Well, I just got an invite to bocas del torro. The guy lives there, has a huge house on the water and boats and all. His son is one of the better surfers on the island so they know whats up. I have been going to PR for 12 years straight but I'm breaking that tradition and heading to Panama. Anybody know whats the best time of year to go? Any and all advice is appreciated.
The winter months lights up the Caribbean side novto march and the Pacific sidr of Panama Is good during our summer
Looks sick. DO IT! check out the Drive Through videos and the On Surfari show. Both have a decent amount of info and good footage of Bocas going off.
i literally just got done researching this place last night. super jealous of your situation. that place looks phenomenal.
Nobody has been there? Where are all the globetrotters? He showed me a pic last night of his son in a head high barrel that he took that morning from the boat. I'm getting psyched already and thinking next month.
a buddy of mine goes every july & scores solid HH-OH surf every year & loves the town. takes his fiancee w/ him, so it's female friendly, unlike some other surf destinations.
i haven't been. but its been on my radar for the next surf trip. lots of draining hollow reefs right? but i thought it was a winter season. look up pictures of silverbacks looks nuts i think this was shot there http://www.surfersjournal.com/mick-fanning-between-the-horns
I was there a few years ago. Really a great place but it can go flat...it is not consistent like the west coast of Costa Rica. Fly into Panama City and then get a flight directly into Bocas...you will save yourself alot of time. I flew down to San Jose...drove to the border (can't take a rental car to another country), got a cab to a river, got on a boat to take me to Bocas, then hopped on another boat to get to the island I was staying on. I had trouble getting back into to Costa Rica...they wanted to see plane tickets showing that I was leaving. Bring some snorkel gear.
Thank you coach, this is what I'm looking for, solid advice. Did you bring your boards? He has most everything down there but I want my double board bag with me .6'0 and 6'8. Should do it.
I did not bring my board because my buddy had a pretty solid quiver to choose from....not a fan of not having my boards but because of the "long road" I took, I decided against it. Really a great town...you are going to have alot of fun...go to "Roots" for some authentic food. The only other advice is hash out the cost to bring boards...especially if you are taking a "small" plane into Bocas. Sometimes they have restrictions on what you can bring on those puddle jumpers.
thanks bro. Im firming up details now. This dude is a good friend of my brothers and things look sweet. Big house free rent, boats gear and all. His 18 year old son apparently panama jr champ couple years ago. I need a new scene and the timing couldntbe better. My girl is stoked im going, will hold down the fort and is looking towards a family trip next year. This dude is like crazy in with local govt as he has invested heavily in the island. Should be sick. Keep the info coming!
Boca has been on my list for a coupla years. But every time I go to the tropics it seems like I just automatically go to CR or PR. Props for making the Panamaniac surf trek. A trip report here, upon your return, would be read with much appreciation by many SI eyeballs!
Bring a good pair of tweezers and band aids. Reefs there are sharp and urchiny. If you paddle from a boat it is way easier, but you will do some disco dancing on the inside at times. I rode a 6'4" the whole time. It was plenty of board for mostly head to head and a half.
I'm stoked for you man, sounds like an awesome trip. A few friends and I are going in December for the first time. Planning on flying to Panama City and then taking the bus to Bocas, have a room booked in the Tropicana Lounge near the little airport. Other than that we're just kind of winging it, I'm pretty jealous you got a free place to stay with a local who has a boat. Sounds like they are going to have you all set up.
