Here is another article on Red Frog Resort by Robert Poole at BLOUNIARTINFO International.
The beauty of the islands and beaches of the Caribbean have attracted tourists for decades, creating an economy of tourism that doesn’t always best serve the environment that said tourists are hoping to see. But while some destinations have reached their capacity for human visitors, others remain fairly undiscovered or off the radar. One such area that so far remains known only principally to those living in Central America, is Panama’s Bocas del Toro Archipelago.
The region in Panama’s north west border’s Costa Rica, and is thought to have been first visited back in 1502 by none other than Christopher Columbus. 500 years later it is home to two national parks, Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park and La Amistad International Park, as well as a Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Fitting then that its leading resort is itself, designed by nature.
Known for its Jungle Lodges, Red Frog Beach is an ecotourism resort that aims to provide the best villas in the country to its guests, right in the middle of a jungle populated by all manner of wild animals. Set on Isla Bastimentos it is reached by water taxi from the regional capital. A jetty that leads through the rainforest takes guest to a reception where they will find their jungle cart, in order to drive around the dirt roads that lead to the villas and beaches. It’s clear the priority here is to give guests the best chance to immerse themselves within the environment.
Bocas del Toro is sometimes dubbed the “Galapagos of the Caribbean,” having broken away from mainland Panama some 8,000 years ago. A local ecosystem developed, with coral reefs and mangroves supporting biodiversity in both marine and rainforest wildlife, including Red Frogs, sea turtles, monkeys, sloths, reptiles, bright blue morphobutterflies and birdlife.
Up until ten years ago though, Isla Bastimentos was suffering from erosion and deforestation from cattle grazing, leading to strict new rules and the replenishment of natural species. Red Frog Beach began in 2004 when land encompassing four beaches of the island was purchased from a Panamanian family who had built its bridges and pathways. The resort built villas on the former cattleground, allowing nature reclaim the land around, and dedicated 60% of the land as its own nature reserve.
Today the resort is increasingly working together with nature, its extensive zipline minimizes impact while allowing guests to immerse themselves within the rainforest canopy. A natural spa is low-impact too, and nature reserve has increased to 70%. It also boasts one of the largest solar power plants of any island resort in the world, which supports its network of guest villas ranging in size for 1 to 6 people – but it’s the jungles lodges that really stand out.
And the resort at Red Frog Beach was built on a “protected” National Park area !