The Captivating Bocas del Toro in Panama

Bocas del Toro enthralls its guests on account of its astonishing vegetation. Definitely, Bocas del Toro is among the exciting Panama tours you can take and see the land’s treasured possession.

Mouth of the Bull is the literal English translation of this province with a capital city of the same name in Panama, Central America. Its territory is 4,643 square kilometers, embodying the terrain and nine principle islands. The provincial area comprises of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Bahía (Almirante Bay), Laguna de Chiriquí (Chiriquí Lagoon), and adjoining territory. The capital city is Bocas del Toro or Bocas Town on Colón Island. Other major cities are Almirante and Changuinola. Bocas del Toro province has a populace of around 125,400 as of 2010.

Its capital city, Bocas del Toro is a top of the line tourism spot on the Caribbean with its outright heaven of white sand shores, banana ranches, rich rainforests, coral reef, turquoise oceans, outlandish marine life, and mangrove bays.

What to See and Do:

Scuba Diving

Yet a well-known travel end, Bocas del Toro is still fundamentally obscure as scuba diving spot. Nonetheless, it offers an incredible, diverse acquatic life. Because of the smooth conditions of the sea and exceedingly competitive valuing, Bocas is around the most perfect spots to take part in scuba diving.

Surfing

Bocas del Toro is a flawless decision assuming that you are wanting to have a go at surfing in Panama. It offers an extensive variety of effectively assessable surf spots for diverse levels of experience. November to April are the months recognized to be top season, and also June through August. There are two incredible learner spots to begin your surf experience; in the Dark Rock, Carenero and Wizard Beach, Bastimentos Island. Plus, there also a number of spots for the experienced surfer. Bocas del Toro had hosts some major surfing competitions internationally.

Rainforest Adventure

For the travelers who want to experience the wild, and the fauna and fiona of Bocas del Toro, its wondrous rainforest is a must see for you. There are abundant sight of the lush green plants and different species of animals around the major rainforests in the area; Isla Bastimentos and La Amistad International Peace Park. Stay for the different activities to try on the rainforest, plan your Panama excursions, and be ready to connect yourself with nature in this side of the Caribbean. 

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See Baru Volcano National Park

The Baru Volcano is the highest point in Panama at 3,475 meters (11,400 foot) high. Baru Volcano is a dormant but potentially active volcano just south of the Continental Divide in western Chiriqui Province. It is surrounded by a fertile area of cool highlands drained by the Chiriqui and Caldera rivers, whose waters generate hydroelectric power for the entire country. The town of Boquete is on the eastern side, while Volcan and Cerro Punta can be found on its western side. 

Baru Volcano National Park. The Baru Volcano National Park is 500 kilometers from Panama City in the province of Chiriqui, on the Cordillera de Salamanca. It covers an area of 14,325 hectares (35,000 acres) and has a highly priceless geological and ecological scenic landscape which protects the biological diversity with some unique species of this area. The park was established in 1976 and is the national park of Panama with a volcano. The park composed of highlands species and the remains of the last blast of the Baru Volcano that happened a millions of years ago. You will also find a tropical rainforest landscapes in this park. With pleasant temperatures between 20°C at the lowest points, to 10°C on the top of the volcano. The combination of volcanic remains and the forest is in tune with the agricultural activities that are normal for this altitude.   

Ways to get there. Once you are in Panama City you can take a 1-hour flight or a 6-hours drive to David. Once you are in David, you could have the possibility to rent a car or an easy access to Boquete and the park this will take a 30-minute trip by car to Boquete at 40 kilometers or 25 miles. From Boquete you can reach the Park’s main entrance, the route to the top.

Things to do and Where to go. There are multiple ways of getting in touch with the nature that the visitors will surely enjoy. Some tracks, like La Nevera and Los Qeutzales (from Cerro Punta to Boquete) can provide the fine-looking attraction of the tropical rainforest and its habitat. The incline slope of the volcano, 3,475 meters (11,000 foot) above sea level, may possibly be made by a strong 4x4 vehicle and could take up to 45 minutes or on foot around 4 hours and will bring back memories of the origins of the American Continent. 

Throughout this climb, you will have the opportunity to see the evidence of the last eruption. Once you reach the top with good weather conditions you might see the most incredible view of Panama’s both oceans the Pacific and Caribbean. You can also take some of the routes leading to the different craters of Baru Volcano and see birds that are endemic there. Some fast flowing rivers like the Chiriqui Viejo, are used for rafting and canoeing. You can also enjoy bird watching at El Respingo near Cerro Punta or for collecting some of the many wild orchids, ferns or moss that grow in this area. 

Having a Panama City Tour

Panama offers visitors the opportunity to experience its fascinating glimpse. A trip that will allow visitors to see many attractions in the most efficient way to get to know Panama City’s interesting spots within a short distance of one another. You’ll not just enjoy the whole tour but you will also be educated about the development of the Panama Canal and its economic impact. You can get see both the historic and modern aspects of Panama City. And you will be guided by a well versed, educated and English speaking tour guides.

The Panama Canal Miraflores Locks. One of the three locks in Panama Canal. It si raised about 8 meters (26 feet) to the Miraflores Lake. Along the way, you are able to see ships passing by. You will also enjoy a documentary about the creation of the canal, its economic and strategic impact.

The Panama Canal Museum. While passing the canal you will have the opportunity to watch the wonderful work. A close overview of the French and American ways to approach the canal construction, interesting artifacts and props.

Casco Antiguo. It showcases a breath taking view of Panama City, also called San Felipe. While touring the Casco Antiguo you will see different historic buildings such as San Jose Church, home of the Baroque Golden Altar. The Cathedral, it was built in 1798. Composed of two styles, Colonial in its central front and Neoclassic styles in its two towers, located in Plaza de la Independencia or Main Square. The National Theater, The Old Slave Market and The Old Spanish Prisions.

Mi Pueblito. It is located in the Ancon Hill in Panama City. It’s a replica of a typical Panamanian Colonial town with the Pollera Museum, the typical dress worn by Panamanian women during Carnavales.

Amador Causeway. Perfect for tourist who love the beauty of the ocean. You will enjoy the view of the ocean while jogging, biking or skating and just simply as walking. It is a three island united with the mainland by using materials removed during the Panama Canal excavations.

The Old Panama Ruins. Panama La Vieja ruins are located in the east side of Panama City. Found August 15, 1519 by Governor Pedrarias Davila. It is now on the other side of the city where Casco Antiguo is located. Because the city was burned down several times and many attacked by pirates that’s why Panama La Vieja never reached its development.  

Image credits: city-sightseeing.com
      

Typical Cost when you Tour Panama

So, how much does it cost living or just even touring on Panama? This could be the most trending or important question upon planning a tour on vacation. Because we know that going to a place we’re unfamiliar of is a risky thing to do and we must be very prepared especially when it comes to finances. It’s real hard to run out of money in a foreign land.

In 1914 when the Panama Canal was constructed, the country has been a very important when it comes to international shipping industry. Since then, the country became a famous tourist destination for tourist and retirees due to cheaper American flights. But then, the cost of living in Panama is still higher than that of other countries in America like Nicaragua. 

Here are some of the usual prices that you can get for services offered:

Room accommodations. Throughout Panama, the average budget room rate is around US$10-20 for a single night. On the other hand, if you are looking for a private room, prices start at US$25. For the past few years, several hotels in places in Panama offered room accommodations at a very low price, even less than $10. Renting houses in Boquete for long periods of stay are also popular.

Transportation. Buses and taxi rides come at a reasonable price. In fact, a trip around the country by bus will cost you around $10-20, while overnight ones cost $25. If you are a thrift rider, you’ll just probably travel a day in Panama by around $20-$30. 

Food. Food is indeed one of the major reasons for spending on a trip. As for Panama, restaurants are serving comida corriente or set meals wherever you are for just about $2-$4. This serving usually comprises of rice, chicken and beans. However, if you want a more class cuisine with wine, expect to pay $30-40.

As for a tip, you’ll get the most of your money in Panama if you’re going to share the expense with others. For an instance, a double room is definitely cheaper than that if you’ll have it alone. Excursions and hikes are also cheaper for groups. Another is to make sure that the room you have rented does not have hot water showers. The climate in Panama is usually hot that’s why hot waters are of no use. Besides, it’ll just cost you extra price.

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The Panama Canal Expansion Project

The Panama Canal Expansion Project (also called the Third Set of Locks Project) will double the capacity of the Panama Canal by 2015 through creating a new lane of traffic and allowing more and larger ship to transit.

The project will build two new locks, one each on the Atlantic and Pacific sides. Each will have three divisions with water-saving basins. Excavate new channels to the new locks. Widen and deepen existing channels. And raise Gutan Lake’s maximum operating level.

The project is expected to create demand for ports to handle post-Panamax ships. As of November 2012, the U.S. Eastern Seaboard ports of Baltimore, Maryland; Norfolk, Virginia and Miami, Florida, will be ready for these larger ships, although other ports are considering renovations, including dredging, blasting and bridge-raising. 

The construction of the third set of locks project is scheduled to take seven to eight years. The new locks could begin operations between fiscal years 2014 and 2015, approximately 100 years after the canal first opened.

The International maritime industry will benefit directly from the expansion through lower shipping costs, and global consumers will eventually benefit from the greater capacity and efficiency of the said project. 

Navigational channels. According to the plan, a 3.2 kilometer long access channel will be excavatedto connect the New Atlantic locks with existing sea entrance of the canal. To connect the new Pacific-side locks with the existing channels, two new access channels will be built: the north access channel, which will connect the new Pacific-side lock with the Culebra Cut, circumventing Miraflores Lake, and which will be 6.2 km long and the south access channel, which will connect the new lock with the existing sea entrance on the Pacific Ocean, and which will be 1.8 km long.   

Estimated cost. The ACP estimated the cost to construct the third set of locks at US $5.25 billion in 2006. This figure includes design, administrative, construction, testing, environmental mitigation and commissioning costs. It also includes contingencies to cover risks and unforeseen events such as accidents, design changes, price increases and possible delays. 

Environmental impact. According to ACP’s proposal they claim that the project will not permanently harm the environment, communities, primary forests, national parks or forest reserves, relevant patrimonial or archeological sites, agricultural or industrial production areas, or tourist or part areas. The project will not permanently reduce water or air quality. The water capacity of Gutan and Alhajuela Lakes will maximize the water supply program. And it design to use water so efficiency at the locks that no new water reservoirs will be required and no communities need to move.

Image credits: constructiondigital.com

Arthropod Species in Panama Rainforest

Panama has a large land and in this land you’ll not only enjoy the different sights like beaches and forests as you go on Panama tours, but you can also have a closer look on their animal species. 

In the most comprehensive and through studies done from the rainforests of Panama provides a new level of detail with regards of the variety and distribution of arthropod species from the soil to the forest canopy. There are about 6,000 estimated hectare forest hosts a total of around 25,000 arthropod species, 60% to 70% of which are likely to be previously unknown.

Most of the species existing on Earth are arthropods - an invertebrate animal having an exoskeleton, a segmented body, and jointed appendages; such as insects, mites and spiders living in tropical forest. Researchers have struggled to quantify their abundance and diversity because of their small size, frequent movements, and inaccessible habitats. Due to massive collaborative effort involving 102 researchers from 21 countries was necessary to collect and identify arthropods from all parts of the San Lorenzo forest resources near the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. In 2003-2004, the field team used 70 person or trap-years in sampling the rainforest canopy from a construction crane, on inflatable platforms, from hot-air balloons, climbing ropes and crawling along the forest floor to sift soil and trap and drag arthropods. As the result, the team sorted and identified 130,000 arthropods, to a total of more than 6,000 species.

By scaling up diversity values and conclude their known data, the researchers estimated the rainforest reserve harbors in excess of 25,000 arthropod species. That means for every species of vascular plant, the bird or mammal in this forest, you will find 20, 83 and 312 species of arthropods respectively. 

One of the most interesting findings was that more than half of all species could be found in a single hectare of the forest. This means that to determine the species variety of a tropical rainforest, it may not be necessary to sample massive areas. One hectare area is enough to get an idea of regional arthropod richness - provided that this total includes widely spaced plots representative of variation within the forest.

Another exciting finding was that the variety of herbivorous and non-herbivorous arthropods could be accurately predicted from the diversity of plants.

So next time you visit the place and plan your next Panama excursions, you can opt to take a scientific tour as to seeing the smallest life forms in their rainforests.

About Gamboa Panama

The little town of Gamboa in Panama is a forty-minute drive away from Panama City, but unlike the latter, Gamboa feels just so remote due to the fact that it is closer to nature. This town is constructed by the Panama Canal Company in the early 1930s to provide shelter for the workers of the Panama Canal Dredging Division.

The Past

In the history Gamboa was built nearly in the former village of Sta. Cruz, were three miles the Chagres River was the town of Las Cruces. In 1855 after the completion of the Panama Railroad which ran near the Panama area, yet made no stops and no PR maps list any towns in its present location.

During canal construction Gamboa’s present day was built in 1911. The town was populated by “silver roll” workers and their dependents. Almost 700 initial settlers were previously lived in the construction areas between Gorgona and former towns of Tabernilla. Together with the towns first citizen, no Americans were counted.

Along 1914, Gamboa’s population decreased to 173 which consist of a police station, a four-family house, a two-family house and some old railroad box cars used by the house silver roll employees. 

After long years of studies and debates, Panama Canal Company moved its Dredging Division from the town of Paraiso to Gamboa in 1936. In 1933, due to the moving of Dredging Division to Gamboa, the population was 251, including just 10 Americans.

The Present

In present time Gamboa is still inhabited, but with a shadow of its old self. It remains the original headquarters of the Dredging Division of the Panama Canal Authority (formerly PCC).

The Dredging Division’s harbour is now used by light ferries to reach the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) facilities at Barro Colorado Island.

Caymans, iguanas, crocodiles and several hundred bird species are Gamboa’s residents. Gamboa is bordering to relevant tracts of undisturbed rainforest. The Pipeline Road is considered one of the best birding hikes in Panama.it is also one of the premiere bird watching sites in all of Central America.      

Image credit: www.elitemeetings.com