Bocas Del Toro has one of a kind charm, attracting an estimated ‘100,000 visitors per year’. It is located just a short boat ride from Almirante (Panama mainland), even if it is a rather rocky and uncomfortable one.
Its name refers to a small piece of mainland - Isla Colon - home to Bocas Town (the tourist hotspot), and an archipelago of islands.
Water taxis are the primary mode of transportation between Isla Colon and the other nearby islands. For someone like myself, who is used to the public transport functioning city of London, I found this to be a new and unique way of getting around, one I’d never experienced before. On the main island, I found myself walking or cycling to most places or hopping in one of the yellow colectivos (it was around 3 dollars per ride).
I spent a week exploring the region and fell in love with it - the sustainable eco-lodges, farm-to-table events, the range of hostels for solo-travellers, the friendly locals, the amazing activities at your fingertips, the beautiful nature and so much more.
On one of the days on the island I rented a bike, as I wanted to see what was beyond the tourist zone in Bocas Town. Little did I know that between the town and Playa Bluff, I would find an idyllic hidden gem.
I remember cycling along the uneven and winding paths, with the salty breeze and the lush greenery all around me, luring me into a secluded haven: Dosha Cafe. The aroma of fresh coffee made me pull over and indulge in a caffeine break.
From the first look, it had a slight bohemian charm that instantly captured my senses. As I drank my rich coffee, my eyes caught sight of a small sign that sparked my curiosity: “Yoga classes - days available…” After spotting this, I couldn’t resist the urge to ask the person, who served me, for more information.
From this conversation, I discovered not only that they offered yoga classes against the backdrop of the trees and the Caribbean sea, but also that there were two rooms hidden away upstairs.
Instantly, I felt a connection to this place, and I asked the owner if there was availability, as I was looking for a last minute place to stay for two nights. I offered to make content for them in exchange for a complimentary stay.
The next morning I left Selina hostel, where I’d been staying for the last few nights, and got a colectivo to check into one of the rooms at the cafe. After quite a busy backpacking trip, where I’d been moving on to a new destination almost everyday, these two days in Casa Ukare/Dosha Cafe, offered the tranquil escape which I had been longing for.
As soon as I opened the door to my room, I felt at home, with the fresh bed linen and towels organised so perfectly. My slightly open-to-nature, private bathroom provided a sense of privacy while maintaining a visual and auditory connection to the environment.
While I stayed in this sanctuary, I filmed a farm-to-table event for the cafe downstairs, took photo and video content of the room and other amenities, and was able to explore the local area, from the paradise-like beaches to the mesmerising wildlife (e.g. monkeys, birds, etc).
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