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Red Frog Beach Resort and Marina: Comes Alive

July 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Bastimentos Sky Zipline & Canopy Tour

Opening August 2010

We are pleased to announce that the construction phase of our Bastimentos Sky Canopy Tour is coming to a close.  As of early June all platform structures have been built and all 7 zipline cables have been fully strung.   We are in the “integration” phase of the project which entails finish carpentry of platforms, coordinating systems with harnesses and final build-out of ropes course features.    We should be ready for internal trial runs and training in approximately two weeks.    A “community week” will give the opportunity to let local business owners experience what is sure to be a proud new feature of the Bocas tourism landscape.   All businesses should benefit from increased traffic to the region as a result of this new amenity.  We are proud of the fact that we are that the vast majority of guides have been sourced from our local community here in Bastimentos.

Red Frog Beach “Activity Center”

Opening August 2010

Our “Beach Club Activity Center” brings together two of the best features of Bocas del Toro:  the natural beauty of Red Frog Beach coupled with an array of incredible water sport activities.   This activity center will rent surf boards, paddle boards, kayaks, snorkel gear and boogie boards and will be staffed by a professional surfing tour operator.   Since Bocas del Toro is a growing hub for surfers, we will be the first outfit to originate surf tours and lessons directly on the beach.  Our goal is to become THE locale for new and experience surfers to originate their surfing adventures from.    Of course not all beach goers are looking to surf, so we will offer a variety of the aforementioned activities.   The activity center is due to launch by the last week in August.

“Punta Lava” Bar and Grill at Red Frog Beach

Over 1000 meals served over last 6 months.  Expansion slated for completion by November 2010

The Punta Lava Bar and Grill has quickly become a Bocas institution for visitors and locals alike.   The grill offers a solid menu of burgers, hotdogs, grilled chicken sandwiches with all the freshest fixings.   The bar features a variety of mixed beverages, beers and sodas.   Take in the international scene and expect to eat well and make a day of it at our choice location right on the beach.   We are currently undergoing an expansion of this beach club and restaurant and will feature greater choices for dining, seating and relaxation within the next five months.

Kayukos Restaurant and Island Lounge

Over 15000 meals served over last 6 months (Jan-Jun)

This restaurant and lounge serves as the nexus for dining, socializing and relaxing at The Red Frog Beach island resort.   The island ambiance and mellow music make this an especially attractive place to enjoy a reasonably priced meal and enjoy a cool drink.   The restaurant and lounge can accommodate special events, parties and retreats for up to 200 people.   A perfect event center just a five minute walk to Red Frog Beach.

Bocas Bound Island Hotel Suites and Hostel

Over 1100 visitors over last 6 months (Jan-Jun)

Located in a living rainforest, on a Caribbean island, Bocas Bound is the place to stay and visit in Bocas del Toro. Bocas Bound provides immediate access to surfing, rain forest hikes, snorkeling, kayaking, and beautiful beaches. Bocas Bound is an exotic destination that attracts back-packers, surfers, and cost-conscious families looking for a place that is extraordinarily different from a typical Panama Beach Resort. Trails from your doorstep lead you through dense jungle to breathtaking beaches and hidden coves.    Bocas Bound can accommodate up to 80 visitors per night, making this a terrific option for group events such as school retreats, meetings and corporate events.

Red Frog Beach Marina

Marina slips fully leased, new electric system complete, expansion for 43 more slips to commence in October 2010

The Red Frog Beach Marina currently accommodates over 20 vessels and has recently completed upgrades to its electrical and metering systems.   In July we will commence an expansion project in the marina which will allow it to accommodate an additional 25 slips.   Demand for space in The Red Frog Beach Marina continues unabated and is the result of state of the art construction and the fact that we have the perfect natural harbor setting for deep water Panama Marina. This Panama Marina offers unparalleled access to beautiful sandy beaches, resort amenities which includes our two restaurants, a large island activity lounge, small general store and boat service to Bocas del Toro town.

Red Frog Express

Key data points: 16,143 visitors in last 6 months (Jan-Jun)

The Red Frog Express is the quickest, surest and most comfortable means of getting back and forth from Red Frog Beach to Bocas Town.   Our shuttle service provides safe roads, clean bathrooms/bathhouses and most importantly several comfortable transport vehicles that will take you to Red Frog Beach via our public dock space adjoining the Red Frog Marina.   The public welcome center features a lounge area, cableTV (a hit during world cup season) and maintained tropical gardens.   Red Frog express has accommodated over 16,000 visitors to our beach area in its first six months alone.  Expect more to come as our amenities continue to develop.

Filed Under Isla Bastimentos

Bocas del Toro Hotels

July 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Bocas del Toro is known for several great hotel and lodging options for visitors to this island community.   There are many Bocas del Toro Hotels that offer standard accommodation on the archipelago and most of them are in Bocas del Toro town.  Bocas del Toro Hotels frequently are designed to accommodate a single individual or a couple but they are more limited when considering the needs of a couple, family or several families traveling together.   Perhaps the best Bocas del Toro hotel for such groups is not a hotel at all.  Consider renting a villa at Red Frog Beach Resort and Bocas Bound.

A villa becomes very economical when interests are pooled.   With two families or couples travelling together the experience of deluxe accommodations are within reach.  Bocas del Toro Hotels typically do not offer kitchen facilities.  Add up a restaurant bill for 7 dinners/7 lunches/7 breakfasts and you can get the idea of what it would be like staying at a Bocas del Toro Hotel.  It is a rule of thumb that often times dining expenses are 1 to 1.5 times as expensive as the cost of hotel accommodation itself.  This alone might justify NOT staying in a traditional Bocas del Toro Hotel.  It is amazing to actually think that by upgrading to luxury accommodations you can save money- but you truly can.  Red Frog Beach is also the #1 destination for many who visit the Bocas del Toro Archipelago.   For those who want a true vacation with one of the best Panama beaches actually at their doorstep, this is a huge factor to consider.  Transportation costs around the Bocas del Toro archipelago can be very high.  By staying at the beach, the Red Frog Beach villa renter saves additional money.  After all, what is the point to heading to the islands if the beach isn’t at your fingertips?   The Red Frog Beach Resort is ideally located to make sure that those who seek the beach on vacation can truly get enough of the beach.

Bocas del Toro Hotels also are not as well equipped for “downtime” after a day at the beach or a night on the town.  A significant percentage of vacationers like to have time to relax in their accommodations.   A villa affords the opportunity to relax in luxury.   All Red Frog Beach resort villas have deluxe finish and appointments:  granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, private plunge pools and king or queen size beds with comfortable linens.    For the super active vacationer it is also a treat to come back to luxury accommodations in a priceless setting.  At the end of the day vacations are all about experiences and the memories they create.  Bocas del Toro Hotels are a stop gap and do “the job” for fulfilling basic accommodations, but the Red Frog Beach Resort aspires to creating these essential vacation experiences and memories.    At the end of the day, what is the value of feeling relaxed, fulfilled and doing it for less money in a comfortable yet amazing environment?  In a word: priceless.  We hope you enjoy your stay at our “Bocas del Toro hotel”-  the Red Frog Beach Resort!

Filed Under Bocas Town

This Bocas del Toro Hostel will blow your mind

July 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Bocas Del Toro was the most beautiful place that I have ever been in my life.  I have traveled to almost 20 countries in the last 4 years, and never have seen the quantity and quality of the beaches that Bocas Del Toro has to offer all in one place!

Three of my friends and I spent just over a week in the province, and made it a point to not party too much, and explore everything that the Bocas archipielago had to offer.  We took the flight from Panama City directly to Bocas Del Toro instead of the bus, just because it wasn’t high season.  And with taxis to the bus, it was only about $40 more, and about 9 hours shorter.  The flight to Bocas was amazing!  I guess it is usually overcast from Panama City to Bocas Del Toro, but we lucked out, and it was sunny the entire trip, and you could see the different colors of the Caribbean the whole time that we were in the air!

As we arrived, we met a couple on their way to Colombia, and they gave us some good insight on what to do in Bocas Del Toro; there were a handful of Bocas del Toro hostels to choose from.  They said first to stay in Bocas del Toro town for a night and party, then head over to Isla Bastimentos and check-in at Bocas Bound Hostel.  Because we weren’t looking to party, we decided to take their advice and give up on the other Bocas del Toro Hostels and head straight to Bocas Bound on Isla Bastimentos.  It was about a 10-15 min boat ride to Isla Bastimentos.  We pulled up next to a beautiful marina full of massive sailboats and walked directly into an amazing organic garden full of colorful plants and flowers!  One of the workers happened to be doing some landscaping and happily drove us in a golf cart right up to the Bocas del Toro hostel called Bocas Bound.

As we pulled up, this Bocas del Toro hostel was just breathtaking!  A huge open-air lounge with a pool table, the World Cup playing on TV, and a basketball court just next to us!  The staff was uber-friendly, and walked us up to our very clean (and new) dorm room, where we each had a large locker next to our bed to easily put all of our belongings.  We locked everything up in our hostel room, and set out on a little afternoon excursion to Red Frog Beach!  And our Bocas Del Toro adventure had begun! We quickly realized that this Bocas del Toro hostel had the best access to EVERYTHING we wanted to do.

Day 1:  Body surfed at Red Frog Beach, walked 5 min. to Turtle Beach, and played Frisbee.  Day 2:  The most amazing cave tour in the world!  $25 for an all-day adventure…..DO IT!  I believe there is only one in all of Bocas Del Toro, so just ask.  Great spaghetti dinner at Bocas Bound Hostel.  Day 3:  Catamaran tour with Captain Marcel!  Absolutely hilarious, knowledgeable, and showed us so many fish, monkeys, sloths etc.  Absolutely amazing!  Day 4:  Went with about 10 other Bocas del Toro hostel guests and our guide for the day, “D-Lux” probably the funniest and most entertaining person we have EVER met in our lives, to a “secret” beach called Playa Limbo.  It turned out to be where they filmed Survivor Panama, and I can definitely see why- GORGEOUS!  Day 5:  Chilled in hammocks by the sea ALL DAY (about a 5 minute walk from our hostel).  Most relaxing day ever.  Day 6: Snorkel tour to Cayo Zapitilla.  Two islands completely surrounded by white sands, and the most beautiful reefs we had ever snorkeled.  WOW!  Day 7:  Starting to shed tears, knowing that we would be leaving Bocas Del Toro the next day, so we joined some guests from the other Bocas del Toro hostels at the beach bar on Red Frog, and had some “light adult beverages” as grill-master Brian would say.  Partied with the entire Bocas del Toro hostel scene that night, because it was our last.  Day 8: Woke up feeling quite well somehow, packed up had a great breakfast.  Said our goodbyes, and departed on our longest trip home ever.  There is nothing harder than leaving the most beautiful place on Earth………Bocas Del Toro

Filed Under Bocas Del Toro

Bocas del Toro Resorts

June 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Over the past decade Bocas del Toro has become a viable place for resort communities. I’ve had the opportunity to live here for the past two years and I hear so many stories about how far Bocas del Toro has come. Ten years ago the prospect of an integrated resort community coming to Bocas del Toro would have been unfeasible. A gravel road with a few eating and hostel establishments that happened to exist in this stunning location could only appeal to a gaggle of surfers and adventure travelers. Times have changed. Bocas del Toro resorts can now be supported by multiple flights per day. Consistent boat and bus service also creates enough end user demand for the ability of a Bocas del Toro resort to start to put down roots.

It is important to note that many visitors to Bocas del Toro really don’t want the “traditional” resort experience. Giant golf courses and theme-styled swimming pools don’t really have broad appeal here in Bocas del Toro. Visitors are now looking for authentic “eco-tourism” based activities. For a Bocas del Toro resort, this means activities that center around bringing visitors in touch with nature and the local communities. The Red Frog Beach resort is creating programs that involve jungle hikes, snorkel/diving trips, canopy tours (they have a zipline on site). This Bocas del Toro resort is also creating activities that provide for spending time and getting in touch with the local, indigenous communities. There are guided river and fishing trips with local guides. Trips to local handicraft villages and even volunteer possibilities with the local schools.

One could say that the notion of a Bocas del Toro resort has morphed into something truly unique and in line with the current needs of visitors and communities alike. Perhaps this is a byproduct of the global downturn or perhaps consumers are becoming more sophisticated in their need for experiential travel. Certainly though, it does not mean a visitor to a Bocas del Toro resort need to skimp on comfort. The Red Frog Beach resort offers deluxe accommodation in the rainforest with true beach access and associated activities. There are several Bocas del Toro resorts but Red Frog Beach is the only one with a complete beachside activity center. The opportunity to be active- or not- is a choice many visitors want the opportunity to make. Surfboards, boogie boards, paddle boards, snorkel gear and other options await the visitor to the Red Frog Beach resort. The fact that this is the most popular beach in the region also provides a great mix of locals and visitors. Bocas del Toro is one of the worlds jewels and it is being discovered one visitor at a time.

Filed Under Bocas Del Toro

Caribbean Vacation in Bocas del Toro

June 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

We arrived in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Where to start? So many activities to choose from! We spent some time chatting to the friendly locals of Bocas del Toro to see what they would recommend for the best things to do around Bocas del Toro. There were loads of things available to us including, surfing, snorkeling, hiking, biking, kayaking, bird watching, fishing, scuba diving…. the list is endless!

Isla Bastimentos in Bocas del Toro

We went to Isla Bastimentos which has some truly incredible beaches, one of which is Wizard beach. Wizard Beach is a popular beach with the surfing crowd around Bocas del Toro and it is easy to see why. There are great waves, white sands and palm trees galore. You can get to the beach from the town by a 30min hike. However, it had been raining the night before we went so the track got pretty muddy, not so good in flip flops! But it was well worth our muddy hike as the beach was beautiful. The laid back Caribbean vibe of Bocas del Toro is enhanced by the archipelago’s spectacular natural setting. The islands are covered in dense jungles of vine tangles and forest palms that open up to pristine beaches surrounded by mangroves. Another great beach in Bocas del Toro is Red Frog Beach on Isla Bastimentos where sea turtles nest from April to August. Red Frog Beach is named after the tiny red frogs that look cute but they are called strawberry poison dart frogs for a reason… they are highly poisonous so watch out! However, keep a look out for them as they may not be around the island in Bocas del Toro for much longer due to future development plans.

The only way to get around Bocas del Toro is by water taxi. They are really easy to get and you can arrange times to be picked up with any of the local drivers for a few dollars (depending where you are going of course).

Although Bocas del Toro town is quite small, there are numerous restaurants and bars on offer that cater for all tastes and cultures. Here you will find a mean cocktail to while away the afternoon or evening before moving on to heavier party places for further entertainment. Bocas del Toro offers Spanish classes in a relaxed environment to enable you to learn the lingo and converse with the locals, you can even put on a Caribbean accent for the full effect and to blend in like you have lived in Bocas del Toro all your life! You can also locate organizations that organize events and dance classes, some specifically cater for back packers and travelers alike.

We spent a day snorkeling around Isla Bastimentos in Bocas del Toro which was a great spot and definitely worth a visit as it was truly breathtaking. A group of us island hopped and snorkeled in the sunshine and had a great day. The marine life around Bocas del Toro was amazing and really beautiful with a huge variety of fish and corals in the waters.

Isla Colon is the main surfing spot around Bocas del Toro. You can have lessons in the surf school then take your board out to the open waters to test drive your new found skills and improve your technique! Playa Buff is Isla Colon’s most famous surf destination with very strong waves, so be careful as it has a reputation for board breaking!

We stayed in the hostel Bocas Bound in Isla Bastimentos which was a great base for our Bocas del Toro snorkeling escapades. The staff were really helpful and arranged our boat and a local Bocas guide for us. They also gave us loads of tips and advice on where to go around the islands and information on exactly the best places for snorkeling around Bocas del Toro. However, staying at any of the islands around Bocas del Toro allows you to have easy accessibility to boats. Just check that they have good equipment as this can certainly ruin your day (Bocas Bound had good equipment)! Our guide was really flexible and accommodating to our needs and gave us loads of information about the local eco system.

We would strongly recommend Bocas del Toro as there is so much to see and do, or just relax and unwind and take in the beautiful beaches. Everything is right there on offer to you at Bocas del Toro. Sit back and enjoy the Caribbean life and the natural beauty of Bocas del Toro.

Filed Under Isla Bastimentos
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