Information about the Caribbean coast of Panama
Last week, Safarick’s Zoologico invited Caribbean Panama Network for a pre-opening VIP tour of the zoo before their grand opening on October 20th. We have been watching the development of Safarick’s Zoo for the past 3 years and have visited the property a few times during construction and so we were very excited for the opportunity to see and experience the first zoo on the Caribbean Coast of Panama and get to know the amazing family that has built this sanctuary and their animals.
We arrived at the Purificacao family home near the zoo late in the evening and were greeted by Antonio, Rita and their kids: 20-year-old Niko, 12-year-old Diago, and 5-year-old Jenna. The house was full of excited chatter in preparation for the first VIP tours the following day. Diago, Niko and their friends from school had been put to the task of guiding the visitors through each enclosure in the zoo so they were up late into the night studying about each animal and practicing their dialogue in English and Spanish. Quite impressive! Meanwhile, Antonio cooked a delicious dinner for all the house guests and Rita prepared the Safarick’s Zoo polo uniforms for everyone to wear the next day. Antonio’s brother Vic was also visiting from Canada to help out at the zoo’s snack bar. The house itself was quite a zoo!
The following day we arrived early at Safarick’s Zoo for the grand tour. Nick, Diago and their friends all wore their brand new polos with the Safarick’s Zoo logo embroidered on the front. They excitedly greeted each guest and expertly answered questions about each animal. I, however, had my own special tour guide for the zoo: Antonio and Rita’s 5 year old daughter Jenna. No one on this earth could have been more excited about the grand opening of Safarick’s Zoo than Jenna! She wore her own polo uniform and just could not wait to show me all of her animal friends.
The first stop was the spider monkey and capuchin monkey enclosure. The enclosures are tall and spacious with plenty of room for the monkeys to swing from tree to tree and also included ropes, “monkey bars” and a pool (hmm, come to think of it, these monkeys have a more entertaining place to live than I do!). Jenna knew each of the monkey’s names (she named them herself) and knew each of their quirks and unique personality. To her, they were not just animals, they were family! Her favorite monkey is Judy, who, like most of the animals, is part of Safarick’s Zoo’s Rescue & Rehabilitation Program. Jenna explained that Judy had been a rescue animal and was very sick and unhealthy when she first arrived, but now she is healthy and happy and thriving in her new home.
Jenna then very excitedly led me to the open air sloth enclosure. She explained that there had been 2 sloths but one of them had recently escaped which was a very good thing because it means the sloth was healthy and strong enough to survive on its own in the jungle! We watched the remaining sloth climb very slowly back to his rancho but he was taking quite long so we moved on to the Butterfly Enclosure. The Butterfly Enclosure is a beautiful enclosed botanical garden filled with colorful tropical plants and flowers. As we walked through, we spotted many kinds of butterflies and even a giant dragonfly with bright blue wings. Jenna, of course, has this magical way with all of the animals and the butterflies just fluttered around her with one one of them even landing on her finger.
And so the tour went on with my little tour guide, happily hopping around leading me from enclosure to enclosure to meet each of her animal friends including the coatis, deers, ducks and Thor the ocelot! The zoo itself is pristine, well-kept and the animals are very well taken care of in their spacious enclosures. To add to the experience, the grounds are beautifully landscaped and surrounded with tropical flowers and plants as well as tiki-style statues made from volcanic ash.
Finally, Jenna led me to the final (and my favorite) part of the tour: the walk-through Aviary. It is Panama’s largest walk-through aviary and features a waterfall fountain and a large pool full of large Koi fish! There are peacocks walking around and you can see toucans, blue and yellow macaws and scarlet macaws up close as they fly from tree to tree and perch on the railings and fountains. It’s quite startling when one of these majestic birds fly right past your ear and land right in front of you! (Just as a warning, it’s a possibility that you get pooped on by one of these birds but I’ve been told that you *may* get a free treat from the snack bar if you provide proof of the incident). At the end of my tour, Jenna and I sat in the cafeteria and had sandwiches and cold drinks. We also sampled the chili dogs, fresh fruit smoothies and beaver tails that are featured on the menu. At the end of it all, I was pretty tired and full from all the food and was quite content sitting in the shade and watching the birds from the cafeteria. Jenna, however, was too excited to take a rest and spotted the next group of tourists to introduce her animal friends to.
Overall, I had a great day Safarick’s Zoologico and I think it is a wonderful addition to the Caribbean coast of Panama. The Purificacao family has really poured their heart and soul into not just the project, but also the ongoing care and well-being of the animals that have been rescued and now live on-site. It was truly wonderful to see an attraction like this pop up in Maria Chiquita and I’m excited for the rest of the country to see this beautiful place. Safarick’s Zoo is only one hour away from Panama City and a fun adventure for the family! If you’re wondering if the kids will love it, just ask Jenna. If you’re lucky you may spot her there on weekends and I’m sure she’ll be happy to give you a tour!
My absolute favorite part of travel is always FOOD. Tasting local cuisine is the best way to really get to know a country and its flavors and textures. The coast along the Costa Arriba in Panama is dotted with little blink-and-you’ll-miss it restaurants serving typical Panamanian fare with a Caribbean twist. While in Bocas del Toro, international cuisine owned and operated by expats are mixed in with fondas and street carts serving “palitos” – barbecued meats and veggies on a stick. I’ve tried a lot of places on the Caribbean and I review quite a few of them on Tripadvisor and Yelp but those places I only usually visit while I’m passing through or just trying out. So instead I’d like to share with you my regular favorite spots on the Caribbean that I’ve been to at least 5 times and I consider a regular stop.
COSTA ARRIBA
First stop is a chicken joint in the town of Sabanitas in the Colon Province called Rosticeria La Fe. I was first introduced to this place 5 years ago and now we stop here frequently on our way in and out of Portobelo. The second you walk up to the driveway your nose is hit with the strong aroma of spit roasted chicken rotating slowly in its own juices. The roasting spit is placed outside of the shop for all the world to see and smell! We select an entire chicken which is then expertly chopped up in snack sized pieces so you can eat it in the car on the way to the beach without utensils… at least that’s how I eat it! There’s no way anyone can sit in a hot car with the smell of hot chicken and not grab a little piece. Don’t forget to smother it with hot sauce and mustard!
Second stop on the Costa Arriba is Coco Arte for some roasted coconut shavings called Coco Cryspi. Coco Arte is actually a little art gallery/shop selling unique and gorgeous driftwood art. I love to visit this place and run my hands along the smooth, beautifully sculpted driftwood and imagine having one of these pieces in my livingroom whenever I decide to stop traveling and actuallly have a place to live. Then I remember how awesome it is to travel and eat all the things so I go grab myself some coco cryspies instead! These thin crunchy bits are toasted to golden brown perfection and tastes incredible! Want to know the secret ingredients? Coconut and heat. Just shaved coconut expertly roasted in regular ovens…seriously that’s it. And then sprinkled with magic and then goes in my mouth. Tip: if these things are miraculously not devoured before you get home and makes it back to your kitchen, they make excellent toppings for salad, or chop it up some more in a food processor and use it to coat chicken and bake!
Number three of my regular stops on the Costa Arriba is Las Anclas located on the road towards Portobelo. You know that scene in The Little Mermaid where she sings “Part of Your World” in a room with her collection of sunken treasures? This restaurant is that room (and also, that song is now in your head). Every corner and every inch of wall is decorated with fishing relics, antique wine bottles, seashells, driftwood, fishing nets, flags and whatever else has washed up on the beach in the last 50 years. You can’t help but get up and walk around to look at stuff while you wait for your food. The food itself here is just ok… I usually get fried fish with coconut rice that comes with a side of sweet fried plantain, or garlic clams and ceviche. Not the best I’ve had, but a nice filling lunch for a nice afternoon on the coast. What makes this place unique is the appetizer that comes while waiting for the main course. A giant piece of fried flattened plantain with a side of fresh tomato sauce and chutney served in little clay pots. It’s such a simple but special little appetizer that leaves you wanting more. Wash it down with some ice cold coconut water and you’re in paradise.
Regular spot number 4 is good ol Captain Jack’s in Portobelo located a few steps from the Portobelo Ruins. It’s an open air bar/restaurant that sits on top of Hostel Portobelo and offers a beautiful view of the ruins and church steeples yonder. There are 2 giant long tables with a bench on each side to encourage eating together like the pirates we are. Now, I’m asian and grew up in Toronto so I love and miss dearly some good asian food when I’m in Panama…especially some good Thai food. Captain Jack’s in Portobelo might be the last place you’d think to get good thai food but I find myself quite often sitting on that bench eagerly waiting for springrolls, pad thai and chicken satay – 3 of my favorites on the menu. I am also a sucker for a good plate of fries and Captain Jack’s has THE BEST FRIES ON THE CARIBBEAN. Thin sliced, skin on, perfectly fried crispy bits of goodness. Hurry up and pass the hotsauce. Extra special treat is when Captain Jack himself whips out the guitar and serenades everyone with a rendition of “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay”. You’ll be tappin’ your feet with a big smile on your face while you take a bite of delicious springrolls. Oh and they also have really good burgers.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyF2NtE5OYU&w=560&h=315]
Well, that’s my little slice of good eats on the Costa Arriba… stay tuned for my regular places to eat in Bocas del Toro!