The Solarte Island Exploration

Bocas del Toro, Panama

---

I truly believe that the connection with nature in our planet helps us fulfill ourselves as persons.

Most of the time we are so busy in our day to day life that we forget it's important to disconnect completely from chores and duties and dedicate some time to ourselves and our spirit. Me personally, I have failed so far when it comes to meditation, but when I go out there to explore nature, I feel a natural high that helps me work on these aspects.

With this post, I would like to share with you an amazing experience I had visiting an island called Solarte, here in the archipelago of Bocas del Toro in Panama, my home.

---

---

We, @evecab, our dog, Sergio and Tyson (friends), left Colon Island by boat to headed to Solarte, it was a 6 minutes boat ride. The plan was to hike the island from one side to the other one and end up in Hospital Point Beach.

We started the hike in the Pelicano Dock at the Solarte Sustainable Living Project Property.

Solarte Sustainable Living is a project in every sense of the word. It is a sustainability project, a reforestation project, and it is a community project-all with a basis of healthy principles of living. The project is focus on a community built in harmony with nature rather than in spite of her. To live and function within our environment, not destroy it.

---

A bit of history:

This island is called Solarte, because Cristobal Columbus when he came to this archipielago on his 4th trip, he spent a lot of time enjoying the sunrise and sunset from the hills. The beauty of the views were art for him.

The english pirates also called it Nancy’s Cay from the spanish “Cayo de Nance”, it is believed that the name came from the abundance of the ”nances which is a small yellow fruit.

---

The destination of this hike was Hospital Point, which is in the west side of the island. It got its name because of its history as the part of the region's first hospital built by the United Fruit Company in 1900.

During the hike, we saw different types of plants and trees, and we had the opportunity to observe wildlife such red frogs and birds. In this jungle you can also spot sloths and White Faced Monkey, but we were not lucky that day, still we had one of the most beautiful days we could ever had. We also discovered natural waterholes.

This is the tree “Sangrillo”:

This specie is very famous because of its yellow flowers and a red sap

---

We found the “Walking Palm”:

This palm is very interesting, is called the Walking Palm because it's aerial roots that allow the palm to change its position in order to obtain better light.

---

The level of difficulty of the hike is very low, anyone will be able to do it.

There is a stop half way to Hospital Point beach where visitors are able to use the bathroom if they need to, and have a snack prepared by the indigenous family that takes care of the property. If you visit, you will be able to also purchase handicrafts and coconut water to drink from them.

After the break, the hike continues up the hill to get to different spots where we were able to appreciate the view of Bastimentos Island and Hospital Point.

We spotted several Red Frogs

---

Even our dog stop running around and decided to stop and appreciate the view while feeling that natural high:

---

Thereafter, we continue down the hill to Hospital Point’s 2nd beach. The difficulty level increases a little bit since the path is conformed by tree roots, but the hike down the hill is short. Everyone had to watch their steps.

Once arriving at the beach, we were be able to have a picnic, swim to the close next beach and snorkel a bit. It was a great way to finish the hike.

We did not need to hike back, since the boat driver knew already were to pick us up in the other side of the island. What a great trip this was!

Here are some more pictures I am happy to share with you:

---

---

If you ever want to do this trip, is very easy. Just ask the boat driver to drop you off in the Pelicano Dock of Solarte, and the path to get to Hospital Point is very well marked. Of course make sure to contact our friends from the La Vida Solarte Project so they know you will go since is a private property, you may have to pay a small fee to help with the maintenance of the area.

Also do not forget to bring:

• Proper hiking shoes or tennis shoes, no flip flops for hiking.
• Cameras if they want to take pictures.
• Sunscreen, preferably organic.
• Food for the picnic such as fruits, bread, water. Nothing in foam containers or plastic.
• Towel
• Backpack
• A plastic bag to collect any small trash you see that dirty humans left in the way.

This trip is very easy to do in a half day.

---

@evecab posted a video we made of this trip that day, check it out:

---

I hope you enjoyed it!

---

Thank you!

---

Source Credits:

• Map from Habla Ya Spanish Schools
• Trail info from La Vida Solarte Project