What to Pack:
1. Headlamp
One of the lovely things about living in the jungle is the fact we’re surrounded by
nature. But that does mean that by the time the sun goes down it can be a little bit
tricky to see the path. So we recommend you pop a headlamp in your bag when
you’re packing – rechargeable is best!
2. Eco-friendly toiletries
We like to promote the use of plastic-free natural-based products like shampoo/
conditioner bars and insect repellent.
3. Reef-safe sunscreen
As a conservation center working closely with corals, we do everything we can to
minimize our impact in the ocean. In this spirit, we ask you to bring sunscreen free
from octinoxate and oxybenzone- two chemicals that cause the most damage to
corals.
4. Sunglasses, sunhat, sunshirt (rashguard), buff
Always useful for our surface intervals and travels! Also, Bocas is quite dusty now
with lots of road construction, so you may appreciate having a buff or mask on hand
when walking around town.
5. Dive equipment
Full equipment rental is included in the price. But if you own any of your own
equipment, feel free to bring it along! Please let us know what you’ll need.
6. Cash
Lots of places in Bocas Town accept credit cards, but there are still a few crucial
businesses that don't- namely the boat and land taxis. While you can get cash here,
the ATMs here charge heavy fees for every withdrawal, regardless of the amount, so
it might be sensible to bring it with you. Always try to have small bills for the taxis -
sometimes you may get a driver who says they don’t have change and you’re stuck
paying too much.
7. International/ Panamanian SIM
While many places around Bocas del Toro have free, accessible Wi-Fi (including our
classroom), it’s recommended to have a working SIM card to have easy access to
maps, contacting taxi boats and any other travel needs.
8. Reusable water bottle
To help combat plastic waste (and keep your expenses down), we suggest you bring
a reusable water bottle. If you don’t have one on Day 1 of class you will be asked to
purchase one in town. Download the app called Refill My Bottle to find places
around the island to refill.
9. Waterproof bag and rain jacket
Weather in Bocas can be a little fickle. While we always hope for the best weather
for our students, nothing can be guaranteed - even in the dry season. It’s a good bet
to pack a small, fold away waterproof bag of some sort that you can keep in the
bottom of your backpack or a dry bag.
10. Beach/boat towel
We suggest bringing a microfiber towel - they dry quickly and sand comes off easily.
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