We were in Costa Rica last January - did the touristy things, and loved it. Our Guide there (who was a Dive Master in the past) mentioned Bocas Del Toro- so we read and dreamed for a year, and finally did it. This was our first trip to Panama. I hope it wont be our last.

We went with the intent on Scuba Diving 4 Days in Bocas. Paying extra to cart our gear back and forth on Aeroperlas, the regional airline. Well the Diving didnt happen, but alot of other things did - but let me start from the beginning.

1/20 - We flew Delta from the States PHL - ATL, ATL - PTY - no problem. We spent 2 nights at the Ceasar Park (very americanized - would have liked something with a little more local flare, but this was more than adaquate). We arrived in late on the 20th - and the next morning 1/21 we saw the canal, lunched at the Miraflores Vsitor Center - saw a huge ship coming through the locks while we ate, and went up to Gamboa and did the Canopy Tour. All very nice. I could do Gamboa Rainforest resort for a couple days by itself. It was beautiful.

On Saturday 1/22 - we flew on over to Bocas Del Toro - the 6:35 AM flight on Aeroperlas. Ouch - a little too early. However the flight was full. For 5 overweight bags - we paid 55$ each way. Rate was 56cents per lb over 25 lbs per person. We knew that ahead of time - the rate was still better than US Airways Domestic Rates for 1 overweight bag (nevermind 5).
Very early on Saturday 1/22 - We landed into a gray rainy Bocas Del Toro town, and we promptly greeted by taxi drivers. We headed over to the Bucaneer for 4 nights (pre arranged). We paid $1 per person for a 2 second taxi ride through town, and then $2 per person for a water taxi from Bocas Del Toro to Carnero where the Bucanneer was.
We had units 4 & 5. $71 per night w. tax. AC didnt work in unit 4. There are much needed upgrades for the resort - sheets were musty, alot of things were damp. We saw the owner arrive one morning on the dock - in his wheelchair and then understood, why he was selling the resort for health reasons.

But considering it borders the rainforest on Carnero and the Sea - you can see their predicament. As always - we met gret people.
We watched our Eagles win the championship game at the Bucaneer Hotel Restaurant.

Early on Sunday 1/23 - We did a tour w. a local for a day ($20 pp) to Krawl Cay, Red Frog Beach (tiny poisonous red frogs, as big as your thumb nail) on one end of this glorious beach & Hospital Point, snorkeling supposed to be good - but the water was chilly to us (80 degrees isnt really chilly i know) - great way to spend the day.


We went diving one day (Monday)- and the vis was horrible - it seems that the 3 weeks of previous non stop rain - fed the rivers, which emptied into Bocas, and mucked up the water. Oh Well. I think we can blame that on El Nino. Many people north lost their homes - i sincerely felt for them and the area in regards to the horrible flooding.
We learned from a local that the BEST time for diving in Bocas Del Toro is early september - the water around all the islands are calm, and the water is clear as can be.
We went into Town on rainy afternoons (we ended up with 3 days of gloomy rainy days). One day We went bike riding in town, ($1 per hour to rent) my dad went fishing with a local one day ($20 per hour for three hours) , and on Wednesday we had a prearranged day tour w. Ancon Expeditions Bocas Inn - Mr.Livingston - to go out to Bird Island - and saw the Red-Billed Tropic Bird, which only lives there? as well as Brown Boobies (sp?). Way cool - not to be missed. We did a river tour up the canal w. Him - as he shared his mothers bush medicine remedies. A great local to chat with.
One night we ventured to walk to a local restaurant on Carnero - Pargo Roja w. a great bunch from California. We had a fabulous time at dinner - the food was great.

We spent the next four nights at Punta Caracol. High End - and away from it all. Very quiet - well kept. It was really different and very nice. One of the huts had a propane leak (that is how they heat the water) and almost killed my mom, after realizing what was making her sick - she moved to another unit - however the remainder of our 4 days were great, food was wonderful.
Cocktails were stupid expensive - $10.
Coke & Beer were $3 compared to $1 in town.

We did a couple of local tours with them - although they were high priced, and the guide didnt speak a word of English - it helped keep your sanity in the resort. Sometimes the silence was too much for us. The evening sky there was wonderful. We took our canoe out into the mangroves one early morning - it was great.
We did the local river tour in the cayuco and saw a sloth in the trees - so cool!

Thanks to suggestions that came off this board - that is how we found MR. Livingston at Ancon.

We had our travel agent package the trip for us (via Solar Tours) - whcich we wont do again. From my calculations - we could have done it for half the price on our own (We used FF miles from Dellta to get there and back for free).

To give you some background - My husband and mysekf are mid 20's and travel w. my mom and dad - who are 50ish.

I also am doing a snapfish album - if you want an invite to view it - shoot me a message - i need your email address.

PS - I am really sad that we missed Boquette.
It was too late to add it to the package - when i started reading and chatting about it. But just an excuse to go back. I have the Pearl Islands and Cobia on my list as well.

Thx
~ Jacki

I think you arrived in Bocas on the plane that we departed on. It rained the entire six days that we were there. We stayed right in Bocas town, I was surprised at the great variety of restaurants. Also ate one night at Sunset Grill on Carenero. We had a good time, it would have been great if the weather would have cooperated. Jean

Thanks for the posting, Jacki. I grew up in Panama (the old Canal Zone) and Bocas was out of reach. I look forward to a visit there soon.
Do go to Boquete, it is a wonderful place.

Jacki, thanks for the report. We are planning a trip to Panama for August and I read your report with great interest.

JeanH, looking forward to your trip report as well! Or you posted it and I missed it?

Gals/Guys - thanks for the kind words.
IT seems that many people in tropical destinations at that time in January had fowl weather.
Someone on another board told me they were in Roatan with 8 out of 10 days of rain.
Oh Well.

IF I had it to do over again - I would have spent 4 days there - with less intent on diving - more on packing light and seeing the country.

Well that leaves something for next time.

Glad you like Panama. Next time, skip Bocas and go to the Caribbean coast on the other (eastern) side of the canal. Check out CaribbeanJimmysDiveResort.com. That´s who I dive with there and it is the best. Also, they pick you up at the airport in Panama City so there are no gear problems. Email me if you want more info. Best diving is between May and October, with August and September being outstanding. Also, they are the only ones who dive San Blas.

Dear Jacki,
Please give me your e-mail if you would not mind. I'd like to see your photos and ask some questions. We are leaving for Bocas in two weeks. Thanks! LInda

Did you like the Bucaneer resort? I have read mixed reviews of it. We would like to stay in a thatch roof cabana and were thinking of the Bucaneer.