BOCAS DEL TORO PROVINCE 217 ( p236 ) © Lonely Planet Publications Planet Lonely © Isla Bastimentos 3300M 3300M ELEVATION: SEA LEVEL TO SEA LEVEL TO ELEVATION: „ Isla Colón Humedal de San-San Pond Sak Humedal de San-San Pond Sak Parque La Amistad Internacional Isla Isla ( p237 ), ( p237 ), AREA: 8,745 SQ KM AREA: 8,745 SQ KM „ ( p229 ) while they’re still still ) while they’re p229 ( ( p224 ) some of the sickest breaks ) some of the sickest breaks p224 ( ( p219 ) Parque Internacional La Amistad La Amistad Internacional Parque Surfing – just watch you’ll find in the Caribbean out for those shallow reefs! indigenous groups, the Naso () remaining home to one of ’s Isla Bastimentos pristine back Bocas del Toro town before ventur- back Bocas del Toro town before of ing out to the beaches and forests Colón

Gliding by boat through the wildlife-rich wetlands at side of the Exploring the Panamanian

Strolling along the pristine beaches of Soaking charm of laid- up the Caribbean POPULATION: 95,000 95,000 POPULATION:

„ „ „ „ HIGHLIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS „ Unfortunately, the secret is out, and although local opinion is divided on the merits of is out, and although local opinion is divided on the merits Unfortunately, the secret The laid-back Caribbean vibe of Bocas is enhanced by the archipelago’s spectacular vibe of Bocas natural laid-back Caribbean The

„ thing is certainits unspoiled beauty won’t last for much longer. – see Bocas now as economic force to be reckoned with. It’s difficult to predict the future of the province, but one of the province, the future with. It’s difficult to predict economic force to be reckoned already started clearing land for condos and resorts, and the influx of foreign investors is an investors started clearing land for condos and resorts, influx of foreign and the already increased tourism in Bocas, there’s no sign that development is likely to slow. Bulldozers have have is likely to slow. Bulldozers no sign that development tourism in Bocas, there’s increased settlements that are still clinging to their traditional ways of life. to their still clinging settlements that are are home to megafauna including the elusive jaguar, as well as a handful of Ngöbe-Buglé home to megafauna including the elusive are Panamanian half of the binational Parque Internacional La Amistad. Here, primary rainforests rainforests primary Amistad. Here, La Internacional Parque half of the binational Panamanian empty stretch of wave-pounded shore is pretty much the norm. The mainland is home to the mainland is home to much the norm. The is pretty of wave-pounded shore empty stretch seriously gnarly surf breaks. In Bocas, hiking through huge swaths of rainforest to arrive at an at In Bocas, hiking to arrive seriously gnarly surf of rainforest through huge swaths breaks. reef ecosystem supports some ecosystem providing species of tropical fish while simultaneously countless reef up to pristine beaches fringed by reeds and mangroves. Beneath the water, an extensive coral an extensive Beneath the water, and mangroves. by reeds up to pristine beaches fringed setting. The islands are covered in dense jungles of vine tangles and forest palms that open jungles of vine tangles and forest in dense covered islands are The setting. Caribbean life and the absence of megahotels and the absence idyllic beauty. the archipelago’s has preserved life Caribbean measure of authenticity remains. Low-key development has maintained the charm of small-town Low-key development of authenticity remains. measure tos, Panama’s oldest marine park. Although Bocas is Panama’s principal tourist draw card, a fair park. oldest marine Although Bocas is Panama’s tos, Panama’s densely forested islands, scores of uninhabited islets and Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimen- Nacional Marino islets and Parque of uninhabited islands, scores densely forested Located 32km from the Costa Rican 32km from the Costa del Toro consists of six Archipiélago de Bocas border, the Located Province Province Bocas del Toro 83º00'W

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