Thread: Getting to the islands

How much does it cost to get to the islands? Are there many boats going back and forth for travelers to get on?

You can also go by plane... I've heard it's about $50 and takes less than an hour. Of course, there are boats going back and forth as well... but don't know many a day though.

Is there as much security in Panama flights as there are in United States flights? In the U.S. it can take hours just to get on the plane.

From what I have been told, getting on an off a plane that is just staying within the country, is no big deal. I heard they just give the same plastic pass to the next person. It is probably as complicated as the bus. In regards to the water taxi's they are traveling all over the place all DAY long. At night time it pretty much stops.

BIG NOTE: If you drive over to Bocas to get a water taxi MAKE DARN SURE you know in advance where you are going!! When me and my associate drove to Bocas it was getting later in the afternoon and we had a hard time finding where we were going. I wound up parking at a fire station (no s*%t!!), that was surronded by razor wire and paid the firemen 6 bucks for 2 days secure parking. There were other cars parked there to. Since the boats stop at nite we were in a rush to park. We got back, he gave us our keys back, no problem Mon ;-). Yep, had to leave our keys. It was a little edgy of a feeling in that area, so many really poor people really REALLY interested in trying to make a dollar. In other words use common sense and be careful in this area.

Originally Posted by chiquitita

You can also go by plane... I've heard it's about $50 and takes less than an hour. Of course, there are boats going back and forth as well... but don't know many a day though.

A plane ride for only 50$? Wow, that's cheap!
How do these islands look like? I've only seen a few pictures, they sound amazing

I was there for a short time on the main island (I think), and it looked poor. I have seen pics of places that look beautiful and I am sure that a day or 2 exploring can change my preception but darn, the locals looked poor, dirt roads, still pretty undeveloped. There is a lot of untitled land that probably inhibits infrastructure. Just a guess.

Originally Posted by MRWOOHOO

I was there for a short time on the main island (I think), and it looked poor. I have seen pics of places that look beautiful and I am sure that a day or 2 exploring can change my preception but darn, the locals looked poor, dirt roads, still pretty undeveloped. There is a lot of untitled land that probably inhibits infrastructure. Just a guess.

I guess we will find problems in any place, just need to try to forget them and enjoy the good things we can see

i've seen some photos with San Blas Islands... they look like a slice of heaven... but well if Mrwoohoo says they look poor in reality, i don't know what to believe... i'm confused. can anyone who visited them post more infos about how they really look?

I was there for only one night, I would suggest seeing for yourself. I do plan to drive back to Bocas in the next couple of weeks and spend a day on a water taxi to have them show me around. I would like to hear from anybody that has more experience and things to do. I have seen cabanas advertised over the water, maybe spend a nite?

Originally Posted by Nosfer

i've seen some photos with San Blas Islands... they look like a slice of heaven... but well if Mrwoohoo says they look poor in reality, i don't know what to believe... i'm confused. can anyone who visited them post more infos about how they really look?

If you're going to be in Panama, why not just check them out yourself.

I don't think any place looks as good in real life as it does in photos. Photographers know how to make a place look its best.

Originally Posted by Nosfer

I've seen some photos with San Blas Islands... they look like a slice of heaven... but well if Mrwoohoo says they look poor in reality, I don't know what to believe... I'm confused. Can anyone who visited them post more info about how they really look?

He wasn't talking about the San Blas islands--he was talking about Bocas del Toro, which is the other side of the country, on the Costa Rican border, but still on the Caribbean side. The San Blas (Kuna Yala) province runs along the north side to the Columbian border, and is protected territory run as a comarca indígena--with a majority of the population being of Indian extraction.

Image:Panama relief 1995.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kuna Yala - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Also, take into consideration that one man's 'slice of heaven' is another man's outdoor nightmare. The crystal clear waters fringed with palm trees and glorious jungle certainly look like perfection, but if it takes 3 hours of 4-wheeling on dirt roads to get there from the main highway, then I can understand why one would call it 'poor.' If you're adhering to high standards of development, expecting everything to be paved, landscaped, have easy to read street signs and clearly defined, safe, secure parking--then Bocas is just not for you. It may be beautiful, fairly quiet, and surrounded by lovely beaches, but you will be disappointed if you expect 4-star luxury, perfectly clean, well-dressed and manicured locals; plan more on a funky beach camping trip in a backpacker's dormitory, and you will have infinitely more fun.

Cheers.

I think the bocas lifestyle is great, but you're right that it isn't for everyone.

what is bocas lifesyle?
can you all give me a few example of this lifestyle?

Originally Posted by nuaeman

What is [the] bocas lifestyle?
Can you all give me a few examples of this lifestyle?

Very mellow, not in a hurry, not devoted to big business or big city, high fashion, luxury or ostentation.

Get yourself a muddy Jeep, a long, slightly dilapidated dock on a lagoon and a small cottage, and you have a good idea of what the lifestyle entails...

Cheers.

its heard just like a very simple life, I like that one..
is it we can have a jungle trekking or something else?

Beach going, snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, working on your tan, etc. I imagine if you wanted to ramble around the jungle, you could find a way to do so...

Cheers.

what is ramble around the jungle actually?
does it a challenging activity?
how I can do that activity?

Use your feet--it is just walking around in a random fashion, like a hike...

owh thank you for your info.

If your a tourist and not a local citzen or student plan on spending about $115 B for a round trip plane ticket . This was about what I paid last time I was there .
As far ar the lifestyle that someone asks about ... Bocas is very laid back and casual . I don't care much for the town of Bocas itself . I do greatly enjoy the out Islands and have a home on Bastimentos . Bocas town has the bars and loud night life if that is what your looking for ,but I'll take a swinging hammock, good book and a cold drink any day over that . We have many restaurants/hotels to choose from and it seems like new ones spring up all the time . Again I enjoy catching my own lobster or eating at one of the little local cafes ,such as Alvins on Bastimentos and just relaxing at home watching the boats in the channel . We often buy fresh fish from the local fishermen that stop buy at our dock . Thats about as good as it gets for wanting fresh fish!!!.
There are plenty of areas to explore the rain forest /jungle if you want to . You can get a local guide or do it yourself . I would suggest a guide until you get acustomed to the area .
Have fun and relax . I know I do every time we get back down to Panama !