The Bungalows are fully equipped for 4 people, one room being the single, and the rest just offer more beds with similar benefits. Once you arrive to your room and before you even put down your bags, you’ll probably notice the glass windows on the floor made for visitors to see the aquatic life living under them. Everything is just beautifully decorated for any occasion, I would go as far as saying that a honey moon here would be perfect, no questions asked. Something else I noticed, everything was so nicely taken care of, the hotel and all the natural green life surrounding it.

The Eclypse De Mar Aqua lodge is a perfect place for couples and perhaps going alone if you’re writing a book or just want to get your mind off everything. The rooms are kind of pricey, ranging from $180 to $280 USD. Don’t miss out on any of this though, you won’t regret it.

Su primera parada probablemente sera Isla Colon, esta siendo la isla principal de Bocas del Toro. Aqui es tan cosmopolita como llega a ser Bocas del Toro. Cuando llega a Isla Colon, lo primero que debe hacer es confirmar su transporte de vuelta a tierra firme, ya sea por bote o avion. Puede pasear por las calles, admirando la diversidad cultural y la arquitectura caribeña. Hay muchas opciones para hospedarse, desde pensiones para mochileros hasta hoteles mas lujosos, y una gran variedad de restaurantes y tiendas. Hay dos buenas playas en Isla Colon: Boca del Drago y Playa Bluff.

La siguiente parada sera Isla Bastimentos, la segunda isla en tamaño de Bocas del Toro. Isla Bastimentos es muy popular para esnorquear y bucear y el hogar del Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos. Ademas, Isla Bastimentos es tiene hermosas playas, incluyendo la Playa Rana Roja, y los hospedajes aqui son muy recomendados y mas aislados que en Isla Colon.

Bahia Delfin es en la Isla Cristobal; una isla de 14 millas cuadradas que solo tiene un hospedaje. Para aprovechar al maximo la experiencia de visitar a los delfines de nariz de botella, visite entre junio y septiembre y alquile un kayak, ya que mas delfines se le acercaran si no tienen los disturbios de los motores de los botes.

Si esta buscando un ambiente verdaderamente tranquilo, vaya a la Isla Carenero. Lejos del ir y venir de la Isla Colon, pero suficientemente cerca como para cruzar facilmente, la mayoria de los hospedajes aqui son un poco mas sofisticados que en otras islas. Isla Carenero tambien tiene una marina.

Located in North Avenue and 5th street, you won’t have much of a problem finding the hotel if you ask a local. It’s quite a popular place. It’s not too difficult noticing their attempt at going corporate but don’t worry, that won’t affect your stay in anyway.

Vista Mar does not have much going on, yet offers a lot of benefits and features for you to choose from. I noticed a lot of yacht owners dock their boats right next to the hotel and then get a room immediately. Which reminds me, I would spend my time sitting at the dock a lot thanks to the beautiful view and comfortable chair the hotel has to offer you. Vista Mar is a great place to bring your family or friends, it’s very relaxed and extremely quiet The rooms have private bathrooms with hot water and cable TV. Sounds simple but it’s a great place to sleep and get your mind off problems.

If you’re looking for a nice place for the family, Vista Mar is the perfect choice. You won’t have any problems with too much noise and partying. Surprisingly the rates aren’t bad at all, starting from $49 to $121 USD, depending on your needs. You can’t miss out on this great opportunity.

For more information about staying at Hotel Vista Mar, click here.

The rooms are extremely comfortable and the beds are just incredible. You just want lay down all day. I love sleeping and smelling the ocean during the cold night and starry sky. It’s a feeling you can’t get anywhere else but at the beach. Room service is like most of Bocas del Toro customer service, very good. The employees seemed very happy. They were quite willing to help out and make the hotel a better place. I was pleased and thankful to meet some of these people. The food at the hotel is amazing. I actually miss the taste of their chicken, you have to try it.

El Limbo Hotel isn’t very expensive and is worth every dime. The rates start off at $70 and go up to $120, depending on your needs. The beach is practically at your door step and the morning sunrise is your alarm clock. What more do you need?

To book your reservation at El Limbo Hotel, or to find out more about other accommodation in Panama, click here.

Finding the place is an easy task because everybody knows about La Loma and there are a lot of people staying there on a weekly basis. Try getting an economic room; you won’t need anything too fancy, unless you’re the president. I actually got the cheapest package and this room alone looked better than my actual house, which was a funny thing. The bed is beautifully decorated and it’s prepared for visitors to just jump on and doze off. The first thing I did was relax on the bed, look through the window and fall asleep. Best experience ever.

Staying at La Loma won’t go under $100 per person and making reservations is a must do before even going there. Everybody wants to stay at La Loma during summer, so if you’re planning on going, make sure you make the appropriate reservations.

For more information on staying at the Hotel La Loma, click here.

I have never been a big fan of expensive hotels or resorts but I’ve got to tell you, La Loma is definitely a must see when it comes to Panama. If you’ve never been to Panama, Bocas del Toro is one of the best places to be if you’re into beaches and sun. One of the most important steps before going to Bocas is finding a place to stay. If you have enough money to spare and want to stay at a unique and exclusive hotel, La Loma is what you’re looking for. It has to be one of the largest hotels I’ve ever seen, if you even want to call it a hotel.

Finding the place is an easy task because everybody knows about La Loma and there are a lot of people staying there on a weekly basis. Try getting an economic room; you won’t need anything too fancy, unless you’re the president. I actually got the cheapest package and this room alone looked better than my actual house, which was a funny thing. The bed is beautifully decorated and it’s prepared for visitors to just jump on and doze off. The first thing I did was relax on the bed, look through the window and fall asleep. Best experience ever.

Staying at La Loma won’t go under $100 per person and making reservations is a must do before even going there. Everybody wants to stay at La Loma during summer, so if you’re planning on going, make sure you make the appropriate reservations.

For more information on staying at the Hotel La Loma, click here.

Rooms can cost you from $14 to $52 USD depending on your needs. I personally go for the more economic alternative, but that entirely depends on you. Most of the rooms have a view of the ocean, air conditioning, queen size orthopedic beds, and private bathrooms with hot water. What more does one need? Now the $14 option is pretty much a dorm with a 14 person capacity, ceiling fans and worst of all, one shared bathroom. Again, it all depends on your immediate needs.

The hotel itself looks very nice, comfortable and the service is fair enough. Don’t expect five star bilingual service all the time. If you know some Spanish, you’ll be able to get around the hotel. I have no complaints regarding the service or even the food served at the hotel.

Hotel El Alma is a great place for relaxing or if you’re desperately looking for quick lodging.

For more information about all of the accommodation options in Bocas del Toro, click here.

Macca looks nice even from the outside and once you get in, the environment is comfortable, very homey. I had to stay that same night. Customer service at Bocas del Toro has always been nice and Macca is not left behind at all. I walked up to my room and the layout was fair enough, the room can use some better decorations. It was almost like they just randomly put anything on the walls. Other than that, I loved the bed.  The way the room felt was just fine. I personally don’t need the best decorations in the world, as long as the room feels fine, I’m good to go.

Macca Bite Hotel can get a little pricey; rates don’t go lower than $100. Depending on what room you take, it could go up to $350. I’m not saying this hotel is bad. It’s very good actually, but if you’re into fancy decorations, you’re not getting it here.

For more information about visiting Bocas del Toro, click here. 

Macca looks nice even from the outside and once you get in, the environment is comfortable, very homey. I had to stay that same night. Customer service at Bocas del Toro has always been nice and Macca is not left behind at all. I walked up to my room and the layout was fair enough, the room can use some better decorations. It was almost like they just randomly put anything on the walls. Other than that, I loved the bed.  The way the room felt was just fine. I personally don’t need the best decorations in the world, as long as the room feels fine, I’m good to go.

Macca Bite Hotel can get a little pricey; rates don’t go lower than $100. Depending on what room you take, it could go up to $350. I’m not saying this hotel is bad. It’s very good actually, but if you’re into fancy decorations, you’re not getting it here.

For more information about visiting Bocas del Toro, click here.

Bocas del Toro Panama : Pristine tropical rainforests slope towards the Talamanca and Central mountains. The province is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, Veraguas province to the east, Chiriqui province to the south and Costa Rica to the west. Offshore lay wait to a wonderland of coral reefs teeming with marine life surrounded by an Archipelago of mangroves and white sandy beach Islands and some surf. Here is a surf video from bocas del toro. .

The 1,684 square mile/ 4,632 square kilometer province is made up of primarily four main towns Chiriqui Grande, Changuinola, Almirante on the mainland and Bocas del Toro Town the province Capitol. Bocas province population of 90,000 represents a more diverse mix of ethnicities and nationalities than anywhere in the country outside of Panama City. The islands have long been home to four indigenous tribes the Ngobe, Bugle, Bri-Bri and Naso. Due to Bocas rich history of Spaniards, pirates, banana plantations and now burgeoning expatriate community the ethnic mix also includes banana and canal worker descendents from Africa, Columbia, Jamaica, and the French Antilles, and an International Expatriate population that was tallied in 2003 to include 50 Nations.

One is more likely to hear English spoken here than in any other Panamanian province, however predominantly Spanish is spoken and some Guaymi and Teribe from local Indians lending to a unique Bocas slang. This unique melting pot of food, music and cultures creates a laid back Jimmy Buffet, Paradise.

Previously only know by some Panamanian tourists, adventuresome surfers and a trickling of a few brave backpackers, Bocas has become the hottest new tourist spot in panama. Where have 12 countries filmed their Survivor series including France, Spain, Italy and Russia? The answer is the exotic Bocas del Toro Archipelago. During the last few years bocas has seen an explosion of new settlers from Europe and the US, establishing a new infrastructure of quaint hotels diverse restaurants and exotic resorts. The Investment opportunities have been amazing and will continue to draw both Entrepreneurs and those desiring a near perfect retirement option for years to come.

It is an outdoor lover’s paradise with diving, fishing, boating, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, horseback riding and white water rafting. This region, considered the most geographically diverse in the Caribbean, is also a nature lover’s dream come true. Bocas del Toro Panama is one of the few places in the world that can boast of being the home to a fully functional research facility owned and operated by the Smithsonian Institution. that Eco-tourism is coming of age in Bocas del Toro Panama Eco-tourism is coming of age in Bocas, and why not, with unspoiled coral reefs, a magnificent rain forests and miles of unspoiled beaches within close proximity. If nature is your thing, you will find quality jungle tours, river tours, island tours, bird watching and turtle watching expeditions.

The charm of Bocas del Toro Panama is found not only in the people and the aquatic paradise but also in the laid back life style it affords. The all wood structures many weathered by age bring you into a world both Jimmy Buffet and Humphrey Bogart would fell right at home in. Bocas offers a true flash back in time when life was simpler with fewer stresses and no problems man. If you’re looking to do nothing or be very adventuresome you have found your perfect spot. Bocas is one of Panama’s top tourist attractions and with good reason. Where else can you enjoy beautiful beaches with scarcely a soul in sight and rainforests so fine Lonely Planet Guide calls them “a biologists fantasy”.

I checked into Hotel Bahia, which is really quite a funny little place. Above all the history that surrounds it, as the converted headquarters of The United Fruit Company, it has these loveable little quirks. For beginners, everything in my room is opposite: you push the light switch down to turn on the lights, you turn the cold water nozzle in the shower for warm water, and the you pull the toilet handle upwards to flush—to such an extent that it’s almost practical joke-ish.

The owner Tito was a grateful host and like a proud general showing off his war scars, Tito gave me the full, and I mean full, hotel history. The hotel slowly transformed from a deserted government address to a fully-functioning tourism hotspot over the course of the past 30 years and today, Tito is deservedly proud to tell you how it all went down.

I ate breakfast at Shelly’s BBQ, where the atmosphere couldn’t be any further its western sounding namesake. It sits off the main drag in Bocas and the only reason I stumbled upon it was because I was lost. Crammed into a ping pong table-sized space sat four wobbly tables accompanied by several rotting wooden stools. The menu was etched in Spanish chicken scratch on the wall and asked no more than $2 for an item. Stacks of soon-to-be recycled beer bottles rested in the corner and sand covered the floor. I ordered the first thing on the menu, suspiciously called “sandwich”. What arrived was great: a toasty brown flour tortilla over-stuffed with a beef and a bright and crunchy cucumber salsa. The breakfast of champions

I’m keenly becoming accustomed to this stuff. Places where you help yourself to beers at the bar. Places where it’s ok to wander in shirt-less. And places where the only attitude is the mutt (photo) or rooster searching hungrily for scraps. Places where no one looks at you funny for sitting alone or walking in with sandy or muddy feet. I’ve grown to really love it—the stiff bouncer and tightly-wound maitre’d, now becoming distant, almost alien things to me. Dress codes and table manners, contentedly just a thing of my past.

For lunch I decided to go in search of the famed “sushi sandwich”: a meal that, according to all my co-workers, I “had to have” while in Bocas. I asked a young delivery boy in the lobby of my hotel where to find an Asian-fusion restaurant called Limongrass—and he directed me enthusiastically. I walked down the main street and loved what I saw—this hilarious blend of Caribbean, hippie and Latin cultures. Crunchy people with dreadlocks and Birkenstocks, squinty-eyed tourists with fanny packs, and hard-at-work locals with giant sacks of yucca root on their backs—totally microcosmic. Following the instructions, I opened the door to the restaurant only to hear a sharp and seemingly aggressive voice from the back squeal out “We’re closed.” “How could you be closed on a Thursday afternoon?” I asked the faceless voice. “We just are! Alright?” Limongrass was closed on Thursdays. And their employees were obnoxious. How odd. I began to debate my next move, as the same delivery fellow from my hotel lobby passed by on his rusty beach cruiser. “It’s closed on Thursdays” I told him. “How could they be closed on Thursdays?” “They just are!” I witted back.

Suddenly, the young delivery boy was my only hope. Limongrass was my only recommendation in Bocas and I wanted a memorable meal! In desperation, I asked him where he ate lunch, figuring that had to be the next best thing. If I wasn’t going to have my sushi sandwich I was going to find some real Panamanian food. I didn’t want the timbales and napoleons, the au jus’ or the pom frite’s. I had this sudden, almost possessed, urge for down-home Panama food. I wanted the real stuff and granted, Bocas wasn’t the best place to find it…but dammit I’d try. The delivery boy, Silvio, told me where he ate lunch—a rustic little buffet on the main drag. I offered to buy him lunch and he obliged. He said he had to go to the bank and he’d meet me out front in 10 minutes. Eating like the locals—Oh right!

I waited innocently at the bar, clearly not belonged. I tried to look busy, scanning through my cell phone directory and drawing empty martian scribbles in my notebook. I asked for a beer with ice, trying to blend in, since that’s what everyone else was drinking. Then in due time, I ordered a second, then a third. I began to think Silvio had abandoned me—told the gullible gringo to wait at some small restaurant while he biked off as fast and as far away from me as possible. But finally, who comes rolling up on his four-speed, but the all-knowing Silvio. It was time for lunch. We ordered whole fish and ate the succulent, smoky flesh with our fingers, sipping on chichas of watermelon and tangerine juice. The habanero sauce on the table was named Devils Inferno: mind-bogglingly hot. Lunch for the two of us cost about $4 though I would gladly have paid more. A boat sit out on the dock so i snapped a pic.

After an ill-deserved yet well-needed 2 hour rest, I was somehow hungry again. Bocas has an impressive gauntlet of ethnic restaurants, gourmet cafes, and local joints. You’ve got this crunchy demographic: backpackers who’d be happy eating bananas and water all day—and then you have the fancier people who wouldn’t accept an overcooked bead of risotto. After asking a few people where they recommend I eat, I wandered into a pier directly across the street from my hotel. It was, what looked like, an old run-down fishery or docking station with war scars and that familiar peeling Caribbean-turquoise paint. I had a seat at the bar and started chatting with the bartender—Cathy, a short, rather squatty girl—who recommended I order the Pargo filets since they had just been loaded off the boat. Her recommendation was great—two nice sized fish filets that, in a seriously delicious way, tasted like the ocean. While you’re dining on the water’s edge its hard to complain about anything. Slow service suddenly becomes distracted by amazing sunsets. Mediocre food is oddly considered acceptable. And high prices are somehow justified. The Reef is the poster child for this phenomenon and I was loving it.

I was tired from a day’s…cough cough…hard work and research, so I hit the hay sack. Laying in bed, I ran through the three good meals I had under my belt. I was looking forward to the culinary cosmos I would uncover in the days to come. I passed out watching the movie Legally Blonde—really a funny movie. I’d never seen it before but it was pretty darn funny. Ah. Man. Pretty funny.

Matt Landau is a self-proclaimed “international man of mystery”. For short, friends just call him “Mystery”. You can read all of his bizare international adventures at http://www.thepanamareport.com.