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20-531: Changuinola is a city in the Bocas del Toro Province of Panama and seat city of the Changuinola District . The city attracts tourists as a popular gateway to Bocas Town and nearby cities Almirante and Chiriqui Grande . Changuinola is surrounded by Changuinola River and extensive banana plantations. The corregimiento of Changuinola has a land area of 96.7 square kilometres (37.3 sq mi) and had

40-458: A population of 31,223 as of 2010, giving it a population density of 323 inhabitants per square kilometre (840/sq mi). Its population as of 1990 was 33,721; its population as of 2000 was 39,896. Changuinola is a coastal location with a tropical climate , more specifically a trade-wind tropical rainforest climate . The area does not have a predictable dry season . The driest times are late August to mid-October, February, and March. Changuinola

60-518: A research station on Colón Island just northwest of Bocas Town. There are many banana plantations in Bocas del Toro, often called the oro verde , or green gold of Central America . Christopher Columbus explored the area in 1502 while searching for the passage to the Pacific Ocean . Columbus's original name for the island was Isla del Drago. In colonial times, Bocas del Toro was part of Veraguas . It

80-578: Is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. 10. www.bocasdeltoro.com Official Web Site of the Island 11. ^ http://bocasdeltoro.travel/ Official Bocas del Toro Travel Website Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park (in Spanish : Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos ) is a marine park located in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago , Panama . The park covers 13,226 hectares. The park has been managed and protected by

100-491: Is becoming famous globally for the abundance of newly constructed and affordable overwater bungalow hotels. Over the next decade, it is predicted to be a competing location to the Maldives and Tahiti for overwater bungalows. The national parks in the province are Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park (Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos), which contains most of Isla Bastimentos and some smaller nearby islands and extends into

120-601: Is humid. Thundershowers and heavy rain are common. Normal temperatures are consistent all year (Hi: 80°-84 °F, low: 71°-75 °F). Due to its low latitude, sunrise is around 6 AM, and sunset is around 6 PM local time. These times vary slightly during the year. Weather data is collected at Capitán Manuel Niño International Airport . Changuinola is accessible by air, land, or sea. Visitors can fly into Capitán Manuel Niño International Airport from Panama City by Air Panama . It has daily flights but can be delayed due to frequent thunderstorms and heavy rains. Direct flights from

140-672: Is important nesting site for sea turtles . Four species of endangered sea turtles use it as a nesting site from April through September. The rana rojo ( strawberry poison-dart frog ) also inhabits the island. It is home to over 250 species of fish and marine mammals. The turtles mostly go to Playa Larga (Long Beach), which is located at the north side of the marine park. The monkeys and sloths are seen at Quebrada de Sal (Salt Creek). The park also has nearly eighty eighty different coral species. The corals are believed to be over 10,000 years old. Wizard Beach. also known as Playa Primera, scenic yellow sand beach next to jungle reached by

160-517: Is located in Empalme, Changuinola Bocas del Toro Province Christopher Columbus and his crew first visited the area in 1502. Bocas del Toro borders the Caribbean Sea to the north, Limón Province of Costa Rica to the west, Chiriquí Province to the south, and Ngöbe-Buglé Comarca to the east. The Río Sixaola forms part of the border with Costa Rica . A newly constructed bridge spans

180-568: Is most known for its vibrant culture, beaches, rainforests, and surfing. It is estimated that 95% of the economy in Bocas del Toro is based on tourism. The most popular destinations in Bocas del Toro are the Zapatilla Islands, the Bastimentos National Marine Park , Starfish Beach, Red Frog Beach, Bluff Beach, and Hospital Point. The High-Season for tourism in Bocas del Toro is from November to April, which also coincides with

200-528: The US Virgin Islands . It is very much still a 3rd world destination that is embracing development at a typically slow and laid back pace. There are no large hotels lining the beaches or big resorts covering the islands. Instead, there are small, boutique accommodations. Common activities in Bocas del Toro include Surfing, Scuba Diving, exploring Bat Caves, learning about the local indigenous cultures, Cacao Farm tours, hiking, and nightlife. Bocas del Toro

220-593: The National Environmental Authority of Panama (ANAM) since its creation in 1988. The Cayos Zapatillas are the most popular place to visit this park. The site has an area of 13,000 hectares. It includes multiple islands including the Cayo Zapatilla Major and other minor islands. The park protects forests, mangroves, monkeys, sloths, caiman, crocodile, and 28 species of amphibians and reptiles. Playa Larga (Long Beach), on Isla Bastimentos, that

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240-556: The United States, Canada, and Mexico are not available. Buses run between Changuinola, Almirante, David and Panama City. When traveling by land, tourists coming from or going to Costa Rica must clear both Costa Rican customs in Sixaola and Panamanian customs in Guabito . Buses are more reliable in bad weather. Changuinola is divided into small farm communities called "Fincas", since all of

260-595: The city is surrounded by banana plantations. as example, "Finca 4" which means Farm 4. Changuinola has one main road that crosses all town from south to north, at the end you could take left to reach Guabito border town. The "Manuel Niño" International Airport is a small international airport where you can take flights to Panama City. The Calvin Byron Stadium for is located in El Empalme neighborhood, home of Bocas del Toro baseball team. The Changuinola River bridge

280-499: The dry season as well as the being the best surf season. The best months to visit Bocas del Toro for dry weather are January, February, March, May, September, and October. These are statistically the driest months of the year. However, dry weather is also common in June, August, November, and even the wettest month of the year, December, can see weeks without rain. Bocas del Toro is not a typical Caribbean tourist destination such as Cancún or

300-628: The large nature preserve at the Red Frog Beach Island Resort, and La Amistad International Park (Parque Internacional La Amistad), which spans the Costa Rica – Panama border. Bocas del Toro contains most of the Panamanian section of the park, which covers 400,000 hectares (4,000 km ; 1,544 sq mi). The Costa Rican section of the park covers 584,592 hectares (5,846 km ; 2,257 sq mi). La Amistad International Park

320-507: The river between Guabito and Sixaola , Costa Rica. The bridge is a border crossing used by tourists going between destinations in Bocas del Toro and Costa Rica. Walk across the bridge via the pedestrian causeway or register your vehicle in advance to cross between 8am and 6pm (Panamá time, Costa Rica is an hour earlier). The province contains two national parks, Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park and La Amistad International Park . The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute operates

340-405: The unique Bocas del Toro Creole of English. Bocas del Toro Province is divided into 4 districts and 30 corregimientos . On 8 June 2015 the new Almirante District was created, after splitting out from Changuinola District. The area of Almirante District is included in the figure quoted for Changuinola District, from which Almirante was divided. Bocas del Toro is a travel destination that

360-625: Was built in 2009 and replaced 1920 railroad bridge next to it. Changuinola was struck in April 1991 by 7.7 powerful earthquake , the town was reconstructed in the following years. Private and Public health care available. The CSS Changuinola Hospital is located right next to the Police station, and private clinics are also a great choice and available in the city. Changuinola has several public and private schools, to mention most important IPT Changuinola and Empalme School. University of Panama extension "CRUB"

380-468: Was divided into two districts, Bocas del Toro and Crimamola. Four years later, it became part of the same division as before. In 1970, Bocas del Toro district became Changuinola, the district of Bastimentos was eliminated, and three new districts were added, making the province what it is today. The districts' areas changed in 1997 when the Ngöbe-Buglé Comarca was created. The province is the home of

400-413: Was originally part of Costa Rica until, in one of many territorial disputes, Colombia took control of it with armed forces. The then government made a reservation called Bocas del Toro in 1834. In 1850, Bocas del Toro became a part of Chiriqui, then was separated from it and became part of Colon. On November 16, 1903, Bocas del Toro was separated from Colon and became its own province. In 1941, Bocas del Toro

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