BOCAS DEL TORO (PANAMÁ)
These pics are from Isla Colón, the largest island in the archipelago of Bocas del Toro, just off the Caribbean coast. Unlike most of Panama, there is not much of a dry season here at any time of year, but fortunately most of the rain occurs at night.

First, some beach pictures...





There were some sizable waves with the surf zone very close to the beach (and very strong rip currents)...





A boat was just outside the surf zone!



Small bay looking towards the town of Bocas del Toro (to the right)--another island is to the left. Note that the mountains on the mainland of Panama (to the south) are somewhat visible in the background...



Narrow strip of land that connects the town of Bocas del Toro with the rest of Isla Colón. The mountains on the mainland are more easily visible here...



A dusk view of a beach along the bay near the town...



Balsa trees (Ochroma pyramidale) near the beach. The balsa tree is one of the most common pioneer trees in Panama...



Nearby kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra) in bloom...



Very large sea grapes (Coccoloba uvifera)...



Creative name for a hostel!



A pre-Carnival event was happening in the town of Bocas del Toro (Feb. 21, 2011). Devils were parading through the streets (with some getting into staged fights)...



The airport in Bocas del Toro, despite having commercial flights, had open access to the runway!



View of the airport/runway from a baseball field...



Finally, a white teak (Gmelina arborea) in Bocas del Toro. This is a nearly leafless tree (in February) with red and yellow blooms of the Bignonia family and is actually from Southeast Asia, even though it's common (and naturalizing) in Panama...





All of the above pictures on this page were taken in February 2011 by Brandt Maxwell.

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