in Bocas del Toro.

Jean - where did you and your husband stay in Bocas? Can you describe it and would you recommend it? Where did you fly into? thanks

We stayed at a small B&B called Cocomo on the Sea. Only four rooms. Right on the water, fell asleep every night listening to the waves. Good breakfast. A small fridge with water, beer and sodas on the honors system. Nice veranda to relax on, also a pretty deck. I'm used to friendly hosts at small properties like this, but at this property we rarely saw the owner. The ladies who worked there were very nice, but their English was limited. The rooms were pretty basic, but I'm guessing that's pretty much true every where. I don't have any reason why I wouldn't stay there again, other than I like to try new places.

Also, really no beaches in Bocas town itself, you need to take a short boat ride to get to Bastimentos to the beaches.

Unfortunately, it rained the entire six days that we were on Bocas. We had a good time anyway, but did miss the sun.

We flew right into Bocas town from Panama City. Easy flight, the hotel was only about six blocks from the airport. It wasn't even that small a plane, probably 30-40 seats.

I had many bug bites from the "no see-ums" on Carnero island- especially one evening at the Purple parrot ( a great outdoor thatch roof bungalow bar over the water) Depite the bugs, I would return. I highly recommend staying on Carenero island- it is quiet with no cars or streets and it is only five minutes by water taxi ($1) from Bocas town. We stayed at Tierra Verde. Casa Aquario also looked like a neat place to stay on Carenero Island.

Bocas is an archipelago. Main island would be Isla Colon, that´s where most of the hotels are located, and where you land. Bocas has some eco'resorts with no a/c as the high end place Punta Caracol, it really depends on your budget...there are some nice little hotels in Bocas town as Limbo on the Sea, and Bocas del Toro Hotel. If you want more info on any other Panama area let me know. A unique experience would be San Blas, just lay back and see the Kunas indigenous culture. Let me know if u need anything else. JTorres