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The San Blas Islands and
Bocas del Toro
The San Blas Islands offer two unbeatable attractions:
Caribbean islands of stunning beauty and an opportunity to visit
the villages of the San Blas Indians to learn about their
fascinating culture and way of life. This is Caribbean beauty at
its best –the 365 picturesque palm tree covered islands of the
San Blas Archipelago are set in indescribably beautiful aqua
waters. Here you’ll feel refreshingly "away from it
all" – far from modern civilization and close to nature.
The San Blas Islands were selected as one of the top two
"best cruising destinations in the world" by Cruising
World and Le Monde Voyage magazines. CBS’s Survivor program
chose one typically idyllic San Blas island, Sapbeinega for a
“reward” party for the Survivor competitors. The islands have
been the subject of numerous National Geographic articles over the
years- indeed this is an experience “right out of the pages of
National Geographic.”
Island accommodations consist of simple, yet comfortable native
style cabins with roofs and walls of thatched palm trees-
"all natural" lodgings that blend in perfectly with the
tropical scenery. It’s a real pleasure not to see any cement for
a few days.
Bocas del Toro is a Caribbean archipelago located
in West Panama near the Costa Rican border. A little off the beaten
track, your wondrous tropical island adventure begins after a one-hour
flight from Panama City. We will be there to meet you! Once the island
attracted pirates but now it lures the discerning and selective seasoned
travelers with its idyllic scenery, climate, tropical rain forests,
intriguing coves with surf breaks and alluring white sand.
Bocas is one of Panama's top tourist destinations,
with good reason. There are few places left in the world where you can
enjoy gorgeous beaches with scarsely a soul in sight. Many of these
incredible beaches are fringed with rainforests so fine that Lonely
Planet Guide calls them "a biologist's fantasy."
Amid this natural splendor you'll find the charming
town of Bocas, a laid back Caribbean settlement with a friendly English
speaking population, historical ambiance, great restaurants and a lively
nightlife.
Bocas is also blessed by nature in that no
hurricanes ever touch these shores, as they do other Central American
neighbors.
The archipelago of Bocas
del Toro is located on the northwestern coast of Panama in and
around the Bay of Chiriqui. International travelers have only recently
discovered this isolated region of Panama. It is for this reason that
much of the island chain remains pristine and untouched.
It is an outdoor lovers paradise with diving,
fishing, boating, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, horseback riding and
white water rafting.
This region, considered the most geographically
diverse in the Caribbean, is also a nature lover's dream come true.
Bocas is one of the few places in the world that can boast of being the
home to a fully functional research facility owned and operated by the
Smithsonian Institution. Eco-tourism is coming of age in Bocas, and why
not, with unspoiled coral reefs, a magnificent rain forrest and miles of
unspoiled beaches within close proximity. If nature is your thing, you
will find quality jungle tours, river tours, island tours, bird watching
and turtle watching expeditions.
Bocas is also home to at least two tribes of
indigenous Indians whose villages can be visited by invitation. Several
of these villages are located within the boundaries of the Bastimentos
National Marine Park, a gem in Panama's National Park system.
The main town on the archipelago is Bocas
Del Toro, which is located on the southeastern tip of Isla Colón.
It is easily reached by land, sea or air. There are several daily
flights from Panama City and other nearby cities into the modern
airport. Taxi service by boat is available throughout the day from
Almirante, the closest city on the mainland. For those wishing to get to
Bocas by car, ferry service is provided several times each week from
Almirante.
In addition to the charm of a small Caribbean
community, the town boasts paved streets, treated potable water, several
new hotels and restaurants and modern conveniences such as internet
service, cable TV, a hospital with ambulance service and a fire
department.
As in all of Panama, the currency is the US dollar
and in Bocas you will find that many of the local people speak English.
In addition to a tourism boom, in recent years
Bocas has experienced a real estate boom. Although prices are rising,
they still represent some of the best buys in the Caribbean. On a
retirement income in Bocas, you can enjoy "the good life" in
safe and beautiful surroundings.
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