The National Marine Park of the island of Bastimentos hosted the filming of the famous Telecinco program in its 2000 edition.
Learn more about this paradise
In that paradise, which sometimes was not so paradise, the contestants of the Telecinco program "Survivientes" had to face the harshest living conditions until they found a winner of the long-awaited ten million pesetas of the prize. Well, in case you were wondering where those crystal clear waters that you could see in your receivers were, we will tell you that they were none other than those of the National Marine Park of Bastimentos Island, in Panama.
This park, created in 1988, is located north of the Panamanian province of Bocas de Toro and has an area of 13,226 hectares spread over a series of islands and islets, located between Almirante Bay (whose name honors the memory of the discoverer of America, Christopher Columbus) and the Chiriqui Lagoon. In them we will find one of the most varied Caribbean ecosystems, since it not only has impressive coral reefs and beaches dotted with coconut trees, but also with forests, swamps and mangroves in which we can find infinity of species, both plants and animals, of unmatched value and beauty.
In this place there is a wide and varied range of activities to do, but without a doubt one of the main ones is diving. You can dive from its sandy beaches, where you will find hundreds of green, leatherback, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles nesting and mating, between the months of April and September, or venture through one of its channels and explore the mangroves where, if you are lucky, you can see some dolphin.
How to get there
The easiest and fastest way to get there is to take a plane in Panama City that will take you in one hour. If you prefer to go by road, it will take you a little longer, since you have to take the Inter-American Highway to the city of Chiriqui, once there turn off onto the road that runs through Gualaca, to Chiriqui Grande. From this point and to the island of Colón you have to take a ferry, which makes the trip in approximately two hours, but make sure of the days it leaves.
You should not worry about the temperature, since the annual average is 27 ºC, but you should take into account whether you are in the wet or dry season before going there. here. The wettest seasons are from May to August and from November to January. The dry seasons run from February to April and during September and October.
The first place you should go if you decide to go to this paradisiacal place and live your own underwater adventure is the city of Bocas del Bull. There, in addition to interesting indigenous cultural samples, both artistic, folkloric or architectural, you can find hotels for all tastes and budgets, restaurants, international telephone service and, what interests us most, equipment rental for immersions, taxis (land and water). ) and guide services. Not everyone has to suffer the hardships of the Telecinco contestants to enjoy the fauna and flora of these Caribbean islands.
Underwater life
The underwater beauty of this place will amaze you, although it is not easily accessible (especially if you arrive by land). In both the northern and southern areas of Cayo Zapatilla you can enjoy one of the few regions in South America where the ecosystem has been preserved, while exploring waters full of history, not in vain, and like many other places in the world. Caribbean, it was a refuge for pirates and buccaneers since the 17th century. But don't forget to ask for a permit to visit the Marine Park first, since this entire space is, rightly, very protected.
The turquoise water of these islands is home to an abundance of fish, such as billfish, sailfish, barracudas, garfish, damselfish, rays and red snappers, and an endless number of species that will not only delight of divers but also of underwater photographers and videographers; Not to mention the anemones, sea urchins, arrowhead crabs, peppermint shrimp, moray eels, lobsters, spider starfish and sponges, of all colors and shapes, that find their home in the cavities of the coral reefs of Bocas , which have the honor of being those with the highest rate of live coverage in all of Panama.
You will find the best coral formations in Cayo Mayor, about 300 meters away. This place, called Coral Islands, is shallow (six meters), so diving is also recommended for beginners. You will be diving between islets and you will rub shoulders with snappers, angel fish, groupers, parrot fish or butterfly fish, among others.
Be sure to get behind the breakers, there you will find a wall with small caves that can reach 15 meters in depth. depth. In both places you will have to wait until the wind is not blowing from the north, since the conditions would turn against you and it is very difficult to dive in Cayos Zapatillas if that is the case.
With our feet on the ground
On the earth's surface, the variety of animals and plants is also of extreme magnitude and not all species are very friendly, and if not, ask the protagonists of "Survivors." In the swampy part we can find, for example, crocodiles, manatees, alligators, vines, coral snakes, tarpon fish and earwigs. Although in general, apart from the Marine Park, it is the sky that occupies a large part of the interests of the visitors who come there. Bird watching has become the favorite pastime of many people and Bocas del Toro is one of their favorite refuges, especially on Bird Island (Swan Key), its sanctuary, or in Swan Cay. Species such as the great frigatebird, magnificent frigatebird, various types of herons and egrets, the crab-eating hawk, the kingfisher or the brown pelican are easy to spot in this area.
If you are one of those who like to go into the jungle, you will find a peculiar landscape to say the least, especially for European eyes. Tropical and hilly rainforests facing large coastal plains, with trees of unthinkable height, leafy and dense undergrowth and species that are exotic to us, such as palms, black, red and veined mahogany. You can also visit one of the most important indigenous colonies (guaymí) in the entire area, in Quebrada de Sal. But if you walk through the Isla de Bastimentos, remember that there are no paths through the forest and, therefore, it is easy to get lost And surely you don't feel like spending three months without food, water or a way to return to "civilization" or... maybe you do?
Learn more about this paradise
In that paradise, which sometimes was not so paradise, the contestants of the Telecinco program "Survivientes" had to face the harshest living conditions until they found a winner of the long-awaited ten million pesetas of the prize. Well, in case you were wondering where those crystal clear waters that you could see in your receivers were, we will tell you that they were none other than those of the National Marine Park of Bastimentos Island, in Panama.
This park, created in 1988, is located north of the Panamanian province of Bocas de Toro and has an area of 13,226 hectares spread over a series of islands and islets, located between Almirante Bay (whose name honors the memory of the discoverer of America, Christopher Columbus) and the Chiriqui Lagoon. In them we will find one of the most varied Caribbean ecosystems, since it not only has impressive coral reefs and beaches dotted with coconut trees, but also with forests, swamps and mangroves in which we can find infinity of species, both plants and animals, of unmatched value and beauty.
In this place there is a wide and varied range of activities to do, but without a doubt one of the main ones is diving. You can dive from its sandy beaches, where you will find hundreds of green, leatherback, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles nesting and mating, between the months of April and September, or venture through one of its channels and explore the mangroves where, if you are lucky, you can see some dolphin.
How to get there
The easiest and fastest way to get there is to take a plane in Panama City that will take you in one hour. If you prefer to go by road, it will take you a little longer, since you have to take the Inter-American Highway to the city of Chiriqui, once there turn off onto the road that runs through Gualaca, to Chiriqui Grande. From this point and to the island of Colón you have to take a ferry, which makes the trip in approximately two hours, but make sure of the days it leaves.
You should not worry about the temperature, since the annual average is 27 ºC, but you should take into account whether you are in the wet or dry season before going there. here. The wettest seasons are from May to August and from November to January. The dry seasons run from February to April and during September and October.
The first place you should go if you decide to go to this paradisiacal place and live your own underwater adventure is the city of Bocas del Bull. There, in addition to interesting indigenous cultural samples, both artistic, folkloric or architectural, you can find hotels for all tastes and budgets, restaurants, international telephone service and, what interests us most, equipment rental for immersions, taxis (land and water). ) and guide services. Not everyone has to suffer the hardships of the Telecinco contestants to enjoy the fauna and flora of these Caribbean islands.
Underwater life
The underwater beauty of this place will amaze you, although it is not easily accessible (especially if you arrive by land). In both the northern and southern areas of Cayo Zapatilla you can enjoy one of the few regions in South America where the ecosystem has been preserved, while exploring waters full of history, not in vain, and like many other places in the world. Caribbean, it was a refuge for pirates and buccaneers since the 17th century. But don't forget to ask for a permit to visit the Marine Park first, since this entire space is, rightly, very protected.
The turquoise water of these islands is home to an abundance of fish, such as billfish, sailfish, barracudas, garfish, damselfish, rays and red snappers, and an endless number of species that will not only delight of divers but also of underwater photographers and videographers; Not to mention the anemones, sea urchins, arrowhead crabs, peppermint shrimp, moray eels, lobsters, spider starfish and sponges, of all colors and shapes, that find their home in the cavities of the coral reefs of Bocas , which have the honor of being those with the highest rate of live coverage in all of Panama.
You will find the best coral formations in Cayo Mayor, about 300 meters away. This place, called Coral Islands, is shallow (six meters), so diving is also recommended for beginners. You will be diving between islets and you will rub shoulders with snappers, angel fish, groupers, parrot fish or butterfly fish, among others.
Be sure to get behind the breakers, there you will find a wall with small caves that can reach 15 meters in depth. depth. In both places you will have to wait until the wind is not blowing from the north, since the conditions would turn against you and it is very difficult to dive in Cayos Zapatillas if that is the case.
With our feet on the ground
On the earth's surface, the variety of animals and plants is also of extreme magnitude and not all species are very friendly, and if not, ask the protagonists of "Survivors." In the swampy part we can find, for example, crocodiles, manatees, alligators, vines, coral snakes, tarpon fish and earwigs. Although in general, apart from the Marine Park, it is the sky that occupies a large part of the interests of the visitors who come there. Bird watching has become the favorite pastime of many people and Bocas del Toro is one of their favorite refuges, especially on Bird Island (Swan Key), its sanctuary, or in Swan Cay. Species such as the great frigatebird, magnificent frigatebird, various types of herons and egrets, the crab-eating hawk, the kingfisher or the brown pelican are easy to spot in this area.
If you are one of those who like to go into the jungle, you will find a peculiar landscape to say the least, especially for European eyes. Tropical and hilly rainforests facing large coastal plains, with trees of unthinkable height, leafy and dense undergrowth and species that are exotic to us, such as palms, black, red and veined mahogany. You can also visit one of the most important indigenous colonies (guaymí) in the entire area, in Quebrada de Sal. But if you walk through the Isla de Bastimentos, remember that there are no paths through the forest and, therefore, it is easy to get lost And surely you don't feel like spending three months without food, water or a way to return to "civilization" or... maybe you do?
