best place to stop in Panama

[jwrsailing]

What is the best place to stop in Panama on the Gulf Side for a day or two to rest and fuel and supply up?

[model 10]

Bocas Del Toro has it all. Check in, fuel, airport, food, marinas, anchorages etc.

[jwrsailing]

Looking for something a little further south down the line if possible somewhere near or more south than Colon. Shelter Bay?

[model 10]

Shelter Bay is good too.

[BandB]

Shelter Bay is very good, but Bocas del Toro is one of our favorites among all places we've visited.

[boatman61]

Shelter Bay is comfortable and friendly.. only downside is the 1hr EW bus ride into Colon for supplies on the Marina bus.. runs twice a day.. mind.. if your lucky you'll get to see the Canal at work if a ships going through when the bus gets to the crossing.
You can also order stuff at the on site little store and they'll bring it in.

[belizesailor]

"Best" for what?

Wanna Party? Bocas

Prepare for Canal Transit? Shelter Bay

Stage to/from San Blas? Linton Bay Marina or Portobelo.

[jwrsailing]

Going to make a stop for a day or two then cross over to Aruba from there actually.

[jwrsailing]

My first stop from KeyWest will be Cancun/Isla Mujeres. Anything I need to know about resupplying and refueling? If anyone has went this route then whats the best option? What paperwork do I need? Only will be there no more than two days.

[BandB]

Marina Hacienda del Mar in Cancun is a port of entry, easy place to enter. You'll need for all countries all your standard documents including documentation, passports, insurance, and no weapons aboard.

[jwrsailing]

Hey BandB, clear out some of your message space. Was trying to send you a private message.

[BandB]

Wifey B: I just did so. Wow. Can't believe the limit here is still 50. But I took a bunch and

[Flyingriki]

I think there are two marinas in Bocas, and the new one a short boat ride away, Red Frog. Bocas town can get pretty noisy and is fairly third world if you like that. Lot of poverty nearby.

Red Frog is beautiful. New, quiet and near a cool beach etc. No fuel or stores, but both are not far away.

[BandB]

Originally Posted by Flyingriki

I think there are two marinas in Bocas, and the new one a short boat ride away, Red Frog. Bocas town can get pretty noisy and is fairly third world if you like that. Lot of poverty nearby.

Red Frog is beautiful. New, quiet and near a cool beach etc. No fuel or stores, but both are not far away.

We docked at Red Frog. Great resort and, as you said, just a short way across to fuel.

[model 10]

Originally Posted by jwrsailing

Only will be there no more than two days.

Not sure that can happen in 2 days. You might not want to check in at all. Arrive Isla on a weekend and it probably would not be a problem. But otherwise it takes most of a day to check in and 1/2 day to check out. This plan sounds like a waste of time also it's not free.
I suggest you show up Fri afternoon in the Isla anchorage with your yellow flag flying or not, bop till you drop all weekend, don't get arrested, get some fuel and leave Monday morning. I've hung out at the port captains office, they ain't paying attention to the sailboat anchorage, boats are there longer sometimes.