We have rented a condo for four weeks on Isla Colon in the Bocas del Toro Province of Panama. This island is also host to Bocas Town, the largest town on the 10 islands, ~50 cays and over 200 tiny islets which are part of the Bocas del Toro archipelago.
The one bedroom condo is clean and functional. The kitchen has a medium sized refrigerator, full stove and oven , microwave, blender, coffee pot and kettle. It also has a decent assortment of pots and pans, bowls, etc. and dishware for four. There's air conditioning in the bedroom and fans in the bedroom, kitchen/living room and even outside on the porch. From the porch we look to the east at the bay (across the access road in front of the building and the main road around the island).
The one bedroom condo is clean and functional. The kitchen has a medium sized refrigerator, full stove and oven , microwave, blender, coffee pot and kettle. It also has a decent assortment of pots and pans, bowls, etc. and dishware for four. There's air conditioning in the bedroom and fans in the bedroom, kitchen/living room and even outside on the porch. From the porch we look to the east at the bay (across the access road in front of the building and the main road around the island).
We learn that the water for the building is provided by catching rainwater and storing it in a 2,500 gallon tank in the back. This appears to be common practice on the island, and unfortunately means that we should not drink the tap water. An advantage is the gas station mini-mart sells gallons of water. We will look for the 5 gallon water jugs as we shop around town.
100 feet away is the only gas station on the island, which makes it very easy to catch a taxi and to direct taxi drivers when going home. Unfortunately the car wash and oil change bays in the back of the gas station means that we hear loud music from about noon to 8 pm.
Taxi's on the island are interesting. A shared ride is the norm. After hailing our first taxi headed into town we're a little surprised when the driver pulls over to pick up a man a quarter mile down the road. He gets in the front seat. Then another 100 feet down the road the driver picks up a woman who joins us in the back seat. He drops each off at different spots in town, then delivers us as our destination is the furthest into town. He collects 50¢ from each of them and $1.50 for the two of us. After we go grocery shopping we share with 3 children who are in the taxi and returning home from school. The two boys are dropped off before reaching our condo and they pay 40¢ each. The girl's destination is further down the road, so I'm not sure what her fare turns out to be. We have heard that fares of $25 will get you to the furthest spot on the island, Playa Boca deal Drago. If we go, I will do some research to find out if that is per person or for a full cab.
100 feet away is the only gas station on the island, which makes it very easy to catch a taxi and to direct taxi drivers when going home. Unfortunately the car wash and oil change bays in the back of the gas station means that we hear loud music from about noon to 8 pm.
Taxi's on the island are interesting. A shared ride is the norm. After hailing our first taxi headed into town we're a little surprised when the driver pulls over to pick up a man a quarter mile down the road. He gets in the front seat. Then another 100 feet down the road the driver picks up a woman who joins us in the back seat. He drops each off at different spots in town, then delivers us as our destination is the furthest into town. He collects 50¢ from each of them and $1.50 for the two of us. After we go grocery shopping we share with 3 children who are in the taxi and returning home from school. The two boys are dropped off before reaching our condo and they pay 40¢ each. The girl's destination is further down the road, so I'm not sure what her fare turns out to be. We have heard that fares of $25 will get you to the furthest spot on the island, Playa Boca deal Drago. If we go, I will do some research to find out if that is per person or for a full cab.
RSS Feed