Thread: Recommended restaurant at Bocas

I came across an article stating that the recommended restaurant that you need to visit while at Bocas is called Limongrass. Do you have any feedback about this restaurant? Any suggested meal from this place?

I never heard of that restaurant. Where exactly is it located?

Originally Posted by Kitty

I never heard of that restaurant. Where exactly is it located?

I’m sorry but I cannot provide additional information about this place. I just came across a blog stating the author’s experience while dining at that place. There was no information on the location of the restaurant.

I have also heard good things about Limongrass, but I have never gone there personally. Anyway, I'd probably be willing to try most restaurants in Panama. Why else travel there, if not to try new things?

Panama in general has a lot to offer when it comes to restaurants. You can have vegetarian, vegan to the junkiest fast food you can imagine. I have devoured; Indian, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Panamanian, Swiss, German, Portuguese, Spanish, French and Italian cuisine there! I admit, eating good food has already become like a full time hobby of mine.

Originally Posted by Kitty

Panama in general has a lot to offer when it comes to restaurants. You can have vegetarian, vegan to the junkiest fast food you can imagine. I have devoured; Indian, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Panamanian, Swiss, German, Portuguese, Spanish, French and Italian cuisine there! I admit, eating good food has already become like a full time hobby of mine.

Did you ever consider becoming a food critic? That must be a cool job, huh? You get too eat good food as a job.

Try "Alvins" on Bastimentos .Every boat taxi driver knows it and probably eats there every day . Its a little hole in the wall but they serve a Red Snapper in Garlic sauce that will knock your socks off . Its a locals hangout and the beer is super cold . I think the meal runs about $6.50 . When you boat up to the place you will think your in someone's back yard .It is run down ,but don't let that fool ya . Just grab a table and enjoy yourself . Tell "Quecha" ,the owner ,that Mr. Allen sent you .Its my favorite place in Bocas . The seafood soup is pretty darn good too .

Originally Posted by tarzan95959

Try "Alvins" on Bastimentos .Every boat taxi driver knows it and probably eats there every day . Its a little hole in the wall but they serve a Red Snapper in Garlic sauce that will knock your socks off . Its a locals hangout and the beer is super cold . I think the meal runs about $6.50 . When you boat up to the place you will think your in someone's back yard .It is run down ,but don't let that fool ya . Just grab a table and enjoy yourself . Tell "Quecha" ,the owner ,that Mr. Allen sent you .Its my favorite place in Bocas . The seafood soup is pretty darn good too .

Sometimes the run down places are the best. If I get a chance, I'll definitely check that place out. Thanks for the tip!

Originally Posted by tallman33

Sometimes the run down places are the best. If I get a chance, I'll definitely check that place out. Thanks for the tip!

Heck ... If i'm down there when you go ,just phone or email and i'll meet ya there .Any excuse to go there works for me . Its about 5 minutes by boat from my place /

Do you own your own boat? I rarely travel by boat. I think it would be neat to travel by boat on a regular basis.

Originally Posted by panamapal

Do you own your own boat? I rarely travel by boat. I think it would be neat to travel by boat on a regular basis.

Yes I do . A 31 foot cayuco with a 40 horse motor .Carved from one tree . It scoots around just fine . Cayuco are the work horse of boats . Think of it as a big ole pickup on the water .

Originally Posted by tarzan95959

Yes I do . A 31 foot cayuco with a 40 horse motor .Carved from one tree . It scoots around just fine . Cayuco are the work horse of boats . Think of it as a big ole pickup on the water .

Wow, that must be quite a site. It sounds cool.

It must have been made from a big tree. I'm not familiar with them.

Originally Posted by coolandhot

Wow, that must be quite a site. It sounds cool.

It must have been made from a big tree. I'm not familiar with them.

Well ... here's a picture of my boat so now you know what they look like .

Hey Allen, thanks for the pic of the boat. You mentioned it to me earlier and I googled it but couldn't find one. Are they expensive. I have had a hard time finding any websites with boats for sale in Panama.

Originally Posted by usrookie

Hey Allen, thanks for the pic of the boat. You mentioned it to me earlier and I googled it but couldn't find one. Are they expensive. I have had a hard time finding any websites with boats for sale in Panama.

Not to bad .

A new 40 horse power salt water Yamaha motor ,which is the favorite motor of Bocas because of easy parts availibilty is about $2500-$2800 new.If I had it to do over again ,I would just get a 15 horse . Much cheaper and uses less fuel . The boat is heavy and they do not plane, so whats the use of trying to go fast . If you intend to haul heavy loads it is much better than the fiberglass Panga boats . Those are more built to haul passengers quickly .
The bare boat will probably run about $1500 - $2000 for a good new one .
Paint will add another couple hundred bucks .
Good used ones may be hard to find . A little bondo and new paint and its hard to tell what shape its in . Also the type of wood makes a huge difference . I can't remember the best wood other than my boat was carve from it .

If I was going to buy one, I would try to find a used one. Are there any warranties that you can get with used ones?

I doubt it . It would be "Buyer Beware"

I'm going to Boca in a couple of weeks. Does anyone have recommendations for a reasonably priced good hotel with air conditoning?

thanks!

Does Boca have many hotels?

My husband just ate at Limongrass during our two nights in Bocas during our Panama trip (Dec 2007). I loved it. It may have been the best meal of our trip. We both ate a *special* posted. I had some kind of shrimp stir fry that has a really spicy sauce that was incredible, and my husband had some kind of garlic fish. We split an appetizer to start off with of Spring Rolls. The service was great, the view was spectacular. I highly recommend it. Great ambiance as well.

What are licensing requirements for operating boats in the area?

Technically, boat "captains" are required to have licenses issued by the maritime authority, but those rules are very rarely enforced.

From my experience, the majority of "captains" in Bocas don't have any sort of license.

Regarding the restaurant question -- yes Lemongrass is quite good. I believe my favorite place in Bocas however is, El Ultimo Refugio. If you're going to Bocas, make sure you try it.

Derek
<a href="http://www.intrevest.com">http://www.intrevest.com</a>

Thanks appreciate the info. Off to Costa Rica again in May, but been thinking Panama a better place to retire in 4 years. Always like any details I can get. Things change so fast. Definetly by into the ..rent for 6 months, before you do anything mentality.