Jan 2008
Traveling in Bocas with children
Monday, January 28, 2008
Bocas del Toro is a great place to travel with your
family. Children of all ages will find themselves
entranced by the beauty of the ocean, the beaches and
the rainforest. Once you determine you are going to
travel to Bocas with your family, then there are a few
things to consider based upon the age of your children.
How old are your children? The older children will be comfortable just about anywhere in Bocas. I would look for somewhere that they are going to either have serious interaction with nature or an opportunity to meet other children their age. The younger children are a bit more challenging. Before they are mobile they can stay anywhere that will have them. Once they are mobile then you need to be cautious with any establishment located directly on the water as it may present dangers you would rather avoid. Children who can swim and are somewhat independent would benefit from a place which has plenty of space for them to roam around uninhibited.
Some of the places to consider are as follows:
All ages: Tranquilo Bay eco adventure lodge
Older children: Casa Cayuco
Punta Caracol
La Loma - The Jungle Lodge
Birth to one year: anywhere within the archipelago that accepts children
One to four years: anywhere where children cannot directly access the water
Four years and up: La Coralina
Playa Mango
How old are your children? The older children will be comfortable just about anywhere in Bocas. I would look for somewhere that they are going to either have serious interaction with nature or an opportunity to meet other children their age. The younger children are a bit more challenging. Before they are mobile they can stay anywhere that will have them. Once they are mobile then you need to be cautious with any establishment located directly on the water as it may present dangers you would rather avoid. Children who can swim and are somewhat independent would benefit from a place which has plenty of space for them to roam around uninhibited.
Some of the places to consider are as follows:
All ages: Tranquilo Bay eco adventure lodge
Older children: Casa Cayuco
Punta Caracol
La Loma - The Jungle Lodge
Birth to one year: anywhere within the archipelago that accepts children
One to four years: anywhere where children cannot directly access the water
Four years and up: La Coralina
Playa Mango
Timing
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
I found a group of doodlebats filled with "cowboy"
philosophies. I think these philosophies work no matter
if your home is on the range or on an island in the
middle of the Caribbean Sea. This one caught my eye
today:
So true. Here in Bocas del Toro we vacillate between periods of really wanting rain to days where we have had enough. I find that I get a large number of questions about our rainfall.
We are in the middle of the tropical rainforest. Which means that we are in a forest characterized by high rainfall, with definitions setting minimum normal annual rainfall between 68 inches to 78 inches. We have an incredible amount of lush vegetation due to this rainfall. It is because of the rain that we have all of the diversity of plant and animal life. We have to respect the rainforest as so many things are still undiscovered here.
The rainy season varies by location in Panama as there are many different micro-climates throughout this tiny country. Historically the rainfall is more prevalent in December and January and July and August. This coincides with our surf seasons. However our weather patterns are changing - as they are everywhere else. We had rain in December, but not enough to put a damper on anyone's vacation. Our rain in January has been minimal in comparison to years past,
So the best answer I can give about our rainfall is that we are in the rainforest but we haven't found the rain keeps people from having a memorable vacation here in Bocas del Toro Panama.
So true. Here in Bocas del Toro we vacillate between periods of really wanting rain to days where we have had enough. I find that I get a large number of questions about our rainfall.
We are in the middle of the tropical rainforest. Which means that we are in a forest characterized by high rainfall, with definitions setting minimum normal annual rainfall between 68 inches to 78 inches. We have an incredible amount of lush vegetation due to this rainfall. It is because of the rain that we have all of the diversity of plant and animal life. We have to respect the rainforest as so many things are still undiscovered here.
The rainy season varies by location in Panama as there are many different micro-climates throughout this tiny country. Historically the rainfall is more prevalent in December and January and July and August. This coincides with our surf seasons. However our weather patterns are changing - as they are everywhere else. We had rain in December, but not enough to put a damper on anyone's vacation. Our rain in January has been minimal in comparison to years past,
So the best answer I can give about our rainfall is that we are in the rainforest but we haven't found the rain keeps people from having a memorable vacation here in Bocas del Toro Panama.
Earplugs?
Monday, January 14, 2008
How sensitive are you to sound? Do city noises keep you
from sleeping? How about a snoring partner – does that
bother you? We have had many guestsl whom are sensitive
to sound. Under normal circumstances, they wear
earplugs to protect themselves from unpleasant noises.
Most of them find that they do not need to use ear protection in order to sleep here. Our natural jungle noises are a wonderful “white noise” for those seeking rest. Each evening you can hear the parrots returning from their day’s work. We have Majestic Oropendola who also spend a fair amount of time onsite. These birds also serve as the morning wake up call each day as they serve as the jungle’s alarm clock.
The sweet noises of the different insects blend together to make up a symphony of sorts for you to drift off to sleep. And let’s not forget about the rain which can range from a pitter patter to a downpour. Each change in tempo has a unique sound pattern on the metal roofs of our cabanas.
Now as far as the snoring partner is concerned, we can’t do much about that, but maybe just maybe he or she will be so relaxed that they will sleep without the regular chorus of sound.
Most of them find that they do not need to use ear protection in order to sleep here. Our natural jungle noises are a wonderful “white noise” for those seeking rest. Each evening you can hear the parrots returning from their day’s work. We have Majestic Oropendola who also spend a fair amount of time onsite. These birds also serve as the morning wake up call each day as they serve as the jungle’s alarm clock.
The sweet noises of the different insects blend together to make up a symphony of sorts for you to drift off to sleep. And let’s not forget about the rain which can range from a pitter patter to a downpour. Each change in tempo has a unique sound pattern on the metal roofs of our cabanas.
Now as far as the snoring partner is concerned, we can’t do much about that, but maybe just maybe he or she will be so relaxed that they will sleep without the regular chorus of sound.
