Popa Paradise Beach Resort

Look up, look down, look all around!  Everywhere you look, there is beauty in Bocas.  From the starfish in the water to the twinkling stars in the night sky.  On a clear, moonless night you can see the shape of the Milky Way.  The abundance of stars is truly awesome.

The word ‘Panama’ is an indigenous word meaning ‘Land of Many Fishes’.  Panama certainly lives up to it’s name.  Many of the world’s records in big game fishing were achieved here in Panama, on the Pacific side.  Although the Caribbean has smaller fish, the abundant sea has plenty to offer.

In this photo, guest Kyle reeled in a 22 lb Yellowfin tuna.  The chef prepared it for dinner, and we all enjoyed an incredible meal.  It doesn’t get any fresher than this!

Our very own fishing guide, Gabriel, always returns from a day at sea with satisfied customers, and a few big fish.

Isla Popa, or Popa Island in English, is located in the Southern archipelago of Bocas del Toro, and is one of the 6 largest islands.  It is 25 miles long.

Popa is the most populated of all the islands by the Ngobe Bugle indigenous tribe, hosting 3 villages: Popa 1, Popa 2 and Isla Tigre.  You’ll also find a few Ex-pats who have made this paradise home.  There are some rough-terrain trails through the jungle, and these are fun for exploring, but to get around the island we all travel by boat.

The interior of the island is covered in gorgeous jungle and is teeming with wildlife.  Madonna MUST have been here when she sang the song “La Isla Bonita”!

The flight to Bocas from Panama city is a quick, fun 1 hour.  Just enough time to enjoy a soda and flip through the in-flight magazine.  Before you know it you’re back on the ground.

If you’re lucky and have a clear day, the sights are fantastic.  From Panama city, the plane flies North along the canal.  You’ll see ships awaiting their turn to enter the canal on the Pacific side.  As you cross the country, view Gatun lake and surrounding jungle.  Then bank West, and follow the Caribbean coast all the way to Bocas.  Passengers sitting on the left side of the plane can see the Pacific ocean over the mountains.

This photo was taken on a sunset flight into Panama city a couple weeks ago.

Although there is abundant wildlife on Isla Popa, there are no monkeys in the wild.  We do, however, have a few visitors on occasion.  This is Lunga, employee Onilda’s pet white-face monkey.  He is quite a character, and we always enjoy when he stops by for a visit.