Post: #1

Amazed I had never even heard of this place until the day before I decided to come here.

I was on the E.Coast of costa rica in some pretty sick picture postcard beach towns when I heard about this place just over the border in Panama which might just blow them all away.

2 buses, 1 boat and a silly border crossing later (you actually have to walk across a rickity old disused train bridge to get across) I was here.

Looks like this





















If you are wondering how to get between all those islands, there are water taxis that zip between them for $1 or $2.

Went to aqua lounge club last night which was just across the water from the main town of Boca on Isla Colon (which is where everyone stays).

30 second trip in a water taxi for 1 dollar. 5 dollars to get in but it included a drink (I had a large vodka and juice, it was surprisingly strong).

Does not get going until midnight and party goes until dawn (yes the water taxis keep going until then too).

There were about 200 people in the club mostly european and n.american backpackers but you cant have everything. If you were like that Aussie dude in Bali, you could clean up here.

People were literally throwing themselves from swings into the water in the MIDDLE of the club like the swings picture above.

As I almost never hit on backpackers and almost always go for the locals so I did some day game, got a few numbers. Got a trip to the beach planned with one and going for a drink with another tonight.

Only been here for one day so its a little to early to judge but I am surprised nobody on the forum has ever even mentioned this place bearing in mind how mind-blowingly beautiful it is.

Is this the best kept travel secret on the forum?

PS You can rent an apt here for as little as $400 per month. If anyone wants to chip in some $$$ and get a really sick apartment with a few bedrooms let me know. Am seriously considering spending the summer here.

If I get sick of the beach life and want some big city action, there are direct flights and buses from here to Panama city.

Post: #2

Please do report back when you have more intel on the place.

Im planning a long trip by the second semester of this year and that looks interesting.

Post: #3

(06-01-2014 02:40 PM)JJ Roberts Wrote:  Amazed I had never even heard of this place until the day before I decided to come here.

I was on the E.Coast of costa rica in some pretty sick picture postcard beach towns when I heard about this place just over the border in Panama which might just blow them all away.

2 buses, 1 boat and a silly border crossing later (you actually have to walk across a rickity old disused train bridge to get across) I was here.

Looks like this





















If you are wondering how to get between all those islands, there are water taxis that zip between them for $1 or $2.

Went to aqua lounge club last night which was just across the water from the main town of Boca on Isla Colon (which is where everyone stays).

30 second trip in a water taxi for 1 dollar. 5 dollars to get in but it included a drink (I had a large vodka and juice, it was surprisingly strong).

Does not get going until midnight and party goes until dawn (yes the water taxis keep going until then too).

There were about 200 people in the club mostly european and n.american backpackers but you cant have everything. If you were like that Aussie dude in Bali, you could clean up here.

People were literally throwing themselves from swings into the water in the MIDDLE of the club like the swings picture above.

As I almost never hit on backpackers and almost always go for the locals so I did some day game, got a few numbers. Got a trip to the beach planned with one and going for a drink with another tonight.

Only been here for one day so its a little to early to judge but I am surprised nobody on the forum has ever even mentioned this place bearing in mind how mind-blowingly beautiful it is.

Is this the best kept travel secret on the forum?

PS You can rent an apt here for as little as $400 per month. If anyone wants to chip in some $$$ and get a really sick apartment with a few bedrooms let me know. Am seriously considering spending the summer here.

If I get sick of the beach life and want some big city action, there are direct flights and buses from here to Panama city.

How is the internet connection there in Bocas? I am in Tallinn Estonia now but was thinking of heading down there later in the year. I use a VOIP phone for work purposes so i need broadband to stay extended periods, thanks for your intel.

Post: #4

(06-01-2014 05:35 PM)seawolf007 Wrote:  How is the internet connection there in Bocas?

Its fast.

Even in the local bar on their wifi its fast. In my hostel I see people on facetime chatting to their families on full video / audio on their ipads with no glitches despite the fact that its a wifi connection shared by the whole hostel.

Plain VOIP needs speeds far less than that.

Post: #5

I was meant to be there all last week except my passport got stolen so couldn't cross over from Costa Rica.

The friends I was travelling with went down after I flew home and said they had an epic time, great nightlife and really cool vibe.

Will be going next time for sure.

Post: #6

I'm definitely interested in Panama.

Post: #7

I was there during Memorial weekend. My experience reflects JJ's experience. Good times indeed. Aqua Lounge was definitely the spot to hit up. Iguana's for ladies' night as well.

Post: #8

As a norwegian I could only stay in Panama for 30 days. That made Panama a short trip. How long can americans stay?

Post: #9

Ahh Bocas, cool place. Its been almost a decade since I rolled thru there. Looks like the island still retains much of its charm despite increased tourist traffic and better internet I remember the locals were extremly friendly, its a small place and after 2 days seemingly everyone on the island knew you. The local girls were hit or miss lookswise but all friendly I managed to hookup with a fine ass triguena. Good memories.

Post: #10

I've been a couple times and its a nice place but it should be noted that the "good beaches" are not even in Bocas Town, where most of the accommodation and bars are. That made it pretty annoying to me. You have to take a boat to other islands to see the good beaches. And also note that this is rain forest area so it rains a lot it seems at least when I've been there.

The nightlife is nice. There are backpacker clubs that are 100% backpacker and then other clubs that have more locals and Costa Ricans. I honestly referred the parties in Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica, which is close by. Over there everyone parties together so you can pick up more Latin American tourist chicks. Bocas seemed to segregated and there are a lot of American backpackers there.

Post: #11

I lived 'next' to this and I never visited? Fuck me..

Post: #12

(06-02-2014 12:32 PM)freshcream Wrote:  As a norwegian I could only stay in Panama for 30 days. That made Panama a short trip. How long can americans stay?

Not sure about americans but I am English and I can stay 6 months without a visa.

Post: #13

Alternating my traveling plans now! This place looks the part. I probably won't stay for more than max two weeks though. Any hostels recommended? I will most likely hit it around September/November, decent time of the year? No point going if there are shitty conditions at that time.

Post: #14

(06-10-2014 01:48 AM)Baga Wrote:  Alternating my traveling plans now! This place looks the part. I probably won't stay for more than max two weeks though. Any hostels recommended? I will most likely hit it around September/November, decent time of the year? No point going if there are shitty conditions at that time.

Id lean more toward September rather than November. The weather can be a little crappy there in November/December.

Post: #15

(06-10-2014 01:53 AM)Journey Wrote:  

(06-10-2014 01:48 AM)Baga Wrote:  Alternating my traveling plans now! This place looks the part. I probably won't stay for more than max two weeks though. Any hostels recommended? I will most likely hit it around September/November, decent time of the year? No point going if there are shitty conditions at that time.

Id lean more toward September rather than November. The weather can be a little crappy there in November/December.

Thanks. Will try and make it in September then. What about party hostels? I generally like to stay in one for at least a couple nights to get myself sorted on whats what.

Post: #16

(06-10-2014 04:13 AM)Baga Wrote:  Thanks. Will try and make it in September then. What about party hostels? I generally like to stay in one for at least a couple nights to get myself sorted on whats what.

mondo taitu is the party hostel.

$0.75 beers and $1.50 mixed drinks during happy hour.

http://mondotaitu.com/

Post: #17

(06-10-2014 09:20 AM)JJ Roberts Wrote:  

(06-10-2014 04:13 AM)Baga Wrote:  Thanks. Will try and make it in September then. What about party hostels? I generally like to stay in one for at least a couple nights to get myself sorted on whats what.

mondo taitu is the party hostel.

$0.75 beers and $1.50 mixed drinks during happy hour.

http://mondotaitu.com/

Thanks again for the intel.
Have booked the flights for 10-days in the beginning of September. Will have two days on each side in Panama City.

Post: #18

(06-12-2014 08:10 AM)Baga Wrote:  Will have two days on each side in Panama City.

Go to Market near Calle Uruguay. Solid restaurant.

Also, Relic is a bar in Luna's Castle hostel out in Casco Viejo. The place is packed with backpackers and goes off every night. Also, some locals(which I prefer) but mostly tourists. Honestly, that might be the best place for a guy looking to game/get laid if rolling solo. Western style game is good and lack of social proof won't kill you like it will with the locals. Plus the place goes late and "party favors" are cheap just ask a taxi driver.

One thing I noticed is that places in Casco Viejo get a higher end crowd earlier in the night. I would explore that area around dinner/happy hour time. Di Vino in Casco Viejo is a wine bar so its not gonna get rowdy but a good place to start the night. You might get lucky and get in with a group of upper class locals.

The clubs in Zona Viva and around Calle Uruguay can be a little cliquey. Lots of tables and people go out in groups. Rolling solo isnt great and being a foreigner is not going to help at all. Theres tons of Colombian hookers in the pickup bars and casinos so the local non pros might be a little weary of you. Being young and fashionable will help a lot. If your packing light, better to dress like a backpacker with some style than one of the turds who trolls the casino for a hooker.

Post: #19

Off to Panama City this weekend too.

Casco Viejo is the part of town to start in, right?