Panama – Unconventional Travel

Bocas Dental Center (Bocas del Toro)

(Bocas del Toro, Panama)

I can’t think of a better place to have some dental work done than in Bocas del Torro. I was staying across the Laguna at Bastimentos Island and decided to have a dental check-up. Dr Wong found three cracked fillings and took care of them promptly. Dr Wong removed my old silver fillings and replaced them with mercury free 3m inlay(not sure what you call the stuff). The cost was 40 dollars for each filling. Bocas Dental Center has all the modern equipment to take care of your dental needs and save you a lot of money. The staff are totally professional and very friendly.

After the two hour procedure, I headed out for the beach on Basitmentos Island and worked on my sun tan. I would definitely go back again.

Lavamatico/ Laundry (Casco Viejo)

Casco Viejo, Panama City

Location: Coming out of Hotel Colon take a left and go one block. Should see the sign on your left side looking down the hill.

Cost: 75 cents to wash and 75 cents to dry. You have to fold the ropa yourself.

If staying in the Casco Viejo area and you need your laundry done, this is the place. Just don’t stray to far down the street. You will either be robbed or shot (so they say).

Panama Canal (MiraFlores Locks)

Cost: 8 US Dollars

I guess since you came all the way to Panama you better go and see the locks, eh? It’s big and it’s bad! Check out the locks and the museum at Miraflora Locks. It’s really convenient and gives you a good taste of part of the canal. Plus the building has the best air conditioner. Personally I think the Museum in Casco Viejo is better than here.

Go to the Museum in Casco Viejo (I dare you). It’s a lot better.

Casco Viejo (Panama City)

If you are in Panama City, don’t miss going to Casco Viejo. Lots of neat things to see there. The Panama Canal museum is there and lots of Colonial architecture. It’s like taking a time machine back to the past. Not all of Casco Viejo is safe to walk around in, but there are plenty of tourist police to make sure you don’t stray into the dangerous parts of town. Just use common sense and leave your fancy stuff at the hotel.

This is the Panama Canal Museum below. No photos allowed inside.

The skyline of Panama City from Casco Viejo.

Pedasi (Panama)

Getting there: From Chitre take mini van to Las Tablas, then catch another mini van to Pedasi. Takes about 1 1/2 hours for the whole trip.

Pedasi is a neat town to go and visit. Not a whole lot to do there and perhaps that is a good reason to go. The two local beaches (Playas El Torro and La Garita) are not the best for swimming, but I liked taking the long half hour hike to reach them. The town offers an assortment of hotels and restaurants to choose from. There is a bank in the town now.The town square below of Pedasi.

The town is so layed back that you can walk down the center of the road most of the time.

The road too both beaches is dirt and is pretty isolated.

Playa El Torro Below. It’s a 1/2 hour walk from Pedasi.

Playa El Aguillito (Chitre) (Birding Paradise)

Chitre, Panama

If you like mud and lots of exploring, then maybe Playa El Aguillito is worth a visit. This is a migratory stop for thousands of birds. The small park at the entrance is not very impressive and the road going through the Sanctuary is lined with litter. But Playa El Aguillito serves its purpose for the birds. The park just needs a good clean up and it would really be nice. Evidently there is a ecological station in the park, I didn’t stay long enough to locate it.

I stopped at this point of the road. It’s up to you from this point to see whats ahead.

Chitre (Panama)

Take it from these guys. Siesta time!

Chitre is a fun town to explore. Still kinda like it was in the old days. Traditional restaurants and old buildings to explore. The people are real friendly.The Cathedral is real nice to see at night! Lots of lights to highlight the building.

Discover the statues.

Discover the history of Panama in Museo de Herrera.

Take it from these guys. Siesta time!

Boquete (Panama)

I had high expectations of my visit to Boquete, unfortunately the once quaint town is now overrun with commercial buildings and I think has lost its charm. There is still some charm left, you just have to look a little harder. Maybe I didn’t give the town a fair shot and have a hard look around. After two days I hit the road. Talking to some local folks and a lot of them are moving from the town. Head to Boquete and see what you think. I just didn’t see what the fuss was about.

Bastimentos Island (Panama)

Lots of things to do on Bastimentos Island. Exploring the Island you will discover unspoiled beaches, great restaurants, friendly locals, exotic fruits and most importantly you might discover something about yourself that you did not know.

Long walks to the beaches and jungle hikes await you on Bastimentos Island. Bastimentos Island is not as touristy as Bocas Del Toro.

Learn about the struggles of the local people at they face the influx of developers buying up the land and trying to make the easy dollar with no respect for the island. Not all is perfect in paradise. The Island struggles with litter and sewage runoff along the main village shore.

Discover for yourself the secrets of Bastimentos Island!

Shop up in the hill (Bastimentos Island)

Bastimentos Island, Panama

Location:Follow the signs along the sidewalk and up the hill. Takes about 20 minutes and is very scenic. Lemonade awaits you at your destination.

Take a lovely walk to the Shop Up In The Hill and discover how a young couple built their dream with love and hard work. They grow organic cacao beans and make a assortment of products. They sell homemade natural body products made from the cacao beans. Try the homemade chocolate brownies with a creamy frosting, then pinch yourself to make sure it’s not a dream. The lemonade is just perfect to sit and relax with and hear the jungle tales.

They are completely off the grid here. They get their electricity from the sun and water from the rain. It’s a fascinating place to discover and learn how difficult it is to build a dream in paradise on Bastimentos Island.

Homemade chocolate brownie using coconut oil instead of butter.