Hop Along to Red Frog Beach: Exploring Bocas del Toro

Discovering Red Frog Beach

After a promising call with the travel agent we decided to visit Red Frog Beach today. It is on a different island (Isla Bastimentod) so we used the water taxi to get across.

A slightly scary ride on a motorised bathtub got us to the island quickly. It's a bit of a scam really you pay for the water taxi, $16 each, then $5 each to get onto the beach and $5 each for a sunbed. To get to the beach its a ten minute walk across the island through the jungle, many spot sloths but we didnt. Karen took a tumble and a few scratches to show for it but OK now. That's all before lunch and even though we had lunch at the beach bar they still make us pay for the sunbeds! However moaning aside, it was a nice and chilled afternoon made better with a sea breeze. Although we didn't see any red frogs quite a few hermit crabs.

We headed back and after a nervy 15 minute wait for our boat he arrived and we took us back to the main island. While we were waiting a local was asking us where we were going as he was going our way...we automatically thought scam but he offered us a free ride back. Our water taxi turned up so we thanked the chap.....and watched him climb on a gorgeous, huge speedboat with leather seats. Damn.

Bocas del Toro

Bocas Del Toro is a strange place, quite laid back and lots of backpackers but not that cheap, after Guatemala but still cheaper than the UK. The restaurants are mainly small cafes and not a massive variation. I think the island has a scruffy Carribean vibe and isn't without its own charm but so far hasn't really had a wow factor for us.

We are now waiting for the rain to stop so we can go for tea.