Some were traveling through
the area, visiting Nicaragua or Costa Rica or Colombia as well as Panama. Some
were on to visit the San Blas Islands after stays in Bocas del Toro. Some were
young backpackers, some young honeymooners. Some were ex-patriots who seemed to
be in Bocas for extended stays. Some were families with toddlers or pre-teens
in tow. Some were just like Janet and me, simply enjoying some warm weather in
the middle of inclement winter weather back home.
WHERE IN THE WORLD WERE WE?
Punta Caracol
This first part of the trip at
the Punta Caracol Acqua-Lodge was quiet and relaxing. We read, swam off our
personal deck, had access to kayaks, and waved at the tour boats and water
taxis that passed us on their way to Playa Estrella (Starfish Beach). Over
afternoon drinks in the open air thatched roof dining area we played spirited
games of backgammon and when graced by ephipanous sunsets we sat back on our
chaises and knew we made the right choice coming to Bocas del Toro.
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| Punta Caracol |
The second half we explored the
vibrant and very different lifestyle of Bocas Town. We stayed in the Tropical
Suites hotel which is in the center of town. We had a large comfortable room
that overlooked the waters of Bocas del Toro and nightly we could watch the
prancing lights of the nightclubs across the way on Isla Carenero gradually
awaken. Out hotel had a pool on the back deck and there was a swim-up bar. We
spent a couple of late afternoons sipping Abuela Anejo Rum watching the water
taxis ply the waters off Isla Colon.
It would be not be an
exaggeration to say Bocas Town was simply a party town, but there were was
something for travelers young and old. There were hostels and nightclubs and a “Filthy
Friday” pub crawl. We briefly looked into that, but we realized we were about
45 years too old to participate….
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| Tropical Suites Bocas Town |
There were artisans selling
their crafts on the streets and tattoo palors and shops and shacks selling
souveniers. There were casual eateries and excellent high quality restaurants.
There were bars selling craft beer. There were bakeries for breakfast and dive
shops, surf shops, and water taxi stands hawking their tours. One could rent a
car, or an ebike to toodle around and explore Isla Colon. There were large vans
that served as buses clustered around the Simon Bolivar park to get to the interior
of Isla Colon, or to the far side to reach Playa Estella and Bocas del Drago.
When we decided to go to that
end of the island we took the bus. It takes 45 minutes and is far cheaper than
a $90 water taxi at just $5.00 for the both of us each way.
Tourism is the main income
source, but off the main drag in Bocas Town, where most of the restaurants and
bars are located, English is not widely spoken. Still, fumbling over words or
using calculators to show the price of something without having to translate is
normal behavior and the people are friendly and accommodating. Janet’s attempts
at speaking Spanish were greatly appreciated though.
TROPICAL SUITES, BOCAS DEL TORO
PUNTA CARACOL OVERWATER BUNGALOWS
Logistics:
Water
Though the water is safe to
drink in Panama City in Bocas it is not, but there were plenty of water coolers
at our hotel, and besides there is plenty of rum and beer to drink.
Electricity
Panama is at 110 volts, like
the United States and has regular sockets so there’s no need for adaptors.
Although, on Bocas del Toro as it was at Punta Caracol electricity is a premium.
At Punta Caracol solar panels provide electricity. There is a generator for
power on Bocas del Toro, and sometimes that goes out. It did twice for us
during our stay at the Tropical Suites.
Money and Tipping
The American dollar is the
currency of Panama. Makes sense as the Panama Canal Zone, which stretched five
miles on either side of the canal was under control of the U.S. from 1903 to
1979 and was where the late John McCain was born in 1936. Change for your
dollar though will usually come back as a Balboa which is 1:1 with USD.
Tipping is not necessary, but
we come from a tipping culture as Americans. Locals usually just pay the bill,
but we’ll ask to add 10% and the gesture is greatly appreciated.
Taxis to the airport are
usually $2.00 pp. I would hand the driver a $5.00 bill and he would immediately
start to look to give me change, but I would always wave him off. Tipping in
bars can score you a free drink btw.
YOU CAN GET THERE FROM HERE
We flew on American Airlines from
Philadelphia to Panama City with a stopover in Miami. Both flights were under
three hours and Panama is in the same time zone as home, so there was no jet lag.
We stayed a few nights in the
capital, right near the mouth of the Panama Canal to take a cooking class in Casco
Viejo or Old Town. To reach Bocas del Toro we flew on Air Panama for a 50-minute
ride that landed right in the middle of Bocas Town and from there took the
water taxi to Punta Caracol.
There are buses, and cost a
lot less than airfare, but they take forever, and then you have to take a ferry
over to Isla Colon. That takes about an hour and 40 minutes.
Water taxis vary in price depending on your destination. To reach Red Frog Beach one afternoon we flagged down a green “Randy Tou rs” boat. It cost us $10 each way and the skipper, whose shirt had “CAPITAN” across the shoulders even waited us for the few hours we wanted to stay.
Thanks for reading, Nos vemos pronto. À bientôt. נתראה בקרוב Bis bald. Tot snel. Vi ses snart. See you soon..
© 2026 by Gregory Dunaj
