A new program by the Panamanian government includes travel insurance for all visitors entering the country on tourist visas.  The New York Times recently wrote this article and accompanied the story with a picture of a man in a bikini bottom (I’m not sure if he is in need of medical attention or not).  Regardless, this is a great idea for tourism in Panama and not something I have heard about being done elsewhere.  

The insurance is paid for by a $40 departure tax and the insurance expires 30 days after entry.  The coverage allows $7,000 in treatment for accidents or disease, $2,000 for emergency dental, and $20,000 for accidental death.  Even accidents during adventure activities (horseback riding, white water rafting, fishing, etc.) are covered, which is a good point to make clear to tourists. 

The insurance does not cover accidents or death involving alcohol or drugs, nor does it extend to prior illnesses or conditions.  Had the insurance covered accidents and death caused by alcohol and drugs, Panama and Bocas del Toro could have expected a much hipper crowd.  Here at Bocas Villas we could have had the type of traveler who feels good about coming to a foreign country and overdosing on street drugs.  As the program is, I think we can expect to attract professional adults, responsible travelers and small families.  So, instead of going for the hip, chemically and financially unstable tourists, the insurance appeals to a more responsible, professional group of people, just the kind we want to come visit our beautiful islands.

The volcano is usually covered in clouds, but last time I was there we were able to get a great view of the whole cone for the two days we spent and actually saw glowing lava flows at night while we soaked in the thermal pools at Tabacon.  The thermal springs area is very impressive, but man the water is really hot and it seems like every time I leave there I have some kind of rash, that could be from any number of activities though and I would still go back.

To stay one night we paid $200 for a really nice room, a delicious breakfast, and access to the hot springs for the two days and night that we spent.  Tabacon has to be one of the few places in Central America where you have a king-sized bed with big down comforters, and the bathroom is like a mini pleasure palace.  We took our own wine to save a little money and ate nearby at an outdoor grill that I would recommend but which did not appear to have a name, it was the last restaurant on the right before reaching Tabacon.

La Fortuna Waterfall

The morning after some of the best sleep of my life we went on a horseback riding tour through a large cow farm to the La Fortuna Waterfall.  The tour was with Alberto’s Horses just before you get into La Fortuna; tel. 2479-9043 email albertoshorses@gmail.com.  We spent about 4 hours on the trip for $35 each.  The destination is a beautiful waterfall with swimming pools, the hike down there is not so bad, but coming back up is literally the opposite.

Visiting Arenal is one of the most worthwhile attempts in Costa Rica even though odds aren’t great that you will actually see the cone and/or eruptions.

One of the basic reasons that I came to Bocas del Toro and made the decision to begin development is the proximity to the US.  There are short,  cheap flights from many major cities throughout the US and Canada, as well as Europe.  I just took a direct flight from San Jose, Costa Rica to Madrid late last year.  Check for flights into either San Jose, Costa Rica or Panama City; Panama City is easier, but there is sometimes a significant price difference.

The local airport has expanded to receive direct international flights sometime in the future.  Copa Airlines is talking about this and the plan is to get direct flights to Bocas from Miami, New York, Los Angeles and wherever the hell else will send a flight to a cow pasture.

From Costa Rica:

From Costa Rica you can fly http://natureair.com/ direct to Bocas, but will almost definitely have to spend the night in the shit-hole known as San Jose on both ends of your trip.

There are buses every couple of hours from the Caribenos bus terminal to the border, about 6 hours.  And there is one Bocatorenos bus everyday at 9am from the “anitgua Copa”/Bocatorenos bus stop that makes it into Panama.  In both cases you will get a 30 minute taxi to Almirante once the bus eventually stops and catch a boat taxi from there to Bocas, those are running constantly.

From Panama City:

From Panama City the bus ride is a horrible 11 hours, but can be done overnight from the Albrook bus terminal.  The domestic flights are from the Albrook Airport and http://aeroperlas.com/ and http://flyairpanama.com/.