Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
velopment project that went bust, but not before generating real-estate buzz around the
previously pristine Red Frog Beach.
Día de Bastimentos
(Bastimentos Day; November 23) is celebrated with a huge
parade and drumming demonstrations on the island.
Sights
1
Old Bank
Located on the western tip of the island, Old Bank (Bastimentos Town) is a small en-
clave of 1500 residents of West Indian descent. Until the 1990s most of the adults in Old
Bank traveled daily to Changuinola to work in banana fields, though today residents have
taken to fishing, farming small plots or just hanging out.
Although Old Bank is very poor and devoid of any real sights, it has a much more pro-
nounced Caribbean vibe than Bocas town and it's a relaxing place to stroll around and
soak up the atmosphere. It's also the best place in Bocas del Toro to hear Gali-Gali, a fas-
cinating Spanish-English Creole that's native to the island.
There are no roads, just a wide concrete footpath lined on both sides with colorfully
painted wooden houses.
1
Around the Island
Bastimentos has some amazing beaches, though be careful swimming as the surf can
really pick up on the north coast of the island.
Wizard Beach
BEACH
(Playa Primera)
The most beautiful beach on Bastimentos Island is awash in powdery yel-
low sand and backed by thick vine-strewn jungle. Although Wizard Beach is connected
to Old Bank via a wilderness path, the mere 30-minute walk can turn into an all-day trek
through the muck if it's been raining heavily.
In good weather, you can continue walking along the coast to Playa Segunda (Second
Beach) and Red Frog Beach.
Red Frog Beach
BEACH
OFFLINE MAP
