Breeze
Breeze

Tag: Bocas del Toro

A Call For A Historical Pedestrian Bocas Town Center 

The automobile is not synonymous with progress. Bicycle transportation is more than a leisure activity. There are touristic, commercial, cultural, historical, environmental and health benefits to a pedestrian downtown area. Leaders of the community have made compelling arguments and alternative proposals for redesign of Calle Tercera, the main street on Isla Colón.    Plans for […]

Isla Colón Street Renovation Project and The Community Reaction

On Friday January 22, 2021, government officials, private consultants and residents of Bocas del Toro gathered to discuss the design phase of an enormous public works project that has plans to transform the main island of the archipelago in significant ways. A presentation was given by engineer Gloria Augudo, the coordinator of the two consulting […]

Bocas del Toro Panama Christmas and New Years Travel and COVID Rules 2020-2021

Bocas del Toro has been a quite a pleasant place to quarantine; with curfews, lockdowns and all. Though Panama had been opening up gradually for international tourism since October, the Ministry of Health announced some unexpected new restrictions for December 18, 2020 – January 4th, 2021. This follwowing is a guide to help you navigate […]

Surfing Postponed in Bocas del Toro – National Government Vetoes Local Exception

On December 21st, a statement was published by Bocas del Toro’s Ministry of Health giving special permission for beach access for the activity of surf, as physical exercise. Within 24 hours of the release of this statement, on the morning of December 22, the Bocas del Toro Ministry of Health received word that is exception […]

Panama Announces New COVID-19 Restrictions Taking Effect December 18, 2020

Health Minister Luis Francisco Sucre announced during a December 15th, 2020 press conference new measures that will be put in place starting December 18th with the goal of slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Panama   during the upcoming holiday season. The health officials claim that the gradual re-opening of the economy during the last […]

COVID-19 In Bocas del Toro, Panama – December 12th, 2020 Update

COVID-19 Epidemiological Report in Bocas del Toro and Panama – December 12th, 2020 In the islands of Bocas del Toro, as of December 11th, 2020, there are currently 6 active COVID-19 cases. This represents a decrease of 6 cases from our last report on December 5th. As of December 5th, on the islands there had […]

Dive Against Debris in Bocas del Toro

There is something magical about diving into the ocean. Your eyes are filled with blue wonder, feeling so light, refreshing your thoughts and renewing energies. The ocean is the reason why many of us live in Bocas del Toro; be it for surfing, diving, or simply floating around in the water. Having your daily encounter […]

Don Tito Thomas and the Era of Development in Bocas del Toro

por Manuel Niss Quintana English version below Hoy conocemos a un Bocas del Toro llena de hoteles, de restaurantes, con un aeropuerto y al menos una docena de muelles por donde entran a diario cientos de turistas, para nosotros es difícil imaginar una forma diferente de vida a esta, a este ritmo de atender personas […]

COVID-19 Updates – Bocas del Toro, Panama

May 13, 2020 MINSA falsely previously reported 62 cases for Bocas del Toro province.  Of the 61 known cases in the Bocas del Toro province, per district there are 37 in Chiriqui Grande, 31 in Changuinola, 3 in Almirante and still zero confirmed cases on the islands of Bocas del Toro. May 13, 2020 Children […]

Panama Will Re-Activate Economy in Six Phases Starting May 13th 

President Laurentino Cortizo announced in a press conference that the first “economic block” will be opened up on Wednesday May 13, 2020.  There are six different “blocks” in total and will be phased back into economic activity gradually.  This first block involves “fishing and industrial aquaculture, electronic commerce, mechanic workshops and general spare parts, plumbers, […]

Can You Buy Alcohol in Bocas del Toro?

Yes and no.  Right now, it depends on which store you go to. Some stores are selling and have been officially selling since the national ban was lifted on Friday May 8th at 3:45pm.  Others are currently not selling alcohol.  There is much of a debate at the local, provincial and national level and some […]

Rental Contracts Frozen for Duration of National Emergency and for Two Months After

On May 1st, 2020, President Cortizo signed the Executive Decree No. 145, suspending the eviction procedures of Ministerio de Vivienda y Ordenamiento Territorial (Miviot), or the Ministry of Housing and Land Management. This is effective immediately, for the duration of the state of national emergency and for two months after the state of emergency is […]

Letter to the Editor – Alexei Vorotnikov

April 23, 2020 Español abajo Dear Editor, I have been interested in the news regarding the many organizations that are helping the families in need in Bocas del Toro. The amount of community support during these difficult times is inspiring. I have seen the updates from the different groups all working hard to make sure […]

Panama Approves Convalescent Plasma Studies 

The National Bioethics Committee has approved the study to determine the use of convalescent plasma as an alternative treatment to reduce the duration and complications for critical COVID-19 patients, announced Health Minister Rosario Turner during the April 20 national press conference.  Turner went on to explain that this application has been studied by John Hopkins […]

Bocas del Toro Community Unites in the Name of Food Security

Español abajo COVID-19 crisis shuts down tourism as of mid-March As the virus began to spread in early March and the first case was detected in Panama on March 9th, it became clear to travelers and business proprietors alike that international travel was about to be put on pause for a bit. Since closing its […]

First Confirmed Cases of the New Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Bocas del Toro

April 2, 2020 En español abajo Each day the Panamanian national government directs a televised press briefing on the New Coronavirus situation. Residents of Bocas del Toro watch closely to listen to the updates on case numbers, learn about new preventative measures and to see if the virus has reached our region. Each day it […]

Panama’s Borders Restricted to Contain the Spread of COVID-19

Coronavirus & How it Relates to Bocas del Toro, Panama As of 3pm today, Monday, March 16th, 2020, there are 55 known cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Republic of Panama – mostly in the Panama metropolitan area – with 1 case in Colón and 1case in Santiago, Veraguas. Panama’s Ministry of Health reported its […]

Education, Not Extractions ◈ Teaching Children How to Keep Their Teeth

by Jenn Parker What do you drink when you don’t have regular access to clean drinking water? You drink sodas and juices which often have anywhere from 9 to 15 teaspoons of sugar in one can, box, or bottle. Children between the ages of 2 and 18 should not consume more than six teaspoons of […]

Most Amount Ever Raised at Annual Back-To-School Fundraiser!

(español abajo) On February 9, local NGO Give and Surf, raised $13,191 — the highest amount ever — at the 7th Annual Back-to-School Fundraiser held at El Ultimo Refugio’s new location on Ave G and Calle 4. Over 300 people came out for the event; anticipating auction and raffle donations from 100+ businesses and individuals. […]

The Permaculture Project That is Breaking Ground

Stephen Brooks is the founder and primary director of Punta Mona in Costa Rica. He visited Bocas for the first time 20 years ago to work on an irrigation project in a well-known farm near Old Bank. This October 2019, with Aaron Jacobson and Sebastian Torres, the new owners of Loma Jungle Lodge and Chocolate Farm […]