THE ISLANDS


The islands


  1 - Swans Cay or Bird Island:      Birdswatching
It is a small cay out in the sea, where several sea birds (boobies, tropic birds, seagulls, pelicans) nest and stay.

  2 - Boca del Drago - Soropta Chanel:      Birdswatching, snorkelling, beach, restaurant
Boca del Drago is an old village with beautiful beaches. The Soropta Chanel goes inside of the San San Pondsack Reserve (wetland) where we may view the fauna and flora of this special ecosystem.

  3 - Bluff Beach:      Beach, surf, marine turtles nesting
The best beach of the region, white sand and a forest just accross the road. Marine Turtles (leatherbacks, hawksbills, greens) come to nest from April to September.

  4 - Hospital Point:      Snorkelling, scuba diving, beach
It is on the Solarte Cay western end. Tiny beach and beautiful coral reef for great snorkelling and scuba diving.

  5 - San Cristobal:      Indian village, snorkelling, scuba diving
One of the more important ngobe indian villages. Local handicrafts. Just in front of the community is a good spot for snorkelling and scuba diving.

  6 - The Garden:      Snorkelling, scuba diving
One of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkelling. Along the southern coast of Solarte Cay.

  7 - Bocatorito:      Dolphins watch, restaurant, indian community.
Calm bay waters surrounded by mangroves. Good for watching dolphins. Small picturesque village with a very good restaurant.

  8 - Marine Park Mangroves:      Snorkelling, mangroves
Along the southern coasts of Solarte Cay and Bastimentos Island is this impressive region of mangrove islets in a lagoon like scenery. Snorkelling viewing the mangrove roots, this beautiful underwater environment is a must see.

  9 - Coral Cay:      Snorkelling, scuba diving, restaurant
Snorkelling and scuba diving paradise in the multiple coral reefs that surround this cay. Here is a well known restaurant specialized in seafood.

10 - Red Frog Trail and Beach:      Birds and frogs watching, beach, hiking
After leaving you boat on the southern coast of Bastimentos island, a well maintenned trail brings you through the rainforest to the other side of the island, where a magnificent white sand beach awaits for you. In the forest look for the fantastic red dart poison frogs.

11 - Bahia Honda:      Sloths watching, trail in the forest, restaurant
Probably one of the best trails of the region, a mix of water and land trail, is here. Sure views of sloths, some times with their babies. A big grout with a community of bats is at the end. Good restaurant in the ngobe community.

12 - Long Beach:      Beach, surf, marine turtles nesting
White sandy beach inside of the Marine Park, good for surfing and marine turtles watching during the nesting season (April to September). The access is not easy except by land, using a local guide.

13 - Salt Creek:      Indian village, trail in the forest, bird watching
Other important ngobe indian village of the Archipelago. Here, you may hire a local guide to hike the rainforest trail that ends at Long Beach. Chances are good that you sill see small mammals, birds and reptils. The guides also know about traditional medicinal plants.

14 - Zapatillas Cays:      Marine Park, snorkelling, scuba diving, beach, hiking
The jewels of the Marine Park. Home base of the Park rangers and several conservation activities. A small trail runs you through a tiny forest. Good coral reefs with caves form a barrier where the waves explode in a spectacular show of the power of nature. When the sea is calm it is a very good spot for scuba diving.

15 - Sandubidi (Popa 2):      Indian village, trail, mangroves watching, restaurant
Ngobe indian community in the Popa island, in the center of the Archipelago. Here you can hire a guide to see the fauna and flora of the rainforest or, by yourself, walk in the elevated wooden way of the "Mangroves Demonstrative Trail". There are a restaurant and a cabin, both with spectacular views of the islands, open to visitors. The local women also offer good ngobe handicrafts.