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.
Idyllic
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
It is a perfect description of the archipelago of Bocas
del Toro Panama. Each of the beaches should be on a
post card. Once you get away from the main island of
Isla Colon, they are basically uninhabited. You
generally do not see any other people on the beaches
unless it is a big holiday weekend.
Mirriam Webster’s definition of idyllic is pleasing or picturesque in natural simplicity. Because most of the islands and peninsulas which are home to the beaches of Bocas del Toro cannot be accessed by automobiles, they have not been exploited in such a manner as to take away their natural simplicity. They are absolutely charming. When you add a picnic lunch and a few beach toys, a day spent on one of our beaches is perfect.
Each of these beaches and the islands which house them suggest a mood of peace and contentment. It is impossible to worry when you are visiting one of these locations. You forget about your responsibilities and day to day life whilst you are on one of these beaches.
You deserve a few days of simple and carefee life.
Choose Bocas del Toro Panama for your family beach vacation. You and your family can relax and enjoy the serenity that engulfs the entire archipelago.
Mirriam Webster’s definition of idyllic is pleasing or picturesque in natural simplicity. Because most of the islands and peninsulas which are home to the beaches of Bocas del Toro cannot be accessed by automobiles, they have not been exploited in such a manner as to take away their natural simplicity. They are absolutely charming. When you add a picnic lunch and a few beach toys, a day spent on one of our beaches is perfect.
Each of these beaches and the islands which house them suggest a mood of peace and contentment. It is impossible to worry when you are visiting one of these locations. You forget about your responsibilities and day to day life whilst you are on one of these beaches.
You deserve a few days of simple and carefee life.
Choose Bocas del Toro Panama for your family beach vacation. You and your family can relax and enjoy the serenity that engulfs the entire archipelago.
Which island is right for me?
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
How do you choose which island is right for you? Do you
want nightlife or silence? Do you want a beach or a
view?
If you are the type of traveler who would rather get away from it all, consider basing yourself out of Isla Bastimentos. There are lodges concentrated on Bastimentos. Because of the distance from Bocas Town on Isla Colon, most of the lodges include meals as part of a package. There are several which include activities as part of the package as well. Depending upon the location you select, your transfer from Bocas Town may take as long as 45 minutes to reach your destination.
On Isla Carenero there are a variety of places to choose from. You can stay here and find a more tranquil evening than staying on Isla Colon. Carenero is about a two minute water taxi ride from Isla Colon. You can catch a water taxi all day long until about 9:00 pm each night.
Isla Colon is the main island in the archipelago. Here you will find a variety of places to stay. There are many different restaurants to choose from and several bars and nightclubs. It is the best place for people looking to party.
Cristobal and Dolphin Bay are beautiful locations with very limited access to accommodations.
If you are the type of traveler who would rather get away from it all, consider basing yourself out of Isla Bastimentos. There are lodges concentrated on Bastimentos. Because of the distance from Bocas Town on Isla Colon, most of the lodges include meals as part of a package. There are several which include activities as part of the package as well. Depending upon the location you select, your transfer from Bocas Town may take as long as 45 minutes to reach your destination.
On Isla Carenero there are a variety of places to choose from. You can stay here and find a more tranquil evening than staying on Isla Colon. Carenero is about a two minute water taxi ride from Isla Colon. You can catch a water taxi all day long until about 9:00 pm each night.
Isla Colon is the main island in the archipelago. Here you will find a variety of places to stay. There are many different restaurants to choose from and several bars and nightclubs. It is the best place for people looking to party.
Cristobal and Dolphin Bay are beautiful locations with very limited access to accommodations.
Eco Adventure Excursion
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Here is a sample itinerary for a Four Night / Five Day
Eco Adventure Extension from either Panama City or
Costa Rica.
Day One:
Arrive Bocas del Toro Panama. Afternoon trip to beach
Unspoiled islands protected by the National Park and home only to a park ranger and a couple of seasonal research scientists studying sea turtles
Day Two:
Snorkeling trip throughout the archipelago to different reef formations
Reef encircles many of the islands with oceanic formations consisting of walls, freshwater caves, tunnels, pinnacles, coral spires and towers, groove and spur, ocean impact reef, sandy ledges and shallow protected patch reef.
Day Three:
Sea kayak trip around various islands
Rock cliffs jut abruptly out of the sea, each having its own unique array of geological formations. Some are undercut by ocean waves on one side with a miniature 30-foot beach and shallow water on the other. Others rise piercingly from the sea and have deeper water on all sides.
Day Four:
All day excursion to indigenous village and isolated beach
A dramatic peninsula covered in dense tropical forest and high peaks descends to the ocean from over 700 feet. A 15-minute walk through the jungle leads you to the longest stretch of white sand beaches in Panama.
Day Five:
Mid day departure from Bocas del Toro Panama.
Day One:
Arrive Bocas del Toro Panama. Afternoon trip to beach
Unspoiled islands protected by the National Park and home only to a park ranger and a couple of seasonal research scientists studying sea turtles
Day Two:
Snorkeling trip throughout the archipelago to different reef formations
Reef encircles many of the islands with oceanic formations consisting of walls, freshwater caves, tunnels, pinnacles, coral spires and towers, groove and spur, ocean impact reef, sandy ledges and shallow protected patch reef.
Day Three:
Sea kayak trip around various islands
Rock cliffs jut abruptly out of the sea, each having its own unique array of geological formations. Some are undercut by ocean waves on one side with a miniature 30-foot beach and shallow water on the other. Others rise piercingly from the sea and have deeper water on all sides.
Day Four:
All day excursion to indigenous village and isolated beach
A dramatic peninsula covered in dense tropical forest and high peaks descends to the ocean from over 700 feet. A 15-minute walk through the jungle leads you to the longest stretch of white sand beaches in Panama.
Day Five:
Mid day departure from Bocas del Toro Panama.
Ocean front property
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Year-round oceanfront access. It can be yours.
What do you want to do with it? Do you want to launch a kayak and head out for a paddle in the calm waters? Or do you want to jump into the bathtub warm Caribbean and snorkel for a while? Perhaps you prefer to while away the afternoon from the dock overlooking the sparkling sea. Maybe if you look up at the right moment you will spot a few dolphins at play in the bay. Or perhaps you might take a boat ride for your guided excursion over to another island for a great hike through the jungle.
Really the choice is yours. You can do as much or as little as you want. It is your vacation and you can do whatever it is you like. You may choose to wake up early and enjoy the sunrise with a cup of delicious Panamanian coffee. Or you may choose to wake up with the sun and begin your day. Then there are those who choose to sleep in and catch up on some much needed sleep. Depending upon the length of your stay and the activities you would like to experience you may begin your day differently each day. You decide.
What do you want to do with it? Do you want to launch a kayak and head out for a paddle in the calm waters? Or do you want to jump into the bathtub warm Caribbean and snorkel for a while? Perhaps you prefer to while away the afternoon from the dock overlooking the sparkling sea. Maybe if you look up at the right moment you will spot a few dolphins at play in the bay. Or perhaps you might take a boat ride for your guided excursion over to another island for a great hike through the jungle.
Really the choice is yours. You can do as much or as little as you want. It is your vacation and you can do whatever it is you like. You may choose to wake up early and enjoy the sunrise with a cup of delicious Panamanian coffee. Or you may choose to wake up with the sun and begin your day. Then there are those who choose to sleep in and catch up on some much needed sleep. Depending upon the length of your stay and the activities you would like to experience you may begin your day differently each day. You decide.
Isla Bastimentos
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Isla Bastimentos. Yesterday, we had a gentleman stop by
who was writing an article on Isla Bastimentos. I find
it interesting that someone who has never been to Bocas
del Toro before decides to focus on one island within
the archipelago. While we have 68 islands in the
archipelago there are about ten which garner attention.
Bastimentos is one of the ten.
Isla Bastimentos is a rather large island and has several population centers. Bastimentos town anchors the island on one end. Punta Viejo is one peninsula. Macca Bite is another peninsula. Salt Creek is one of the indigenous villages. Bahia Honda is another indigenous village in the interior of the island. There are several areas under development: Red Frog, a few other areas near Bastimentos Town, and Punta Viejo.
Attractions. There are multiple beaches on Isla Bastimentos. Red Frog Beach, Wizard Beach, Playa Larga. Bastimentos National Marine Park takes in about one third of the island and includes several outlying islands and marine areas in the archipelago. There are also caves, a butterfly farm and numerous hiking trails.
Personal lodging options. On Isla Bastimentos there are several places which are small personal lodges. Some have been around for a number of years and others are relatively new. Interestingly, most of them are owner operated which makes them a completely different experience than any other type of accommodation.
So actually, I guess it is easy to understand how someone would decide to focus on Isla Bastimentos. It has so much to offer its guests.
Isla Bastimentos is a rather large island and has several population centers. Bastimentos town anchors the island on one end. Punta Viejo is one peninsula. Macca Bite is another peninsula. Salt Creek is one of the indigenous villages. Bahia Honda is another indigenous village in the interior of the island. There are several areas under development: Red Frog, a few other areas near Bastimentos Town, and Punta Viejo.
Attractions. There are multiple beaches on Isla Bastimentos. Red Frog Beach, Wizard Beach, Playa Larga. Bastimentos National Marine Park takes in about one third of the island and includes several outlying islands and marine areas in the archipelago. There are also caves, a butterfly farm and numerous hiking trails.
Personal lodging options. On Isla Bastimentos there are several places which are small personal lodges. Some have been around for a number of years and others are relatively new. Interestingly, most of them are owner operated which makes them a completely different experience than any other type of accommodation.
So actually, I guess it is easy to understand how someone would decide to focus on Isla Bastimentos. It has so much to offer its guests.
Island Options - 2
Friday, August 31, 2007
Let’s see, we have Isla Bastimentos, Isla Solarte and
San Cristobal remaining with public housing.
On Isla Bastimentos, there are several different kinds of lodging available. In Bastimentos town there are a variety of basic hotels and hostels. There are a limited number of restaurants and bars, but no shortage of music. There are several other areas on Bastimentos with accommodations as well. These other accommodations are mostly all-inclusive as they are too secluded to allow you to get to a restaurant or bar in the evening. It is possible to get to and from Bastimentos town at night, but most of the other areas of Bastimentos do not have transportation available after dark.
Isla Solarte is mainly private housing but there is a bed and breakfast on the island that is operational some of the time. This island does not have any restaurants or bars for you to access for meals, etc. Depending upon the water taxi, you might be able to get a ride back to Isla Solarte in the evening, but you wouldn’t be able to find a ride from the island over to town without arranging such in advance.
San Cristobal is a rather small island with a few options for lodging. Like on Isla Bastimentos, most places are all inclusive as it is difficult to travel to and from other islands for you meals. Transportation to and from Isla Colon and the other islands is somewhat limited as there is not much business to draw from.
On Isla Bastimentos, there are several different kinds of lodging available. In Bastimentos town there are a variety of basic hotels and hostels. There are a limited number of restaurants and bars, but no shortage of music. There are several other areas on Bastimentos with accommodations as well. These other accommodations are mostly all-inclusive as they are too secluded to allow you to get to a restaurant or bar in the evening. It is possible to get to and from Bastimentos town at night, but most of the other areas of Bastimentos do not have transportation available after dark.
Isla Solarte is mainly private housing but there is a bed and breakfast on the island that is operational some of the time. This island does not have any restaurants or bars for you to access for meals, etc. Depending upon the water taxi, you might be able to get a ride back to Isla Solarte in the evening, but you wouldn’t be able to find a ride from the island over to town without arranging such in advance.
San Cristobal is a rather small island with a few options for lodging. Like on Isla Bastimentos, most places are all inclusive as it is difficult to travel to and from other islands for you meals. Transportation to and from Isla Colon and the other islands is somewhat limited as there is not much business to draw from.
Favorite place
Friday, August 24, 2007
Where is your favorite place to visit? Is it a get away
that your family has gone to for many years? Is it
across the ocean far far away from your home. Are there
beaches or mountains? Does your location include exotic
scenery or did you have an emotional connection to the
place that now makes it your favorite?
Maybe you do not have a favorite location just yet. Maybe you are on a search for a favorite location. There are many Panama Beaches and Panama Islands which might qualify for favorite status.
Our beaches and islands have many unique characteristics which include both exotic scenery and incredible hospitality. These characteristics may be the right ingredients for you to make an emotional connection with the area.
I cannot put my finger on it but there is definitely something about this place that makes it special above and beyond the gorgeous scenery and the captivating waters. Every time I leave Bocas del Toro for even the briefest period of time I am anxious to get back. My son feels the same way. He is always excited to take a trip and visit family and friends, but after only a short while he wants to return to our little retreat on Isla Bastimentos. Bastimentos is now home. It is my favorite place to visit.
Maybe you do not have a favorite location just yet. Maybe you are on a search for a favorite location. There are many Panama Beaches and Panama Islands which might qualify for favorite status.
Our beaches and islands have many unique characteristics which include both exotic scenery and incredible hospitality. These characteristics may be the right ingredients for you to make an emotional connection with the area.
I cannot put my finger on it but there is definitely something about this place that makes it special above and beyond the gorgeous scenery and the captivating waters. Every time I leave Bocas del Toro for even the briefest period of time I am anxious to get back. My son feels the same way. He is always excited to take a trip and visit family and friends, but after only a short while he wants to return to our little retreat on Isla Bastimentos. Bastimentos is now home. It is my favorite place to visit.
