Hans and Julie bid farewell to friends of Popa and Bocas as they head off on their next adventure.  We’ll be back to visit soon amigos!

To begin our third year, we’re happy to welcome Chef Cody Meyer for the Spring season.  Cody brings his winsome smile and unique spectrum of know-how to Popa.  His experience ranges from fine dining in Ohio to cooking in remote science camps in Alaska, Costa Rica and Antartica.  This summer, you may find Cody in Greenland after he bids farewell to Popa.

We meet such interesting people, and stay in touch with many.  This picture was taken by Jaron while visiting Popa over the holidays.  Thanks Jaron for sharing this lovely image!

One favorite is the burning of effigies.  Locals create elaborate life sized dolls or ‘muñecas’, that look much like a scarecrow.  During the New Year’s Eve festivities, these dolls are burned in celebration of the passing year.  Often the dolls resemble famous people or characters.

This photo was taken by Chef Emily, who celebrated the stroke of midnight with employees on Isla Tigre, our neighboring village.  The muñeca was created by Onilda, our breakfast cook and bread baker.

Still commonly used by locals, the dug-out canoes are called cayucos.  Take a hike into the jungle, find your favorite tree, cut it down and start carving.  It comes in handy to have a few friends help bring the boat out to sea.

Popa’s Paradise – Bocas Secret Getaway
A secret (and luxurious) refuge in Bocas del Toro

Bocas does indeed have something for everyone. If you are up for a “rumba” (Panamanian vernacular for party) there is great night life in Bocas Town. For adrenaline junkies Isla Bastimentos offers a spectacular canopy tour and great surf spots. [For] Those looking for a quiet refuge, there are various resorts on the remote surrounding islands. One of these hidden paradisaical spots is Popa Paradise Beach Resort – a piece of Eden reached on a 30 minute boat ride from Isla Colon.

The boat ride itself is nothing less than spectacular. Speeding through crystalline Caribbean waters and a labyrinth of mangroves creates a feeling of being brought to some secret place. A perfect beach appears on Popa Island, the beginning of the 25 acre property of Popa Paradise Beach Resort, right in front of Islas Zapatillas.

The resort, which is just a couple of years old, is spread out over the well landscaped property with ‘casitas’ hidden among the lush tropical vegetation, far enough from each other to guarantee vacationers their privacy.

There are 8 casitas, one master suite and two junior suites. The suites are located in the house with its amazing views from the beautiful wrap-around balcony on the tip of the island, as well as a more economical option of lodge rooms facing the sea. The casitas and suites are fully equipped with hot water showers, little kitchenettes, flat screen TVs fans and AC and are beautifully furnished with tropical style furniture and king or queen size beds that face wooden porches overlooking the sea.

In the middle of the property there is a big clubhouse where guests can play pool, ping pong, read a book from the resort library, or just watch their favorite programs, or a movie from the DVD library, on the gigantic flat screen TV. Outside the club house the guests can have their meals, always fresh and always excellent, looking over the huge pool with a swim-up bar, where they can chill and order cocktails without having to get out of the water. And if you want to pamper yourself – there is a spa with massages, facials, manicures and pedicures.

For those who want to discover and be active there are enough options as well. The walk around the resort reveals diverse wildlife with regular sightings of toucans and sloths, and just 400 yards off the dock there is a great snorkeling spot with undisturbed corals and lots of colorful fish. Alternatively one can take a hike, or go by boat or sea kayak to the other side of the island that hosts indigenous villages of the Ngobes that will give you a warm welcome and show you their way of life and elaborate handicrafts. The resort also offers excursions to all of Bocas’ most popular hot spots, including Red Frog Beach, the Zapatillas, Dos Tucanes beach, snorkeling at Coral Cay, Dolphin Bay, the Chocolate Farm and more.

A New Chef

Now Popa Paradise is about to receive it’s newest member – the celebrated Chef Emily Cafazzo, who has worked in the award-winning restaurants in Portland and received national recognition in the US, including the New York Times and Gourmet Magazine. She will stay at Popa for four months, spoiling the guests with her culinary art and training the staff. The new General Managers Julie Colosso Broce and Hans Wilson are very excited about this much expected arrival.

Off Season Specials

Now in the low season, Popa Paradise Beach Resort has deals that are worth checking out in the coming weeks of continuous holidays. Whether you come alone to hide away from a busy world or with a group of good friends you are sure to spend the time of your life in this absolutely amazing place.

For more information about Popa Paradise Beach Resort and their special offers visit their web site: www.popaparadisebeachresort.com write a mail to info@popaparadisebeachresort.com or call 832.1498 or 6550.2505.

Minnie is an orange & white tabby cat that claimed Popa Paradise for her own. They say Minnie wandered out of the jungle one day about 4 years ago, and decided to stay. A trip to the vet caught her up on all necessary vaccinations, and she’s been the unofficial groundskeeper ever since. She’s tiny and cute with huge, beautiful eyes. You’d think she was a kitten, but she has seniority around these parts.

Francis is our 4 month old Weimaraner puppy. He is named after Sir Francis Drake, the pirate who was buried at sea off the Caribbean coast of Panama. He’s growing by leaps and bounds, literally.

On any given day, you’ll find Minnie and Francis playing in the clubhouse. No question about it, Minnie is the boss! A trip to Popa isn’t complete without one photo of our furry, charming mascots.

Today Cholo found a sloth literally hanging out by the laundry room where he or she made it’s way out to the edge of the roof. Thanks to a little help from Cholo, it found a nice big shady tree.

Sloths are the most amazing, gentle creatures. Don’t let their large 3 toed claws scare you. They just use those to climb and hang in the treetops.

It has been a season of joyful transition here at Popa Paradise Beach Resort. First, we wish to thank Adam and Katie Della Rocca for welcoming us and being so helpful. Second we send them the very best wishes for a happy new life.

Popa has a new Facebook page, and will be launching an improved website soon.

In other news, the renovation on the lodge rooms has been completed, and we’re ready for high season. We also finished a new cement walkway to the far beach, which has white sand and a great view of the Zapatillas.

All is falling into place, so come out for a visit!