Tourism meeting Organizers

Tourism Meeting and Training by Tourism Authority (ATP) held on Taboga island

Late in May and early June many people on Taboga took advantage of a training in tourism program. The week long training was free and was enjoyed by all. Our Cerrito Tropical B&B staff said they learned a lot and came back with an abundance of new ideas. The training was sponsored by the Authority of Tourism in Panama (ATP).

Initial Organization Meeting for Tourism Training

Prior to the training, during the organization meeting, the ATP hosts mentioned that they had found over 4000 links on Google mentioning Isla Taboga. The team discussed the up and coming plans for the island including by Panama Adventure Builders new hiking paths, Canopy Tours (ZIP), area for kids. ATP also recently announced an upcoming additional frequent ferry service, and more. One of the long term goals of the new developments planned by ATP and their partners, said Frank Lopez of Panama Adventure Builders will be to attain a National Geographic GEO TURISMO rating – the first in Panama, and one of the first in Latin America. Others include improved infrastructure, municipal systems (recycling), and installations, training in tourism service and English, and as we saw earlier this week in our Facebook post, improvements in the historical site awareness and hopefully protection for the rapidly disappearing sites.

Benefits for Tabogans

This package of improvements and developments will offer new opportunities, a better standard of living for the people of Taboga Island, and improved facilities for visitors to Panama’s charming Island of Flowers.

The first phase of the program was started with the Training which was completed the beginning of June. Soon the hiking paths should start to be cleared and developed.

Positive Changes in Tourism

For high season 2013 we should see some new attractions and positive changes on Taboga island.

Whale Watching Tours Taboga Island

Whale Watching Tours

Our whale watching season is fast approaching. Although whales can be seen year round in Panama, the official tour season starts July 1^st.  Whale Watching Tours are scheduled every Wednesday and Sunday from Taboga Island and Panama City, to either the back side of Isla Taboga area or out to the Pearl islands and back.  Tours are also available other days on request.

Information on Whale Watching Tours in Panama including Isla Taboga:

There are several Whale Watching Tours  available.  1 day tours from Panama City or Taboga Island, 1 day tours from Isla Contadora, 2-4 day custom tours, 5 day tour packages.  Below are all the details and prices.  Price varies depending on how many people are on the tour that day.  Groups are combined when possible to lower the price for all.

The humpback whales will start arriving in late June, however some whales can be seen year round.  Scheduled Whale Watching Tours run from July 1- October 15^th.

Whale Watching Tours Dolphins

• -1 day Whale Watching Tours from Panama City or Taboga Island around the Isla Taboga area
• -1 day Whale Watching Tours from Panama City or Taboga Island to the Pearl Islands
• -1 day Whale Watching Tours from Isla Contadora to explore the Pearl Islands
• -2-4 day Custom Whale Watching Excursions from Panama City or Taboga Island
  
• -5 day Package Whale Watching Excursions from Panama City or Taboga Island

Whale Watching Tours 3

1 day Whale Watching Tours from Panama City / Isla Taboga to Isla Taboga area

Isla Taboga is under 1 hour from Panama City.  Whale Watching Tours head out from Panama City around 8:30 am, stops in Taboga if there are people to pick up, and look for whales on the back side of Taboga Island and surrounding area.  Then stop on Taboga Island for lunch at Cerrito Tropical Cafe restaurant and then head back out to the whales and dolphins before arriving back in the city around 4:00 pm.  There is a 75-80% chance of seeing whales on this tour.

Whale Watching Tours departing every Wednesday and Sunday starting July 4^th.  Other days available upon request.

• 1 person   $500.00
• 2 person   $275.00/person
• 3 person   $200.00/person
• 4 person   $175.00/person
• 5 person   $150.00/person
• 6+ person   $125.00/person
• Children 5-12 are half price
• Children under 5 are free

(lunch is not included in the price)

These prices include the boat, it’s crew, the guide, and drinks.  It does not include lunch.  We will stop by Taboga Island after spending time with the whales for lunch at Cerrito Tropical Cafe and a swim.

Whale Watching Tours 4

1 day Whale Watching Tours from Panama City/Isla Taboga to the Pearl islands

The Pearl islands are located about 40 miles South of Panama city.  Tours leave Panama City around 7:30 am and head straight out towards the Pearl islands via Taboga Island if there is a pick up looking for whales and dolphins the entire time.  We can stop and snorkel at a reef area also in the Pearls and have lunch on Contadora island at a local restaurant before we head back to Taboga Island and Panama City arriving around 5:00 pm.  There is a 99% chance of seeing whales on this tour.

• 1 person    $750.00
• 2 people    $350.00/person
• 3 people    $275.00/person
• 4 people    $250.00/person
• 5 people    $225.00/person
• 6-10 people $200.00/person

These prices include the boat, it’s crew, the guide, and drinks.  It does not include lunch.  Boat tour will stop by Contadora Island after spending time with the whales for lunch.   Boat can also stop by any of the islands for a snorkel, swim and beach combing.

Advanced Reservations and Deposit Required.

For more information contact Cerrito Tropical by phone: 507-6489-0074

Email> info@cerritotropicalpanama.com

For more information on activities on Isla Taboga:

Taboga Island Panama

Activities Taboga Island

More on What to Do

Whale Watching Tours 2

Traveling Outside the Box

Kayaking near coral gardens on Taboga Island Panama

All-inclusive resorts with their hordes of tourists, security guards & wristbands make me shudder. Eco-tours that promote white water rafting, rock climbing & mile high suspension bridges scare the hell out of me. Cruise ships? I’d jump overboard and start swimming for the nearest deserted island. So what’s left? I found my perfect destination – Taboga Island Panama and Bed and Breakfast Cerrito Tropical.

I’m an independent traveler – female, 57 (at last count), in so-so shape with a moderate budget who enjoys going to tropical destinations to experience everything a place has to offer – the local culture & people, fishing, hiking, & general exploring. But! I also want to do it at my own pace, with or without other people; whatever the mood strikes me at that particular moment.

Taboga Island Panama has everything including my adopted home-away-from-home, a local Bed & Breakfast called Cerrito Tropical. From its perch high upon a hill, I get up to a spectacular sunrise and a view of the ships waiting their turn to enter the Panama Canal. The resident chef, Aristides, has the Panamanian coffee on by now (the man never sleeps!) so with cafe con leche in hand I ponder what adventures, if any, I’m going to take on that day.

Should I walk down to the beach to collect sea glass at low tide? If I’m lucky I just might find the ever elusive red glass. I better take a beach bag. Or, I could go fishing instead. Fresh Corvina (sea bass) for dinner sounds great. I’ll need to get the boat ready & my fishing gear.

Or, I could kayak over to the coral gardens and see how many different tropical fish swim underneath me. Better yet, I might pass within seeing & hearing distance of a whale or two breaching the surface, not to mention dolphins. I’ll need the camera for photos around Taboga Island Panama. And, there’s always a walk through the rainforest for some bird watching then over to the north beach to collect rocks. I’ll need my backpack for those. Of course, there’s always the possibility of parking myself in a lounge chair on the beach under an umbrella and going in for the occasional dip to cool off.

Decisions, decisions. I think I’ll have another cup of that delicious Panamanian coffee served up at B & B Cerrito Tropical and ponder a bit longer what to do in my favorite destination, Taboga Island Panama.

Mara Mack

Canada

Choose from Day Trips which can be customized to your needs or Do It Yourself tours. The Taboga Island experts at Cerrito Tropical can organize your relaxing or adventurous Day Trip from Panama City.

Check out the new article here.

Book your appointment now for a special massage on Taboga Island

Massage and Beauty treatments now available on Weekends at Cerrito Tropical B and B Hotel. See this article from the Visitor Tourist Magazine.

Book your appointment early directly with Cerrito Tropical. Tel> 6489 -0074 or 390-8999

Taboga Island has long been known for its health benefits, workers from the Panama Canal were sent to Taboga because of its healthy environment and relaxing atmosphere. Now you can enjoy a massage by the rainforest at Cerrito Tropical just minutes by Ferry from Panama City.
Afterwards enjoy a delicious lunch by chef Aristides. Stay the weekend and truly relax with one of our Relaxing Massage Weekend Packages. Appointments must be pre-booked please to ensure a space.

For more information email to: info@cerritotropicalpanama.com

SATURDAY & SUNDAY May 19 & 20th, 2012

Head to Taboga Island for the Day or for the Weekend

B and B Hotel CERRITO TROPICAL on TABOGA

Lunch of Taboga Island style Rice with Seafood (arroz con mariscos)

Includes>Mixed Rice with Seafood Taboga -style,  1 Cold Refreshment & Lite Dessert, $10.00 tax included (tip not included) A six dollar and fifty cents saving!
(jubilado discounts, and other specials do not apply to this special, just on the regular menu), cash policy please (our Visa machine is acting-up due to phone lines on Taboga).

It is always sunnier on Isla Taboga!

Don’t want to walk up our hill (in Spanish “Cerro”)? We can call you a local taxi, no problem! (extra cost)

PLEASE RESERVE for your Lunch by Chef Aristides. Lunch from 12 to 2 pm.
Tel: 6000-5172; 6489-0074
Drop us a line for special overnight weekend rates.

EMAIL> info@cerritotropicalpanama.com

Webpage: www.cerritotropicalpanama.com
Web ES: http://www.islatabogapanama.com

Boat Tours for the Day around Taboga Island

Hi, my name is Richard Parizeault and I own and operate Panama Tours, www.panamatours.info. Among other activities, we offer boat tours around Taboga Island like Whale Watching, Fishing, Island Visits, Snorkeling etc.

Many of our guests have asked us if our day tours around Taboga Island have a nice place  to stop and have lunch, where they can find good fresh food, and a clean bathroom? Well in the last couple of years it’s been easy for me to say “Yes, yes and yes” because all of our day tours have one thing in common, Cerrito Tropical, where we stop for lunch and refreshments.  Our main reasons for taking a break from the boat has been to visit the historic village community of San Pedro on Taboga Island, and to stop for lunch at B&B Cerrito Tropical.

After so many stops that I lost count, none of our guests have been disappointed, up on the mountain in a secluded area away from the beach noise, sits a Bed and Breakfast and for us the reason of our stop is the restaurant, the view is second to none overlooking the Pacific, the anchored boats, the local small Panga boats heading out to fish or take tourists around the island the wonderful ocean breeze reaching up to the restaurant of Cerrito Tropical even in the middle of the hot summer day, all this second only to the food we are served, fresh seafood often the daily catch and many house specialties mastered by their Panamanian Chef.

whale watching around Taboga Island

Should you want to get away from Panama City for a few days and enjoy a nice beach with less than 10 minutes walking distance from your hotel or you don’t want to walk but prefer to pay a local cab $1.00 and you’re on a sandy, never overcrowded, beach, then that is the place for you.

I recommend Cerrito Tropical, the owners speak English, Dutch, and Spanish, and if you have time they will tell you all about this special Pirate island.

All in all it was a great discovery for our crew and we certainly are happy to spread the word.

If you happen to check it out, tell them Richard sent you, you just might get treated to a local drink called Seco!

Another wonderful place to enjoy in Panama.

Richard

FOR A BOAT TOUR AROUND TABOGA ISLAND, CONTACT  Cynthia at B&B Cerrito Tropical and we will organize it with Richard for you or assist with reservations. If you wish to stay over on Taboga, Richard can pick you up from Taboga Island for an excellent day of fishing, snorkeling and whale watching! Email: info@cerritotropicalpanama.com, Call: 507-6489-0074

Check other articles on the subject here:

Yacht to Taboga Island

Activities

Fishing on Taboga Island

Walking Tour

US based Minvervabiz Solutions writes about Cynthia Mulder and B&B Hotel Cerrito Tropical

An interesting US based business blog writes about our Taboga Island Hotel, B&B Cerrito Tropical with information on how we got started in the bed and breakfast and vacation apartments business. Cynthia Mulder describes for the author how she went from Canada around the world and arrived on Taboga Island in Panama. Please check out the Minerva-biz Solutions article .

For more information, to see more articles, or to contact the author please go to their site:

http://minervabiz-solutions.com

Hubpages birding article by Cynthia Mulder here.

jumping bird on Taboga Island at Bed and Breakfast Cerrito Tropical

Their hillside Bed and Breakfast Cerrito Tropical Hotel and Vacation Apartments  are close to Taboga Island’s little beach and surrounded by lush greenery. I’ve also had the pleasure of eating lunch at her restaurant— on the breezy Ranchito and Balcony (ocean view) areas;  and the food at B&B Cerrito Tropical is top notch. Taboga Island is under an hour from Panama City by Ferry.

Enjoy the Ranchito at bed and breakfast hotel Cerrito Tropical

In addition to writing articles for International Living publications, she has appeared at our Live & Invest in Panama events on numerous occasions as a guest speaker. Cynthia Mulder is great to work with, as she is pleasant, open-minded, and generous with her time. She was always willing to discuss and internalize our particular niche and deliver what was needed, be it in writing or during a presentation.

A true professional like Cynthia Mulder is a rare find in these parts. No matter where she is, she responds to messages promptly, is clear about what and when she can deliver, and provides highly informative content.
Jessica Ramesch
Panama Editor
International Living

Informacion en Español