Bocas Information for December 4th, 2008

The latest information from Radio Chiriqui and local/Federal Government agencies:

Land Access to Bocas:

Almirante/David: The Coastal Highway between Almirante/Changuinola and David/Panama City is OPEN, but only from 6 AM to 4 PM. There will be only two buses running daily between Changuinola/Almirante and David today and only two coming from David (775-2974 Terminal David). The Pan American Highway is open to Panama City.

Changuinola: The Sixaola Bridge is OPEN at this time. The road between the border and San Jose, Costa Rica is OPEN.

Water taxis:

"Bocas Marine & Tours" 757-9033 Running every hour.
"Taxi 25" 757-9028 Running every hour.
"Jampam" 757-9619 Running every hour.

Internet and Phone Service:

All Cable & Wireless Internet and cellular services is now working. Don Chico's wireless is intermittent.

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 open Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 2 PM and Saturdays 9-12. Monday the 8th is a Holiday and they will be Closed. The 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:

Is restored and are flying (pending weather conditions) to both Bocas and Changuinola. AeroPerlas 757-9341 and Air Panama 757-9842. Nature Air of Costa Rica (506) 8756425

Fuel: No gasoline for boats at Accel Carenero today. (Alexis 757-9983). Tropigas and Panagas propane are available in Bocas.

*Note: we cannot verify the information given here accept through phone conversations with officials when possible and cannot be held responsible for this information's validity. This was simply meant as a Public Service to provide information.

**Since the earliest days of the storm we have been copying and hand delivering copies of this sheet to local hotels, restaurants, businesses, and the airport each day. With the immediate crisis now over, we will begin to only issue electronic postings of this information starting tomorrow. One exception will be the airport, since tourists will not know where to look for information. We will continue to post until all services return to normal.

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