Blogs from Coclé, Panama, Central America Caribbean

This was my first destination in Panama and my first trip abroad during COVID. So first, here are a few observations about traveling here “in these unprecedented times,” as of June 27th, 2021: - Towns like El Valle desperately want tourists. - You have to wear a mask outside your home. Everyone complies but no one gives you a hard time if you lower it when you’re nowhere near anyone. - I was the only foreign tourist in town. On Saturday night and Sunday there is an influx of tourists from Panama City - many of them perpetually drunk - so it’s best to visit during the week. - During June and July it is usually partly sunny during the day and then showers or thunderstorms move in sometime after 2PM. - There were at least ... read more

Geo: 8.6, -80.1333 19th February - 10th MarchWe arrived in Boquete and queued at the Taxi stand. A Taxi pulled up, and although we had been there first, everyone else, 5 individuals, all jumped into the Taxi and off it went. People share the Taxis so it was a matter of getting in first, something we could not achieve with our bags! After observing this a few times we decided it was not going to work. I had seen other Taxis turn a corner from the main road a little way off so Jim and I hauled the bags between us to the side of that road and, in desperation, when the next taxi came round the corner I jumped out in front of it waving my arms. Thankfully it stopped, was free and the driver ... read more

Sunday, February 24th Playa El Palmar, San Carlos We arrived in Panama City last night at 7:15 pm.(EST) right on time. The flight was six and half hours long but we can't say enough good things about Copa Airlines. The plane was new, with mini televisions in the back of each headrest that offered four new movie releases, movie classics, sitcoms, comedies, and games. Also, we were pleasantly surprised when the crew served lunch and dinner as well as complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks. We highly recommed Copa Airlines in your future travel plans. Tocumen International Airport is modern and easy to navigate. We made it through customs in no time at all, and found Budget Rental Car located right outside the doors that exited customs. The car rental representative was very nice and helpful, ... read more

Thursday morning we packed all our stuff into shared suitcases and then let Uncle Don figure out how to magically fit it all into the van. Then we headed out for lunch with Aleyda at her uncle’s restaurant. The food was very yummy. The vegetarians had beans, rice, and fried banana. Everyone else had sancocho a chicken soup made from, as I understand it, old, tough chickens. They all concur that it was delicious. Then we headed out on the couple hour trip to El Valle. Allie and I hitched a ride with Kendi and Miguel so the trip was more comfortable for everyone involved. The bed and breakfast we stayed at, La Rana Dorada (or Golden Frog Inn) was beautiful. It had lots of incredible flowers and trees, a little kitchen for us to use ... read more

As I write this, I can hear the sounds of a steel band playing for Carnival. (Later: it turned out to be a recording.) Earlier, near the beach, I saw drummers playing for a woman dancing in a splashy, skimpy top and bottom and feather head-dress. Beside her, a group of young people danced and threw themselves in the wet sand “mud” created by a fire hose on a small tanker truck. According to Pedro, this is a great tradition of Carnival. Later, we found the main bar, with good live, jazzy music. We sat about 100 yards away to diminish the effects of the speakers! We spent this afternoon almost exactly as yesterday afternoon: walk, then swimming and drinking margaritas while reading. The sky is not sunny today, though. Heavy cloud covers most of the ... read more