Guide to Bocas del Toro, Panama

Where to Eat . . .

On a Budget

• Restaurante Chitre – A tasty option for typical Panamanian food.  Cheap meals. Beef, pork, rice, beans, lentils, and the best fried chicken in town (when it’s fresh). Located half way down Main Street on your right.
• The Batido Man – This little place is across the street from Toro Loco. Late night you can chow down on fried rice and hojaldras (fried bread).  During the day you can get $1.50 batidos.
• Meat Stick Man – Find the guy with super thick glasses for a beef and veggie meat stick for $1.25.
• Tio Tom’s – Located in front of the airport on Calle 6, down a corridor, it is a family run Caribbean Panamanian restaurant. Their menu includes rice, beans and salad accompanied by chicken or fish for $4 or shrimp for $6. Try their fresh squeezed Orange Juice.  Open Monday through Friday til 4pm.  And they deliver – ask reception for the number.

For 5 – 10 Dollars

• Lily’s Café – Tasty food, diverse menu, reasonable prices, and an amazing view.  The only problem is that they take a while to serve your food.  They’re open for breakfast, lunch, and occasionally dinner. Walk down the main street, turn left after the main supermarket, and walk until you dead end into the water.
• Raw Sushi – Delicious Sushi and classy Martini’s in a sleek, intimate environment.  The menu changes every day depending on what’s fresh, however the Spicy Tuna and Veggie Tempura Rolls are always available.  Mondo recommends one of the fresh Vanilla Mango or Passion Fruit Martinis.  Located on Calle Principal halfway down on the left.
• Rip Tide –  Enjoy solid grilled food onboard a renovated shrimp boat for a reasonable price.  The best part is it’s location – right across the street from Mondo.
• Buena Vista – An extensive menu featuring nachos, sandwiches, pasta and a great chicken wrap served with a great view. Located next to Lemongrass and Lily’s.
• Natural Mystic – The only vegetarian restaurant in town.  It is a small, comfortable restaurant on the second floor nearly all the way down the main street. People watch over a Hookah while relaxing in their cushion seats. Some specialties include Hummus, falafel & fish. They offer delivery.
• Mana – Located diagonally across the street from the Mondo bar, this Pirate themed restaurant is a great option for breakfast and dinner. En la mañana, enjoy bagels, coffee and smoothies on their open air deck while watching the local Bocatoreños go about their morning routines. Later in the day a wide variety of pizzas and Greek food are available. Closed Sundays.

On a Fancy Occasion

• La Casbah -The chef is amazing.  The chicken, steak, and fish are all excellent.  Great atmosphere.  It is conveniently located right by Mondo Taitu.  Just exit the bar, take a left and it’s a half block on the left.

• El Ultimo Refugio - This is a beautiful restaurant built right over the water.  The menu is great.  The appetizers are always good. To get there, go all the way down the main street, keep going around the bend, and the restaurant will eventually be on your left.
• Om Café - Very good Indian food.  To get there, head down the main street, take your second left, and it will be on the left side of the street, towards the end. Om is usually closed from May until July and random days through the week.  They have a killer brunch and are now serving lunch. FROM
• Alberto’s Pizza – One of the best Italian restaurants on the island. Try their pizzas and calzones with a wide variety of ingredients such as pepperoni, anchovies, gorgonzola, parmesan, etc. Their gourmet pizzas are unmatched. Their pasta, desserts and espresso are all solid options. To get there, walk out the Mondo bar, turn right, take your first left and it a block and a half down on the left.
• Gringo’s – Delicious Mexican restaurant.  Zesty burritos, tacos and enchiladas will all have you licking your fingers.  Best when accompanied by a margarita or two.  The service is good and it draws a regular crowd. Only open evenings and located a block and a half off the main street behind Golden Grill.
• The Lemongrass Asian Bistro – A great place to go to lunch.  They always have amazing specials. Dinner is great but definitely plan on spending more than $8.  It is located above Starfleet Scuba.

On Isla Bastimentos

• Thai Restaurant – Great Thai food for around 6 bucks, right here in Bocas. The view is amazing, go for dinner for an unforgettable sunset. It’s a bit of a hike to get there, but follow the signs and you’ll be there in no time.

• Up on The Hill – A super chill café/organic products shop in the middle of the jungle. Javi and Jeanette are there to serve up hot coffee drinks and one of the best brownies in Panama. Go past the Thai Restaurant and it’s on your right.
• Roots Restaurant -  The best comida tipica on Bastimento.  It isn’t always open but when it is you are in for a treat.  The fish filet is out of this world.
• 3 Legs Pizza – Arguably the best pizza joint in the entire archipelago.  The four cheese pizza is a must.
  

Supermarkets

• The Super Gourmet (located at the end of main street on the right) -A lovely Napa valley supermarket plopped right down in the middle of the Caribbean.  We swear by this place.  You can buy anything from Sri Racha, to wasabi peas, to caviar.
• Supermercado Isla Colon – This is the big one on the main street, and they are usually open the latest.
• Tropical Markets – Same kind of stuff as Super Gourmet but not as much selection and more expensive.  Not as far of a walk though for you lazy types…and it has A/C so even if you don’t want to buy anything you can go in and cool off.
• The Veggie Stands – Any of the Veggie Stands dotting Bocas will have much cheaper produce than the super markets

 

Finding Seafood in Bocas

• For Fresh Fish – Believe it or not, there are only two spots to find fresh fish in Bocas.    Finding this first spot is a bit tricky but definitely worth it.  Next to the Tropical Markets on the left hand side there is a house with bars on the front.  Go down the left hand side of the house to the back and just ask if there is any fresh fish.

• Go Fishing, or flag down a local in a canoe. It’s possible to get fresh lobsters for $1.50 if you find the right fisherman.

 

The Beautiful Beaches of Bocas

 

Isla Colon

• Boca del Drago/Starfish Colony

• This good swimming beach is different than the rest of those in Bocas. Calm waves, relaxed vibe. Be sure to walk around the bend to the left for about 10 minutes to get to the starfish colony.
• There are two ways of getting there.  You can take a bus for $2.50, one way. They leave from the park at 10, 12, 2, and 4 and come back at 11, 1, and 3

and 5.  It is the big turquoise bus.  Our favorite way of getting there is by               bike.  The paved road is hilly and beautiful.  The ride is about 15 km. Bikes                         are about 10 dollars per day.

• Snorkeling right out in front of the restaurant is a winner.
• We think that this is the most beautiful beach on the island.  It is huge, secluded, and pristine. Soft sand, palm-studded beaches.  The waves can be intense.
• There are two ways of getting there.  You can take a taxi for around $30 round trip.  Try to pack as many people as you can into the taxi.  Organize a time for the taxi driver to pick you up.  Try not to pay him until he comes back for you but he might make you pay for half of it on the way there.
• The other way to get there to take a 40 min bike ride.  You can rent bikes right across from Mondo on the seaside, at Ixa’s.
• Make sure to bring food and drinks.
• This is not the most beautiful beach on the island but it is close and good for a run.  While you’re running, stop to pick up some trash… this beach can use some help.  Go left out the hostel entrance and walk about 10 minutes until you dead end into the cemetery.  Turn right at the cemetery, walk along some  rocks and you’ll see the main beach.

• Playa Bluff

• City Beach

 

 

Isla Bastimentos

• Playa Wizard/Playa Primera

• GORGEOUS beach.  This is a must see.  To get there, take a $3 per person water taxi to Bastimentos town.  From there hike through the jungle for about 30 minutes or you can take a water taxi directly there for about $8-$10 roundtrip.  It can be very muddy at times so plan on going barefoot or wear durable shoes. Also, there have been reports of robberies along this trail, so it’s a good idea to leave your ipods/cameras/wads of cash at home.
• Be sure to bring food and drinks.
• Don’t leave your bags unwatched.
• There is a big rip tide on the beach so BE CAREFUL.

• Red Frog Beach

• Another beautiful beach.  You might even see a poisonous red dart frog.  This is one of the stops on the Boat Tour around the islands.  The boat tour is $15-$20 and takes you to Red Frog Beach, a good snorkeling spot, and dolphin bay.   J & J boat tours offer good, reliable tours.
• If you forgot lunch, don’t fret.  There is a new beachside restaurant with many tasty options from the grill.
• To get to the beach a water taxi will take you to the Red Frog Marina for $10 round trip – there is also a $3 beach entrance fee.  From the Marina you can either walk 15 minutes on a trail to the beach or ride in one of the four wheel drive trucks.  It is possible to hike to Red Frog from Wizard if you want to save some money, and get a little muddy while you’re at it.

Isla Carenero

• This is a great option for a close and inexpensive beach activity.
• Walk through the park and catch a water taxi. Ask them to drop you at the beach “playa” or at the Pickled Parrot on Carenero.  It is only $2 each way.

• Once you get to the beach you can take a nice walk down to the point.  It is a lovely walk and a great way to spend an afternoon.

 

Isla Zapatilla

• This island is paradise.  It is the most beautiful, untouched beach in the entire archipelago.  The $20 boat tour takes you out to this island.  White sand beaches, crystal clear blue waters, palm trees, good swimming.  You can walk around the entire island.
• There is also a $5-10 charge per person because it is a national park.  Sometimes you’ll get lucky and there won’t be a guy collecting money.  Definitely organize the tax beforehand because some of the captains know the guy collecting money and can get it for $1 per person.
• If you can get a big group together, you could get a much better price.
• On a sunny day, you will not regret going to Zapatilla.

 

Bocas Surf Spots

 

Isla Colon

• Paunch

a.     A reef break with different peaks, rights and lefts. The right is short, wedge and closes out onto a shallow reef shelf. The left is one of the kindest waves around, providing good reef experience for the less confident, and offering long rides to everyone if you get the right wave. Can get heavy when big, and getting caught on the inside can be a problem when it tops head high. Crowds are also an issue at Paunch but multiple peaks and those occasional rights means it can handle people better than the other spots.

b.     A land taxi should be $15, sometimes less but the easiest way to get there is by water taxi.  Again, reef boots, reef knowledge and light feet are needed to walk out without meeting the Urchins. The walk out spots depend on the tide so either wait to watch where someone else goes or watch the reef carefully for a while.

• Playa Bluff

a.     This is a five kilometer long beach with very powerful waves. It’s more of a body boarders wave.  The barreling shore dump breaks in very shallow water. But despite consequences and frequent close outs, Bluff offers some of the most amazing tubes you will ever see, good enough for your non-surfing friends to marvel at.  The beach is compared to Hossegor in France and Puerto Escondido in Mexico. Just like these counterparts it has a well-earned reputation for snapping boards.  It picks up a lot of swell, normally being a couple of feet bigger than Paunch. The problem is that even a light wind, if it’s not offshore, can mess it up.

b.     To get there by land, negotiate a $30 taxi round trip. Pack as many people as you can into the taxi, and build up the numbers by getting some non-surfers to go and enjoy one of the best beaches in the area. Be sure to get a four by four taxi but even those won’t drive there after real heavy rain.

c.     If it has rained hard, you hate bumps, have too few people, or just like boats, then take a water taxi. If there are more than two of you, you should be able to motor there and back for $10 each. The thing is, there’s nowhere to land the boat and get things or people ashore dry.  Non surfers may even get into trouble trying to swim ashore without help.

 

Isla Bastimentos

• Playa Wizard/Playa Primera

a.     This is a beautiful jungle fringed beach on Bastimentos. This beach break has various banks, some better than others and if its choppy, wait, because the tide, though small, could sort it out. When the swell is too small at Black Rock, this is the spot to go for beginners. When it’s big the current will keep long boarders on the shore and throw up some occasional barrels. This place picks up as much swell as anywhere but tends to close out when any proper swell turns up. However if it’s too small everywhere and you need to get wet, the wizard might wave his wand.  Keep in mind that there is a big rip tide so BE CAREFUL.

b.     There are two ways to get to this spot: the easy way and the hard but beautiful way.  The first and more straightforward option is get a boat to take you straight to the beach. Getting there will cost between $8-10, depending on the amount of people going. The boat can either drop you in the line-up or if the boatman knows what he is doing, through a keyhole in the reef at the east end of the beach, meaning you can take a pack lunch with you. The other option is the boat can drop you off on the backside of the island and then you walk for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the amount of rain and the amount of mud – and it can get real muddy. The beautiful trail goes through the jungle and there are some great views making the walk worth it, especially if you can handle the mud and the sweet smelling cow pastures. There is also the option of taking the boat to the beach and then walking back to Bastimentos town.  The walk is easier heading this way. But either way, leave valuables at home, since robberies have occurred on the path.

c.     Sometimes things disappear off the beach when you are swimming so don’t bring anything valuable unless you have friends who can watch over it.

 

• Silverbacks

a.     If you haven’t come to Bocas for the express purpose of surfing Silverbacks, it’s probably not a good idea to paddle out for this one. Referred to as the Teahupo’o of the Caribbean, only a few dozen people have ever surfed it, and most locals won’t go anywhere near it. It is a right hand big wave spot breaking over reef just off Isla Bastimentos. The swell comes straight out of deep water on to the reef and packs one hell of a punch once it starts breaking  – which will be ten foot minimum. Silverbacks, named after how it looks at sunrise, will be much bigger than Carenero. It gets shallow fast and still throws a barrel at 15 feet, but for those experienced enough, it will hold the biggest the Caribbean Sea has to offer.  30 foot faces happen out there. Just watch yourselves out there kids, this spot really is for surfers who know exactly what they’re doing!

b.     Water taxi is the only way to get there and it’ll probably be $6. Some boatmen don’t like going there and for your own good it is probably best to find one who knows what they’re doing because when this is breaking the sea is pretty angry.

 

Isla Carenero

 

1. Carenero

a. One of the best spots in Bocas and a world class break on its day. This spot has two reefs, an outside and inside, both left hand reef breaks, both with very sharp reefs, both fast and both hollow. The outside is very shallow and shallower in places. It can throw up some solid barrels but is not as long and does not peel as much as insides. Insides starts peeling right near a cliff and then wraps along the reef for up to 200 yards, with some sections barreling enough to please anyone. When conditions are perfect you can get 5 second tube rides and you can get pummeled by this wave – remember hollow means shallow and hitting the bottom, particularly if it’s one of the urchin patches, is not nice. Breaking on any swell direction this wave picks up as much swell as any of the reefs, still peeling even when small. But to get it good you have to get it big and legend says it can hold could 16 foot faces.  People who have surfed this place have compared it with several spots in Fiji, the problem is there are plenty of people who have and do surf it. Some say: “be careful” and some say: “go big or go home”.

b.   A water taxi costs $3 each way to get to Canernero but the hardcore can take a $1 ride to Aqua Lounge and walk around. It’s not the easiest place to get in and out at so make sure you know what you are doing and have a long look before paddling out.

2. Black Rock

a.  On the way out to the Carenero break, this is the closest and cheapest place to get some waves. When the swell is small, this is the best place for beginners to learn. There is a mixture of rights and lefts, but be careful once you get close to the rocks because it gets pretty shallow pretty quick. Those with no experience should still go out with someone who knows what they are doing since the waves are especially heavy and the current is strong. When there is a swell this place can be better than Carenero, with faster, more powerful waves and longer rides.

b. A water taxi should be $2 each way to get taken directly to the break. To save a buck, paddle in through the channel and walk 10 minutes back to Aqua Lounge, then take a $1 taxi back to Bocas.

General Advice

Taxis:

• When taking a water taxi always sort out the rate beforehand – clarify if it’s for just there or there and back. Try using your Spanish and always remember that a lot of the time you will be perceived as a rich Gringo so don’t get agro – most of the boatman are trying to feed families.
• Always pay on the return leg if you’re taking one, as this guarantees the boatman’s return. Though he may need some advance money to pay for gas.
• Some boatmen will be better than others, some having grown up in Bocas as fisherman but others came here and bought a boat to make money, thus knowing less about the areas reefs. But you shouldn’t be in danger as the captains really care about keeping their boats safe.

Reefs:

• Coral is sharp and cuts should be properly disinfected and in an ideal world kept dry to help them heal. Salt water heals, sea water doesn’t. Especially here where the water temperature means the sea is full of live bacteria.
• Urchins hurt! A lot! Don’t stand up on the rocky reefs because they are full of thorny urchins that will leave their painfully stinging spikes in your feet. If you do get stuck don’t worry, the spikes will come out eventually, just be sure to properly disinfect the wound.

Lastly, don’t bring your wave hassle hat here. It’s the Caribbean, so relax, waves come and go.

 

Other fun things to do in Bocas

 

• Go on a boat tour

a.     The standard tour is $15-$20 and takes you to Red Frog Beach, Dolphin Bay (to see dolphins), and Coral Cay (a good snorkeling spot.)  This is definitely worth the money.

b.     There is also a tour offered to Isla Zapatilla.  So beautiful.  Read the description of the island in the beach section.  This is a $20 boat tour.  Zapatilla is a national park so there is often a guy collecting $5-10 a person.  Hopefully you’re lucky and there’s no one there.  Be sure to organize this fee beforehand because a lot of the captains can get this price down to $1.

c.     You can also customize a tour depending on how many people you are with.

d.     If you can get a group together, you can get a better price to go see dolphins and go to Zapatilla.

• Go Snorkeling

a.     Hospital point is a good spot, especially if you only want to go out for a few hours.  It will probably be around $8 a person to get there and back, depending on how many people you are with.

b.     Punta Manglar is also a good spot.  It costs about $6 round trip.  It is best to talk to Bocas Water Sports about going here.  They can sort you out with snorkeling gear as well.

c.     Crawl Cay is the spot you go to on a boat tour.

• Go Scuba diving

a.     There are three very good dive operators.  La Buga, Bocas Water Sports and Starfleet Scuba.  Each of them offer two-tank dives for $60.  They offer a full day tour and two dives for $60.  The tour includes stops at Dolphin Bay and Red Frog Beach as well as the two dives.  You can also get certified in only three days.

• Kayak around the island.

a.     You can rent kayaks at Barco Hundido or Restaurant Bibi’s on Carenero island.  Ask us and we’ll help you reserve this one.

• Go on a bike ride

a.     The best bike ride is through the island to Boca del Drago.  It is a paved road with lots of hills.  It’s a beautiful ride and a great way to get exercise while you’re here.  There is a restaurant at Drago where you can get out of the heat and relax.

b.     You can also bike to Playa bluff.  It is a great ride but can get really muddy if it has been raining.

c.     Bike rentals are usually $10 a day or $2 an hour.

• La Gruta (The Cave)

a.     Explore the cave full of bats and water up to your waist.  Good fun.

b.     It is one dollar to get in, and they give you a flashlight.

c.     Take the road to Drago, and the cave is about 6 km in.

d.     Make sure you hit up both caves.

• Go fishing

a.     There are a couple of tour companies that offer deep-sea fishing but it is pricey.  For the budget traveler, talk to a few boat captains to see who has fishing lines and would like to take you fishing.  The hand line method that they use locally can be tricky, even for the most experienced rod fisherman.

b.     And if even that breaks the bank pull up to a dock with lots of activity under it and toss your line out.

c.     For best results, get up with the sun or be prepared to miss happy hour.

• Swim

a.     Boca del Drago is nice for swimming if you want to go spend the day.  Isla Carenero has some good swimming spots as well.  Red Frog is great for swimming whereas Wizard Beach is fairly dangerous. The main beach is a pretty good swimming beach if you’re just looking to get wet.  If you just want to take a quick dip walk across the street to Rip Tide and hop in.  You can also chill on the boat, sip on a drink and remember that you’re in the Caribbean.

• Learn Spanish

a.     Ask us about lessons.  We can arrange for the cheapest on the island.

• Enjoy the people, the culture

a.     Bocas is a place full of great people with many different traditions and backgrounds.  Take a walk through the residential parts of town when the sun is going down.  There are tons of people relaxing on their porch, and kids running in the streets.

• Go to the Bay of Saigon

a.     The sunsets are gorgeous if it is clear.  It is also a great place to go on a starry night.

b.     It takes 15 minutes to get there by foot.

• Trek the Mimbi Timbi

a.     Recommended only for the brave and those with excellent directional skills.

b.     Take the road past Bluff and continue on the trail that skirts along the water. MimbiTimbi is a nature lovers dream; the area is flush with caves and caverns housing stalactites, stalagmites, spiders, snakes, and bats. Along the way, be sure to swing from one of the vines while pounding your chest and yelling in monkeylike wails, “Bocas del Toro es mi amor.”

c.     Do not attempt this trek without at least six hours of daylight and plenty of water to spare. Recommended with a bike (but you’ll be carrying the bike part of the way…remember no whiners)

d.     Towards the end of the adventure, if you’re not lost, you should cross a river and wander into a home site with dirt road access; follow the road in the direction that you’ve been traveling and you will reach Boca del Drago.

e.     Bring food, water and a flashlight just in case.

 

Travel Information

 

To Get to Costa Rica

 

• The easiest but most expensive way to get to San Jose is to take a flight from the Bocas airport, which is around $150.
• The second easiest way, and most recommended by Mondo, is to take a shuttle.  Caribe Shuttle is the ideal option to get to Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, or San Jose from Mondo Taitu.  Prices are ~$30 for the first two and ~$50 for San Jose.  Caribe Shuttle offers door to door service in a comfortable shuttle bus and handles all the traveling headaches for you.
• The cheapest way to get to Costa Rica is via boat-taxi-buses, which will be a bit less than the shuttle (though up to double the time and with many stops) and generally not worth the few dollars you save.

Bocas -– San Jose Direct

• Take the 8:00 am boat from Bocas to Almirante. Take a taxi from the dock to the bus station, and take a bus to Changuinola. OR you can take a taxi straight to Changuinola for about $5 per person.  From here there is a non-stop bus that leaves at 10:00 (Panama time) from Changuinola and arrives in San Jose at 4:30 (costa rica time).

Bocas – San Jose Indirect

• As long as you leave Bocas before around noon you can get to San Jose in the same day. To do this, get to Changuinola (as described above) and then take another bus to the border. From there, buses leave as follows.

Departs Sixiola (border)                            Arrival in San Jose

6:00                                                                      11:30

8:00                                                                      13:30

10:00                                                                    15:30

15:00                                                                     20:30

 

Bocas – Puerto Viejo/Cahuita

• Best Option:  Caribe Shuttle for around $30.  Door to Door Service, boat ride included and you can book right at Mondo.

• Bus Option:  Take a boat from Bocas to Almirante (which leaves every ½ hour), then take a taxi from the dock to the bus station. From there take a bus to Changuinola (1 hr) and then another to the border. From there, the bus schedule is as follows:

Sixiola (border) departs to BriBri, Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, Limon

6:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 18:00

 

Bocas – Almirante water taxi

• $5.00, leaving every ½ hour starting at 6:00 am through 6:30 pm. Bocas Marine Tours and Jampan offer the same service for the same price.

 

To Get to Panama City

 

Flying

• The fastest and easiest way to get to Panama City is to take a flight. The price is around $120 (including taxes, but can fluctuate), and flights are available in the morning and evening every day of the week. It is a good idea to book your flight in advance, and even better to book it in advance in person. The airport is only a five minute walk from Mondo Taitu. Note: Air Panama serves free wine.

Overland

• The cheapest and most common way to get to the city is to take an overnight bus. You can purchase this ticket ahead of time at the Tour Guide Store across the street from the Police Station. The bus leaves Almirante at 8 am and 7pm, so it’s a good idea to leave Bocas at least one hour before. At the Almirante water taxi dock, a taxi will take you to the bus station (5min/$1), and from there the bus will take you to the Albrook Bus Terminal in Panama City (~10 hours)

• To get to David, take a bus from the bus station in Almirante. The buses leave about every hour, and take roughly 4 hours to arrive to David. From here you can continue your trip to Panama City anytime, day or night.

 

Other Useful Information

 

Car Taxi Rates

Each Way

Between downtown and Smithsonian                                                                      75 cents

Between downtown and the hospital                                                                       60 cents

Between downtown and the Smithsonian after dark                                                      $1

Downtown to y griega                                                                                                     $2

Downtown to Paunch or Bluff              (entire taxi) roundtrip                               $15-$40

 

Water Taxi Rates

Each Way

Isla Carenero                                                                                                               $1.50

Old Bank (Bastimentos)                                                                                             $4

Wizzard Beach                                                                                                           $6

Paunch                                                                                                                        $6

Red Frog Beach                                                                                                          $6

 

 

 

 

Important Phone Numbers

 

Police                                                      104/757-9217/757-

Fire                                                          103

Hospital                                                  757-9201                                                       

Airport                                                    757-9208

Information                                            102/757-9642

Aeroperlas                                              315-7500

Air Panama                                             316-9000

The Bank                                                757-9230

Canadadian Embassy                             264-9731

US Embassy                                           207-7000

UK Embassy                                          269-0866

Mondo Taitu                                          757-9425

Hostel Heike                                          757-9708

 

 

ATM Locations & Bank Information

There is only one ATM location on Isla Colon.  It is located at the bank.   Take a left out of Mondo’s bar door, make your first right, and the bank will be two blocks ahead on the right hand side.

The Bank is open from 8-2 M-F and from 8-12 on Saturday.  It is closed on Sunday.  If you want to cash traveler’s checks, be sure to talk to a representative on the right side of the bank before you wait in the line.

 

Changing Currency

 

The only spot in town to change Colones is at the pharmacy Almacen Rosa Blanca, located at the end of the street on the left. They charge around 10% to exchange Colones to Dollars. If this sounds a little steep, find some fellow travelers who are going to Costa Rica and exchange with them.  Rosa Blanca also gives cash advances on credit cards, so if your card isn’t working at the ATM try the pharmacy.

Please do inform us if you notice any wrong information in this guide, as we want this guide to be as helpful as possible.  Thanks!