(Espanol abajo)

Tomorrow, Sunday May 16 is census day in Panama, meaning the country attempts to count every single person in Panama in just one day between 7:00 am till 7:00 pm. This seems like a daunting task and will be interesting to see how it unfolds.  One thing is clear: all types of business will be disrupted, including international transportation.

In response the Caribe Shuttle is changing the schedule for travel between Bocas del Toro, Panama and the southern Caibbean coast of Costa Rica. This change is for one day only on Sunday, May 16, 2010.

On this day everyone in Panama must remain in the building where they slept the night before until they are given a document that confirms that they have been counted. If they are on the street they will be fined and possibly arrested and held until they are counted. This applies to boat captains, van drivers and tourists, everyone. This amounts to everyone in the country being under house arrest, but it is the only practical way for the government to count everyone in one day.

There is a lot of confusion as to exactly what will happen. For instance, will the border be closed until the border official is counted and can leave her house? We are told that there is a system for pre-registering some people in special circumstances, so we assume that officials like police, fire and immigration will be pre-counted and that the border will be open. But will a taxi be available when you cross the border? We are told that “transportation can not be stopped” under the rules, but it is not sure how to interpret that. We assume that most taxi drivers will not risk being find and arrested and will take advantage of the opportunity to sleep in. And we assume that because there will be no passengers, public bus companies will shut down. We do know that the water taxi / ferry between Almirante and Bocas del Toro will NOT operate until enough employees are counted and released to operate safely.  We are also told that a table will be set up at the border by census officials to answer questions and issue documents to travelers that they have been counted.

We are told and it is assumed by most that most people should be counted by noon, so business can resume semi-normally. We also assume that the confusion and restrictions will create delays and backlogs even when transportation does resume.

So to try and avoid problems and delays, on Sunday, May 16, 2010, the Caribe Shuttle will operate as follows:

As always, times are approximations, especially this day. Clients should be warned that there may be delays beyond our control. The schedule will resume as normal on Monday morning.

If are in or traveling to panama, please be patient and follow the rules. Try to think of it as a cultural experience.

(English version above)

Vamos a cambiar el horario por un día el domingo 16 de mayo, 2010. En este día, en Panamá van a hacer un censo y todos en el país deben quedarse en el edificio donde durmieron la noche anterior hasta que se les de un documento que confirme que ya fueron contados.

Si están en la calle, serán multados y posiblemente arrestados y detenidos hasta que sean contados. Esto aplica a capitanes de los botes, conductores de las busetas y turistas, todos.

Esto equivale a que  todo el mundo este bajo arresto domiciliario, pero es la única forma práctica para el gobierno pueda contabilizar a todos en un día. La mayoría de las personas deben ser contados para el mediodía, por lo que las empresas pueden reanudar sus tareas de una forma semi-normal.

Así que para el Domingo 16 de mayo, 2010, el Caribe Shuttle operará de la siguiente manera:

Desde Bocas:

Pick up en el hotel 1:00 pm
Pick up en Taxi 25 1:25 pm
Salida del Bote: 1:30 pm

Desde Puerto Viejo

Pick up en hoteles 1:00 pm

No habrá salida del shuttle en la mañana.

Como siempre, las horas son aproximadas, especialmente este día. Los clientes deben ser advertidos de que puedan haber atrasos fuera de nuestro control. El Horario normal volverá a trabaras el domingo en la mañana.