A Beaching Day

I am not a big beach fan but we were virtually kidnapped yesterday and dragged to a small secluded beach two hours form Boquete, about forty five minutes from  the Interamerican Highway at the Boca Chica turnoff. This is one of the nicest, closest beaches I have visited in this area. I call it private in error, all beaches in Panama are public property, but to get to this beach you either access it by boat, free, or by car $1.50 a person; it was well worth the $1.50.

This is Panama for the locals, not the tourists and worth discovering before someone buys the land, pass the road  and builds a condo tower.

We rented  a large thatched joron, a ramada,  for a $35 and set up the barbie. The unstated objective my by captors was to tie my son Nicholas and I to hammocks and force us to relax. The objective was achieved with out rope. The ocean was warmer than the air temperature, we had shade, lunch, lots of cold beer which we had brought and no cell service, no interruptions, no internet in fact no electricity.

As the day progressed Karina and Caesar went out in a boat with the manager Francisco and pulled lobsters out of a trap. Those that were too small for commercial use need up on the BBQ and each made a one bite snack. The others were taken to the kitchen. If you wish you can buy your lobsters live and cook them yourself or let have them cooked for you. We had planned on neither but the day progressed and we lingered, it was too relaxing to leave early.

As Nicholas and I read, the others took a boat ride the lobsters found their way through the kitchen onto plates. Dinner which was the end to a wonderful day . Options were Pargo, Red Snapper,  dragged out of the ocean that day and fried whole or lobster broiled with patacones.  Entry $1.50 a person, Ramada $35 for the day, Lobster dinner $8 and the entire day , not priceless but dirt cheap. What a wonderful discovery only two hours from Jaramillo.

If you want to go call Estefan the owner  and ask if the roads are open and lobsters available, his number is 6428-3376  or just go.  to get their drive to David and heard toward Panama City. Turn at the Horcincito turn off and head on the new road to Boca Chica. Before you get to Boca Chica you will see an intersection full of signs at a left turn. One sign is for Gavila Beach. Just follow the signs, the road goes from paved to good dirt to bad dirt, but a car can make it when it’s dry. If it is raining, don’t bother.

Some photos: