Hey guys, I'll be staying on Bocas del Toro for 5 days, but I'm having trouble picking the best island. I'd like to stay somewhere with a white sand beach, easy access to a jungle and under 15$ a night. I'd also like somewhere quite, with a bohemian vibe and a moderate party scene just to meet some other people! Any suggestions?? Thanks!
1
willymaze
Hi Tanya,
you may want consider staying on both isla colon and bastimentos...
Isla Colon does have a gringo vibe to it, with the bars and the expats. But it gives you access to some great beaches on the other side of the island, as well as snorkelling/diving tours/options. When i stayed on colon we were 30min walk out of town, or 10min bike ride which was nice to escape the tourist trap, and a bit cheaper. The island is quite big and nice to navigate on a bicycle.
Bastimentos is very much more laid back and there is not much to do other then sit back in a hammock, or cross the island from Old Bank to wizard and red frog beach. For me Wizard beach is one of the most amazing beaches i have seen, as it is jungle lined and empty. Red frog has a resort at one end but empty space can still be found, and on the walk across the headland from wizard to red frog you will see the poisonous dart frogs which is quite cool. When i was there ( 1 year ago) people were getting robbed at gun point on the walk from old bank to wizard, but the police effort was being increased, and there is an option to catch a boat-taxi to wizard/red frog from either old bank or isla colon. That said I have had friends who have camped on wizard since and had no problems....
Bastimentos is different and based on your original post i think somewhere you will enjoy and hence worth a visit, but isla colon can be fun as well if you find the right spots
Enjoy, it s a great spot
2
maliante
Hostel at Cabinas Estefany in Boca Del Drago. Unless you want to stay with Indians that is probably your only option for 15 dollars. Also, just so you know, Panamanian families on vacation are a billion times more annoying than "gringos".
3
tanya.marie.lee
Thanks for your advice! We'll be landing on Colon, so I think we'll stay there for the night and possible a few more days if we like it. I would like to check out the beaches there and having a night or two of partying would be fun!
There is a place called Palmar Tent Lodge, which is actually on Red Frog Beach, so I think we'll stay there for a night. It looks beautiful and they have cheap dorm/tent options! I'm surprised to hear about people getting robbed at gun point...I guess we'll be careful and stick with the boat taxis to get to the beaches.
Thanks for the advice!
4
maliante
Boca Del Drago is on Colon. There are no snady beaches in Bocas Town. You can go across the way to Carenero and stay at Gran Kahuna but the no see ums are horrible. You cannot get to Wizard beach by boat unless the seas are very, very flat. There are a whole bunch of new hostels popping up all the time so keep up the research. Palmer would be nice but bring your own supplies as their are no stores at all so you are stuck with the restaurants there.
5
maliante
This place looks interesting. It is on Isla Solarte which is across from Bastimentos but much less populated. http://bambuda.net/
6
NaturalD
I really think you should stay on Bastimentos for what you are looking for. There is plenty of cheap accommodation in the town..which is really just a sidewalk along the water since there are no cars there. You could walk on over to the beaches on the other side, wizard beach is beautiful, watch your stuff on the beach, it seems deserted but for years there have been many reports of people waiting in the bushes to grab your stuff when you're swimming. Stop off at the coffee place in the middle of the island. Keep walking around the island and you will satisfy your jungle treking needs. There are a couple party spots in town but if you ever want to get a little wilder boats will take you to and from the popular parties on Bocas.
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