After 3 wonderful days cycling in Panama City, we decided to visit Bocas del Toro, an archipelago located in the north of Panama, near Costa Rica, made up of several islands in the Caribbean Sea.
From what some images and reports appeared, this would be an ideal place to spend a few days in absolute rest, disconnected from everything.
Bastimentos Island
Bocas Del Toro
The first days in Bocas Del Toro were spent on Bastimentos, a small island, with 62 km2 and less than 2000 inhabitants.
Classified as a National Marine Reserve, this island has a practically impenetrable jungle, which is why all trips are made by boat.
To stay here, we booked an overnight stay in a small house - “Caribbean Blue Casita on the Water”, built on stilts, from where it is possible to dive directly from the balcony into the sea.
It was for this reason, with an enormous curiosity and avid for a few days of absolute relax that we arrived here.
Upon arrival in Bocas del Toro, the owner of the house, Dragan, was waiting for us, to transport us by boat from Colon Island to his home in Bastimentos.
The approximately 20/30 minutes it took us to reach our hut, while we drank a cold beer and chatted with our host, we observed all the wonderful landscape that surrounded us.
Crystal clear water, blue sky and a very pleasant temperature, on the horizon several islands, some bigger than others … a wonderful scenery!
Occasionally a boat with tourists would pass by, other times we would pass by small canoes driven by Indians …. tranquility!
We were more and more excited!
The boat turned left, we had reached the last corner of the Bastimentos Island, Dragan said - this will be your home for the next few days, I hope you like it!
The first impression was fantastic, the house, which we called the cabin, was exactly what we were looking for, we felt like we were in paradise.
Relaxing, in absolute rest, we swam, snorkeled, rowed and spent some time with the very friendly hosts Dragan and Zu.
COLON ISLAND
BOCAS DEL TORO
After a few wonderful days on Bastimentos Island, it was time to explore another island, Cólon Island, the largest island in the archipelago. An island where there are already shops, bars, restaurants and even a small airport.
Our house in Bocas, located a little outside the center of the village, was also the right choice, built over the sea, painted yellow, becoming especially magical at sunset.
On this island, contrary to what happens on Bastimentos and most of the other islands in this archipelago, there are some roads, some of which go through the jungle.
For that reason we decided to rent 2 bicycles to explore the island, we cycled along wonderful roads, entered the jungle, went to the city a few times and visited wonderful beaches.
