BOCAS DEL TORO, Panama, Oct. 21, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Escape this fall to Red Frog Beach Island Resort, a newly completed luxury villa retreat on beautiful Isla Bastimentos, overlooking unspoiled Caribbean beaches and miles of vibrant rainforest virtually unchanged since it was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502. Red Frog offers the feel of staying in your own private island paradise yet affords easy access to the rich culture of the Bocas del Toro archipelago – including Feria del Mar ("Fair of the Sea") on neighboring Isla Colon, held each autumn for 50 years to celebrate the Bocas del Toro's fishing traditions.
This year's Feria del Mar culminated on September 15 with the Bocas Boat Races, festively showcasing hand-built pangas and classic wooden Cayukos (canoes) sporting detailed art work glistening under the brilliant blue skies. During this uniquely original Bocas event, thousands of participants from the surrounding islands, region and throughout the world gathered on Istmito Beach to cheer on the racers and enjoy the social atmosphere of the festival, which also included local food, crafts, music and dancing.
The day started with the 15hp motor class and worked its way up to the big guns (75 hp) by evening. Spurred on by a sizeable cash prize, the drivers push there crafts to the limit. The long narrow panganitas glide across the sea with only a portion of the hull in water. Following the oval course, laid out by buoys in the bay, the boatmen strive for best time as they run individual laps. With a spray of salt water, they lean hard into the turns. The straightaways see the bow bounce heavily while the motor turns at top speed.
Win, lose, or just watch it's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the Caribbean islands of Bocas Del Toro. Feria del Mar is a great event for families as well as couples--with many daytime events and activities for children and a lively street party atmosphere at night—and Red Frog Beach Island Resort offers ideal accommodations for both. Its spacious one- to six-bedroom villas and suites, set widely apart amid picturesque gardens and private pools, range in price from just $149 to $1,071 per night (with All Inclusive packages that include food and tours available).
Red Frog Beach is situated adjacent to a national marine park and overlooking protected rainforest and its namesake beach—designated as "One of the World's Best Secret Beaches" by The Travel Channel (Isla Bastimentos has also been named "One of the 10 Great Islands You've Never Heard Of!" by Budget Traveler). A host of onsite amenities meld with the fascinating history of explorers discovering this idyllic island paradise to create an enchanting, yet adventurous atmosphere. In addition to the spectacular beach, enjoy the resort's great adventure activities such as a thrilling, two-hour Zipline Rainforest Canopy Tour set at the top of the island, overlooking the vast Caribbean landscape. Or, explore abundant nature trails that lead to impossibly white-sandy beaches and encounter playful Capuchin monkeys, lazy tree sloths, squawking parrots and giant morpho butterflies. The resort also has a beachside activity center with a full line of watersports equipment rentals available, including kayaks, Stand Up Paddleboards, surfboards and boogie boards.
For those wishing to explore natural beauty and rich culture of the 300 inlets that make up the Bocas del Toro archipelago, Red Frog also offers than a dozen New World Discovery Tours to the island's points of interest and neighboring keys. Set out by boat to visit dazzling island keys and barren beaches, see dolphins jumping in wake, enjoy snorkeling amid colorful fish and reefs, immerse yourself in an indigenous Indian village, visit a working chocolate farm, or explore underground caves. Guided fishing charters, horseback riding tours to indigenous Indian villages and surf lessons for beginners also are available.
For more information about Red Frog Beach Island Resort, visit www.redfrogbeach.com, call (888) 655-9573 or Panama (507) 836-5501 or e-mail info@redfrogbeach.com
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=21610
