A few days in Bocas Town

Thursday, March 22, 2018
Bocas del Toro Province, Panama
After our interesting border crossing and journey into Panama we were pleased to get to Bocas Del Toro. We could see our hotel from where the boat docked and it only took us 5 minutes to walk there.
Bocas Del Toro is a province in Panama comprising an island chain off the Caribbean coast. Isla Colon, the main Island, is home to Bocas Town, a central hub with restaurants, shops and nightlife. We have the next 3 nights in Bocas Town.
Our room wasn’t quite ready but we stored our luggage and went to have lunch. Whilst Costa Rica is not cheap, Panama certainly is - so $2 for a Corona is amazing! (And it’s a bigger bottle than in Australia too).
We checked into our hotel which is on the water, gave our laundry to the front desk to take care of, and went to the supermarket for some supplies for our deck. We enjoyed the water taxis and activity on the water before the fireworks commenced just across the water. We then went for dinner next door.
For our first full day here, we went for breakfast and then Tim went scuba diving whilst I relaxed. He enjoyed the dives -plenty of coral and a wreck dive in 28 degree water. We then relaxed for the afternoon after a lunch by the water. A cruise ship is docked not far away - it is pretty easy to tell in town which people are off the ship. (Eg. Those staying in town are a little more relaxed in what they are wearing!). 
Lots of restaurants were closed today given it is Easter Sunday and our first choice was closed - but we did find another - all good!
I haven’t been feeling very well and things were worse today. Not sure if it’s something I ate, or the anti-malarial tablets. It’s day 4 on those. 
For Tuesday, we booked a tour to  Zapatilla (absolutely gorgeous beach) Dolphin (yes we saw some), Hollywood (cos there’s a heap of starfish) and Sloth Islands (And we saw some sloths in the trees). It was a great day - even though I barely ate anything. 
We love our accommodation on the water - although we have very noisy neighbors - thankfully reception have asked them to turn the noise down now that it’s after 10pm (for the second night in a row). (As an update they lasted until 5.20am before going to bed). There’s quite a few in the group so lots of yelling in the halls and ringing the fire alarm bell. Unfortunately they seem to gather in the room next door.
There is an extremely heavy police presence in town which is not commensurate with its size. There were police this morning clearly looking for someone on the boat docks carrying machine guns. Tim has been offered drugs several times!
We are heading to our next accommodation tomorrow - which is only about 20 minutes away by boat for 2 nights. Another eco lodge so no power, no air con etc. We do like Bocas - it isn’t really like anything we have been before - mainly because of the Caribbean influence. It’s very chilled and laid back - and cheap. Not 100% sure yet about the food - as Tim now has an upset tummy too! 
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Comments

Rachel
2018-04-03

Perhaps just drink & forgo the food! Xx

beco70
2018-04-03

Very wise Rach! c

2025-02-11

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