Panama Country Guide - Bocas

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Bocas is one of Panama's top tourist destinations. 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.

Bocas is 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 the shores, as they do its other Central American neighbours.

The archipelago of Bocas del Toro is located on the north-western 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.

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.

It is an outdoor lovers paradise with diving, fishing, boating, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, horseback riding and white water rafting.

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, a 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 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.

Region Information - Bocas | Chiriqui | Panama City