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Spent time in Bocas in April of '05.

Journeyed into Panama via the Caribbean border at Sixaola after spending a
week in Puerto Viejo, CR.

This was *not* a "dive trip". Rather, it was more of a walkabout where a
diving opportunity presented itself.

Bocas is a beautiful area, well worth a visit.
While I certainly wouldn't go there just for diving, it's not a bad way to
spend a day or two.

We stopped in at Bocas Water Sports, right on the main drag of Bocas Town.
The shop well organized, and the staff  friendly and competent. I asked a
few questions, looked at the rental gear (as I said, we were not there for
diving, and had not brought our gear), and set up a dive for the next day.

While the diving is not world-class (seems the run-off from banana
plantations, etc. has definitely impacted the coral), it was enjoyable
enough. We dove at 'Coral Cay' and 'The Gardens'. Both averaged  around 60',
with bottom time of about an hour)  Saw a fair amount of small critters
(lobsters, crabs, squid, morays, puffers, and some bristleworms, looking
back at my log) with reasonably decent viz.

However, there was a bonus: it wasn't *just diving. We actually started the
morning doing a little dolphin watching from the boat, before proceeding to
the first dive. After a decent surface interval, we did our second dive.
Upon completion, we then boated over to a beautiful little island, where we
did a bushwalk to observe the endemic red frog. Finally, we ended up at a
spectacular beach for a little swimming and body surfing. Returned to the
shop just a bout dinner time.

How much, you ask? How about $50 bucks for the whole day?

Like I've said, not world-class diving, but a pretty damn fine time, all
things considered.

Good experience with Bocas Water Sports, and we stayed at the Hotel Angela.
It's off the main drag, but right on the water. The owner, an expat from
Memphis, was an exceptional host. Excellent on-site restaurant, and very
reasonable. Highly recommended.

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Feel free to ask any specific questions you might have.

Cheers!

EFB

You are going to be there about the time, that I had originally planned to
go.  I've had to make adjustments to my plan and now it looks more like
later in Feb or March.  My plan is a bit more intricate.  I thought I'd
spend a couple of days in Panama City, do some touring, take in the canal,
etc.  Then I'm going to fly to San Andres, Columbia and do some diving there
for a few days.  I'll return to Panama and head to Bocas del Toro.  I
understand that the diving there is not all that.  My friends tell me Hotel
Angela is a great place to stay.

Are you staying at the Mayan again?  I assume you will be diving with
Amigos?