Bocas Del Toro - Isla Colon

Bocas Del Toro

November 2013

I had been wanting to go on an adventure for some time. By myself. Since I love to surf, I originally decided on Costa Rica. After talking to friends, I got the recommendation of Bocas Del Toro for some great surf. I also had planned on going somewhere for 2 - 3 months so I could have a life-changing experience and work on my spanish. 

For this reason, I didn't check the surf report. 

I didn't think twice about going by myself until I was dropped off by my mom at the Phoenix Airport. At this time, I bawled like a baby because I wasn't able to say goodbye to my dad, and who really knew if I would ever come back? Fortunately, I ran into a couple friends at LAX from SLC headed to costa rica as well, and the nerves went away completely.

Here is an overview of my entire trip:

I flew into to San Jose, Costa Rica as it was the closest airport to Bocas. I then took a taxi to the bus station, and a bus to the border. At the border, it was very confusing. First you stood in line on the CR side and walked across the bridge.  Then you were ushered along (by locals?) to a small office to pay 3 dollars. Then you stood in another line where Panamanian officials would or would not grant you entry. The requirements for entry change often, but must include, at the very least, a return bus ticket home. 

This is the bridge at the border. Sometimes I like to think that since tourists use something, due to liability issues, it should be pretty safe. But this isn't the case. Watch your step. 

A word about traveling in Costa Rica/Panama: I thought it would be super touristy, and my sad spanish skills would be buoyed by the many americans traveling with me.....  There were none. There were no Americans or English speakers of any kind on my bus to the border. I needed that spanish. There was some confusion with my bus ticket, as I had purchased it through an agency previous to the trip.  Long story short, I was scammed. I'm over it, but just don't book with costaricajust4u.com. Seriously. 

It isn't impossible to navigate through central america with no spanish, though. Every time you arrive at a bus station, you will probably have someone asking you where you are headed and they will direct you to your next bus. 

After another bus ride and then a long boat ride, I arrived on Isla Colon. I was in a hurry to find a place to stay since I had all of my luggage with me and had been traveling now for almost 24 hours straight. I brought way too much stuff, since I thought I was going to be in one spot for the whole trip. All the backpackers judged me and my rolling suitcase :(

I took this photo the first night in Bocas.  I immediately posted it to Facebook, so that other people would think I was having an amazing time. In reality, I was miserable my first night! And so, so hot.

Let's talk about the weather. So hot and humid, all the time, with no relief. So you just sweat and that's what you do. Then you begin to get used to it. I now understand that Bocas is more of a "party island".  People come for the nightlife. There are tons of bars, and they all host ladies' nights, where ladies drink for free! So essentially, a "lady" could drink free every night of the week. 

I didn't like this place. And I had planned on spending 2 months here??? To make matters worse, there was no surf whatsoever for the next week or so.  My best day on Bocas was the day I had a bicycle. I rode it to yoga in the morning. Then I rode to the market on Friday, Green Day - the only day you can buy fresh spinach. Then I rode it to spanish class in the afternoon. There are taxis on the island, which can take you down the street for 2 dollars. I believe that is the white girl tourist price. 

The food was also surprising. Fresh fruits and vegetables were scarce. I had imagined eating clean and being lean during my time in Panama, but it was pretty much processed food the whole time. The food at restaurants was not cheaper than in the U.S., and not any better. It is an island, so everything must be boated in, hence the higher prices. 

I met some great people in Bocas, especially my BFF Callum from Australia. We biked around the island and we found the more mellow side which was much prettier and friendlier to the surf-minded. I will definitely be staying there next time I go to Bocas, which probably will be never. We had heard about some climbing near Boquete, which was supposed to be a nice town in the mountains anyway, so we decided to do that while waiting for the surf. 

Found this gem inside the bathroom at a dance club. 

Oh yes. There was dancing. The sweatiest dancing of your life, so 
that occasionally you had to jump into the ocean. But most places 
have the water lit up, so it's really breathtaking. At one point, I was swimming at night, and someone that worked at the hostel told me to get out of the water. I got out and he said he saw a large ray swim by. 

This was no surprise because I always know things are near me in the ocean.