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Isla Colon – |
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International airport is situated on Colon Island. |
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At the southern tip of the island is Boca Town, which has restaurants, hotels, markets, handcraft shops, pharmacy, water taxis etc. |
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 Starfish Island - Playa Estrella – |
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This beach is a good beach for younger kids to play in shallow water, older kids can swim and snorkel. Beach is very popular, especially on weekends. |
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The big draw is orange starfish in the sparkling turquoise waters. Starfish may be located in deeper water, and require snorkeling further from the shore. Tip: Do not touch or pick up the starfish! |
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To get to the beach, located on the northern part of the island, hire a water taxi, rent a car, or arrange for a tour. |
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Isla San Cristobal – |
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San Cristobal is a forested island dotted with small villages and resorts on the water. Jungle is filled with wildlife - resident sloths, monkeys, kinkajous, toucans, hummingbirds, frogs. On the east side of the island is Dolphin Bay, where bottlenose dolphins glide through the water. |
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Green Acres Chocolate Farm – After a walk through the rain forest, kids can taste cacao straight from the tree (that's a new experience), learn how cacao is farmed, see how cacao is turned into chocolate, and taste the result. Tours daily, make a reservation. |
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Dolphin Blue Paradise – |
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Dolphin Blue Paradise is an eco resort located on Dolphin Bay. Kids can watch the dolphins playing in the bay while they eat breakfast. |
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Resort is perfect for a multi-generational vacation - overwater villa for parents and kids, separate onshore accommodations for extended family. |
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Onsite restaurant for breakfast lunch and dinner, farm-to-table ingredients are grown on the island, fish and seafood locally caught, resort is solar powered. |
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- Hop on kayaks or paddleboards to explore calm waters of the bay, also tubing and water skiing. |
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- Snorkeling – Jump into the bay from swim platform - look for starfish, sea cucumber, eagle rays, lots of fish, sponges and corals. Guided reef outings available. |
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- Resort offers guided forest hikes, day or nighttime hikes, canoeing in mangrove forests. |
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- Sunset cruise – 30 min. cruise around Dolphin Bay. |
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- Cultural crafts – Make a calabash or coconut bowl the traditional way. |
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- Horseback rides through the jungle. |
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- Private boat tours to other islands – Starfish Beach, Frog Beach, Cayo Zapatilla. |
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Resort is half hour by boat from Boca Town. |
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Isla Bastimentos – |
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Red Frog Beach – |
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Rainforest walk – With a local naturalist guide, take a walk through the forest to see strawberry poison dart frogs, and sloths, monkeys, toucans, and birds galore. Tip: Not all strawberry poison dart frogs are red, some are green, purple, yellow, orange, blue. |
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Zipline Canopy Tour – Kids love to put on a helmet and harness, then zip on a cable through the rainforest canopy. Nothing like the feeling of flying. Even younger kids (who don't weigh enough) can ride the zipline, accompanied by a guide. |
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Pure Tree Experience Chocolate Farm - Take a tour to find out how they grow cacao and turn it into chocolate Also learn about different fruits, trees and plants on the farm. You might also see a sloth or red tree frog on the way up to the farm. |
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Tips for Bocas del Toro – |
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Bring sunscreen, rashguard swimwear, kids-size snorkel gear. |
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For rainforest walks, bring insect repellent, trails can be muddy, have waterproof closed-toed shoes. |
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Even during dry season it can rain, water-resistant clothing is helpful. |
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Bring binoculars for close look at birds, sloths, toucans up in the trees. |
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Leave wildlife undisturbed! Do not pick up starfish or frogs. |
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For rainforest walks, we always use local guides. They know where to find the wildlife, especially when it's camouflaged. One time an iguana was near our feet, and we didn't see it until our guide pointed it out. |
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Eat locally, what's grown and caught in the archipelago. Imported food is more expensive, especially now with higher prices for transportation. |
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