Boca del Toro: Zapatillas Cays

 

Located on the south-eastern border of the Bastimentos National Marine Park, the Zapatillas Cays are two stunning islands that emerge from a coral platform and are surrounded by tropical coral reef. About a 30 minute boat ride from Crawl Cay (roughly 8 kms), the Zapatillas Islands are generally considered the most beautiful islands of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago and offer visitors pristine white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters and some of Panama's most attractive coral reefs.

Some say they receive their name from a fruit that grow in its forests, and yet others because their shape resemble a pair of running shoes ("zapatillas" in Spanish).

 

Western Zapatilla or "Zapatilla Menor", is less than half the size of its eastern counterpart, and is nesting ground for the Green Marine Turtle. Leatherback and Hawksbill Turtles lay their eggs on both islands. This island is more visited by scientists than by tourists.

 

Eastern Zapatilla or "Zapatilla Mayor" is home to the ranger station (the rest of the cays are uninhabited), where a $10 Park Fee is collected from visitors . The best snorkeling and diving in Major Zapatillas can be found towards the south-eastern coast, about 300 meters from the beach in a spot known as Coral Islands. This spot is relatively shallow and has the most beautiful coral

formations with lots of tropical fish, and its crevices hide many lobsters, crabs, eels and an immense amount of tiny sea invertebrates. If you want more than a just a gorgeous reef, on the Zapatillas' north shore, you can go behind the breakers (the reefs that break the incoming waves... when there are waves). If the sea permits (mainly May, September, October), you will find a wall formed by the reef, that contains small caves and tunnels, up to 40 feet deep.

 

All of the beaches on the islands are excellent for swimming, and there is a rough 45-minute nature trail that makes its way through mangrove swamp. With some difficulty, you can complete the circuit through the center of the island and return along the beach.

 

 

Bocas del Toro : Coral Cay

 

One of the most famous snorkeling spots in Bocas de Toro, Crawl Cay is a tiny island located in the channel between Bastimentos and Popa Island (about 20 minutes by boat from Bocas town, or 10 - 15 minutes from Dolphin Bay). Crawl Cay is surrounded by lush coral gardens, the best of which begin just after the south-eastern tip of Bastimentos Island

 

The sea here is calm year-round, which make it suitable for snorkelers of all ages, and the abundance of tropical fish, coral heads and colorful sponges will keep experienced divers entertained as well. Water clarity is better than at other places but as always it depends on if it's rained during the previous days. On the typical Caribbean day with lots of sunshine and light blue skies, the waters of Crawl Cay are of luminous emerald green shades and make the perfect holiday postcard.

 

 

Bocas Del Toro: Dolphin Bay

The Archipelago of Bocas del Toro is home to a semi-permanent population of Bottlenose dolphins. Its calm waters and abundance of small fish, crustaceans and squid seem to make the perfect grounds for the young ones' first stages of life. Calves and juveniles can be frequently spotted with their mothers, as well as small pods of 5 or 6 dolphins.

 

The dolphins of Bocas del Toro seem to have a special predilection for the bay locally known as Laguna Bocatorito (Dolphin Bay), which is about 12 km south of Bocas town (about 15 - 20 minutes by boat). This bay is bordered by the east side of Cristobal Island and an odd-shaped peninsula from the mainland. A labyrinth of shallow channels formed by mangroves screens its northern entrance, helping to make it a kind of giant natural aquarium, six kilometers across at its widest.

 

 

Bocas del Toro: Starfish Beach

 

Famous for its abundance of starfish (you will literally encounter hundreds of them in this beach), Starfish Beach is a must visit destination of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago. Starfish beach is located on Colon Island, on its north-western side (opposite side of Bocas Town). Even though it can be reached by bus from Bocas Town (30 minutes), most tours that visit Bird Island (about 30 minutes from Bocas Town by boat) make a stop at this beach, either before or after lunch. It's about a 20 minute boat ride back to town from Starfish Beach.

 

Due to its location, its waters are very calm during most of the year, except during certain times in November and December when the swell comes up from the north. Its crystal clear waters and abundance of starfish make it a big favourite amongst visitors of all ages. Definitively one of the most beautiful beaches in Bocas del Toro.

 

 

 

Bocas del Toro: Bird Island

 

Swans' Cay, also known as Bird Island is birders paradise. Here you will find the only known nesting place in the Caribbean of the Red-billed Tropic Bird (Phaeton aethereus). Swans Cay is a rocky formation approximately 70 meters long, with a rounded quarter moon shape, pierced by two openings through one end, and rises 55 meters at the highest point. On the southern side, sheltered from the northeastern trade winds, there is a small sandy beach below a higher level area. Bushes and other vegetation cover the summit, and there is a small clump of coconut palms at the low end. A designated bird sanctuary, Isla Pajaros, also has brown booby (Sula leucogaster etesiaca), the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis), the frigate (Fregata magnificens) and many types of gulls and terns.

 

 

 

www.panamatourismtravel.com

 

 

Boat used for Panama Canal transit

The Isla Morada...A Ship With Much History

The Isla Morada is surrounded by a fascinating history, long before transporting tourists across the Panama Canal. It was designed as a luxury megayacht for Boston millionaires. It was Built by Lawley & Sons, the company Cox & Stevens. All in wood, was built in the shipyards of the East Coast of the United States, and began sailing in 1912 with the name Santana. It had five luxury bedrooms, a lavish dining room, a library and was home to a crew of seven sailors. Among its owners was a very special one, the most famous gangster in history, the legendary Al Capone.

In the years of World War II it was requisitioned by the United States Navy, later to be acquired by a sailor who lived in Florida, which re-christened with the name of Isla Morada. It arrived in Panama in 1960 and served as a hotel ship anchored off Piñas Bay during the construction of the Tropic Star Lodge, the world famous sport fishing resort.
With capacity for 100 people, complete sets of Signs and Lighting, Help Communication System, Navigation lights properly installed and operational, and Fire Systems First Aid Kit. The conditions of the hull, machinery and electrical installations are periodically reviewed and are appropriate for making the spacecraft trajectories.

The ship has the following life-saving appliances:

• 6 bags with capacity for 132 lifeguards people.
• Life jackets for 165 people.

Its dimensions are:

• Length (L): 96.00 mts.
• Beam (width): 19:00 mts.
• Depth (draft): 5.00 mts.
• Gross tonnage: 94.00 tons

The second boat we have is the Fantasia del Mar with a capacity for up to 434 people.

It was built in Booth Bay Harbor, Maine, E.U.A. by Eastern Shipbuilding Corp.

The Fantasia del Mar has the following life-saving appliances:

• 22 bags jackets with a total capacity of 440 people
• Life Jackets for 440 people

Its dimensions are:

• Length (L): 35.66 mts.
• Beam (width): 8.69 mts.
• Depth (draft): 3.23 mts.
• Gross Tonnage: 465.14 tons

The third and last boat  is the Tuira II with a capacity for up to 492 passengers with 2 spacious floors.

It was built in the USA by Willey Manufacturing Co.

The ship has the following life-saving appliances:

• 26 bags with capacity for 572 Lifeguard people
• Life Jackets for 600 people

Its dimensions are:

• Length: 35.80 mts.
• Beam: 10.02 meters.
• Depth: 3.26 mts.
• Gross Tonnage: 227.00 tons

Main Plaza of Old Panama

Tour Suggested

 

Panama City Tour

City Tour & Panama Canal

 

 

The main plaza in Old Panama occupies an important place in the history of Latin American urban planning as one of oldest such space.

The quadrangle of Old Panama´s main plaza is small and slightly trapezoidal in shape. Records indicate that in 1671 it measured approximately 69 x 57 meters, a very modest size in comparison to the huge plaza subsequently laid out in Mexico and the Andean region. The archaeological excavation conducted a decade ago suggest the the original plaza was even smaller as the block on the north side, corresponding to the so-called Terrin houses, was reduced in size in the early 17^th century  , thus providing 500 m2 of additional open space .

The plaza is presided over by the cathedral tower, located more or less at the center of the east side. Right of the cathedral stad the ruins of the old cabildo or council, a small building that had a two stored arade. the terrin house also had an arcade .  On the west side was a row of wooden house,  while the south side, where the prision is thought to have been located, is buried  beneath a modern building 

Map of Casco Antiguo

Tour Suggested

Panama City Tour

City Tour & Panama Canal

Old Panama: King's Bridge

The King's Bridge ( Puente del Rey) has legendary fame in Panama , comparable only to the cathedral tower in Old Panama. It is not only the best preserved bridge from the colonial period in the country but it also represents the spot where the Royal Road commenced, along which passed the mythical riches of Peru in route to Portobelo.

 

For a hundred years there was a wooden bridge over the River Abajo- the north terminus of Old Panama but in 1619 building works commenced on the present day stone structure , which has a single semicircular arch with exquisite worked ashlaring. No one knows when the bridge was completed, but apparently construction works lasted for years .

Tour Suggested

 

Panama City Tour

City Tour & Panama Canal

 

Visit Needle Island

This is a paradise island with a beach, surrounded by crystalline emerald, turquoise, blue and white waters. Ideal for a sunny day.

Isla Aguja is part of Carti’s archipelago.

It is located 10 minutes away from the parking lots in Carti and from the car terminal in Barsukun.

Isla Aguja is an area where marine life is protected.

Island services:

• Freshwater tanks, showers
• Unisex toilets
• Solar based electricity
• Restaurant