Chorotega Ceramics Expo on Display in Costa Rica | Costa Rica Travel News

Chorotega Ceramics Expo on Display in Costa Rica | Costa Rica Travel News:

Chorotega Ceramics Include Figurines, Vases and Bowls in Earthy Tones.

Costa Rica’s unique indigenous cultures and crafts often go overlooked, but there is a family in the Nicoya Peninsula that is fighting to keep the traditional Chorotega Ceramics alive. In the little town of San Vincente de Nicoya, in Guanacaste, three generations have dedicated their lives to this art. Zoraida Grijalba is still producing pieces at the age of 76; she learned the art of pottery from her own parents and is now teaching it to her daughter and her grand children. This activity has been around Nicoya for generations, since the pre-colombian days, as well as the whole of Latin America. Everywhere on this continent this art can be admired, telling us about the life and customs of lost civilizations.

Some samples of this ceramic can now be admired at the University Las Veritas located in Zapote, San Jose, in the Roberto Sasso Auditorium. According to curator Luis Fernando Quiros, the pieces tell the stories of the Chorotega culture, and how it evolved over the years. Out of the 50 pieces on show, some are purely decorative while some are utilitarian.

This legacy is however in danger of extinction. It gets harder to get by in remote villages today, and the younger generations often leave home to seek a better future in larger cities. The disappearance of this form of art would mark the end of an era in this country, the era of its very beginning. Making a living out of pottery cannot be easy in a modern Costa Rica. Artisans often take truck loads of their own work to beach towns to sell on the street to visiting tourists. A lack of understanding about the ancient culture often leads to a lack of appreciation of the art.

The ceramic of San Vincente shows the characteristics of the Chorotega legacy in a unique and authentic way, found nowhere else in the country. The technique and material used are also special to the area, in the way that they have not changed over the years resulting in pieces that very much resemble those of hundreds of years ago. The black sand they use for example, typical of this sort of ceramic, is found nearby in the Mount Curriol, where it has always been. Black, red and white rocks are extracted and are later grounded and mixed with water and clay in order to obtain the characteristic pigments to decorate to pots. The functional pieces usually do not carry any form of decoration.

The aim of this exposition is to try and keep this art alive for today and for future generations. One way is to show it to the public, and educate them about the Chorotega culture, as more often than not it gets forgotten. It seems that it is only when one travels to Guanacaste that one is reminded of these ceramics, as the artists sell them along the roads and their bright colors are hard to miss. Although traditional, they never look out of place anywhere, whether it is modern or a rustic home. They make the perfect souvenir for those who like to take something back from their Costa Rican vacation, or for those who live in the country and who want to remember who was here first!

Written by Mireille Darras

Iceland, Costa Rica, S. Africa are bargains as currencies fall - USATODAY.com

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Iceland, Costa Rica, S. Africa are bargains as currencies fall - USATODAY.com:

By Barbara De Lollis, USA TODAY

Iceland's Blue Lagoon: Fresh air and geothermal seawater are the big draw at this spa, about 40 minutes from Reykjavik city center.

The greenback is making a comeback in many countries, boosting buying power for Americans who still have discretionary income and an urge to travel.

Currencies around the globe such as the South African rand, Icelandic krona and Korean won have fallen sharply vs. the American dollar in recent weeks. That makes vacations up to 50% cheaper than even a few months ago.

"Every day a client comes in (asking), 'Give me an example of where my dollar is going to go furthest,' " says John Clifford of the luxury travel agency InternationalTravelManagement.com.

Countries where the U.S. dollar is suddenly buying more:

• Iceland. Teetering on bankruptcy, the North Atlantic island-nation recently began promoting winter air and hotel deals to lure U.S. tourists. The krona lost nearly half its value against the U.S. dollar in only three months, and "it's vital for Iceland to keep tourists coming," says Einar Gustavsson of the Iceland Tourist Board. Since the launch, Icelandair's bookings from the USA for October to December jumped 72% over 2007's levels for the same period, he says.

FIND MORE STORIES IN: Jacksonville | South African | Costa Rica | Global Insight | Korean | North Atlantic | Icelandic | S. Africa | Reykjavik | John Clifford | Icelandair | Hotel Borg | Tabac

In cosmopolitan Reykjavik, Americans can now buy a 21/2-hour spa treatment at the luxury Laugar Spa for about $65, almost half of last year's price. A night at Hotel Borg — a newly renovated art-deco gem in the heart of downtown — runs about $160, about a third less.

• Costa Rica. With the U.S. dollar worth about 10% more than a year ago, more clients — especially families — are booking Costa Rica, Clifford says. Rates at the luxury Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort are about $185 vs. about $230 last year.

• South Africa. With the dollar buying 43% more than in August, Margie Jordan, owner of ASAP Travel in Jacksonville, says some clients who were considering basic safari vacations are now considering upgrading. Example: A two-night stay at the upscale Mateya Safari Lodge now costs about $330 a night, down from about $500 last year, she says.

Because prime season for safaris is in the summer (South Africa's winter), Jordan is advising clients to book next year's trip now and lock in the cheap rate in case the currency snaps back.

Despite the benefits of visiting a country with a weak currency, Jennifer Fuller of consulting firm Global Insight says it won't be enough to offset effects of the sour U.S. economy. She expects international travel levels this year to be weaker than last year.

U.S. DOLLAR BUYING MORE ACROSS THE GLOBE The dollar has gained strength in many countries favored by American tourists, making hotel stays, restaurant meals and tours cheaper than they were last year. Here's how much more the dollar is expected to buy in the October-December period, vs. the same period last year: Country Percent Change Iceland 38%* (due to volatility in Iceland, Global Insight won't project krona value for 4thQ. See below.) South Korea 30% Brazil 24% South Africa 19% India 19% New Zealand 17% United Kingdom 15% Turkey 15% Venezuela 14% Mexico 12% Canada 12% Chile 11% Costa Rica 10% Philippines 9% Romania 9% Norway 8% Australia 8% Sweden 8% Vietnam 7% Dominican Republic 5% * Compares Icelandic krona to summer 2008 due to volatility of Iceland's currency value. Source: IHS Global Insight

Lapa Ríos Ecolodge

Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality in Costa Rica

Who Are We?
Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality is a Costa Rica based hospitality management company that develops and manages ecolodges, sustainable resorts and green hotels in Latin American and the Caribbean. All Cayuga properties are certified or in the process of being certified for their sustainable practices, nature conservation and the improvement of the local communities where they are located.

Cayuga Properties

Lapa Rios Ecolodge
Lapa Rios is an upscale 16-bungalow ecolodge protecting over 1,000 acres of preserved rain forest on the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, an area prized for its biodiversity and soon to be named World Heritage Site. The 60-plus staff members are from the local isolated area, and environmental education is fundamental to the employees and international guests’ experiences. The development of the local primary school is mostly funded by the lodge’s Travelers Philanthropic outreach. Lapa Rios is certified by the country’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) program and has received the highest level of 5 leaves. This model Ecolodge has been consistently voted as one of Latin American’s top resorts by Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure and Andrew Harper.
www.laparios.com • info@laparios.com

Arenas Del Mar Beach & Nature Resort
Arenas del Mar is a stunning, luxury and sustainable 38 room upscale beach and nature resort with spectacular views of the Manuel Antonio National Park on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, nestled in eleven acres of rainforest with private trails and two tree-shaded sandy beaches. Guest rooms, apartments and suites offer spectacular ocean views, upscale dining in two hotel restaurants with a focus on fresh local ingredients, pools with views of the rainforest and the beach, a spectacular Spa and personalized service that exceeds guest expectations. Arenas del Mar is a model project for sustainable development strictly following the guidelines laid out by the Costa Rican Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST).
www.arenasdelmar.com • info@arenasdelmar.com

Harmony Hotel
The Harmony Hotel is the perfect combination of low-key luxury, nature, wellness and sustainability. Situated on Guiones Beach in Nosara, Costa Rica, a spot well renowned for its beautiful surroundings and impressive surf, this is an excellent place to unwind, relax and get in tune with your natural rhythm. The Harmony is a 25 room hotel with a strong focus on sustainability striving to show an alternative development model by taking into consideration the local community and the surrounding natural wonders. It caters to upscale surfers, yoga enthusiasts, honeymooners and families with older children looking for an authentic and relaxed experience. The Harmony Hotel restaurant features mostly vegetarian dishes, a raw food juice bar and a Healing Center, a place of restoration, nurturing and peace.
www.harmonynosara.com • info@harmonynosara.com

Why Are We Unique?
Our management style at Cayuga is driven by our core values. We like to differentiate ourselves from other management companies by focusing on our Standars of Excellence:

• We are committed to quality in everything we do: the hiring and training of our staff, the work environment provided and the employees’ and guests’ experiences offered.
• We are committed to sustainability which means the environment, culture and the local communities within which we operate.
• We follow the highest ethical standards and are proud of all our actions.
• We are a learning organization. We want to learn every day and give everybody opportunities to grow professionally.
• We are always one step ahead of the game. We don’t just react, we are proactive.
• We are all about attitude. We smile. We are enthusiastic. We hire people with a positive attitude. We work for people with a positive attitude. We empower them to get things done.
• We always find a way to get things done. We are about finding solutions. We always try to make it happen. We never give up.
• We are professional and efficient. We take responsibility for all actions and decisions. We are consistent and reliable.
• We strive for 100 percent satisfaction with our clients, our employees and our guests.
• We create unique and authentic experiences for our guests that allow them to connect experience, learn and relax.
• We are a team of eagles flying in formation.

How We Can Help You
Cayuga is a seal of quality. By booking Cayuga managed properties, you can be assured that your clients will have a high quality authentic Costa Rican vacation experience. In case you might have a special request or need, feel free to contact us at info@cayugaonline.com.

Cayuga Travel

We will be happy to help you with the planning of the rest of your trip to Costa Rica and can set up a nice itinerary including different areas of the country. Please complete contact us at travel@cayugaonline.com in order to be able to suggest the best option for you.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 27th, 2008 at 4:05 pm and is filed under Eco Lodges and Conservation sites, Ecotourism.

source: http://www.eco-tropicalresorts.com/blog/

Imperial la cerveza de Costa Rica

Como ya se sabe hasta internacionalmente, la cerveza imperial es la cerveza de Costa Rica, porque es la más vendida, aunque su buen sabor es casi indistinguible del de su hermana, la cerveza Pilsen. Las dos son muy buenas, pero es todavía mejor la Bavaria, ésta es una cerveza Premium, las tres son productos de la Cervecería Costa Rica.
Cada año la Cervecería Costa Rica organiza en el autódromo la Guácima un festival de música pop/rock que cada vez adquiere más renombre. Este año se celebró la segunda edición, y fue un verdadero éxito, al igual que el primero, que contó con la participación de Sting que dejó un gratísimo sabor de boca, como también lo dejó este año Duran Duran y otros grupos y cantantes de renombre internacional que se presentaron
Esto fué lo que dijo Margoth, en su blog "Oh Margoth" respecto al más reciente Festival Imperial:

unes 21 de abril de 2008

Reseña del Festival de Imperial 19 de abril 2008 + fotos + videos - Parte 1

La segunda edición del Festival Imperial se llevó a cabo este sábado y domingo 19 y 20 de abril de 2008 en el autódromo La Guácima en Alajuela, Costa Rica.

Yo asistí únicamente al primer día, el cartel de ese día tenía los grupos: Ensamble Nacional (rejuntado de músicos nacionales tocando piezas nacionales re conocidas), Le Pop, Café Tacvba, Babasónicos, Incubus y Smashing Pumpkins.

He aquí mi reseña del Festival:

Llegué como a las 3.30 p.m luego de haberme perdido como 1 h ora ya que nunca había ido a la Guácima, sumado al pésimo señalamiento y a la presa para llegar al autódromo. Cuando llegué lo primero que hice fue comprar tiquetes de bebidas en el primer local, sin fila y sin problemas. Luego a comer hamburguesas de 2 mil colones.

Como a las 5 pasadas decidí acercarme al área del concierto y entré a la gramilla preferencial, toda fue bastante fluido sin filas prácticamente.

Al llegar a la tarima me impresioné bastante por su tamaño y todo el equipo que había. Es el concierto más grande en el que he estado junto con el de Iron Maiden meses pasados.



A las 5.30 p.m. inició el concierto con un ensamble de músicos nacionales (rejuntado) que tocaron algunas canciones conocidas de rock nacional. Estuvo bastante bien, sobre todo Marta Fonseca y ahí empecé a notar la calidad del sonido, a unque d espués sonó mucho mejor.

Al terminar este ensamble salió a escena Le Pop, grupo que h a d ado que hablar últimamente por haber ganado un concurso en MTV y colocar un video en programación regular. El grupo cumplió; hacen bien lo que tienen que hacer. Aunque no me guste mucho el género tengo que reconocer que son buenos, solo que deben mejorar algunas letras estúpidas y talvez quedarían mejor con otra vocalista un poco mejor. Un detalle que me gustó fueron las bailarinas con focos.





Luego sale a tarima el primer grupo internacional Café Tacvba con un derroche de rock latino. Me atrevo a decir que es una de las mejores bandas de latinoamérica. Hicieron un recorrido por toda su discografía. El público se volvió loco con Ingrata, Las Flores y Eres. Luego de terminar la gente los llamó con el "Paparapapara eu eee ooo" y regresaron para complacer a la gente con "El baile y el salón".
jueves 24 de abril de 2008

Reseña del Festival de Imperial 19 de abril 2008 + fotos + videos - Parte 2

La segunda edición del Festival Imperial se llevó a cabo este sábado y domingo 19 y 20 de abril de 2008 en el autódromo La Guácima en Alajuela, Costa Rica.

Yo asistí únicamente al primer día, el cartel de ese día tenía los grupos: Ensamble Nacional (rejuntado de músicos nacionales tocando piezas nacio nales recono cidas), Le Pop, Café Tacvba, Babasónicos, Incubus y Smashing Pumpkins.

He aquí la segunda parte de mi reseña del Festival (leer la primera parte):

Luego de que Café Tacvuba calentara al público le tocó el turno a los Argentinos de Babasónicos. El grupo se que en el país tiene pocos fans, y personalmente lo conozco muy poco, así que decidí ir a descansar un poco (ya eran muchas horas de estar ahí), comer y tomar algo, así que no tengo opinión al respecto. Dicen que los abuchearon un poco porque la mayoría de gente ansiaba ver a Incubus. Mal hecho. Llegue a ntes de que terminaran para tomar algunas fotos:



Al fin salía a tarima uno de los grupos más esperados, aunque no tanto para mí, Incubus. Dieron una presentación muy sólida enfocándose en sus éxitos y en la imagen de su vocalista Brandon Boyd. La gente su puso eufórica cuando salieron y las chicas aún más cuando Brandon se quitó la camisa.


Por último, salieron a escena los Smashing Pumpkins, el grupo que más me gustaba de todos. Empezaron fuertemente con Today y la gente se volvió loca. Tocaron una mezcla de lo viejo y lo nuevo, pero lo más impresionante fue que alargaron bastante United States e incluyeron un cover de Pink Floyd, "Set the Controls for the Hear t of the Sun", todo esto con sonidos estridentes de guitarra, una completa demostración y cátedra de rock alternativo. Solo faltó que Billy Corgan rompiera la guitarra sobre los amplificadores para sentirme completamente transportado a los 90s, definitiva mente es una de las estrellas de rock más destacables de este tiempo.

Obviamente la presentación de los Pumpkins no fue para todo público. Muchos de los jovencitos y jovencitas que presumiblemente fueron a ver exclusiva mente a Incubus se empezaron a retirar poco a poco del concierto. Mejor para muchos porque así quedamos más cerca de la tarima a seguir disfrutando. Luego de retirarse, los Pumpkins, regresaron para cerrar con Cherub Rock, qué increible!


En resumen, la Cervecería su lució en la organización, el evento parecía esos festivales que ve uno en Europa, nada que envidiar. Las bandas que tocaron, cual quier país latinoamericano se la desea. El precio estuvo bastante bien, el lugar buenísimo excepto por lo que cuesta llegar y salir de él. En general le doy una nota 9 al evento. Esperemos que se siga haciendo y que sigan trayendo a artistas de esta talla.

Publicado por mdverde en 20:59

Costa Rica Visitors Guide

Costa Rica Visitors Guide | Real Households:

Costa Rica is a wonderful place to visit with your family or even alone.
Many couples honeymoon in Costa Rica combining romance, adventure and mystical visits to volcanoes, rainforest’s, waterfalls, and secluded beaches. Our goal here is to provide a condensed guide that you can print and take with you to use for reference. For more detailed information about Costa Rica our website is the best information source on the web.

Country Information
Costa Rica is in Central America north of Panama and south of Nicaragua. The Pacific ocean borders the country to the west and the Caribbean to the east.

The citizens of Costa Rica are affectionately called Tico’s and Tica’s. In all of Latin America, the Tico’s are most like North American’s in their thought process. There are many cultural differences but tourism and tourists in general are welcomed warmly in this country.

Costa Rica has the highest literacy rate in Latin America. Every four years elections are held with 95% of the population participating in the voting process. Costa Rica has had no military forces since 1946. 27% of the country’s budget is spent on health care. Although there are demonstrations occasionally civil unrest is not present. Costa Rica is considered to be the “Latin American success story”.

The country has 110 volcanic craters, six active volcanoes,mountain ranges throughout the central portion of the country and secluded beaches with rain forest filled with wildlife butting right up to the shoreline.

Temperature varies with elevation. Humidity is present and noticeable, especially at sea level. Mosquitoes are obviously part of any rain forest but are not as noticeable as most parts of Florida, for instance due to the natural predators maintaining an ecological balance not found in places like Florida. (Bring repellent with Deet however!)

Costa Rica has a wet and dry season. The wet or “green” season is from May until November each year. During this time rainfall is more prevalent in most regions (Guanacaste province is the driest area in the country) with sunshine typical in the morning hours with showers in the afternoon and at night. Green season is when hotels offer discounts and crowds are minimized. As mentioned earlier, the northwestern portion of Costa Rica is the best “green” season destination due to rainfall considerations.

General Information
Entry requirements for visitors differ depending on your country of origin. US citizens, Canadians, and United Kingdom tourists need a valid passport b

ut do not require a visa. The maximum stay under these conditions is 90 days but can be extended an additional 90 days through a travel agent or within the country through immigration.

Vaccinations are not required for malaria and other diseases to visit Costa Rica.

The water in most areas is safe to drink. Some coastal areas are exceptions however. Bottled water is recommended simply due to taste considerations. I

f you are at the Multiplaza mall in Escazu for instance the water is perfectly fine to drink. Smaller communities on the coast can be problematic however.

Costa Rica has the best fruit in the world in my opinion. Eat anything and everything in sight!

Driving in Costa Rica is an adventure! A stop sign in Costa Rica is treated like a yield sign in North America. Potholes in certain areas are HUGE. If renti

ng a car consider the following:

Do not leave valuables in the car.

Rental agencies look for any trace of dents and dings

Roads are narrow and guard rails are usually not present

Did I mention POTHOLES

Electricity is standard 110v like in the USA but generally not grounded. This means that any device requiring a three prong plug will not work without an adapter to two prongs. So, bring an adapter for anything requiring three prongs.

English is widely spoken in tourist areas and major metropolitan areas. Driving a rental car all over the country with no knowledge of Spanish might be p

roblematic. It is generally easy to find someone to help you in English in tourist areas and big cities however.

Medical facilities are available throughout the country. Remote areas, however, only have clinics for minor issues and often have few English speaking staff members. San Jose has excellent medical facilities and English speaking doctors are quite common. Ask the proprietor of the hotel you chose about medical facilitie

s in the area if you have health concerns.

Emergency service in Costa Rica is available by dialing 911.

Holidays are taken seriously in this country. Visit around Easter or Christmas and it will seem that the entire country is shut down. The Easter and Christmas holiday’s are celebrated for more than a week!

Traveler Safety
Violent crime exists in every society. Costa Rica is a safe place to

bring your family or to travel alone. Most crime is property theft and pick-pocket oriented theft.
Make sure that you leave your Rolex at home.

Do not keep your wallet in your back pocket. Keep it in your front pocket.

Do not place valuables in backpacks slung over your shoulder.

Many places are perfectly safe to walk at night. Oth ers are not. Ask a local.

Beaches have rip tides.
A riptide is narrow. If caught in a riptide swim parallel to the shore for a short distance until you no longer feel it pulling you away from shore. Salt water is easy to float in. Don’t freak out!

Sharks are prevalent in certain areas of both the Pac

ific and Caribbean.
Sharks are of concern for fishermen and surfers primarily. If you are not a pro ask about the area you plan to visit. Some of the island’s around Costa Rica have huge populations of sharks.

Costa Rica is just north of the Equator. Use sunscreen

liberally and drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids while in the elements. I know, now I sound like your mother!

Taxi’s have meters. Many unofficial taxi’s ply their services in the country. Prior to any trip anywhere, agree on the price before you get in the taxi unless they a

re using the meter. Many taxi’s do not use their meters.

Most hotels, resorts, and bed and breakfast’s provide transportation from the airport and are valuable resources to identify the fair cost from one place to another when using taxi services.

Beaches
Beaches in Costa Rica are not all the same. Some beaches are great for surfing and poor choices for children. Many beaches include amenities close by and plenty of tanned bodies to admire. Others offer secluded splendor and less amenities. Care

ful planning is necessary to find the right area for a successful vacation here.

The beach options are too numerous to even mention here. Please consider looking at our beaches page for information about some of the best beaches. For surfing we have a surfing page highlighting the best spots to catch a wave

.

Volcanoes
Some parts of Costa Rica look more like the moon than Central America!

Arenal is an active volcano that offers excellent potential for all the elements of an active volcano. The Tabacon hot springs is a beautiful area offering relaxation, romance, and wonderful atmosphere.
Poas volcano is close to San Jose in the Central Valley and provides eerie views of one of the world’s largest volcanic lakes in its crater. Poas is easy to hike compared to other places and has no facility for food and drinks in the park area.

Rincon de la Vieja is in northwestern Costa Rica (Guanacaste province) and is actually a compound volcano meaning that there are more than one composite volcanoes aligned on a ridge. Rincon has 9 eruptive craters, includes bubbling mud pits, and volcanic geysers. Hikes to the summit are controlled by park rangers to keep people from getting lost. Obviously this is more challenging hiking compared to Poas!

Rain Forests
Rain forests and animals of the rain forest are one of the big attractions of Costa Rica. Birdwatching, flora and fauna, monkey’s, sloths, and many other creatures abound in the rain forests of Costa Rica. Each region has slightly different plant life and animals populating the forests. The lodge and hotel accommodations range from primitive to exotic. Take your time and choose an area that combines activities that you and your family have interests in.

Manuel Antonio is one of the most popular parks in Costa Rica. The park is located in the Central Pacific area and provides great accommodations, rain forest, waterfalls, and beach vacations.

Monteverde Cloud Forest is a wonderland of nature. Located near the Arenal volcano about 3 1/2 hours from San Jose this misty forest is a great place to see birds, monkey’s and other wildlife in a well tended easily hiked park.

Corcovado National Park is lowland rain forest and is home to a large population of scarlet macaws. The park features well designed trails, camping, and plenty of ranger stations. The hiking is strenuous, pack your own food and get back to nature in the southern Pacific portion of Costa Rica.

Cahuita National Park provides flat easily hiked trails, and plenty of wildlife in thick lowland forest. White face and howler monkey’s are your companions here. Generally rustic accommodations and less amenities are characteristic on the Caribbean coastal areas.

Final Thoughts
Fun Costa Rica Vacations hopes this visitors guide has been helpful to you. Our goal is to provide useful information to travelers and specifically first time visitors to Costa Rica.

For this reason, if you did not find the answer to a pressing question you have about Costa Rica please contact us at our website about it. We want to provide the most accurate up to date information available to visitors to ensure a fun vacation for all!

Copyright @ 2005 fun-costa-rica-vacations.com

About the Author

Roger is publisher of fun-costa-rica-vacations.com a destination guide for Costa Rica providing ideas for fun vacations.

Bocas del Toro

Bocas del Toro Travel Information | Hostels Travel Guide:

Bocas del Toro is the capital of the Panamanian province of Bocas del Toro. It is city and a world-renowned tourist resort located on the island of Isla Colon in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago in the Caribbean Sea off the northwest coast of Panama.

It has numerous world-class resorts, many of them specializing in eco-tourism and All Inclusive tourism. It can be accessed by boat by taking an approximately a 20 minute long boat ride from the mainland of Bocas Del Toro. There’s also an international airport for air access.

Bocas del Toro Province is centered around the water. Much of the hinterland of this Province is difficult to access. Hispanic influence in Bocas del Toro Province is weaker and much more recent than in the rest of Panama. The native Ngobe and Bugle people still make up a large portion of the population.

Descendants of 19th century immigrants from Jamaica make up another large segment of the the population of the Province. These two cultures plus Hispanics from other parts of Panama all give the Province a lively cultural diversity.

Relatively few Panamanians live on the island, opting for cheaper housing on the mainland of Panama. Its white, sandy beaches, ecological parks, diving keys, restaurants and food, nightclubs, attractions, tematic parks, discos, shops and markets both in the beachfront zone and the downtown area make it a popular tourist destination year-round for tourists from the North, South, Central America, Europe, Oceania and Asia alike.

Located in the northwestern corner of Panama, the Amistad/Bocas del Toro site includes the area surrounding and including Bastimentos Island National Marine Park and, on the mainland, the National Protected Areas of San San Pond Sack Wetlands, La Amistad International Park, and the Palo Seco Protected Forest.

The Amistad/Bocas del Toro region, recognized as both a Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site, contains a rich mosaic of ecosystems that in total spans 2.5 million acres. The heart of this area is La Amistad International Park, recognized as one of the largest remaining tracts of undisturbed forest in Central America.

This area, renowned for its biodiversity, contains at least 180 plant species found only in the Amistad/Bocas del Toro region or which are limited exclusively to Panama. Among the region’s diverse vegetative cover, one can find four different species of mangroves (red, white, black and pineapple) as well as other important vegetative types such as sea grass, flooded coastal forests, cloud and lowland forests.

English is widely spoken along much of the Central American coast, and Panama is no exception. The locals of Bocas del Toro are descendants of West Africans caught in the slave trade and speak English. One might also notice the mixture of several tongues in the Creole that the natives speak amongst themselves.

These diverse habitats also provide shelter for the numerous species of wildlife, including a variety of species unique to the region.

The region houses three species of sea turtles (leatherback, green, and hawksbill), the West Indian manatee, caimans, Baird’s tapirs, jaguars, the brown-throated three-toed sloth, Hoffman’s two-toed sloth and the red frog, whose skin produces a venom used by the Pre-Colombian Indians to poison their arrows.

The Bocas del Toro region also hosts more than 350 species of birds, including 27 North American migrants such as the wood thrush, prothonotary warbler, and the Magnolia warbler. Bocas del Toro lowlands are also an important flyway for Swainson’s hawks, Mississippi kites, scarlet tanagers, and purple martins. The only Panamanian colony of the rare red-billed tropicbird is found in Bocas del Toro.

With its two long coasts, Panama has long relied on its marine resources. Unfortunately, some of the once common marine species, such as lobster and conch, have become harder to find within the archipelago.

They are threatened by habitat loss, sedimentation, and water pollution due to unsustainable agricultural practices, development, and unregulated tourism. On the mainland, threats include deforestation, habitat loss, and water pollution due to unsustainable agricultural practices, colonization and urban development.

Access can be either via airline or boat, a 350 minutes drive from the Capital or an 85 minute drive from the nearest city of Changuinola will take you to a touristic port where boats arrive each 20 minutes constantly, another way involves air traveling, in which you may take a flight of about 75 minutes from the capital’s secondary international and regional airport, access from outside the country is provided by some airlines. Access via air from the United States is not available directly, however, flights to the city are available with a stop in the capital city of the country and from Costa Rica.

• Bocas del Toro Hostels Directory

Panama