Hotel Palma Royale is a mid-range property located across the street from the waterfront in Bocas Town and walking distance to restaurants and shops. The 15 rooms and suites are modern, clean, and brightly colored, with nice touches like coffee grinders, furnished terraces/balconies, and rainfall showers. Some suites have full-size kitchens -- Jimmy Buffett is reportedly a fan of the two-bedroom Penthouse option. Free breakfast is served daily and includes fresh-squeezed juice and cooked-to-order items, but other than the restaurant/bar there aren't any features here. Staff can arrange for excursions such as surfing trips, horseback riding, and tours of cacao plantations. For a comparably priced property right on the water, the boutique Hotel Bocas del Toro could be a good fit.
Hotel Palma Royale is a mid-range property located across the street from the waterfront in Bocas Town and walking distance to restaurants and shops. The 15 rooms and suites are modern, clean, and brightly colored, with nice touches like coffee grinders, furnished terraces/balconies, and rainfall showers. Some suites have full-size kitchens -- Jimmy Buffett is reportedly a fan of the two-bedroom Penthouse option. Free breakfast is served daily and includes fresh-squeezed juice and cooked-to-order items, but other than the restaurant/bar there aren't any features here. Staff can arrange for excursions such as surfing trips, horseback riding, and tours of cacao plantations. For a comparably priced property right on the water, the boutique Hotel Bocas del Toro could be a good fit.
This small 11-room, mid-range boutique hotel is located right on the waterfront in Bocas del Toro’s most populated island. You can’t get more central than this location in the middle of Bocas Town, with dozens of bars, restaurants, and shops all within a short walk (the closest beach is a bit of a hike, however). The cozy, simple rooms are individually decorated with a nautical theme, and several have private balconies. With a waterfront restaurant and small bar on-site, Hotel Bocas del Toro provided everything you need for a pleasant stay in the middle of town if you don't need features like a pool, gym, or spa.
This small 11-room, mid-range boutique hotel is located right on the waterfront in Bocas del Toro’s most populated island. You can’t get more central than this location in the middle of Bocas Town, with dozens of bars, restaurants, and shops all within a short walk (the closest beach is a bit of a hike, however). The cozy, simple rooms are individually decorated with a nautical theme, and several have private balconies. With a waterfront restaurant and small bar on-site, Hotel Bocas del Toro provided everything you need for a pleasant stay in the middle of town if you don't need features like a pool, gym, or spa.
Surfshack meets backpacker hostel at Bubba’s House, a 11-room, budget mix of private rooms and dorms with a tasty restaurant on Panama’s Isla Bastimentos. Opened in 2014 by an Argentine couple, the hostel attracts young travelers and surfers with its laid-back vibe, water-sports rentals, and tours to some of the area’s best surf breaks and beaches. The vibe is part relaxed island retreat and part lively commune, helped by Bubba’s wall of guitars, bongos, keyboards, and tambourines that are used during the scheduled (and impromptu) jazz sessions between guests and local calypso musicians. The simple rooms, painted in bright yellows and greens, have air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, and comfortable beds. For a swisher waterfront stay that has its own nature reserve, Eclypse del Mar is worth a peek, though rates will be higher.
Surfshack meets backpacker hostel at Bubba’s House, a 11-room, budget mix of private rooms and dorms with a tasty restaurant on Panama’s Isla Bastimentos. Opened in 2014 by an Argentine couple, the hostel attracts young travelers and surfers with its laid-back vibe, water-sports rentals, and tours to some of the area’s best surf breaks and beaches. The vibe is part relaxed island retreat and part lively commune, helped by Bubba’s wall of guitars, bongos, keyboards, and tambourines that are used during the scheduled (and impromptu) jazz sessions between guests and local calypso musicians. The simple rooms, painted in bright yellows and greens, have air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, and comfortable beds. For a swisher waterfront stay that has its own nature reserve, Eclypse del Mar is worth a peek, though rates will be higher.
With a private nature reserve teeming with caimans and sloths, the two-and-a-half-pearl Eclypse de Mar eco-lodge is an off-the-grid refuge in Panama’s Bocas Del Toro archipelago. The nine hardwood-crafted rooms are simple and rustic, but keep in mind that electricity is limited in bungalows and all lack TVs and air-conditioning. Couples and honeymooners are drawn to the hotel’s romantic setting, but the lodge’s playground and trampoline mean kids will be entertained too. Exploring the area beaches requires a water taxi (and waiting five to 10 minutes for a pickup) if the lodge’s private boat is unavailable. For a more urban-island experience, the Hotel Bocas Del Toro -- in nearby Bocas town -- offers bright rooms with balconies overlooking the sea.
With a private nature reserve teeming with caimans and sloths, the two-and-a-half-pearl Eclypse de Mar eco-lodge is an off-the-grid refuge in Panama’s Bocas Del Toro archipelago. The nine hardwood-crafted rooms are simple and rustic, but keep in mind that electricity is limited in bungalows and all lack TVs and air-conditioning. Couples and honeymooners are drawn to the hotel’s romantic setting, but the lodge’s playground and trampoline mean kids will be entertained too. Exploring the area beaches requires a water taxi (and waiting five to 10 minutes for a pickup) if the lodge’s private boat is unavailable. For a more urban-island experience, the Hotel Bocas Del Toro -- in nearby Bocas town -- offers bright rooms with balconies overlooking the sea.
Red Frog Beach Island Resort & Spa is an upscale 50-room property on Isla Bastimentos, a rustic island about 15 minutes by boat from Bocas Town. This is a quiet and unspoiled place with dirt roads, five beaches, and tropical rainforest. While most guests are looking to reconnect with each other and nature, others have found the resort lacking in energy. The only features are a spa and a restaurant serving casual Caribbean fare -- including free, basic breakfast. However, the modern, clean Villas as well as the Jungle and Beachfront units all have private or shared pools, full kitchens, and outdoor space -- some with spectacular views of the water. For more on-site activities and better food, travelers should check out La Loma Jungle Lodge and Chocolate Farm, located a few minutes away.
Red Frog Beach Island Resort & Spa is an upscale 50-room property on Isla Bastimentos, a rustic island about 15 minutes by boat from Bocas Town. This is a quiet and unspoiled place with dirt roads, five beaches, and tropical rainforest. While most guests are looking to reconnect with each other and nature, others have found the resort lacking in energy. The only features are a spa and a restaurant serving casual Caribbean fare -- including free, basic breakfast. However, the modern, clean Villas as well as the Jungle and Beachfront units all have private or shared pools, full kitchens, and outdoor space -- some with spectacular views of the water. For more on-site activities and better food, travelers should check out La Loma Jungle Lodge and Chocolate Farm, located a few minutes away.
La Loma Jungle Lodge and Chocolate Farm is a mid-range property with 57 acres extending through tropical forests and cacao, banana, and coconut groves. Situated at one of the highest points on Bastimentos Island, the lodge feels totally removed from bustling Bocas Town, located about 10 minutes away by water taxi. Guests stay in four ranchos within the canopy, where wildlife such as rare birds and monkeys are easy to spot -- but there are no TVs or air-conditioning. All meals are included and made with organic ingredients from the on-site garden, and guests get free chocolate farm tours, trips to Red Frog beach, and use of kayaks and traditional wooden boats. This is a unique property offering an immersion in sustainable living and farming. Nearby Red Frog Beach Island Resort & Spa offers a more typical hotel experience.
La Loma Jungle Lodge and Chocolate Farm is a mid-range property with 57 acres extending through tropical forests and cacao, banana, and coconut groves. Situated at one of the highest points on Bastimentos Island, the lodge feels totally removed from bustling Bocas Town, located about 10 minutes away by water taxi. Guests stay in four ranchos within the canopy, where wildlife such as rare birds and monkeys are easy to spot -- but there are no TVs or air-conditioning. All meals are included and made with organic ingredients from the on-site garden, and guests get free chocolate farm tours, trips to Red Frog beach, and use of kayaks and traditional wooden boats. This is a unique property offering an immersion in sustainable living and farming. Nearby Red Frog Beach Island Resort & Spa offers a more typical hotel experience.
The tiny Sand Dollar Beach Bed & Breakfast, with just six rooms, brings the atmosphere of a charming New England-style inn to Panama. The plantation-style two-story house features big open porches with Adirondack chairs and hammocks, and great views from the second floor. The simple property has lovely gardens and a small beach across the street. A fresh breakfast is served every morning, but there is no formal restaurant, and it’s a bit of a hike to town -- a 30 minute walk or short cab ride to reach any restaurants or bars. This inn is well-suited to those seeking a solid value at a quaint, yet bare bones, property -- there's no pool, gym, or spa.
The tiny Sand Dollar Beach Bed & Breakfast, with just six rooms, brings the atmosphere of a charming New England-style inn to Panama. The plantation-style two-story house features big open porches with Adirondack chairs and hammocks, and great views from the second floor. The simple property has lovely gardens and a small beach across the street. A fresh breakfast is served every morning, but there is no formal restaurant, and it’s a bit of a hike to town -- a 30 minute walk or short cab ride to reach any restaurants or bars. This inn is well-suited to those seeking a solid value at a quaint, yet bare bones, property -- there's no pool, gym, or spa.
The Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge consists of nine two-story cabanas built on stilts above the crystal waters of the Caribbean Sea. It bills itself as eco-luxury, but with simple rooms and few amenities, rates are a little high. The suites are charmingly rustic rather than chic -- there is very limited electricity -- and each has a large deck with lounge chairs and a ladder for easy access into the water. Breakfast and a three-course dinner are included in the rate, but the food receives mixed reviews and soft drinks and alcohol aren't covered. A 30-minute boat ride from Almirante, the lodge is a truly remote, peaceful retreat for travelers wanting to relax on their deck with a book or take out the free kayaks and snorkel gear.
The Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge consists of nine two-story cabanas built on stilts above the crystal waters of the Caribbean Sea. It bills itself as eco-luxury, but with simple rooms and few amenities, rates are a little high. The suites are charmingly rustic rather than chic -- there is very limited electricity -- and each has a large deck with lounge chairs and a ladder for easy access into the water. Breakfast and a three-course dinner are included in the rate, but the food receives mixed reviews and soft drinks and alcohol aren't covered. A 30-minute boat ride from Almirante, the lodge is a truly remote, peaceful retreat for travelers wanting to relax on their deck with a book or take out the free kayaks and snorkel gear.
Koko Resort is a value property in the residential neighborhood of Saigon Bay on Isla Colon, walking distance from Bocas Town. While its rustic style is certainly not for everybody, the resort offers a taste of authentic Panamanian life. Everything here, from the scrappy beach to the patchy gardens to the guest cabins, feels lived-in and well-loved. All six cabins (some sitting on silts over the water) have air-conditioning, full kitchens, and balconies or terraces, and while decor is homey, it's also simple. Free breakfast is served daily and includes local fruits, and the owners can arrange for excursions and activities around the island. Kayaks, bikes, and snorkel masks are also available for free use by guests. If Koko Resort is booked, consider The Sand Dollar Beach Bed & Breakfast, which has similar prices but a quieter location a five-minute drive north.
Koko Resort is a value property in the residential neighborhood of Saigon Bay on Isla Colon, walking distance from Bocas Town. While its rustic style is certainly not for everybody, the resort offers a taste of authentic Panamanian life. Everything here, from the scrappy beach to the patchy gardens to the guest cabins, feels lived-in and well-loved. All six cabins (some sitting on silts over the water) have air-conditioning, full kitchens, and balconies or terraces, and while decor is homey, it's also simple. Free breakfast is served daily and includes local fruits, and the owners can arrange for excursions and activities around the island. Kayaks, bikes, and snorkel masks are also available for free use by guests. If Koko Resort is booked, consider The Sand Dollar Beach Bed & Breakfast, which has similar prices but a quieter location a five-minute drive north.