Since my first visit in 2007 to the Bala Beach Resort site, I have always wanted to explore the waterfront to the west of the construction site. There were no houses as far as the eye could see, only unspoiled tropical coastline.
The Bala Beach Resort is located at the edge of Maria Chiquita. Maria Chiquita is located on a large sandy beach on the caribbean side of Panama in Central Ameerica. The beach forms a gentle "U". At the west end of the beach is the Bala Beach Resort construction site. This is where the homes end and the mostly untouched waterfront continues.
Where the sandy beach ends, a rocky reef begins and extends well out into the water. You will see the waves breaking at the outer edge of the reef. At low tide, some of the reef is exposed but on my visit the tide was in. With good beach sandals or reef shoes you will find this walk to be more safe and more comfortable.
Near the point, you may need to weave your way through some beautiful trees. Although I don't know what they are called in Panama, in the Dominican Republic they are called "Uva de Playa" or Beach Grapes. The fruit, once ripe is delicious.
A couple young men passed me early on the safari. They were from Maria Chiquita and were carrying some swim fins and dive masks and make-shift fishing equipment. I asked them where they were headed and they said they were going to do some diving. They were a little unsure about what they might find but "Pulpo" (octopus) was a possibility according to one of them.
I had decided to walk as far west as I could within the constraints of time and passability. It was easier to walk on land in a couple of places, but mostly wading in shallow water was more comfortable.
At waters edge, some nice flowers were in bloom. Whatever they are, they were beautiful. During my previous visit to the area, I had noticed a native dugout canoe on the shore, but this time it was missing. So on I went, following the two divers who had passed me and were gaining ground.
Next the mouth of a small creek turned the water cool but was no problem to wade past. The brownish waters of the jungle poured lazily into the bay. Miniscule fish darted about as if testing the fresh water.
The shallow reef continued and around the next corner I could see what looked to be a larger bay and possibly the mouth of a larger river. Looking out to the deep water, I could see a large ship waiting it's turn to enter the Panama Canal. Then, further in, a dugout canue turned broadside to me, fishermen working the sea for a meal. The divers were making ready to wade out on the reef to see what they could find. I caught up with them and wished them good luck. As they waded out onto the reef, they called a greeting to the canoe.
A water taxi was taking people to what looked like the mouth of the river. This was as far as I could make it without climbing through mangroves or dealing with the river or whatever it was. What fun to see these three diverse vessels all in one spot!
I watched as the water taxi made 3 attempts to go into the river. Finally it disappeared from sight.
Only 24 minutes into my walk, it was time to return to Bala Beach as the day was warming up and I was ready to cool down. On the return trip, a short cut over land to avoid some trees which had fallen in the water revealed a native hut, probably the home of the canoe folks. It is hidden back from the beach and you could walk by it easily and not see it.
Back at Maria Chiquita, I went to a local market and bought a nice cold drink. Back at the resort construction site, the breeze was picking up just in time to keep things from getting too warm.
By walking near the west end of the beach I could avoid the surf and go for a nice swim in the bath-tub warm tropical waters of the caribbean. Heaven!
If you visit Bala Beach Resort, take a little time to explore. Panama is such a beautiful country with incredible natural beauty and unspoiled places. You won't regret it.
