Giving Tuesday: Help Build a Brighter Future for Bocas del Toro Communities
Since 2012, the Giving Tuesday movement has continued to grow into a global event that encourages people worldwide to donate, volunteer, and give back! In 2023, over $3.1 billion was raised on Giving Tuesday alone! We encourage you to be part of the collective generosity and inspirational movement that helps so many nonprofits to continue […]
Shifting Gears in a Changing World
The oceans of the world compose a very dynamic and complex system that governs the way everything in the ecosystem of our planet functions. It is an ever-changing and developing world that strives to achieve balance throughout all of its various components. It has been reasonably successful for the last 20 million years. However, in […]
Festivals and Fragile Ecosystems: the Return of Ad Sidera Semper
Updated November 1 to include comments from the Ministry of Environment Bocas del Toro regional office. Ad Sidera Semper, an electronic music festival, has returned for its third year, moving to Red Frog Beach in Bocas del Toro after two previous events at Bluff Beach. The event has sparked local controversy, with residents and conservationists […]
“A Dream Come True” 89 School Band Students Are Going on Tour!
Thanks to a wonderfully generous donation by Eric Veenstra of the PirateArts Experience resort, the student band from the Colegio Rogelio Josue Ibarra high school will be traveling to the provinces of Veraguas and Los Santos from November 7 to 11, 2024, to participate in the Fiestas Patrias parades. On Monday, October 14, 2024, the […]
From Risk to Resilience: Afta Insurance Solutions Provides Insight on Property Protection in Bocas del Toro
Following the tragic April 13, 2024 fires on Isla Colon, the topic of insurance coverage is on the mind of many property owners around the archipelago. Today we sit down with Ithiel Tribaldos of Afta Insurance Solutions to talk about fire insurance and explore other Bocas del Toro insurance related issues. Leer el artículo en […]
Bocas del Toro Students and Community Pay Tribute to Hometown Hero and Literary Icon Guillermo Sánchez Borbón (Tristán Solarte)
On June 26, Rogelio Josué Ibarra High School was filled with warmth and joy as the community gathered to celebrate the 100th birthday of Guillermo Sánchez Borbón, fondly referred to as Tristán Solarte (his literary pseudonym). Friends, family, school and community leaders, and students came together to honor the incredible life and contributions of this […]
Skateboards For Hope Reaches Bocas del Toro
“Skateboarding is used as a tool to give socioeconomically disadvantaged children the opportunity to achieve their goals and rise above poverty.” – Skateboards For Hope July 13, 2023 Surrounded by artwork and 45 brightly painted skateboards with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, it was an epically positive morning at the newly opened Buenas Cafe […]
In Honor of 100 Years of Guillermo Sánchez Borbón: A Commemorative Event June 26 at Rogelio Josué Ibarra High School
It’s time once more for Isla Colon to honor its literary hero, Guillermo Sánchez Borbón, known to many as Tristán Solarte. On June 26, the Rogelio Josué Ibarra High School will host a special event celebrating what would’ve been Sánchez Borbón’s 100th birthday. Para la versión en español del artículo, haz clic aquí Guillermo Sánchez […]
Over $15K Raised for Fire Victim Relief Fund
On April 13, 2024, there was a tragic fire in Bocas Town. A fundraising campaign was launched on April 29 to support the clean-up efforts and create a victim relief fund for the employees and owner-operators who lost their primary source of income. The final fundraising results: $15,417.80 total $3,027 was raised in the original […]
Rock ‘N’ Relief June 8
It’s times like these, you gotta love the community spirit of Bocas del Toro; through the good times and the bad. VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL Well on April 13, 2024, there were some seriously bad times when a fire broke out at 5 am and raged through the Bocas Town center, consuming two structures in their […]
June 1, 2024, Bocas del Toro: 100 Years of “El Poeta”
Today marks the 100th year anniversary of the birth of Bocas del Toro’s most celebrated poet, author and journalist, Guillermo Sánchez Borbón , AKA Tristán Solarte. Since 2018, his June 1 birthdate has been recognized by the Panamanian government as “Día de la literatura en la provincia de Bocas del Toro”’ in honor of Guillermo […]
How to Reuse 80% of Your Water and Reduce Pollution in Bocas del Toro
On an island that experiences droughts and unreliable public water service, August Wastewater Treatment Plants are a game-changer. The future is now; a Bocas del Toro with a more conscious use of its precious resources and practices that safeguard its natural beauty for future generations. Maybe that is not always reflected with every project on […]
Club Bocas Chess: Nurturing Young Minds Through the Game of Chess
Club Bocas Chess, a sports non-profit organization, has recently achieved a significant milestone with its endorsement by Pandeportes in January 2024. This endorsement marks a new chapter in the club’s mission to promote the educational and cultural benefits of chess among the youth of Bocas del Toro. Our club has been a beacon of hope […]
A Letter To Mark Zuckerberg from Bocas del Toro
May 20, 2024 Dear Mr. Zuckerberg, Thank you for visiting our beautiful islands of Bocas del Toro, Panama. We hope that you have enjoyed our clear Caribbean waters, lush jungles, diverse flora & fauna, and the unique cultural blend of peoples that arrived here during our prosperous days as the lead global exporter of bananas. […]
Filthy Friday and Bocas FC: Investing in Talent, Illuminating Bocas del Toro Worldwide
April 29, 2024 marks the birthdate of an exciting collaboration that combines party entertainment with sports marketing in Bocas del Toro. A press conference was held where Filthy Friday officially announced its sponsorship of Bocas Fútbol Club (Bocas FC), becoming the first and only sponsor of the team from the archipelago of Bocas del Toro. […]
Who Will Be the Bocas del Toro Mayor 2024-2029?
We are now less than one week away from the 2024 elections, and it’s the final stretch towards the changing (or maintaining) of political power in Panama. On May 5, 2024, some three million eligible voters have the opportunity to exercise their civic duty, choosing who will lead the municipal, provincial, and national government for […]
Casco Capital Group Assumes Lease, Paving the Way for Red Frog Beach’s Renewal
Red Frog Beach, the archipelago’s premier resort, enters a promising new chapter as Casco Capital Group took charge, effective December 1, 2023. This transition marks a significant milestone, brimming with prospects for rejuvenation and expansion under fresh stewardship. With a sterling reputation in hospitality management, Casco Capital Group brings a wealth of experience and a […]
One Step Closer to a More Dignified Education in Bluff
The elementary school in Bluff has just received an important upgrade with the installation of a new water tank! This is a major breakthrough for our community and represents a significant change for the children. Versión en español de la nota In 2022, the project “Una Escuelita para Bluff” (A Little School for Bluff) was […]
Keep Bocas Wild (and Safe for Animals): Community Urges Power Company to Protect Local Fauna
Sorry for the distressing featured image. However it has become an all too familiar reality in the Bocas del Toro of 2024. Unfortunately, the community is seeing an increase in the electrocution of monkeys, sloths and other jungle animals at an alarming rate. As the road construction continues with wider roads, less canopy connection and […]
Algae Crash Course: Information About Algae Around Bocas Del Toro
If you’ve ever wondered what all that smelly black stuff is on the beach, read on and we may be able to answer a few of your questions. The Playa Istmito Project is a participatory science project in which Bocatoreño students partner with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute to learn about algal blooms, how they […]
Bridging the Digital Divide
The pandemic emphasized to the world the importance of technology and access to the internet. For those without access, many students, most in low-income and disadvantaged countries and communities, went without any formal education for a year or more. In parts of Panama, including many of our island communities, it was over two years. Computers […]
Live Cooking Show at Merén Transforms Lunch into a Culinary Spectacle
Paella, poolside, prepared right in front of your eyes, with craft gin cocktails and live music. This is the new Sunday afternoon program at Merén: entertainment, relaxation and seafood satiation to the maximum. Escaping the dusty madness of the March 2024 road work in the Bocas Town center, we wandered through the corridor to the […]
74% of Trees To Be Removed As Part of Park Remodelling
Overview Simon Bolivar Park, a cherished public space in Bocas Town, is undergoing a major renovation as part of the Isla Colon road project. The proposed redesign involves removing 74% of the park’s trees due to safety concerns and to protect structures, based on a forestry evaluation by Consultoría Ambiental Cáceres. Regular Bocas visitor and […]
The Future Leaders of the Island are Playing and Learning with Bocas Chess
Club Academia Bocas Chess is a chess club and a non-profit sport organization, established at the Colegio Multicultural Dr. Andrés Culiolis Bayard school. Nota original en español The club was established thanks to 25 members of the Bocas community, and a selected board of directors: President Carlos Cabrera , Secretary Joel Sanz, Treasurer Elizabeth Lewis […]
Bocas del Toro is Recycling! Bocas Recycle Center Outlook for 2024
2024 is set to be a year of significant expansion and community engagement for the Bocas Recycle Center. A visionary plan that includes raising awareness, environmental education, and waste management. The Bocas Recycle Center started its journey in December 2021 with a volunteer program. While the initial enthusiasm was encouraging, it soon became apparent that […]
Finally! Insurance Solutions in Bocas del Toro – Introducing ProBroker
Abdiel Terán Della Togna is 34 years deep into the insurance game in Panama. He has the know-how and the know-who to protect important on-the-water assets on the islands of Bocas del Toro. Normally complicated and expensive, for the last year Abdiel and his team have been putting their network, knowledge and experience to work […]
Excavating History: The Mexican Mission to Recover the Legacy of Catarino Erasmo Garza in Bocas del Toro
Since February 25, 2024, a big gray ship has been sitting in the bay in front of Bocas Town. It has a French flag, someone from a hotel in Carenero says. At night, you can see a large line of lights illuminating the sky. A new floating bar? What is it about? The vessel is […]
FlyTrip Announces Daily Flights to Bocas and Expanded Capacity!
BIG NEWS: Starting March 11, 2024, FlyTrip will initiate DAILY FLIGHTS to Bocas, along with expanding capacity for more passengers on their Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday flights! Nota en español “This decision was made after an analysis of market supply and demand which resulted in the need to increase the load factor in order […]
Learning Through Play: Summer Camp Days with Give and Surf
Today is “back to school!” time in Panama though it’s never too early to re-live those summer vacation glory days vicariously through our friends at Give and Surf. Today we share our report from the front lines of the English Immersion Summer Camp, February 7, 2024: Summer vacation is in full swing for the local […]
Bocas Invitacional: Celebrating Culture Through Sports and Music!
We’re thrilled to announce the third edition of Bocas Invitacional, the only bodyboarding festival in Central America that brings together the best local and international athletes. From March 4th to March 10th, 2024, Bocas del Toro will be the epicenter of surfing and fun with an event that highlights cultural value through sports, music, and […]