Bocas Information for November 26th

Hola,

SBT has been gathering information from government agencies, Airlines, Immigration points, the U.S. Embassy, radio, and business owners in Almirante. For the past three days we have published this information to "Bocas Information Sheets" and distributed them to the airport, hotels, hostels, and restaurants. Starting today, we will also publish to this blog site and other Bocas related sites. If you call us we may have more information on a particular topic (757-9401). We will add-on as new updates comes in.

1:06 PM Bocas Information for November, 26th, 2008The latest information from Radio Chiriqui and local and Federal Government agencies:

Land Access to Bocas:

Almirante/David: The Coastal Highway between Almirante and David/Panama City is blocked by mud slides and may not be cleared for weeks. Current work is being conducted to open the roads for supplies only.

Changuinola: The Sixaola Bridge is CLOSED at this time (border bridge between Costa Rica and Panama); also there is no public transportation between Almirante and Changuinola at this time. There is no potable water there and a lot of stranded people. Do not go there!

Water taxis:

Due to the weather, boats from Bocas are running to Almirante only, but there you may find few hotels to stay in and no way to leave town.

"Bocas Marine & Tours" 757-9033
"Taxi 25" 757-9028
"Jampam" 757-9619

Internet and Phone Service:

Cable & Wireless provides Internet and cellular service to Bocas del Toro. All Internet and cellular service is now working.

Banks and ATM's:

There is one bank on the island which is Banco Nacional. It is located on the road to the airport at the corner of Calle 4 and Ave. E. The bank is NOW open only from 8 AM until 12 noon (until further notice), Monday through Friday and Saturdays 9-12. This Monday is a holiday and it will be closed. This bank has an ATM outside, which is currently working (as long as the Internet is working). There is another ATM located near the Police Station/Jail on Calle Primera (First Street).

Airlines:

Are flying intermittently due to weather conditions. AeroPerlas is only delivering food to Changuinola today and flying people out. Aeroperlas 757-9341 and Air Panama 757-9842.

U.S. military helicopters are assisting efforts in remote mountain areas.

Gasoline (mixed only)is available in the islands as long as it lasts at Isla Solarte 6459-8412 and mixed and unmixed at Crab Caye (near Crawl Caye).

*Note: we cannot verify the information given here and cannot be held responsible for this information's validity. This was simply meant as a Public Service to provide information.

Courtesy of Soluciones Biotecnologicas Tropicales (SBT) and Bocas del Toro Realty Services, Inc. 757-9401 www.solareef.com