Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ditional dishes made from local organic produce. The main expense for the trip is the fuel
needed to power a dugout against a strong current. The communities are 45min-1hr 15min
(depending on conditions) upriver by boat from El Silencio. To reach the Naso jetty (
embar-
cadero
) on the Río Teribe at El Silencio take the regular bus (every 20min, 6.30am-8pm;
25min) from the main bus station in Changuinola. Contact details for all three are also on the
Bocas del Toro community tourism website (
redtucombo.bocasdeltoro.org
). Note also that
web price details are not up to date, so enquire before you go. A national
park
fee ($5) is also
generally collected for ANAM even though most excursions stay within the buffer zone.
ODESEN WEKSO
6569 2844 (Adolfo Villagra),
odesen.bocasdeltoro.org
.
The origin-
al Naso community organization, located at WEKSO, the former site of General Manuel
Noriega's Pana-Jungla training camp. Accommodation is offered in a simple new balconied
wooden lodge set back from the main camp, surrounded by forest, with a communal dining
area on the hilltop overlooking the river. Rates are inclusive of meals, transport from El Si-
lencio, a trip to Seiyik and the WEKSO trail. If you're very fit and adventurous, a multi-day
guided hike into the mountains to Palenque, the former royal seat of the Naso, is a possibility.
OCEN
Bonyik 6569 3869 (Raúl Quintero),
ocen.bocas.com
.
Splinter group from
ODESEN, across the river from WEKSO, so nearer the new road. Guests are lodged in sev-
eral traditional balconied wooden houses. Guided hikes range from 4-12hr; bring snacks and
make sure you have a water bottle (with purification tablets advisable). Costs are à la carte
(accommodation $15; three meals $13; return boat from El Silencio to Bonjik, or Bonyik to
Seiyik $70; hikes $25-30).
Soposo Rainforest Adventures
Soposo 6875 8125,
soposo.com
.
The best advertised
and most patronized project was set up by a US-Naso couple, and is well organized and very
professional. They offer pleasant wooden cabins with porches, lit by solar lanterns, and have
pricier rates: $90/person for a day-trip; $140 for a two-day tour, $275/person for a three-day
tour, inclusive of lodging, meals, transport from Changuinola and a range of excursions. If
travelling from Bocas, you can be met at Almirante provided you meet the additional trans-
port costs.
Guabito and the Costa Rica border
From Changuinola, the road runs 17km to the border with Costa Rica at
Guabito-Sixaola
,
where, on the Panamanian side, there is little more than a handful of shops. It's a short walk
from
immigration
across the old railway bridge to Costa Rica (an hour behind Panama time),
where you can change currency in the town of
Sixaola
.
