Beating the rain in Bastimentos

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I got lucky my final weekend in Bocas del Toro.  The rain had stayed away for three whole days.  Unfortunately, on my final day it had returned.  I didn’t let this stop me from enjoying one last day in paradise.

I decided to visit the farm and coffee shop Up in the Hill with some friends I’d met in my Spanish class at Habla Ya.  It is quite aptly named as it is literally a walk up the hill from the main town of Old Bank in Bastimentos.

You might be thinking that this doesn’t sound like a great rainy day activity.  Actually, the constant light drizzle made a hike up the hill more enjoyable.  It wasn’t as hot and it kept away the bugs.  However, the mud was a factor at times.  I wore flip flops as that was all I had, but I would recommend some sneakers that you don’t mind getting dirty.  It wasn’t a difficult walk, though it was a little slippery at some points.  Most of the trail had some sort of stepping stone along the way as well.  It was about a 20 minute walk for us from the dock up to the farm.

Finding the trail wasn’t difficult.  From the dock, you can see a paved sidewalk going up, you start there are there are some signs about Up in the Hill.  If you’re not sure, you can ask anyone in town and they can tell you where to go.

It was so interesting and tasty to try easting the fresh cacao fruit during the tour!

Farm Tour

I highly recommend taking the tour of the farm. The cost is $25 per person and it lasted about 2 hours and included some delicious snacks.  Javier, the owner, showed us all the different fruits, vegetables, herbs, and various plants he grows. It was so interesting to learn about permaculture and how all the different crops are planted together in a way that helps enrich the soil.

Javier told us when he bought the farm it had been an empty hill used to gaze cattle.  The soil was not sustainable to grow crops, but through permaculture farming techniques he was able to grow the farm into what it is today.

 

 

 

He has rebuilt the forest on this farm and now the wildlife has also begun to return.  We saw several of these little orange and red frogs throughout the tour.

 

 

 

Almost everything the family uses is grown on the farm.  He explained that the structures he built are all made from timber grown on the farm.  He showed us the different trees and bamboo he planted to build cabins and a planned tree house.

At the end of the tour, they prepared an assortment of different snacks of cacao, different fruits, and vegetables.  The homemade brownies and hot chocolate were so delicious!  Everything used to prepare the food was grown on the farm from the cacao, coconut oil and milk, and all of the fruits and vegetables.

Javier’s wife also makes cosmetic products from coconut oil and different aromatics that they grow on their farm.  I loved the lemongrass and yang yang scented coconut oils and lip balms.  They make a great gift or a treat for yourself!

My little trip to the Up in the Hill Farm on Isla Bastimentos was one of my favorite experiences in Bocas del Toro.  I really loved learning such interesting information about permaculture and I loved to be able to support a sustainable small business. You can find out more and contact them for information about scheduling a tour or staying in one of their cabins through their website: http://upinthehill.com