> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # First Taste of Panama – Bocas and The Underwater Garden - URL: https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/panama-bocas-underwater-garden/ - Published: 2017-09-03T16:28:48.000Z - Updated: 2021-01-08T17:31:53.000Z - Author: Nikki Wynn - Tags: Adventures, Panama, Boat Life, All Videos, #wp, #Import 2023-10-03 16:11, #Import 2023-12-05 14:16 This is our first time in Panama, much less Central America. To be honest, we don’t know much about it (yet). But that’s the way most of our travels go. Curiosity has brought us here and it’s our mission to search, explore, discover and learn about our new locale. **ex·plo·ra·tion** ˌekspləˈrāSH(ə)n/ noun The action of traveling in or through an unfamiliar area in order to learn about it. “voyages of exploration” synonyms: investigation, study, survey, research, inspection, examination, scrutiny, observation; consideration, analysis, review, expedition, trip, journey, voyage; archaic peregrination; travels We’re void of any Panamanian presumptions and our senses are wide open. We’re in the sponge stage, just soaking it all in. Bocas, or Bocas Town as the locals call their island, is located in the far northeastern side of Panama. The Hostels are bountiful as is the mix of European backpackers and local gringos. It’s a little bit of the “tourist hustle” (you need a taxi? snorkel? SCUBA? surf? chocolate tour? Red Frog beach?…) and a whole lot of authentic Caribbean color. The rhythm here is unique and contradictory. The streets are loud and the waterways are busy. The panga’s zoom from all directions, the music pulses from hip hangouts and yet the groove here is unmistakably island time. It’s one of those places you plan to visit for a few days and end up staying a few weeks. It’s bananas in every sense of the word, but I suppose that should be expected. This is the home of Miss Chiquita. ![downtown bocas town](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/26/e9265740-cf9f-4d22-8ec3-333b3b0a4788/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20170802-_DSC0200_bocas-panama.jpg) ![bocas del toro panama](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/26/e9265740-cf9f-4d22-8ec3-333b3b0a4788/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20170802-_DSC0213_bocas-panama.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/26/e9265740-cf9f-4d22-8ec3-333b3b0a4788/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20170804-LJLM3863_bocas-panama.jpg) ![colorful Caribbean scene](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/26/e9265740-cf9f-4d22-8ec3-333b3b0a4788/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20170804-BFAQ1561_bocas-panama.jpg) ![culture in Bocas Town](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/26/e9265740-cf9f-4d22-8ec3-333b3b0a4788/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20170804-GGMP7141_bocas-panama.jpg) ![beach in bocas town](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/26/e9265740-cf9f-4d22-8ec3-333b3b0a4788/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20170802-_DSC0250_bocas-panama.jpg) ![bocas del toro panama](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/26/e9265740-cf9f-4d22-8ec3-333b3b0a4788/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20170802-_DSC0249_bocas-panama.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/26/e9265740-cf9f-4d22-8ec3-333b3b0a4788/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20170804-IMG_0440_bocas-panama.jpg) **Fruits and Veggies Galore!** The street vendors at the park, the Legumbreria Jose and Super Gourmet are where it’s at for provisions. Their prices are the best as is the selection compared to the typical grocery stores in town. ![shopping for fruit in bocas](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/26/e9265740-cf9f-4d22-8ec3-333b3b0a4788/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20170804-IODS5744_bocas-panama.jpg) Another satisfied and fully loaded customer leaving the Legumbreria Jose. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/26/e9265740-cf9f-4d22-8ec3-333b3b0a4788/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20170807-C0030T01_bocas-panama.jpg) Learning about the pifa (peach palm) fruit. ![bocas del toro panama](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/26/e9265740-cf9f-4d22-8ec3-333b3b0a4788/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20170802-_DSC0231_bocas-panama.jpg) There is nothing super or Hawaiian about this place…but it looks neat from the outside! ### Sailing Report To see our full map with interactive pins, click here: [gonewiththewynns.com/map](https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/map) ![panama sailing map](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/26/e9265740-cf9f-4d22-8ec3-333b3b0a4788/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/bocas-1024x505.png) - Dates: August 2 – 7, 2017 - Nautical Miles Sailed: 235 - Anchorage: Bocas Del Toro North. This is a full and very busy anchorage with all of the water taxis but the access to town is hard to beat. This spot can be found easily on Active Captain. ### **Sips & Bites** We’re not Bocas experts by any means, but we do know good food. We had a wonderful “from scratch” lunch and watermelon smoothie at **Cafe del Mar**. The **Bocas Brewery** was in a transitional phase (it’s off season now) so they only had the one beer on tap…but it was top notch. The owners promised they’d be brewing like crazy and back open in a month, I *really* hope we get to go back. Another spot is **El Ultimo Refugio**, we didn’t get to eat here but literally everyone said it’s the best spot in town. ### **Cell & WiFi** There are a few different choices when it comes to data and getting a sim card for our phone. The biggest difference is coverage; which carrier works on which islands. Most are around $15 for 2 gigs of data. We use an app called OpenSignal to see the coverage for each carrier. This helps us to know which provider we need for where we are headed next. Thanks to the app we ended up purchasing a +Movil card and it’s been working pretty well. FYI – at this point Bocas doesn’t have 4g coverage, so even the most expensive data plans aren’t fast compared to USA standards. ### Gear Used In This Video - - All of our fave gear – [ gonewiththewynns.com/store ](https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/store) - Quatix 5 Watches: [Garmin Wearables ](http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-8389711-12798721?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) - Chartplotter: [Garmin 7612xsv Multi-touch](http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-8389711-12945564?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) More on this soon too, we’re still learning and figuring it all out. - iPad Mount at Helm: [http://amzn.to/2fT84PG](http://amzn.to/2fT84PG?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) Using iPad Pro: [http://amzn.to/2d9Oopf ](http://amzn.to/2d9Oopf%20%20%20?ref=gonewiththewynns.com)With These Sailing Apps: - iNavx: [http://bit.ly/2vGgC51](http://bit.ly/2vGgC51?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) - Garmin Bluecharts with Active Captain: [http://bit.ly/2tgnRmA](http://bit.ly/2tgnRmA?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) - Iridium Go and Predict Wind for weather and communications: [bit.ly/PredictWindIridium](http://bit.ly/PredictWindIridium?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) ### Snorkel / Freedive Gear - Nikki - Hammerhead Free-Dive Mask With Camera Mount [http://amzn.to/2d5C6SB](http://amzn.to/2d5C6SB?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) - Hammerhead Free-Dive J Snorkel: [http://amzn.to/2cjh3dV](http://amzn.to/2cjh3dV?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) - Nikki’s Sporasub Freediving Fins: [ http://amzn.to/2kIYmlf](http://amzn.to/2kIYmlf?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) - Jason - Atomic Mask: [http://amzn.to/2uuqsZf](http://amzn.to/2uuqsZf?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) - Omer Snorkel: [http://amzn.to/2uxCjEb](http://amzn.to/2uxCjEb?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) - Omer Freediving Fins: [http://amzn.to/2kIhljK](http://amzn.to/2kIhljK?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) - Spearfishing: - Hawaiian Sling Spear: [http://amzn.to/2hIBfHb](http://amzn.to/2hIBfHb?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) - Cut Resistant Gloves: [http://amzn.to/2uxZWfM](http://amzn.to/2uxZWfM?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) ### Cameras Used to Capture This Video - Main Camera – Sony A7ii: [http://bit.ly/a7rii-sony](http://bit.ly/a7rii-sony?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) - Sony Zoom Mic: - Sony 24 – 70mm f4 lens: [http://bit.ly/2470-zeiss](http://bit.ly/2470-zeiss?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) - Sony rx100 with Underwater Housing: [http://amzn.to/2xG43rn](http://amzn.to/2xG43rn?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) - iPhone 7 plus with olloclilp fish eye and wide angle lens (the new iphone is waterproof and is almost always with us, so it is the perfect backup camera. Plus, I was shocked at how good the audio is, even with wind and engine noise from the dinghy) : [http://bit.ly/2vBDUMP](http://bit.ly/2vBDUMP?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) - DJI Mavic Pro: [http://amzn.to/2vUFXa6](http://amzn.to/2vUFXa6?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) - Underwater Footage, Sony Action Cam: [http://bit.ly/sony-as300](http://bit.ly/sony-as300?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) - All of our photo and editing gear: [gonewiththewynns.com/best-travel-camera-video-photography](https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/best-travel-camera-video-photography/) ### The Crew Dale and Justin are [Patreon’s ](https://www.patreon.com/the%5Fwynns?ref=gonewiththewynns.com)and won a place on this voyage from our recent Crew Call. Want to know more about them? You can find them here: - YouTube (their video submission) – [youtube.com/channel/UC5JTLYjTrJC5TJl9\_KJPD4g](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2rfxjhtTBU&t=41s&ref=gonewiththewynns.com) - Instagram –[ instagram.com/djsdives/](https://www.instagram.com/djsdives/?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) - Twitter – [twitter.com/DjsDives](https://twitter.com/DjsDives?ref=gonewiththewynns.com) **Thanks for joining us! If you liked this video and want to help us keep the videos and posts flowing, check out our [Say Thanks ](https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/tip-jar)page. It lists out some ways you can show us some digital love and most won’t cost you a penny.**