Women Who Wander: Jasmine Martin

Hi everyone, and welcome back to another Women Who Wander blog post! I am so excited to talk about Jasmine and her recent trip. This girl is an absolute gem! I met her through lifeguarding, and over the last few years, I’ve watched her grow up into an incredible young lady. Recently, Jasmine went to Bocas del Toro, Panama, on Isla Colon for one month to help volunteer at La Selva Nomad Tree Lodge. 

Her Stay

Jasmine loved staying and volunteering at La Selva Nomad Tree Lodge and recommends it to everyone! It’s in a great location, just a 10-minute taxi ride from the town, and across from a great surf break called Tiger Tail. The lodge is surrounded by nature, so it’s a great place to go if you’re looking for a serene escape. She also wanted to give a shoutout to the owner, Lily, who she described as the coolest, most down-to-earth person ever. Jasmine mentioned that the owner is always open to individuals wanting to volunteer or organize a group trip!

Her Recommendations

• Filthy Friday Bocas: Filthy Friday is a super fun event hosted every Friday and is a great way to meet people! 

• Canero Surf Break: a great break on the island of Bastimentos, to get there, take a boat taxi for $1!

• Skully’s Bar: This bar has good food and good vibes! They also host fun activities, including but not limited to karaoke, pool, and bingo.

• Bluff Beach: This beach has gorgeous orange sand and crystal clear water. You can take a taxi to where the road ends at Bluff Beach and hike to secret beaches shaded by palm trees with beautiful tide pools.

• Ultimo Refugio: A delicious local restaurant with an emphasis on fresh fish!

• Paunch Surf Break: A beginner-friendly left break, just a 10 minute walk from La Selva Nomad Tree Lodge!

• Rent Bicycles: Especially if you’re staying for a long period of time, it’s a great way to take in the views!

• Starfish Beach: A great spot to spend the day snorkeling, and just like the name suggests, you’ll find a ton of starfish at this beach! 

• Wizard Beach: The beautiful Isla Bastimentos is vibrant with a rich culture ingrained into it. A 30-minute hike across the island will offer stunning views and take you to Wizard Beach, which has a great beach break!

Her Highlights

Surfing was by far the highlight of her trip. She told me there’s a variety of breaks, so it never got boring, and she was never without waves. The energy and power of the waves were like nothing she had felt before, and she loved it. She also saw so much sea life while out surfing, which made the experience even better. 

Challenges She Faced

The most challenging part of her trip was travelling there, especially with boards. She said coffee helped, but from jumper planes, to finding a taxi, to changed airline policies, it was a long day. Another challenge was getting comfortable surfing a reef break. This was a fear she had to overcome. However, she felt like her surfing skills really progressed on this trip, and she said she got a lot better at controlling her speed and improved her turns. 

Her Experience

She spoke about how nice all the locals were during her trip. Except some of them were a little too friendly, and she dealt with a lot of cat-calling. Despite this, she always felt safe, and more importantly, felt welcomed in the lineup. Most of the locals she met spoke English, but she said knowing a little bit of Spanish helped her a lot during this trip. She even noticed that her Spanish improved by the end of her trip!

What She Learned

Jasmine learned what truly matters during this trip. We talked about how people in America, so much energy goes into chasing materialistic things, appearance, and status. In Panama, she noticed how happy the locals were. They found joy in nature, family, and connection. During this trip, she embraced their way of life. What mattered most to her were the connections and memories she was making.

Her Advice

Jasmine’s advice is to stay as open as possible while traveling. Be open to meeting new people, embracing opportunities, and trying new things. You never know what amazing experience awaits, and when it comes you should welcome it.   

Jasmine, thank you so much for letting me share your adventures from Panama! I know that the future has many more amazing travel experiences, opportunities, and good waves in store for you.

In case you missed my last Women Who Wander blog post, you can click here to read it!