BOCAS DEL TORO at Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge

DAY 1:  FROM PANAMA TO BOCAS

From Panama Ciudad you will leave your hotel down town (5.30 am or 2.30 pm), transfer by bus to the local airport (duration 15 mn) and then board your flight to Bocas del Toro (duration 1 hour 6.45 am/ 7.45 am or 3.30 pm/ 4.25 pm). At your arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Punta Caracol Lodge was born from the idea to create an "aquatic" Lodge in a natural environment, to offer its customers an intimate stay in a place with a singular beauty that could have the calm of an island life, as well as the modern facilities of a luxurious establishment.

Located in an island of the Caribbean Sea, 2 kilometers of coral coast are available and waiting for you, PUNTA CARACOL Lodge is ideal for honeymoons.

Built using the traditional methods of the archipelago: the bungalows made of wood are sustained by stilts that are planted in the water and crowned by a ceiling made of Penca leafs (local palm-tree), according to the immemorial tradition of the Native Communities of the zone.

These are the materials offered to us by nature and all these different types of wood (bejuco, wax, clay, kira, leaves, bamboo, white sugar cane, etc...) were used to build this lodge.

All this helped create a warm atmosphere that sends us to the origin of the life on the islands.  The four-poster room beds with colonial style float over the water and give you a view over the untouchable sea. In PUNTA CARACOL, the ancient techniques used for its handcrafted construction were conjugated  harmoniously with the most advanced systems of alternative energy creation, such as  solar panels, which are used in the restaurant and in the suites ; the refrigeration by gas in the fridge and freezer; plus the water purification system and the waste water treatment system.

You will also be able to take part in different excursions and activities such as: diving, tours by boat, fishing, kayak, walking in the forest to discover the local flora and fauna, dolphin observation and excursions in the close islands to meet the Ngobé Bugle native communities. PUNTA CARACOL is a paradise classified among the most romantic of the World!

2 nights and dinners, breakfasts (half boarding) at your PUNTA CARACOL ACQUA LODGE 4*.

DAY 2 - CLASSICAL TOUR: ISLA PAJAROS, PLAYA ESTRELLAS,

DOLPHIN BAY, CORAL CAY AND CAYO ZAPATILLAS

After breakfast, departure by boat at 9.00 for an excursion "Isla Pájaros - Playa Estrellas - Dolphin Bay and Cay Zapatilla" with your English guide.

ISLAS PAJAROS (Swan Cay) is off the north-western shore of Isla Colón, 20 minutes by boat from Boca del Drago. The island is home to a great many bird watchers. Most are hoping to see red-billed tropics birds and white-crowned pigeons.

PLAYA LAS ESTRELLAS (starfish beach) is a charming beach located next to Boca Drago where the water is very crystalline and calm.  It's the place where starfish can be seen since the beach is covered with them.

DOLPHIN BAY This bay is the place where you can be in contact with nature and see beautiful dolphins. You will enjoy fantastic waters in the middle of a paradise. You will stop to eat lunch at a local restaurant (includes one beverage).

CAYO ZAPATILLAS, southeast of Isla Bastimentos, is a popular destination for snorkelling and diving trips.  The two keys, Cayo Zapatilla Norte and Cayo Zapatilla Sur, have beautiful white-sand beaches surrounded by pristine reefs, plus forests for exploring.

CORAL CAY or as it is called locally, Crawl Cay, is a small island surrounded by mangroves. It is in the channel between Bastimentos and Popa islands. It is known for the coral formations on both sides of the cay. It's 20 minutes by boat from Bocas town, on the south-eastern side of Bastimentos and surrounded by lush mangrove. Snorkelling is the main attraction. The water is a luminous light green, and in some places only a meter deep over a sandy bottom. The area attracts lots of tropical fishes. The coral gardens don't actually start until one rounds the point and heads up the southeast coast of Bastimentos.

OR DAY 2

SUSTAINABLE TOUR: ISLA PAJAROS, PLAYA ESTRELLAS

AND SAN CRISTOBAL NGOBE COMMUNITY

After breakfast, departure by boat at 9.00 for an excursion "Isla Pájaros - Playa Estrellas and San Cristobal Ngobe Comunity" with your English guide.

ISLAS PAJAROS (Swan Cay) is off the north-western shore of Isla Colón, 20 minutes by boat from Boca del Drago. The island is home to a great many bird watchers. Most are hoping to see red-billed tropics birds and white-crowned pigeons.

PLAYA LAS ESTRELLAS (starfish beach) is a charming beach located next to Boca Drago where the water is very crystalline and calm.  It's the place where starfish can be seen since the beach is covered with them.

SAN CRISTOBAL Come to explore and hike along the medicinal plant trail of an Ngobe-Bugle village! Experience and learn the culture and lifestyle of the Ngobe community in San Cristobal Island!  The Ngobe-bugle Village tucked away on the coast of Isla San Cristobal, is an indigenous community of nearly 800 villagers residing in simple wooden huts surrounded by beautiful jungle terrain. Visitors and tourists are invited to the Ngobe San Cristobal Village to discover the trails of the jungle and whiteness the Ngobe lifestyle. The San Cristobal Ngobe-Bugle Village and Medicinal Plant Excursion is an exceptional day tour that is found nowhere else then with in the village of the Ngobe people.

While on the medicinal plant hike, you will have the privilege to learn about the jungle and farm secrets of the community. Guided by one of the knowledgeable Ngobe villagers, you will see plants and products that are farmed and gathered for medicine, food, dyes, and other daily Gnobe needs. After the hike, enjoy a typical meal and entertainment by the Gnobe women and youth. Farmed and caught by the men with in the community; the Ngobe women prepare and serve you fresh and delicious food. Whitness a dance demonstation and be prepared to participate in the unique cultural Ngobe dances presented by the students of the Ngobe schools.  This tour offers knowledge, culture, and activities for all ages and the money generated goes directly back into Ngobe-Bugle community.

Sustainability:

The Ngobe-Bugle Village is a self-sustaining community, relying on the surrounding land and natural resources. The food served for the meals are products grown and farmed on Isla San Cristobal. The hand-crafts displayed and sold are made from the jungle nuts, plants, and fruits. The money generated from sales of the artisan products goes directly back into the community.  Also, five dollars of every package purchased by a tourist goes towards the education of the youth dancers that perform.  Additionally, several green practices have been implemented throughout the Ngobe village.  Electricity is managed and only used several hours a day, while showering and washing facilities are communal aiding to conserve water. The toilets are compost toilets and are shared in several locations throughout the community. The villagers relay on cayucos (traditional wooden boats) and take minimal trips to other islands by motor boat reducing their consumption of gasoline.

DAY 3: RETURN TO PANAMA

From Bocas del Toro you will leave your hotel (6.30 am or 4.30 pm - hotel check out 11.00 am), transfer to the local airport and then board your flight to Panama (duration 1 hour 8.00 am/ 9.00 am or 4.40 pm/ 5.35 pm). At your arrival, transfer to your hotel.