By David Harris
Bocas del Toro is a province of Panama. The biggest cities in the province are Almirante, Changuinola and Bocas del Toro. About 89,000 people live in the province. Costa Rica borders Bocas del Toro to the west and the
Caribbean Sea is to the north. Bocas del Toro is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Panama.
Archipelago
The Bocas del Toro archipelago is made up of nine islands. Half of the provinces population lives in the city of Bocas del Toro, which is located on Colon Island. Though once a prime destination of backpackers, the area is swiftly being built up to cater to a more upscale crowd. It has many white sand beaches and it is a draw for those who love water sports. There are also ample opportunities for scuba diving and snorkeling. One drawback to the area is rain. It rains the most in December and July. Bocas del Toro is considered the wettest area in Panama.
Getting There
Flights from Panama City arrive in Bocas del Toro airport. Travelers need to take care to use Albrook Airport and not Tocumen International in Panama City since there are less connecting flights to Bocas del Toro. Air Panama and Aeroperlas Airlines both offer several flights a day. You can also fly from San Jose and Tamarindo, Costa Rica on Nature Air or Air Panama. You can also access Bocas del Toro on the Inter-American Highway.
Famous Parks
La Amistad International Park is maintained by both Panama and Costa Rica. It is dedicated to international peace in Latin America and it is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is the largest natural reserve in Central America, covering dense jungle in the Talamanca Mountain Range. Since it is in a very dense area, most of the park has not been explored. Also popular is the National Marine Park on Bastimentos Island. One of the parks popular draws is the country's largest mangrove swamp, marine turtles and Zapatillas Cay which features crystal clear water for diving and snorkeling.
About the Author:
David Harris is a writer living in Portland, Ore. He currently is the editor-in-chief of the online magazine Spectrum Culture. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Sarah Lawrence College.
