Mangrove forests, caimans, Panama with a father-son duo [RO]
There's nothing more romantic than cruising through mangrove forests, surrounded by caimans.
GoBeyond trips are not only for adventurous travelers or groups of friends but also for duos like a father and son looking for an unforgettable experience. Especially if they are open to wild adventures, incredible waves, and unique culinary delights. Tibor Vincze and his son, Áron, fit this description perfectly and traveled together to Bocas del Toro, Panama.
How did you come up with the idea of going surfing as a father-son duo, and in such a remote place? It’s not exactly a normal family activity.
Tibor: Actually, it was my idea. We’ve been surfing together for many years, and I’m always happy to share these experiences with my son. I tried the sport for the first time in 2014 and Áron joined me four years later, but to be honest, he’s more skilled than me. So, when the opportunity came up to go to an exotic place like Panama, it was a no-brainer to take him along.
Áron: We’d been to Eastern Asia a few times before, but Central America promised to be more special than any of the previous destinations.
„I was excited to travel to a remote, wild setting I’d never been to before.”
Every day you took a speedboat between the islands of Panama. How was it?
Áron: Bocas del Toro is made up of many small islands, so the infrastructure here is mostly boat transport. This is the only option if you want to get from A to B through the mangrove forests. However, the pace helps a lot. Thanks to the boat, we were able to try 10 different surf spots in a day and experience where the waves and natural conditions were best for the sport that day.
Tibor: Well, yes, you are very exposed to the weather conditions while surfing, so fast and efficient transport is essential to make the most of your time there. I don’t think we have ever surfed as much in one day as we did in Panama. And not only was it great practice, but it was also a great way to disconnect: you just dock your boat next to a restaurant, throw in a taco and have a beer. Now that’s a perfect day!
What did you like most about the trip?
Tibor: I think there’s nothing cooler and more romantic than boating through mangrove forests on the open water. Suddenly you feel like you’ve always belonged here, like you’re part of the local culture. You live like the locals and you can take a boat to wherever you want. In Panama, you don’t feel like a tourist anymore.
Áron: And the fishing. While we were surfing, the rest of the crew was fishing for king mackerel, which we used to make ceviche, with a different seasoning every day.
„The basic principle among Panamanians is to eat what you catch that day so as not to produce excess.”
You also met exotic animals on the way. Like which ones?
Tibor: Pelicans! I’d never seen a pelican fishing before, but it’ a great show. They literally dive into the water, without any elegance (laughs).
Áron: And we also met jellyfish. The mangrove forest is a great habitat for them: because there are no strong currents, sometimes 50 to 100 animals float in a square meter, so we couldn’t even touch the water. And we saw two caiman.
And what was the most challenging part of the trip?
Tibor: Definitely the sun. We’ve been to some hot places, but we’ve never been as sunburnt as we were here. We literally had to run away from the sun, covering our feet with towels so we wouldn’t burn to lobster red. But if you’re prepared, it will be a great experience.