Bocas del Toro has evolved from a bustling port town in the late 19th century, due to the banana industry, to a serene destination for surfers and tourists since the 1990s. Its charm attracts both locals and expats who appreciate the lifestyle and scenery. Recently, Panama's government is spearheading an investment of over $150 million to develop infrastructure, improve health care, and enhance connectivity. This revival aims to make Isla Colón comparable to Tulum while maintaining its natural beauty and unique atmosphere.
"Bocas has long had this old-school 1970s Key West vibe, where nothing feels manufactured," says Richard Kiibler, who arrived in 2006 and opened a hostel there a year later.
In the late 19th century, Bocas was one of Central America's busiest port towns and biggest agricultural centers. 'Yellow gold,' as bananas were known, made it a boomtown where for a time United Fruit Company employed more than 30,000 people.
Now Bocas is beginning to boom again, due in part to the efforts of the Panamanian government, which hopes that Isla Colón's pristine beaches, coral reefs, and rainforests will make it the next Tulum.
More than $150 million has been invested in hardwiring the island to the national grid, modernizing the hospital, and building new roads and homes.
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