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Bocas del Toro Living - How
to live, succeed, and enjoy life in Panama's most incredible ecotourism
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Bocas del Toro is Panama's top tourist attraction, offering beautiful deserted beaches coupled with rainforests so pristine they've been called "mind boggling biological wonders". Bocas town has a rich history, a lively nightlife and an easy to meet, mostly English speaking population. No hurricanes have ever touched the Bocas area due to its "below the hurricane belt" location. |
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Archipelago de Bocas in the Western Panamanian Caribbean near the Costa Rican border is a seldom visited island-lovers delight, and an explorers paradise, featuring big jungle-flanked rivers, huge areas of virgin rain forest and long stretches of coastline largely devoid of human beings. Almirante Bay alone has over 320 islands ranging in size from 200 feet to over 45 miles long. Large channels lead directly to the Caribbean assuring clear water and a constant year round refreshing sea breeze.
Bocas offers secluded beaches, island tours, wild life viewing, birding, snorkeling, diving, surfing, sea kayaking, houseboat rentals, wind surfing, ecotourism trips, rainforest tours, as well as vacation and retirement living, and the opportunity to establish a tourist related company in business friendly Panama.
Isla Colon is the most visited and developed of the Bocas del Toro islands. The completely "wooden" town of Bocas (2004 population about 6,100) is on the southeastern tip and acts as the provincial capital.
Bocas is one of Panamas top tourist attractions and with good reason. Where else can you enjoy gorgeous beaches fringed with rainforests, high cliffs and deep rivers, and hundreds of miles of unspoiled protected shoreline. The Lonely Planet guide calls Bocas a biologists fantasy. The charming town of Bocas is laid back, with a friendly English speaking population and deep historical significance.
Hotels are economical and range from $8 a night shared Hostel accommodations, to attractive hotels at $25-$110. To get to Bocas take a daily flight from Panama City or David in West Panama near the Costa Rican border. You can also take a bus or car to Almirante and then ferry to Bocas town, on the main island called Isla Colon. You can safely leave your vehicle in Almirante while staying in Bocas. The drive between David and Almirante is quite scenic.
Lately, Bocas has been experiencing a real estate boom with land prices skyrocketing but they still represent the best buys in the Caribbean. Americans are snapping up $40,000 beach front lots with plans to build vacation and retirement homes in the future. English, French, German, and Canadian investors and homeowners are flocking to the area along with hundreds of backpackers, ecotourists, and world travelers seeking one of the last great unspoiled marine wonderlands on the planet. A retirees income or a backpackers monthly stipend affords one the "Bocas good life" in safe and beautiful surroundings.