The Afro Community of Bocas del Toro

This group came from the Antilles (the group of islands bordering the Caribbean Sea from the coast of Venezuela to the Florida peninsula,) with a primarily English cultural heritage. These peoples are called “Afro-Antilleans,” whose mother tongue is mainly English (although they also came from the French Antilles), and whose faith is Anglican.

Bocas del Toro played a leading role in this second wave when labor was required for banana plantations, which American companies began to develop in the late 19th century in the Panamanian Caribbean. Since then, the Afro-Antillean culture has marked the lifestyle, language, religiousness, music, architecture, the cheerful colors of their costumes and of course, the gastronomy of this province.

Enjoy your stay in Bocas and complete your experience by listening and dancing to local rhythms: reggae, dance hall, soca and calypso.

In Old Bank, Isla Bastimentos, just ten minutes away from Bocas Town, you can relish an unforgettable experience of the Afro-Antillean culture, as it remains less influenced by modernity and new immigrants. Guari Guari, a dialect that mixes English, Spanish and Patois with aspects of Ngäbere (the language of the indigenous people of the region), has been preserved and is in daily use here.

You can also try the Bragadad saltfish torrejitas and the coconut bread, known as “Yanny Cake.” Make sure you try the famous bon bread and ask for an Icing glass (an exotic seaweed smoothie.) Besides, you can indulge in drinks such as sorrel (a Jamaican flower drink;) and the two banana creams: Michila (ripe banana cream with coconut milk,) and Muogo (green banana cream with coconut milk.) After tasting all these delicacies, you will surely remember the distinctive Afro-Antillean flavor of Bocas del Toro.