Bocas del Toro, is an archipelago located on the Caribbean coast of Panama. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, including crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and lush rainforests. The region has been a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world. Bocas del Toro, seemed an obvious good investment a decade or a little more ago, and many are very happy today that they invested in the community, and there are several factors that have contributed to the rise of Bocas del Toro:

1. Tourism Development: Over the years, Bocas del Toro has seen significant investment in tourism infrastructure, including hotels, resorts, restaurants, and recreational activities. The development of these amenities has increased the appeal of the region for travelers, leading to a rise in tourism.
2. Natural Attractions: Bocas del Toro is blessed with an abundance of natural attractions. It is home to diverse marine life, including colorful coral reefs, making it a popular destination for diving and snorkeling. The archipelago also offers opportunities for surfing, kayaking, and exploring the surrounding rainforests, which are teeming with unique flora and fauna.
3. Cultural Appeal: Bocas del Toro has a vibrant cultural scene, influenced by its Afro-Caribbean and indigenous communities. Visitors can experience the local culture through traditional music, dance, and cuisine. The town of Bocas del Toro itself offers a lively atmosphere with restaurants, bars, and shops, attracting both tourists and expatriates.
4. Accessibility: Improved transportation options have made Bocas del Toro more accessible. The archipelago is served by domestic flights, and there are also ferry services connecting Bocas del Toro to other parts of Panama, such as Almirante and Changuinola. The ease of travel has contributed to the increase in visitor numbers.

It’s worth noting that while Bocas del Toro has experienced growth in tourism, it’s essential to balance the benefits of development with the preservation of the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Local authorities and stakeholders often work to ensure sustainable tourism practices to protect the environment and maintain the authenticity of the destination – and we could use just a bit more of this, if that is your passion!

The Bocas economy is 90% based in tourism. When the pandemic struck the islands were hit very hard. One of our training specialist teammates Manuel Sanjur, who now runs a local youth boxing program and is soon to be the new mayor; put together a crew dressed up in Suicide Crew movie character costumes and went and delivered sacks of rice and other foods all over the islands. Customer service here improved 100%, but that is the only positive. The people here are resilient, and I gained a new level of respect for this place.

It took a while for the economy here to recover, but I would say for the off season, Bocas is back in business. The waves of covered in surfers, the July 4th festival up the street had like 500 people at it, overflowing pretty much. This is how I remember July, which is a slow month, everyone just had Easter or here Semana Santa, every year people freak in May and June by July and August the pulse restarts. This is like a pre-pandemic July (to my eyes), and the past season was excellent according to everyone.

I am back to the little permaculture experiment where it all started, and the garden here is good. I am running the good run and swimming the good swim every day. Burpees and splits stretches for the pee fee, and I have a gym here so today I am going to throw in some heavy bench sets. I have sweet potatoes, culantro, cinnamon, maca, basil, damiana, cassava, ktuck, and many other fine products every day. Much of this is because of my networking and support of small farmers, which I encourage others do as means to access good nutrition and potentially conscious or karma.

The running “Trail of the God'” is as beautiful as ever, the “Devine Swim,” also. The gym got upgraded, the fight school too. The markets are back up to full steam, and the ferry boats to the island are twice every day again.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on the current state of Bocas del Toro, Panama and its recent developments, I recommend referring to official tourism websites, local news sources, or contacting local authorities directly.