2nd Surf Cup: Palo Muerto 2017
(Tracuccion español abajo) BY OLMEDO GUIRAUD (@ZIGGYSRIDE AND SURF) On the 23rd of July the surf community of Bocas del Toro and its residents and locals of its islands Bastimentos, Bahia Honda, Solarte Island and Bocas Town Colon Island gathered together for the 2nd Cup Palo Muerto in Carenero Island. This events purpose is to […]
Introducing…THE SUPER DELI!
The Super Gourmet Deli is the super deli of Bocas! With over 30 almost identical supermarkets in Bocas del Toro, Super Gourmet has decided to jettison the can and focus on providing high quality sandwiches and prepared salads. While their deli sandwiches have been adored by patrons for years, the unveiling of their new salad […]
RECAP: Copa Feria del Mar 2017
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text](Tracuccion español abajo) On the 16th of September, the last Saturday of the Feria del Mar 2017, the recently initiated Bocas Paddling Club was proud to present their first ever paddling event held in Bocas del Toro: the Copa Feria del Mar. The event was split into 4 different paddling categories: Prone (paddling on a […]
Waterslide Benefit for Casa de Asilo: Over $500 Raised
Waterslide Benefit for Casa de Asilo: Over $500 Raised ::Español abajo:: Saturday, 7th October was a perfect Bocas day to spend in the sun and give back to the community. Mr. Bill Krueger was kind enough to host a charity event in his home, with a special feature, a fantastic 200 feet long water slide. […]
Introducing…THE SUPER DELI!
(Tracuccion español abajo) The Super Gourmet Deli is the super deli of Bocas! With over 30 almost identical Supermarkets in Bocas del Toro, Super Gourmet has decided to jettison the can and focus on providing high quality sandwiches and prepared salads. While their deli sandwiches have been adored by patrons for years, the unveiling of […]
12th Annual Chili Competition at Skully’s (Concurso Gastronómico de Chili)
(Tracuccion español abajo) The sun was shining and the weather was sweet and Bocas del Toro was at Skully’s tasting all the chili they could eat. The 12th annual Chili Cook-Off was held Sunday October fist at Skully’s bar and restaurant, located on the beach past Big Creek heading towards Paunch. Every year around this […]
Poetry by Arnold Greenberg
APROPOS POEMS Arnold Greenberg is an expat resident hailing from the USA writing a collection of poems about Bocas del Toro for his poetry book “The Forgotten Town–Bocas Poems.” Here are 3 poems he has composed recently that have much to do about what the Bocas Breeze is reporting this month. Enjoy! THE ABANDONED DOGS […]
Art Poster Maps: Showing the Spirit of Location
James Melillo was a former director of tourism in Hawaii when he and his colleagues were looking at community ways to promote tourism. What they came up with was the art poster map. They went on to produce over 20 posters on all the islands in Hawaii. It was the most successful tourism promotion that […]
Spay Panama Visits Bocas
BY DENISE MCDONOUGH / PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHARON ADAM On a Tuesday afternoon in May, Spay Panama sent 3 veterinarians, 2 technicians and a lot of equipment to Bocas del Toro via Air Panama. This was possible due to many donations, fundraisers and volunteers. There were 4 clinics from May 10th to May 13th: Bocas Town, […]
Bocas Cleans Up its Act: Plastic Bags Banned
BY EMILY TALENTINO Trash is recognized as a massive problem around the archipelago and there are no simple or easy solutions. The multifaceted issue seems daunting and impossible when all aspects are taken into consideration from recycling to trash disposal and waste reduction to garbage collection, and then add in the challenge of multiple islands […]
Human Chain in Playa Paunch to Protest Plans for 40 Meter Pier
Protestors say “¡Ese muelle no va!” When pictures of a large construction project in Paunch Beach began to circulate on June 6th, Bocas citizens and lovers of Bocas worldwide were outraged and immediately organized a “human chain” protest at the construction site. Plans were to build a 40 meter (130 ft) pier more or less […]
BOCAS BLURBS: ISLAND LIFE & ISLAND TIMES: July 2017
The 3rd Annual Bastimentos International Maritime Fair was celebrated on May 25 to May 28th in Old Bank, the classic Caribbean-style town on the island of Bastimentos. Irishel Gisela Garcia was crowned the queen of the Bastimentos fair this year. The national lottery was broadcasted live on TVN. Live music was enjoyed with the likes […]
Mission Accomplished: 100 New Trash Cans for Bocas del Toro
On the morning of Saturday May 6th, the final series of metal posts were secured into the ground and are made ready for the last 20 of the 100 new trash barrels to be fastened to them. This whole project started in October in a collaboration between the NGO Unidos por Bocas […]
Cayuco Paunch: Champions!!
As most of you might have heard already, Bocas’ own paddle team Cayuco Paunch finished 1st place overall for the Ocean to Ocean race on April 9th, with a total time of 5:11:17 setting a new record, once again… The 3 day paddle race through the Panama Canal starts at Colon, at the Cristobal Locks […]
BOCAS BLURBS: ISLAND LIFE & ISLAND TIMES: May 2017
TRASH CANS: One of many new trash recpticals installed on the archipelago. These trash cans are here to help keep Bocas beautiful in an effort spearheaded in a collaboration between government, local businesses and “Unidos por Bocas“. Much respect to everyone who donated and volunteered their time. They may not want to be mentioned but […]
US AMBASSADOR JOHN FEELEY VISITS BOCAS
The US Ambassador John Feeley came to our beloved islands to hit the pavement and to get to know the US citizens living in Bocas. He also got the opportunity to hit the sand and the water to experience the natural beauty of the islands. The Ambassador’s appearance in Bocas was the first part of […]
Fanlyc INSPIRES HOPE WITH “BOCAS es AMOR”
by GyL Ledezma Ducruet Note from the Editor: “Bocas es amor,” was the campaign and the love was spread all over the archipelago of Bocas del Toro when the organization Fanlyc came to the island to explore, to enjoy the most important things that life has to offer while inspiring hope in the condition of […]
IMPORTANT IMMIGRATION INFORMATION
In an effort to eradicate the “permanent tourist,” new legislation has been enacted that requires those on a tourist visa to spend 30 days out of the country before re-entering as a tourist. This much has been confirmed and is being enforced at the Sixaola and Paso Canoas borders. There are conflicting reports to whether […]
Remembering Barry Munro
BARRY MUNRO 1958-2017 Bocas del Toro morns the loss of a legendary figure: Mr. Barry Munro. However, much in tune with his vibrant spirit, his life was celebrated on a memorial aboard the Jade Dragon, April 29th. Barry touched the lives of many in his years in the archipelago: with his quick wit and sarcasm, […]
Paunch hits again-The Bocas Team Brings Home the Gold!
By: Tereza Harp Bocas’ own cayuco team, Paunch, dominated at the race on the 21nd in Panama City, winning first place in the female category. Once at home in Bocas, they described the event: “We paddled out at the same pace with the top teams of the open male category, obtaining first position in the […]
Bocas Blurbs: Island Life & Island Times Feb 2017
Congratulations to Joshua Caraballo, SUB 18 Champion of the DST, pictured here surfing his home town wave and taking 1st in a competition at Playa Paunch. Tony of Panama Dive School put out the message via Facebook one day that if at least $250 were pledged towards the educational efforts of Give & Surf, […]
Be a Surf Sheriff and Save a Life… and Be Aware of Rip Currents!
Mother ocean. Many come here to enjoy her fun waves, to cool off and snorkle around and admire her natural beauty, but unfortunately and most importantly: she is to be feared and respected. Not every beach around the island is always calm enough for casual swimming; especially this time of year. It is extremely important […]
One Goal: Education for All
What started as one man’s vision of providing preschool to the indigenous children of Bahia Honda has blossomed into the leading educational nonprofit organization of Bocas del Toro serving eight communities on five of the islands. Now in its sixth year of operation, Give & Surf continues to grow and expand its programs, projects, and […]
Bocas Beach Club: Walk on the Stylish Side
Head over to Carenero Island nowadays and there is a whole heap of new style and comfort where the Pickled Parrot used to be. Combine the stunning 270 degree view of Bastimentos, Solarte and Isla Colon with a luxury hotel suite outdoors and the Bocas Beach Club is what you get. “We’re hoping to bring […]
Cayuco PAUNCH is back… and this time with their own boat!
Last Cayuco season was the first time in history that a team from Bocas del Toro competed in the races in Panama City. Under the initiative of Carolina Botero (steer) the team Cayuco Paunch was created, formed by Angie Whittemore (pacer), Julie Lanouette (bailer) and Esther Brix (power). With the help of the main sponsor […]
SURF-PRENEURS OF BOCAS DEL TORO
As you bob up and down in the line-up looking to position yourself for the big lefts at Paunch, Dumpers or Caren- ero, you will see the boats come splashing through the swells to the channel where four or five guys will toss their boards in the water led by their captain who directs them […]
DICKENS44 & HIS ART TOUR (THE QUEST FOR HIS MARIN COUNTY STUDIO)
The following is a tale about an extremely inspired and internationally recognized artist that has been creating unique art in Bocas for the last 7 years. He’s an artist with over 1,000 original artworks sitting in a studio 4,000 miles away. He would be able to return to his studio however his family’s bank doesn’t […]
WHAT’S NEW AT SUPER GOURMET? A LOT!
The Super G has recently rearranged the store to highlight their new specialties and spotlight local products such as honey, coffee, cacao, coconut, organics, and even gluten free flours. For fifteen years Super Gourmet has strived to bring to the community a healthier alternative in food as well as a pleasant place to shop- constantly […]
BOCAS BLURBS: ISLAND LIFE & ISLAND TIMES
The community gathered at the Hotel Bocas del Toro for an Italian Night benefiting the Casa de Asilo Bocas elderly home. A delicious spaghetti dinner was served by the Random Art cooking students. Santa Claus was in the house and many came out in great support for our Friends at Casa Asilo. Gracious donations even […]
Bocas Businesses Urge Air Panama to Add More Planes to Isla Colón
After hotel owners experienced a great deal of recent cancellations, with emails from would-be-clients citing the lack of flight availability from PTY to BOC as the reason, a meeting was called at the Ultimo Refugio restaurant where Bocas business owners gathered to address the situation with Air Panama to discuss the possibilities of adding more […]