La Buga Dive Center & Adventures

We’d like to welcome La Buga Dive Center & Adventures to the Hola Guide directory! La Buga offers all kinds of diving and sailing adventures. Owned and operated by Guatemalan waterman Ricardo Porras, La Buga has been doing business in Bocas Del Toro for over two years.

The folks at La Buga pride themselves on using only the best gear and focusing on both fun AND safety. This combination will no doubt make your diving experience with La Buga one to remember!

For more information about the La Buga Dive Center & Adventures, check out their Hola Guide profile:

La Buga Dive Center — Diving in Bocas Del Toro, Panama

4th Annual Bocas Del Toro Chili Cook-off

The 4th Annual Bocas Del Toro Chili Cook-off was held today at the Wari Wari restaurant, right off main street in downtown Bocas Del Toro. Eight different teams entered the competition, including last year’s winning team, Shelly’s BBQ.

The annual Chili Cook-off is put on by volunteers from BESO (Bocas Education Services Organization). BESO raises money to purchase school supplies for local children here in the Bocas Del Toro archipelago.

UPDATE: Shelly’s BBQ took home the first prize for the second year in a row!

Bocas Del Toro is an archipelago situated off the coast of Panama in the Caribbean Sea. Consequently, there are only two ways to reach Bocas – by air or by sea.

Reaching Bocas Del Toro by Air

You can catch a flight into Bocas Del Toro from Panama City, David, Changuinola and certain cities in Costa Rica. Schedules obviously differ, depending on where you’re coming from.

For more information on flight schedules and fares, check out the websites below:

Air Panama
Aeroperlas
Nature Air (from Costa Rica)

Beware that if you’re coming from Costa Rica, you’ll have to clear customs again in Bocas. This usually isn’t a long process, but you never know in Panama.

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Cayo Zapatilla, near Bocas Del Toro

Bocas Del Toro is a chain of islands off the Caribbean coast of Panama. All together, nine major islands and hundreds of minor islands make up the Bocas Del Toro archipelago.

Bocas Del Toro was originally inhabited by the Guaymi, Bokota and Teribe Indian tribes. Many descendants of those original tribes are still living in and around the Bocas Del Toro archipelago today.

The written history of Bocas Del Toro extends back to 1502, when Columbus discovered the group of islands on his fourth and final new world voyage. The story goes that Columbus was quite taken with the beauty and mystique of Bocas Del Toro; enough so, that he named two islands directly after himself — Colon and Cristobal.

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Bocas Paradise Hotel & Cafe

We’d like to welcome the Bocas Paradise Hotel & Cafe to the Hola Guide directory! The Bocas Paradise Hotel & Cafe is a brand new luxury hotel located directly over the water in Bocas Del Toro, Panama.

The Bocas Paradise Hotel & Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and has a nightly happy hour from 5 - 7pm.

For more information about the Bocas Paradise Hotel & Cafe, check out their Hola Guide profile:

Bocas Paradise Hotel & Cafe — Hotel, Restaurant & Bar in Bocas Del Toro, Panama

Soluciones Biotecnologicas Tropicales

We’d like to welcome Soluciones Biotecnologicas Tropicales (SBT) to the Hola Guide directory! Soluciones Biotecnologicas Tropicales is a non-profit organization started by marine scientist and realtor Don King, located in Bocas Del Toro, Panama.

SBT works with the indigenous people of Bocas Del Toro to develop solutions to issues related to education and environmental and cultural preservation.

For more information about SBT, check out their Hola Guide profile:

SBT — Non-profit Organization in Bocas Del Toro, Panama

Bocas Del Toro Realty Services, Inc.

We’d like to welcome Bocas Del Toro Realty Services to the Hola Guide directory! Bocas Del Toro Realty Services is a licensed and bonded full-service real estate firm located on main street (Calle Tercera) in Bocas Del Toro, Panama.

For more information about Bocas Del Toro Realty Services, check out their Hola Guide profile:

Bocas Del Toro Realty — Real Estate & Vacation Rentals in Bocas Del Toro, Panama