Island paradise

After careful study of bus routes and taxi rides I took the easy way out and booked a beach trip with a local tour firm. Two bus rides would leave us in the middle of nowhere hoping to find a taxi for the last 10 miles to the beach. Looking for a fun day at the beach – not an adventure in exotic travel – made the easy way out, well...easy!

It was worth every penny. We left Boquete at 7:00 am and arrived at Boca Chita, a coastal village, an hour and a half later. Our boat was waiting for us.

As we sped downstream we passed a dozen cruising boats, some of whom were restocking and waiting for a weather window for a Pacific crossing.


Even though it was overcast (as you can see in the pictures) the ocean and many scattered islands were beautiful. We arrived at “our” island which had a protected cove on one side and a rocky beach with crashing waves just 100 feet away on the other side.




The guides set up a portable table loaded with sandwich fixings, lots of fresh fruit and drinks. De Anne went kayaking while I tested the weight bearing load of a hammock.

Another couple from North Carolina was with us and they are contemplating a move to Panama with their nine children. We went for a swim after lunch on the tranquil side of the island and then moved to the other side for some wave action.

Returning in the late afternoon, our boat stopped at a remote hotel, high on a bluff, for a snack. The stairs climb alone was enough to build and appetite. I stopped half way up claiming to need a picture, but also needing a climbing break.