Francine’s Story
Francine Roy: How One Woman’s Vision Created an Eco Lodge Paradise
Francine Roy is a dynamic person, whose passion, positivity and strong-will have shaped an extraordinary life journey.
At 49, she took a moment to reflect on her life in the middle of the pressures of a demanding career and a fast-paced urban lifestyle. Realizing the need for a radical change, Francine dreamt of buying a sailboat and embarking on an adventure through the Caribbean Sea – a dream that many share, but few are ready to put in the necessary efforts to make it come true.
Guided by her intuition, Francine was not only on a self-discovery quest but was also searching for ways to surpass the barriers she had fixed for herself. Determined to go beyond her personal limits and fears, she set out on a new and unique adventure.
Following her intuition, she not only wanted to find herself, but she wanted to surpass the barriers that limited herself. Going beyond personal limits and fears, she determinately decided she was able to do it and embarked on a new and unique adventure.
Sailing the Caribbeans Solo
To start smoothly this new stage of her life, she began by navigating only 6 months a year. From 2000 to 2005, she became a leading figure as one of the pioneering female captains sailing solo through the Caribbean region, exploring almost all its islands.
Every adventure brought its own share of new goals and aspirations. Her next target was to become fluent in Spanish. Stong-willed as ever, she spent several months in Honduras and Ecuador to improve her Spanish language proficiency, thus fulfilling another personal dream.
Urraca Paradise
In 2005, Francine’s adventure reached a turning point as she encountered an unprecedented number of storms and hurricanes in the Caribbean region. Faced by such challenges, she decided to seek and wander further in search of calmer waters, leading her to Bocas del Toro islands.
Upon arriving and setting foot on land, the sailor and lover of adventures and discovery knew within her that she had found her paradise. Bocas del Toro captivated her instantly with its unique contrasts and dynamic energy. This exotic and hidden, lost in paradise place offered everything she has dreamt of: a warm local community combining Panamanians, native Panamanians, and afro-Antilleans, paired with untouched virgin lands and islands.
Charmed by the beauty and magic of Bocas del Toro, Francine found the private island gateway she had always dreamed of owning at just the right time in her life. At this point, she took the bold decision to leave her life in Québec behind and embrace completely her new journey.
Sustainability-Driven Founder
Motivated by her passion for sustainability, Francine began building her dream-house over the water with help from the native Panamanian Ngäbe community, using local materials and traditional architecture. Guided by her sustainable vision, she made countless trips by boat to transport water tanks, plumbing and construction materials, kitchen equipment, and many other essentials.
Armed with a ruler and a marker, Francine designed an eco lodge with 6 bungalows on her beautiful island, including a natural swimming pool inside mangroves. Her plans slowly took shape, as the Urraca hotel integrates seemingly with the environment and nature surrounding it. Benefiting from the wisdom and expertise of the Ngäbe community, the resort grew into a harbor of serenity, a midpoint between the sky and the sea.
Francine’s journey stands as the living proof of turning dreams into reality. She proves that dreaming alone is not enough; it requires action and perseverance to bring those ambitions to life. Today, surrounded by her beloved monkeys, savoring fresh lobster, and enjoying a cold glass of rum, Francine lives the happy and fulfilling life she had always envisioned.