Firefly B&B http://thefireflybocasdeltoro.com/how-to-get-here-3/bocas-del-toro/

Barefoot Panama offers day trips, overnight adventures and extended vacations to fit any ability, taste or trip length. You can also create your own group itinerary, and we’ll manage your custom adventure from transportation to food and lodging.

Vision (what we do)

We provide an inspiring Spanish Language and Cultural Learning Experience in locations that stand out for their relaxed atmosphere and surrounding natural and cultural beauty. We want to contribute to more meaningful existence by investing in projects that our community (students, workers, friends and fans) consider important for the future of our planet.

Mission (our goal)

100% happy and motivated students that learn the Spanish Language, immerse themselves in a new culture and get motivated and renewed by the relaxed atmosphere and natural and cultural beauty of our locations.

We offer you the opportunity to learn Spanish at four different locations in Central America without losing academic continuity. Learn Spanish in Costa Rica (Turrialba) and in Panama (Bocas del Toro, Boquete, Panama City). At all of our Spanish schools we can provide you with Spanish classes, adventure, volunteering and accommodation all at a reasonable cost.

You can study Spanish in Costa Rica at our Spanish school in Turrialba, Spanish by the River, where you can experience adventures such as whitewater rafting or volunteer at a primary school. Turrialba is a great place to learn Spanish because very few locals speak English so you get to practice your Spanish every day. As well as hostel and homestay accommodation in Costa Rica we also have a campsite by the river Paquare.

Biggest thanks to Bocas Sailing for that amazing experience around Bocas del Toro, for all the information they gave me and the yummy food. For more information about sailing trips, visit Bocas Sailing website, or Bocas Sailing facebook page, write them an email to bocassailing@gmail.com or call them to 507 757 7048/ 507 6464-4242.

 Yoga Body Wellness

Carnival translated from the Latin expression is carne vale, which means “farewell to meat.” This festive holiday takes place right before the Catholic observance of Lent, a time to fast and give up certain luxury. Carnival is celebrated all over the world, the most famous of course, carnival in Brazil. Panamanians also have public carnival celebrations. Decorative costumes, parades, masks, and music is part of their carnival tradition.

75 years ago Bocas Del Toro, Panama joined in with the carnival celebrations. This tradition comes from Christianity and it represents getting “rid of the devil” or sin. The last day of carnival the devils are “whipped” or killed off and all sin is gone, a fresh start before Ash Wednesday, Lent. Before carnival even starts you can hear the bells coming from a distance of the new “diablitos” little devils. The diablitos are the newest and youngest devils of the year, some as young as 8 and are dressed all in red. They are allowed to come out into the streets before carnival and practice their dance and stomp, chasing and whipping ones who hold a stick. As they get older they graduate to wearing red and black, and can have more bells tied around their legs. The “Devil” masks become bigger and scarier with features of jungle animals, birds, and exaggerated appendages. These “Devils” are bigger, louder and more aggressive, chasing the brave holders of sticks down main street and cracking a whip at them. Very often the ones with sticks are to slow and they receive a piercing whip on their leg. You can see scars from the whips of years past. As carnival arrives, the streets become full of people from the archipelago, dancing and parting. This is when the “black devils” appear, with striking costumes, incredible masks and a urge to whip some carnival butt. These devils sometimes adorn their costumes with bits of white and red, most likely for hierarchy.

As carnival continues through the weekend the festivities become grander with giant water trucks spraying down the main street, people and kids splashing and dancing in the refreshing cold fresh water. Disco size speakers blasting caribbean and reggae beats. Food and souvenir venders at every corner. Balconies filled with people throwing candy and sometimes beads. As the evening falls the carnival queens from different islands are paraded through the town on homemade floats, local drummers and dancers following their queens. Reaching the end of carnival there is a changing of the “guards.” All the devils take off their masks and line them up on the street. The devils get in line and all the people that participated in the “whipping” get to slash and whip the devils one at a time. This completes the celebration and all the “sin” is gone and the religious holidays begin.

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zjUoPssNnk[/tube]