Bastimentos Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bastimentos
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Corregimiento and town
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 Bastimentos
Location in Panama
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| Country |  Panama |
| Province | Bocas del Toro |
| District | Bocas del Toro |
| Area | |
| • Land | 62.2 km2 (24.0 sq mi) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 1,954 |
| • Density | 31.4/km2 (81/sq mi) |
| Population density calculated based on land area. | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (ETZ) |
Bastimentos Island (in Spanish: Isla Bastimentos) is a beautiful island in Panama. It is part of the Bocas del Toro Province and has its own town. The island is about 62 square kilometers, making it one of Panama's biggest islands.
In 2010, about 1,954 people lived on Bastimentos Island. It is often seen as a quieter place compared to the busier Bocas del Toro District. You can reach it by a short 10-minute water taxi ride.
A big part of the island is protected by the Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park. This park also includes the Zapatilla Cays and the waters around the island.
Contents
History of Bastimentos Island
Christopher Columbus landed on Bastimentos Island in 1502 during his fourth voyage. He named the island "Bastimentos," which means "provisions" in Spanish. This island is different from another place called Bastimentos near Portobelo.
Exploring Bastimentos Geography
The island of Bastimentos has many hills. You can also see some interesting lava rock formations.
Island Landscape and Beaches
The north-eastern side of Bastimentos Island faces the Caribbean Sea. Here, you'll find five beaches and areas with coral reefs. These beaches are Wizard Beach, Red Frog Beach, Turtle Beach, North Beach, and Playa Larga.
The south-western side of the island has a calm coastline with mangrove trees. This area has dramatic rock faces and long beaches. Many visitors take a water taxi from Bocas Town to the south side of Bastimentos. From there, they can walk across the island to Red Frog Beach.
Most of the popular beaches are on the western side of the island. This includes the famous Red Frog Beach. It got its name from the tiny, bright red strawberry poison-dart frogs that live in the nearby forest. The main way to get to this area is through Red Frog Marina.
Crawl Cay and Zapatilla Cays are small islands close to Bastimentos. There are trails that connect the town of Old Bank to Red Frog Resort and its marina. The resort also has roads that link to Red Frog Beach and other places to stay.
Animals and Plants of Bastimentos
The eastern side of the island has thick, green mangrove forests and calm, shallow waters. You can often spot white-faced monkeys and sloths here. The Strawberry poison-dart frogs are also very popular with visitors. They make a loud sound throughout the day.
During the rainy season, you might even see dolphins swimming with their babies in the coves. These sightings are special because you can only reach these areas by boat or trail.
Bastimentos Island is also an Important Bird Area (IBA). This means it's a key place for birds like white-crowned pigeons and three-wattled bellbirds.
Bastimentos Climate
The water around Bastimentos Island is usually calmest from April to June and from August to October. This is a great time to visit the beaches. Even though the bigger waves for surfing happen from August to March, there are still many sunny days during this period.
Fun Things to Do in Bastimentos
Bastimentos Island offers many fun activities. You can try a Canopy Zipline Tour at the Red Frog Beach Resort. There's also a cave tour up Salt Creek.
The island has many places to stay, like Red Frog Beach Island Resort, Palmar Tent Lodge, and Tranquilo Bay. Visitors love the beautiful beaches, amazing views of the Caribbean coast, and the relaxing atmosphere. You can also explore many trails through the lush rainforest to experience nature up close.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Bastimentos para niños
Images for kids
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Posoqueria latifolia, the Needle Flower, on Bastimentos Island
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Red Poison-dart frog (Oophaga pumilio) - detail.
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