THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Panama - page 300

bar-restaurants though there's a small, professional dive outfit ( laslajasbeachdivers.com )
that leads diving (and sometimes snorkelling) trips to the nearby Parque Nacional Marino
Golfo de Chiriquí and also to Coiba .
If you are interested in Ngäbe or Buglé culture, you should take time to visit the major com-
munities of San Félix and Tolé north of the Interamericana; the latter, which lies east close to
the border with Veraguas, is noted for its handicrafts - the versatile kri (string bag, or chácara
in Spanish) made of plant fibres, or beaded nguñunkua (necklace, or chaquira in Spanish) -
many sold at stalls along the Interamericana close to the turn-off. For a richer homestay ex-
perience, head for Soloy .
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: PLAYA LAS LAJAS AND AROUND
By bus and taxi Although there are two direct buses to La Lajas village from David (6.45am
& 2.45pm; 1hr 20min), most visitors to the beach take a bus from David bound for Tolé or
San Félix (every 20-30min) and get off at the busy intersection, El Cruce de San Félix, 68km
east of David (1hr). You are likely to find a taxi at the petrol station at the junction that can
take you the 12km to the beach ($8 one way; $5-6 from the village); get a contact number
for your return trip.