Bocas del Toro, Panamá

[Paul The Palm Doctor!]

Thanks Mike. There are a lot of expats in Bocas, so many of the Panamanians speak some English.

Bocas Province is populated by many ex-Jamaicans who worked at the banana fields for the Bocas Fruit Company i.e. Chiquita Brands. They used to be all English-speaking but now are bilingual. So many of the restauranteurs, hoteliers, and retailers were ex-pats from the U.S., Canada, and Europe so they are often tri-lingual. You definitely are in an area that is atypical of Panama. It really is a melange of Creoles, ex-pats of other Central American countries, black Caribbean islanders, Chinese & white Nord Americanos. Going to Bocas town (as the island town is called) is like visiting Jamaica, Trinidad, or the Virgin Islands (and maybe a bit like Macau or Kowloon!) The racial composition, ethnicity, and mother tongues of the locals is totally unique among all of Panama's provinces/states.

I like the island for its "high" life, but I don't think that I could live on Isla Colon...too noisy for me. Mainland Bocas del Toro is virgin rainforest, and soon will be featuring an expressway to Panama City. It will take under 4 hours to drive from Changuinola to Panama City. Now the drive (through Boquete and David, in Chiriqui Province,) takes about 9 hours because you have to cross the Continental Divide at about 6000 feet. There are dozens of switchbacks, blind-spots, and hair-raising turns on the current trans-isthmus route.

I think that Bocas del Toro Province is about 20 years behind Costa Rica as far as development goes but its colonial shabby chic "quaintness" days are numbered as big developers (including Don Trump) have purchased many acres of land on all the islamds and on the mainland. Its population total of about 90,000 people will probably rise to 250,000 within 10 years I'm betting! See it now before it becomes a further south version of South Florida & the Fla. Keys!!

Pablito

[Takil-Explorer]

The white flower is a spider lilly (Hymenocallis). I have been to Bocas del Toro in 1998, it looks more wealthy now then 13 years ago. And very sad that this are will also be spoild soon by developers! Bloody developers!

Alexander

[Jeff in St Pete]

Thanks for all the nice comments.

Randy, I didn't see where the surfers hung out (other than in front of the hostels). I assume they take them out to the breaks by boat.

Robert, sorry but I didn't ask her the purpose of the Botanical Garden. I've noticed that the term "Botanical Garden" is used loosely in Central America and does not always include scientific research. But, this botanical garden is next door to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Station so maybe there is some connection. I will have to ask Lin the next time I talk to her.

Paul, thanks for describing Bocas del Toro so well. You are much more informed on this area than I am, and I appreciate the insight.

[MichaelS]

Great trip Jeff !

Thanks for sharing.

Michael