Isla Colon- Bocas Town

Enjoy Isla Colon-Bocas Town

Let's start with these two very different videos. The first is a very slick professionally produced video link by IPAT;.

, but still an accurate video of one side of life on Bocas Town. The second video link by Finca Buena Vida , a local wellness community, though not quite as professionally produced does reveal a little more rustic tour of the town and life on the Islands.

Isla Colon is by far the most developed, population (9883 inhabitants 2000 census), and visited Island in the Archipelago. It has forests, beaches and caves to explore. The best beaches can be found about a 15 minute drive (a $10 Dollar round trip by taxi) from Bocas Town. Playa Bluff offers the best Surfing on the Island and La Piscina, a protected lagoon to the north the best swimming opportunity. Sea turtles and their nest can be found on many of the beaches, care should be taken not to disturb their natural habitat .The best beaches can be found about a 15 minute drive (a $10 Dollar round trip by taxi) from Bocas Town. Playa Bluff offers the best Surfing on the Island and La Piscina, a protected lagoon to the north the best swimming opportunity. Sea turtles and their nest can be found on many of the beaches, care should be taken not to disturb their natural habitat .

Halfway across the Island you will find La Gruta, a 300m passage, (the Cavern) near a small settlement called Colonia Santena.La Gruta is entered by wading up the stream which emerges the cave.There are numerous caves inhabited by bats, and generally it is advisable to avoid them. It is necessary to obtain a special permit from the Panamanian government to visit bat caves. This cavern is home to millions of bats. The islands are home to dozens of species. There are insect-eating, fruit-eating, and even fishing bats, that use their sharp-clawed feet to snag small fish which swim close to the surface. This place is not only of touristic interest. The locals visit the cave once a year on the 3rd of July, the Dia de la Virgen del Carmen. Everyone in Bocas Del Toro makes a pilgrimage to La Gruta for a mass in honor of the Virgen del Carmen, also called Nuestra Se�ora de la Gruta. Two statues of the Saint are placed in front of the cave.Only the bravest enter most are happy to explore the opening of the cave.

Bocas Town is at the southeast tip of this 61 km Island. The Bocas Del Toro Airport is on the outskirts of town a mere ten minute walk, only four blocks away. The Town itself resembles an old Wild West town gone Caribbean. With its rustic wooden B&BS, and interesting local flavors visitors enjoy the lazy lifestyle Bocas Town has to offer. Bocas also makes a great base to explore the remaining Islands and Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park given that the majority of the hotels, restaurants, tour and dive guides can be found here.

It is difficult to get lost in Bocas Town, The streets (calle) are laid out in simple grid pattern. Most of the action can be found on Calle 3. This Main street runs along the waterfront and is where a majority of hotels, bars and restaurants can be found. The numbered streets run basically north and south while the lettered avenues mainly east to west. Not all streets and avenues are marked and some go by more than one name but remember it is a small town so getting lost is difficult to do. There are some private cars on the Islands but mostly Taxi, bike rentals and of course walking is the most common mode of travel.

Boca Del Drago is located on the western side of Isla Colon. Drago has a nice beach with sand and coral ocean bottom. On calm days this makes a great swimming and snorkeling location.

Please refer to the following links for more specific information on Bacas and the surrounding area:

Local tips-facts
Activities and Adventures
Getting There and Around
Hotels and Accommodations
Restaurants and Nightlife
Bocas Del Toro Province Directory
Bocas Maps
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