We are en route to Bocas this wknd to stay for 10 days, and only have the weather.com forecast to go by.
Can someone actually living or staying in Bocas give me a better idea of how to interpret the rain forecasts?
For instance, does 80 percent chance of rain every single day mean a brief shower each afternoon followed by sunshine (as is common in tropical locales), or is it raining for long periods of time???
Thanks and peace!!!!
he there,
i was in bocas mid-late september last year and we had great weather. the main land got hammered with storms, but for the most part of two weeks we had very little rain on the islands. At this time of year, 80 per cent means it will rain in the afternoon, but probably for an hour or so, then it will be hot and humid. Maybe a few nights we got long storms that lasted all night, and the mosquito's were bad. September and October are supposed to be the best time for this part of the Caribbean coast, so i think you should be ok. But you can get wet for a period of time. The below site is for costa rica, but as bocas is close to the border it is handy.
Although the visibility is not great at this time of year, a snorkelling or diving trip is nice if you can afford it. A stay on bastimentos is a good break from party central on isla colon, and allows you to be explore wizard and red frog beaches, which are amazing.
The very best visibility in Bocas and in Panama's Caribbean in general is September and October... maybe willymaze got confused with Panama's Pacific?
Good to hear, both from willymaze and julio!
Question: i realize fish and seafood will be plentiful, which i love, but is there a local fish or seafood speciality i must try?
thanks!
Hi Julio, I spent 6weeks on the Caribbean side of panama and Costa Rica last September and October, and the visibility was murky and filmy due to the fresh water runoff from the mainland. I heard the best vis is during the dry season on the mainland /mountains. Regardless, as I posted before some snorkelling is worth it. It's petty cheap in bocas.
Regarding seafood to try, I had some good ceviche in panama. Not sure if I saw it in bocas tho. Tbh, We cooked a lot during our time in bocas as the food options were not that great.
It has been super sunny everyday (not raining in the afternoon ) and for the past couple of days it has been raining heavy at night with huge thunder and lightning storms. It is Feria Del Mar this week starting monday the 15th which means it will rain at night at least. I have not been out in the water but in september the seas are the most calm which means you can get to amazing beaches like Polo Beach on Bastimentos. As far as seas food goes try a stew called Randon. I would not suggest lobster as it will most likely be way over priced and it is being way over fished.