Blatts in Panama: Bocas del Toro

Torrential rain followed us on our drive from San Jose, Costa Rica, five hours to the border, then plagued us as we continued into Panama and on the speedy ferry to Bocas del Toro.  By the time we arrived at our too expensive, cat-pee smelling, tiny hotel room (Hotel Olas--never go there) we were soggy and too tired to change hotels.

But the next day was almost heavenly in comparison. (until the last little bit...more to come) We moved to the functional and clean Hotel Cristina.  A short, 20 minute bus ride ($2.50 pp/each way) took us to Playa Drago.

There, we trudged through the wild jungle along the beach for about twenty minutes until the rain abated and we reached the sparkling, transparent waters of PLAYA ESTRELLA.  

When we arrived at the beach, like Dorothy arriving in Oz, the darkened skies suddenly turned to blue and reflected in the clear,placid water.  

Orange starfish dotted the shore and we dipped in the tranquil Caribbean Sea and snorkeled. The water was the perfect temperature and we felt like we could have floated on our backs for days... 

 ...Until, Steve's shouts of pain broke the quiet.  He'd been stung across the cheek and ear by a large jellyfish!  He tried everything: urine, ibuprofen, antihistamine, vinegar and ammonia---It all eased the sting a bit, but the scar lingered  for days!  
 

The next morning the downpours reappeared in earnest, flummoxing our plans to snorkel, dolphin watch and island hop. We decided to cut bait and head on to Boquete.

Bocas del Toro, overall, is touristy, but worth the trip to see beautiful Playa Estrella.