A travel enthusiast shared a disappointing experience from her highly anticipated vacation to a destination she believed would be a paradise. Claudia Tavani, the mind behind the travel blog My Adventures Across The World, chose to spend two weeks in Bocas del Toro, situated at the southern tip of Isla Colón in Panama.
Driven by the Lonely Planet’s portrayal of Bocas del Toro as a tropical haven in Central America, Claudia’s expectations were shattered upon arrival. Instead of pristine, secluded beaches as described in the guidebook, she encountered heaps of unsightly garbage littering the shores. The reality of noisy, disrespectful tourists further tainted her experience, making her question the guidebook’s idyllic depiction.
While Claudia found solace in Red Frog Beach, the other beaches fell short, marred by filth and neglect. Coming from Sardinia, renowned for its stunning beaches, she struggled to reconcile the stark contrast. Panama, including Bocas del Toro, poses challenges beyond its scenic facade, with issues like gang violence, unsafe roads, and petty theft concerns highlighted by the UK Foreign Office.
Despite the lifted ‘state of urgency’ in Bocas del Toro following violent protests, ongoing safety precautions, like a curfew for minors, persist. The Foreign Office advises travelers to stay vigilant due to potential roadblocks during protests affecting transportation routes, including border crossings and airports.
Waste management emerges as a persistent issue in Bocas del Toro, where a lack of public waste collection leaves locals resorting to river disposal or burning trash. Environmental concerns are heightened by the influx of over 100,000 tourists annually, exacerbating pollution and waste challenges on the islands.
Efforts to address the waste crisis include a plastic bag ban and the establishment of recycling facilities. Notably, Canadian entrepreneur Robert Bezeau has pioneered a unique solution by constructing a village and a castle entirely from plastic bottles, showcasing innovative approaches to combat waste problems.
Despite these initiatives, Claudia’s firsthand experience in Bocas Town painted a grim picture of unsanitary conditions, unreliable garbage collection, and unsafe drinking water. Disillusioned by the tourist-heavy town and drug-related activities, she cut her stay short, seeking refuge across the border in Costa Rica.
In stark contrast to her Panama ordeal, Claudia found solace in Costa Rica’s natural beauty and warm hospitality. Her month-long exploration of the country brought encounters with diverse wildlife, thrilling adventures in lush forests, and serene moments in picturesque settings like Corcovado National Park. Costa Rica’s embrace of nature and tranquility stood in stark contrast to her turbulent experience in Bocas del Toro, leaving a lasting impression of peace and serenity.
