What is the culture of Bocas Del Toro, Panama?
Lourdes Townshend
Bocas del Toro, Republic of Panamá
Since the 15th century, Panamá has been rich in history and tradition, and a center for commerce and trade, until today, with one of the "Eight Wonders of the World", the Panamá Canal.
Panamá has one of the most beautiful natural forests, fauna and flora anywhere. Its economy is the envy of most countries, including those in the G-9 Group, due...
Bocas del Toro, Republic of Panamá
Since the 15th century, Panamá has been rich in history and tradition, and a center for commerce and trade, until today, with one of the "Eight Wonders of the World", the Panamá Canal.
Panamá has one of the most beautiful natural forests, fauna and flora anywhere. Its economy is the envy of most countries, including those in the G-9 Group, due its outstanding growth in the middle of the global economic crisis.
Bocas del Toro is a beautiful province, situated North of the country, by the Atlantic Ocean. Thousands of visitors come year round to enjoy their beautiful isles and culture.
Bocas del Toro has popular sports which are constantly in demand, like fishing, scuba diving, snorkling and surfing, ss well as boat tours to different isles and surrounding places.
Another great attraction in Bocas del Toro is the nightly entertainment you can find in its different places and pubs.
One things in particular that calls the outsider´s attention the folklore of Bocas del Toro, mainly their "Congo" dancers. The Congo is a very popular and joyful dance, where colorful dresses are exhibited all the time, especially in festivals like:
- International Ocean Festival, in September ( Isla Colón)
- Gastronomic festivals, in Isla Colón
- St. Joseph , in Almirante
- Triathlons
- Local holidays
- Palo de Mayo (Bastimentos in May).
- Cattle festival (Almirante)
- Our Lady of the Carmello (Catholic feast)
- Peregrination to the Grotto (Isla Colón)
- Folkloric Festival, (Isla Colón and Changuinola)
- Saint Agustin (Festival)
- "La Cuadrilla Festival (Isla Colón)
- Sport Acuatic Festivals ( Isla Colón)
- Commercial Fair (Changuinola)
- Christopher Colon Vogage festival (Isla Colón)
- Christmas Parade (Isla Colón)
Posted July 4, 2014
JB Seligman - BUENA VISTA REALTY located in BOCAS DEL TORO, PANAMA
Every island in Bocas del Toro has a different culture. For example, Bastimentos is one of the largest islands here. There is a town called on Bastimentos Island called Old Bank and most of the descendants of the inhabitants are from Jamaica or the West Indies. There is a whole different vibe over there. Then on islands like San Cristobal, it’s more of an indigenous culture. On Carenero Island, where I live, it is half-gringos and expats and half-indigenous.The local...
Every island in Bocas del Toro has a different culture. For example, Bastimentos is one of the largest islands here. There is a town called on Bastimentos Island called Old Bank and most of the descendants of the inhabitants are from Jamaica or the West Indies. There is a whole different vibe over there. Then on islands like San Cristobal, it’s more of an indigenous culture. On Carenero Island, where I live, it is half-gringos and expats and half-indigenous.The local culture of Bocas del Toro has several different indigenous Indian tribes. In Bastimentos, there would be more of the Antiles and Carib, or descendants of West Indies or Jamaica. There are expats as well.
What I like personally about living in Bocas del Toro is when I go to Old Bank in Bastimentos, it’s like going to a whole other country. It’s a totally different vibe and it’s basically more of an indigenous lifestyle. In Bocas Town, there are lots of Panamanians from the interior or the big cities, local indigenous people, and a lot of expats, foreigners and tourists.
The expats are part of the population in Bocas Town. This includes the sailing cruisers. They come in on their sailboats and realize that this is where they want to stay for some time. During the hurricane season, the marinas fill up and lots of sailing cruisers anchor out here because we don’t have hurricanes in Bocas del Toro. The sailors also like the culture and fraternize with the local people and expats. It is a really good mix, especially for somebody who’s worldly.
*In photo: Bastimentos Island Bocas del Toro, Panama
Posted April 9, 2015