Bocas del Toro Province - Panama - page 359

Though it's a far cry from luxury, Cabañas Estefany OFFLINE MAP ( 6956-4525;
gilbertosan [e-mail]; dm US$12, d with kitchen US$35, 6-person cabin US$75; ) is
one of the few beach lodgings on Isla Colón. Its wooden cabañas are bare-bones, some
without fans and all with cold showers. Secure a room with a fan as it can get quite
buggy. The cabins are often booked by researchers from the nearby ITEC, so it's recom-
mended that you call ahead.
Overlooking the water, the open-air Yarisnori Restaurant OFFLINE MAP (mains
US$7-25; 8am-6pm Mon-Sat) is a local favorite, due in large part to the warm hospitality
of Señora Juani. Grab an outdoor table on the sand and feast on the catch of the day,
served with beans and coconut rice. Breakfast is good too. Yarinori is adding lodging
soon.
To get here from Bocas, take a local bus, water taxi (US$15 to US$20 round trip) or
taxi (US$15 one way).
La Gruta
If sun, sand and surf aren't your persuasion, then consider a trip to La Gruta
OFFLINE MAP (The Cave; admission US$2; dawn-dusk) , where you can wade through
waist-high water while trying not to disturb the thousands of sleeping bats overhead. Ad-
mission is paid to the Comunidad Bahía Honda. The entrance to the cave, which is
marked by a statue of the Virgin Mary, is 8km from Bocas town along the road to Boca
del Drago. A round-trip taxi should cost about US$20 (depending on fuel costs and
length of stay), or you can take the bus.
Playa Bluff & Around
A string of beaches on the eastern side of Isla Colón can be reached by an unpaved road
that skirts up the coast from Bocas town. With bad roads, this has traditionally been the
terrain of surfers but, as more lodgings pop up, travelers are discovering this more se-
cluded option. Playa Bluff stretches for 5km all the way to Punta Rocosa. October to
March are sure months to enjoy the beach without worrying about hatching turtles.
Sights
Playa El Istmito BEACH