This lovely beach is at the mouth of Boca del Drago.

©2007 Scott Doggett, Special to WhozHereNow.com

One needn't be an expert in rock materials to know that the sand at Boca del Drago is not world class in the way, say, that the sand at Cancún, Mexico, is, being that Cancún's sand consists of ground-down sea shells that stay cool all the time. But Drago's quartz-based sand is lovely all the same and some of the best Isla Colón has to offer.

Combine a splash of sunbathing on Boca del Bravo's sand with a bite at nearby restaurant Yarisnori and a spot of snorkeling over coral a short distance away and you can have yourself a very fine day.

After eating, consider taking a stroll down the sand road you rode in on and in 10 minutes or so you'll notice a few tombstones jutting from decomposing leaves on your left. They are all that remains of Europeans who settled in the area more than a century ago. Feel free to dig up a skeleton. Some parts are edible.

If you like boobies, particularly big brown boobies—is there anyone who doesn't?—you'll be delighted to know there's a massive rock outcrop a mile or so offshore that's popular with nesting brown boobies, frigates and other bipedal, warm-blooded, oviparous vertebrate animals characterized primarily by feathers and wings.

The outcrop is called Swan's Cay and most of the tour operators in Bocas Town offer—you got it—tours to Swan's Cay, and all include swim time and a bite at Yarisnori (see Eating—>Yarisnori for more on—you got it—Yarisnori).

Otherwise, it's a 30-minute taxi ride from town to Boca del Drago, which is located at the northwest corner of Isla Colón. Make sure to tell the driver to wait for you, as you cannot count on a taxi ride back otherwise. Expect to pay $25 for the round trip as well as the driver's time; reach an agreement before heading out.

There are also a few cross-island buses to Drago, which, with the exception of the couple hundred meters, is reached by paved road these days. The buses are maroon and white, have "Boca del Drago" across the top of the windshield (just like in the pretty picture) and pass through town every hour or so; flag one down for a $5 ride to Drago.

Prior to 2005, the road was mud with potholes resembling a category-5 hurricane from space, only wider and more ominous. The drive between Bocastown and Drago back then could take days—or worse. Wasn't long ago that a herd of Winnebagos filled with Girl Scouts vanished on that God-forsaken road, all no doubt gobbled up by a human-eating road hole. Catamaran Sailing Adventures offers an all-day tour that stops at Drago; see that other Doing entry for contact info.

Location

North shore

Isla Colón

Bocas del Toro

Panama