IL Postcard

Bohemian Beachbum Bocas…Still Worth It, but Proceed With Caution

Date: 11/08/2007

November 9, 2007
Panama City, Panama

One of our favorite places in Panama is Bocas del Toro. Once the destination of few locals, surfers, and only the most daring backpackers, Bocas now gets too much attention to call it a secret. In past years, the mainstream media have touted its small, perfect beaches and Caribbean lifestyle. But lately all that media attention is turning negative. Buying property in Bocas can be downright frustrating, and individuals and large resorts with high-profile land disputes here have added to the media storm. Do we still love Bocas? Absolutely. Is it worth going there? Yes…but we have some words of caution for you before you proceed.

Perhaps the most beautiful of Panama's nine provinces, Bocas del Toro (which means "Mouths of the Bull") used to be the least known of them all. As recently as 10 years ago, few Panamanians had visited there, as Bocas del Toro's location has, historically, had much to do with its relative anonymity. The part-mainland, part-island province is on Panama's Caribbean coast, bordering Costa Rica and far from the capital (the Bocas archipelago lies 300 miles northwest of Panama City). Of the archipelago's nearly 10,000 islands, there are about nine main islands that are now getting a great deal of attention—both locally and internationally.

Buyer Beware…Getting Property in Bocas

Getting clear title to property in Bocas can be problematic (or a downright disaster) if you're not careful. Most of the property in and around Bocas del Toro is owned by the government or run by Ngobe-Bugle indigenous tribes as part of their reserve lands.

But Bocas is not a lost cause. There is titled property here, much of which is scattered throughout Isla Colon. A number of developers—many of them reputable—are at work here, trying to capitalize on the speculative nature of the land. Even though scandals have scared some potential buyers away (the myor of Bocas was arrested and sentenced in 2006 for taking part in a property swindle), not everyone here is a crook…not by a long shot. We'd venture that most everyone in Bocas is trying to make an honest buck while living in "paradise."

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Interested in learning more? Read all about Bocas del Toro in this month's edition of Panama Insider, a publication for people like you , who are seriously considering a move to Panama. If you think finding property in Bocas is impossible—think again—we found property for sale at low prices. If you dream of living on a Caribbean white-sand beach, Bocas still makes sense. Find out which islands are the most popular, why some buys are safer than others, and which properties you should steer clear from in the full article, featured in the current issue of Panama Insider . Not a subscriber? It's easy…find out more here .

Best regards,

Jessica Ramesch
Editor, Panama Insider