About our company...
The We are COSTA RICA EXOTICA NATURAL, a Costa Rica Tour Operator located in Costa Rica and we offer the following services:.
What do we offer ?
- Reservations in the best hotels in Bocas del Toro
- 4 Sample packages to enjoy Bocas del Toro at its fullest
- Custom designed packages
- Combination with Costa Rica ( See www.travelingcostarica.com ) and other destinations….
.. The climate -
Average annual temperature is 27°C (82°F). The best period to visit from the point of view of the climate is between November and April: the air is warm and dry, you will feel comfortable in both sun and shade, with the temperature ranging from 21-31°C. The rainy season takes place during the months of May, June, July and August. It must be said, however, that both the intensity and duration of the showers are moderate (typically tropical). September and October present intermediate conditions, with rain by night and fine weather during the day.
Nature - The entire archipelago is a true paradise for nature lovers: the relative geographical isolation has created an ideal habitat for a number of extremely rare species, such as the fresh water turtle, crocodiles and the red frog, the tiniest in the world (1cm long), which is not to be found anywhere else in the world. The larger islands are thickly covered in dense, particular rain forest composed of rare species of conifer, creepers, vines and palm trees.
. . The Beaches - Boca del Drago - The western tip of Isla Colòn is Boca del Drago (21km from the town), one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, facing a coral reef ideal for snorkelling and swimming. The water isn’t very deep, so you need to be careful where you step, and avoid touching the coral. Bocas del Drago is not in fact among the most spectacular beaches on the archipelago (from a number of these you can on occasion observe sea turtles), but does have the advantage of avoiding problematic ocean waves.
Playa El Istmito o Playa la Cabaña - This is the closest to the town and ideal if you just want to swim, lie in the sun, or take a nap - as long as you’ve laid in stocks of insect repellent (widely available in the town) to guard against the chitras (sand flies). It’s not for nothing that the bay which gives onto the beach is named Bahia Sand Fly! If you go further north, you’ll come across much more attractive beaches.Big Creek, Punta Puss Head e Playa Paunch - Ideal for surfers, but not advised for inexperienced swimmers. Once you have crossed Punta Bluff, the road runs alongside the extensive Playa Bluff - another unmissable beach for surfers - which reaches as far as Punta Rocosa. From May to September (nesting season) you’ll find numerous turtle nests here; these creatures are actually in great danger of extinction.
Cayo Coral - “A quite simply magical place”. The description might seem over the top, but it’s difficult to be restrained when speaking of Cayo Coral. Here you can swim alongside the barracuda FRANCO, the real star of the place, and just one of thousands of rainbow coloured fish. The waters are calm and still, rich in coral reefs and ideal for snorkelling. Cayo Coral is situated in the narrow channel stretching between Isla Bastimentos and Isla Popa, and can be reached by boat in half an hour from the town of Bocas.
Cayos Zapatillas - To the southeast of Isla Bastimentos, these are among the favourite locations for scuba divers, with occasionally challenging conditions posed by strong tidal currents. Along the coastlines of Cayo Zapatilla Norte and Cayo Zapatilla Sur stretch splendid white beaches with entirely unspoilt coral reefs, and behind them thick forest containing the most interesting exemplars of local vegetation.
Scuba Diving - Companies operating from Bocas include Scuba Bocas, Bocas Water Sports, Starfleet Scuba and Bocas Aventuras. All organise dives at the finest coral reefs. The nearest decompression chamber is at Panama City, an hour by plane; but in case of emergency you can visit the local hospital or those at Almirante and Changuinola. You can undertake PADI scuba diving courses, or the battesimo, an introductory experience for anyone who wants a trial session prior to subscribing to an entire course. There are two gas compressors on the island for refilling air cylinders. National Marine Reserve of Isla Bastimentos The first marine reserve of Panama (1988) has the remit of conserving numerous zones of the archipelago, among which is a large part of Isla Bastimentos (particularly Playa Larga) and the Cayos Zapatillas. The area encompasses 13,226 hectares and is a crucially important conservation area for many species of the incredibly rich fauna of the Caribbean, in danger of extinction. A number of the beaches are used as nesting grounds for four species of marine turtle, and the extensive coral reefs form an ideal habitat for fish, crabs, and other aquatic creatures. The lagoons and the dense forests are inhabited by many other forms of wildlife, though sadly even here huntin g is not a mere memory from times gone by. For further information about the reserve contact the IPAT (tourist information) offices of the town of Bocas, or local tour operators.
The Population - The Guaymi Indians still inhabit certain areas of the archipelago, pursuing fishing and self-sufficient agriculture. They travel principally by canoe (cayuco) and live in wooden huts with straw roofs, with neither electricity nor running water. They don’t live in great communities, preferring to construct their huts scattered along the seashore. The Guayami have their own dialect, but many Indians speak both Spanish and ‘guari-guari’, the Creole tongue typical of the the province of Bocas del Toro (a mix of English, Spanish and guari-guari), its origins goi ng back to the Jamaicans transported to Panama to harvest bananas. There is still a large community of Jamaican descent among the local populace. A third ethnic group is that of the Latinos with mixed Indian and Hispanic origins. Another local language spoken by a number of black inhabitants of the town of Bocas del Toro and the on the Island of Bastimentos (10 minutes by boat to the southwest of Isla Colòn) is Patois, in which you can discern elements of English as in the African Antilles, of guari-guari and of Spanish.
The Cuisine - The sancocho, a spicy chicken with boiled vegetables in just about any sauce is undoubtedly the national dish of Panama. Another traditional delicacy is ropa vieja (‘old clothes’), a spicy beef stew served on a bed of rice. Of course the seafood and fish are unmissable, including the chevice, raw fish seasoned with local spices. As for drinks, chicas are highly sweetened fruit juices generally served with water or milk. Typically Panamanian is chicheme, a non-alcoholic drink prepared with milk, maize, cinnamon and vanilla; the local spirit par excellence is seco, distilled, like rum, from sugar cane, and drunk with milk and ice. The authentic seco is to be found quite a distance from the town, and is the traditional drink of the Campesinos. But there are also a couple of "special dishes" which are typical of Bocas and these are our favourite ones: Johnny's Cakes – bread rolls made with coconut flour, pesscado en escabeche – fried fish with a slightly spicy onion and mustard sauce, saus – pickled piglet trotters in a spicy sauce; rondón – fish and vegetable soup with coconut (often served with bread dumplings, bragadás – salt cod fritters and patís – oven baked corn pasties filled with either beef or chicken. The most typical desserts are: cocadas – very sweet coconut sweetmeats - and banana pudding. The Panamanian Tourist Institute (IPAT) and Centre for Assisting with Tourism and Interpretation Calle 1ª (next to the police station), Bocas del Toro, tel/fax: +507 757 9642 . At these offices tourists can secure free copies of the periodical Islas de Bocas (in both English and Spanish) with maps of the towns and islands, and other types of information.
Festivals Feria del Mar (sea festival) - final week in September Independence from Colombia day - 3 November Independence from Spain day - 28 November Mothe r’s Day - 8 December The Maundy Thursday Carnivals are wonderful, with their music, dance and grand processions. The celebrations throughout Holy Week are absorbing and exhilarating; the inhabitants of Bocas throw themselves into the event with contagious enthusiasm and involvement that affects everyone who finds themselves in Panama in the period preceding Easter, whatever their religious affiliations. Christmas and New Year are celebrated with scarcely less fervour and popular sentiment.
Currency The official currency is the Balboa, which is the exact equivalent of the US dollar, also legal tender within the Republic of Panama. It is however advisable to carry change, as many companies don’t accept 50$ or 100$ banknotes. Banks, credit cards and travellers cheques In the Calle de la Gobernación is a branch of the National Bank of Panama, the only bank building in Bocas del Toro. Credit cards aren’t always accepted. Travellers cheques can be exchanged at the branch of the National Bank. Cash dispensers are located at Caja de Ahorros (Calle 1a) and at the National Bank.