r/travel • u/AutoModerator • Oct 31 '19
Advice r/travel Region of the Week: 'Bocas del Toro'
Hey travellers!
In this new series of weekly threads we want to focus on regions that have a lot to offer to travellers: the towns, nature, and other interesting places whether they are lesser or more known. If more known provide more in depth suggestions like tours, things to do, places to eat, etc.
Please contribute all and any questions / thoughts / suggestions / ideas / stories / highlights about this travel destination, whether it be places you want to see or experiences you have had.
This post will be archived on our wiki destinations page and linked in the sidebar for future reference, so please direct any of the more repetitive questions there. Please click here for list and dates of future destinations. If you notice an area of a region is not listed it is likely it will be a future topic or it may have been a prior topic as a country or city. Please focus on the specific regions in the submission unless it was not a prior or future topic.
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Example: We really enjoyed the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. It was $35 each, but there's enough to keep you entertained for whole day. Bear in mind that parking on site is quite pricey, but if you go up the hill about 200m there are three $15/all day car parks. Monterey Aquarium
Unhelpful: Read my blog here!!!
Helpful: My favourite part of driving down the PCH was the wayside parks. I wrote a blog post about some of the best places to stop, including Battle Rock, Newport and the Tillamook Valley Cheese Factory (try the fudge and ice cream!).
Unhelpful: Eat all the curry! [picture of a curry].
Helpful: The best food we tried in Myanmar was at the Karawek Cafe in Mandalay, a street-side restaurant outside the City Hotel. The surprisingly young kids that run the place stew the pork curry[curry pic] for 8 hours before serving [menu pic]. They'll also do your laundry in 3 hours, and much cheaper than the hotel.
Undescriptive I went to Mandalay. Here's my photos/video.
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u/Gr8panjandrum Nov 01 '19
Just wanted to say I'm thankful as FUCK that the friday island hopping party stores your phone and valuables. In a drunken lapse of judgment I put my bag down for a second, and someone jacked it. Thankfully it only had a days worth of cash.
If you want more things to do, just find accommodation on Isla Colon rather than going off to Red Frog Beach or whatever. Selinas always has parties, but Hotel Mamallena is in a much more quiet area with a cheap drinks and a dock on the lake.
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u/tellox Dec 17 '19
If you're looking to go on a nature walk or eco-tour, make sure to look into Indigenous-led tours. There are jungle tours, coffee tours, bat cave explorations and river trips (where sloth sightings can be abundant!). Some boat drivers may be able to point you in the right direction, but many don't know that these tours exist or aren't willing to take people to the islands where they take place.
If diving is more your thing, Bocas Diving Pirates is (in my opinion!) the best dive shop on Isla Colón. Alex and Chich are the incredible owners and operate their business with a laid-back, relaxed atmosphere. They're both highly skilled divers, and they really take the time to make sure each dive is safe, fun and informative. My favorite dive I did with them was Pandora which features a wrecked sailboat home to large dogfish snappers, barracuda and plenty of colorful sponges.
When you get hungry, Bocas Brewery and Brothers are there for you. Both bars feature a reasonably priced menu full of great food, and Bocas Brewery even brews their own beer. If their saison is in stock, get it while it lasts! If you'd rather go to a more traditional sit down restaurant, Om (which serves Indian food) and Ultimo Refugio (which serves a variety of food, and their menu changes often) are there for you.
For your morning coffee, Amaranto is the best place in the region. They also serve amazing food like waffles, Buddha bowls and a mean chicken bagel sandwich as well as healthy juices and tasty smoothies--they also have free wifi. Located right next door is Cafe del Mar, which is also a safe bet for great food. Next to both of these places is an awesome gelato stand, which is an added bonus!
If anybody would like more recommendations or has questions about any aspect of life in Bocas del Toro, feel free to DM me.
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u/alsmagic7 Oct 31 '19
If you like to party, make sure to go to Summer. I believe Thursdays are their night (certain bars have special nights on the island). It gets started a little later but it is WILD! The bathrooms are disgusting , but if you can look past that its definitely a good time. There is a pool in the back, and around 2-3AM people start jumping in. Girls were going topless, everyone smoking weed, psychedelics seemed to be flowing as well if that's your thing. Police were present standing in the back of the club and could not have given less of a care in the world.
Falafel Bocas is a solid Israelli Restaurant.
Om Cafe is a good bet for Indian.
I was only in town two days so I can't offer up much else, but I did get to dive a really cool shipwreck off Isla Colon.