10 Tips For Visiting Bocas Del Toro Panama

November 24, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Are you half packed for your trip to Bocas Del Toro in Panama? Well, before anything else, there’s some congratulating in order. After all, you not only chose one of the best vacation places in Central America, you also picked a nice time to go. Imagine being in a place where you can find the most fabulous beaches in the Caribbean, like the well-known Red Frog Beach (yes, there are still red frogs there, too), where you can scuba, snorkel, kayak, and do whatever you can and want to do in the water, while at the same time being striking distance to extreme sports arenas for mountain biking or just zip-lining through the jungle canopy. The nightlife isn’t bad, either. In Bocas Town, you can find good food, dancing, and maybe a few drinks to wrap up the day.

There’s something in Bocas for everyone. After all, it’s the best of both worlds. You have the beaches of Aruba on one hand, and the wildness of the jungles of Costa Rica on the other. The best part about it is that you won’t have to file for bankruptcy to enjoy anything that tickles your fancy. Judging from the “bare essential” needs like shelter ($50 for a standard room) and food ($20 for a decent meal for two), it’s also extremely affordable.

Anyways, there’s a good chance you already know all of that. Bocas is great – that’s why you’ve decided to visit. Here’s a list of tips and advice for anyone new to Bocas Del Toro:

1) If you’re planning to go underwater, bring your own waterproof camera. The place has the goods: clear waters, colorful fish, and coral reefs that go on and on, and the only way you can take them with you is to snap a few pictures. Bringing your own waterproof camera (disposable cameras are OK) means that you’re sure you have it when you need it, and it won’t cost you as much than if you buy a camera in Bocas – assuming you can even find one for sale.

2) Pack shorts and a good pair of sandals. The main island in Bocas is just a little too small for taxi service, so you can expect to walk quite a bit in and around Bocas Town. North Americans should also remember to bring shorts – the temperature in Bocas hovers around 90 degrees Fahrenheit year round with a fair amount of humidity. The sea breeze keeps things cool at night, but during the day long pants are uncomfortable.

3) You would, of course, need money, and the acceptable currencies are the local Balboa and the US dollar. The exchange rate for that is one dollar to one Panamanian Balboa exactly, which is to say that the Balboa and the dollar are used interchangeable. In other words, plan on spending U.S. dollars while visiting Bocas.

4) If your stomach is sensitive, it’s best to stick to purified bottled water since these are readily available, anyway. Most of the water in this tropical country comes from collected rainwater. Although it is generally safe, collected rainwater might not always agree with your system. Bottled water isn’t expensive or hard to find, so why risk it?

5) All you need is a passport. Anyone visiting Panama from the USA or Canada is automatically granted a 30 day visa upon entering the country with a valid passport. Panama does require that visitors purchase a tourist stamp, which costs $8 to $12 depending on your port of entry. If you’re interested in staying more than 30 days, extensions are very easy to come by. Your driver’s license is required if you rent a car, but there’s little need to do so in Bocas.

6) Beaches are remote, so pack a lunch. The beaches of Bocas are mostly accessible only by boat, and there are no convenience stores for miles around. Bring food, water, Balboa (Panama’s own brew), sunscreen, and whatever you think you will need for the day before going anywhere. It’s better to lug around a large bag, rather than to faint from hunger or dehydration, or crying in pain because of your sunburn.

7) The two major languages used in Bocas are English and Spanish. If you speak either language, then you’re in good shape. If you don’t, a phrase book or two would be a good idea.
Staying in touch is easy. If you absolutely have to have a cell phone, you can rent or buy a pre-paid phone easily. Otherwise, check out one of many Internet cafes in downtown Bocas Town. You can rent a computer for as little as $3 an hour, and most internet cafes have VOIP phones (a.k.a. internet telephones) that allow you to call anywhere in the world for very little.

9) For bragging rights, you can drop by Costa Rica, which really isn’t all that different unless you go a lot further than usual the package tours that will take you to its jungles. Costa Rica is about an hour away from Bocas Del Toro, so crossing the border does not take too much time.

10) Chill. You’re on vacation! If a waitress doesn’t run to you immediately to get your order, don’t sweat it. That’s just the way things are in Boca Del Toro – slower paced and more laid back. They aren’t doing it to be rude or insulting or to irk you. Besides, there’s enough time to sit back and relax. Isn’t that why you’re going, after all? Leave the hurry at the door, and live the lazy island life.

Those are the things that I brought along with me to Bocas Del Toro for my vacation, and it helped me enjoy myself. I hope that these 10 tips will be of help to you too.

The author Jason Lancaster has spent some quality time in Panama and knows a thing or two about Bocas del Toro. Find out more about Bocas del Toro bars and restaurants.

categories: bocas del toro,panama,central america,vacation,holiday

Comments

You must be logged in to post a comment.

One Hour Auto Loan
Search for:

Categories

Recent Postings

Nov

24

10 Tips For Visiting Bocas Del Toro Panama

Comments