| The CocoVivo Retreat is on an Island, about 20 minutes from each of the towns of Almirante and Bocas. Here is a Map of the Bocas area and the CocoVivo Retreat. There are no roads and few trails on the island -- the only way to get around is by boat. Even to visit your neighbors, you usually take a boat. Bocas is the more touristy place. Lots of hotels, restaurants, bars. This is also where the airport is. About 5000 people. 2 dive shops, a handful small supermarkets, including the gringo-run Super Gourmet with a selection of more exotic products like pate, salmon, pesto, and imported cheeses. This is where you arrive if you go by land. At first, Almirante can be a bit scary... It's dirty, and usually either flooded or dusty. People can be annoying initially, since they will all try to take you to the water taxi to Bocas and then ask you to buy them a soda. But the place grows on you. Almirante is a banana port town on the mainland.   |