There are no roads and few trails on the island -- so the only way to get to the project is by water.

From Bocas town (where the airport is located), the route goes through a small maze of channels between small mangrove islands and through dolphin bay.

With a fast boat, it takes about 20 minutes.

Building dugout canoes and pangas from logs is a local tradition, which we support by using mostly wooden boats. They require more maintenance than modern fiberglass boats, which helps keep the workers busy.
The local mode of transportation is the hand-made dug out canoe, which is paddled with a wooden "Canalete". Kids learn to paddle soon after they learn to walk. Locals can recognize each others from a distance from the way they paddle long before they can recognize the boat or the person.
Larger dugout canoes are used to haul heavy loads such as lumber, horses, cement, and occasionally an entire small village. They are much slower, but relaxing to ride. Perfect for a quick nap.


Our largest boat is a 42 ft dugout that was made in the jungle from a single Ceibo tree and required about 50 people to push to the ocean. It has a capacity of about 3 tons. It was already partially built, but abandoned, when we had it made.

In the picture, the boat is towing a paddle canoe to help a local family along the way.






For moving people quickly, the boat of choice is the panga. It has flatter hull than a dugout canoe, and is designed to plane. It cuts through waves quite efficiently, but the driver gets very wet if going fast through high waves which can make it difficult to see.

In nice weather the breeze is nice and highly appreciated even by the dogs.
Smaller pangas, lovingly called pangitas, go up to 30 knots with a mere 15hp engine, but require some skill and nerve to drive. They are the most efficient way to town if all you need is glue for the PVC pipe that just broke.

Once a year, there is a boat race in Bocas with these pangitas. Cornelius usually wins, though looking at the picture I think Emiliano will have a chance next time.

Gringos, of course, typically prefer more modern boats, and I have to admit it's nice to be able to write emails on the way to town.