PLACES TO STAY - ISLA COLON (THE main island - “Bocas” island)
They have plenty of places in a WIDE variety of
budgets. In time I’ll enhance this
area but it’s not so crucial to me as I have my places I LOVE!!! They have everything from hostel to
COOL ($$$$) places on stilts ON the water (one day!!).
If you pay with cash (NOT travelers checks) - MANY
places will not charge you tax or sometimes if you’re a Walk-In, they’ll give
you a lower rate. Also, if you’re
there off season – many places will give you a lower rate if you stay 7+ nights
(I got 1 free night at the Blue Marlin making my stay just $47/night!!).
So
far, my 5 trips to Bocas – I’ve gone solo (I SOOOOO NEEDED that time solo
withOUT my friends around!!
IMPORTANT for me in keeping balance/sanity in as MUCH as I LOVE my
business [I get to bring JOY to people!!!], my quiet and sleep times are
SACRED!!! I LOVE getting the best
of ALL worlds!!) and though even more friends want to go with me now – I say NO
WAY!!! I'm going solo again!!
I
normally like to "See where Spirit" takes me and RARELY make hotel
reservations if I'm arriving early (and I was) BUT my "Intuition"
told me to check around since I was coming in on a Sat. and I was GLAD I did as
MOST cool places (on the water which was IMPORTANT to me) were already booked
and had 2 night minimums and I wasn't initially wanting to commit to 2 nights
as I wanted to see what Bocas had to offer. They have MANY little hotels/cabanas/casitas either ON the
waters edge or built on stilts ON THE WATER!! COOL!!! CHIVA!!!
Detailed
clean is not something I’ve found in many places in moderate or cheaper
accommodations in Latin America and some places have that musty smell but once
you open the place up &/or get the air-conditioning going or fan – it’s usually
MUCH better (it’s the Tropics people!!).
Speaking
of Air-Conditioning – I found MOST places had a/c BUT did NOT have a separate
ceiling fan.
A
GOOD site for finding Accommodations and info are: http://panamainfo.com/en/article/destinations/69 and http://Bocas.com
Hotel Olas (http://HotelOlas.com
/ 757-9930 / info@hotelolas.com) - WATERFRONT – An EXCELLENT CHOICE for CHEAP++. ON the water across from the Marina (at
the _____ end). Bright yellow/cute
exterior though very basic but all you need! 25 rooms with a/c (quiet, remote controlled & get
cold FAST!), cable tv, big shower with hot water (suicide shower) and WiFi
works from rooms closer to the front desk/water front. A FULL BREAKFAST with at least 10
CHOICES IS INCLUDED & you can order from a menu of over 10 items (I
ESPECIALLY liked the Eggs Mediterranean which came with a bunch of bread you
could use to mop up the tasty tomato based sauce!! VERY filling!!
French Toast was odd – almost seemed as if it were deep-fried but
instead of syrup they used honey).
3 levels. WATER SPORTS
CENTER (including Jet Skis) and CHEAPEST prices on most tours!! RESTAURANT – I believe they serve till
around 11am – no lunch – and then again for Dinner BUT I think if you’re
nice. NO closets, NO hooks to hang
your things from – only a 4 shelf unit (which I didn’t use as I was in an end
unit with 2 aluminum framed windows with really flimsy locks (though I overall
feel REALLY SAFE in Bocas – you just can’t be positive about the guests) so I
didn’t to leave things in plain
site so I just left them in my little suitcase in the small bathroom (fyi – the
bathroom floor had a BUNCH of tiny ants that seemed to have gotten into my
suitcase). Staff is ok though not always wanting to be accommodating (though
that could be a reflection of the owner). Israeli owner doesn’t seem to want to help you/know
much though he was constantly hanging around talking (quite loudly) on the
phone in Israeli. NOTE – There’s a
lady that sits & sews upstairs across the street who can do MENDING (she
was adamant I do not say “sewing” as she doesn’t feel she’s that great
sewing). RATES: Standard with twin or double bed $45/1,
$50/2?. 2nd floor suite
with private balcony $55/1, $60/2.
Say hola to Yulie!! She’s a
sweetie!!
Hotel
Vista Mar - Avenida North and
5th St. (http://HotelVistaMar.net
/ 757-9198 / hotelvistamar@hotmail.com
/ hotelvistamar@cwpanama.net) -
WATERFRONT. Nice, clean, U.S.
standard hotel OVER water, a/c, hot water, closets, cable TV. Some rooms have their own balcony.
Wrap-around community balcony upstairs.
Vista Mar Restaurant is pretty decent as are their drinks and it’s
WATERFRONT. HAPPY HOUR 4-7pm. Jet ski rental. Their own boat for tours. RATES: Standard Room (INCLUDES CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST & 10% TAX
[no airport transport]) - 5/1-7/31 - $38.50/1, $50.60/2. 8/1-4/30 - $45/1, $55/2. Mini-Suite – side/water view (INCLUDES AMERICAN-STYLE BREAKFAST
& 10% TAX, transport from airport and mini-bar) 5/1-7/31 - $75/1, 8/1-4/30
- $85.50/2. $87/1, $93.50/2. Mini Suite with Waterfront (INCLUDES AMERICAN-STYLE BREAKFAST
& 10% TAX, transport from airport and mini-bar) - 5/1-7/31 - $95/1, $105.
8/1-4/30 – $104.50/1, $110/2. CREDIT
CARDS: AmEx, MC, V
The
Lodge at Swan’s Cay -
Main island “Bocas” – Isla Colon – 3rd
Street - past the police station heading away from the center (http://swanscayhotel.com
/ http://dragoadventures.com / 757-9090 / 757-9316 / SwansCayIsla@cwp.net.pa) - This building didn’t look like much from the outside
to me but step inside & you feel like you’re in an Italian hotel! It’s one of the most grand hotels in
Bocas! This hotel is perfect for
couples and/or families. They have 2 buildings with 46 rooms – one on the main
street across from the catholic church & the government office, the other a
block behind is more rusticy/basic (hence cheaper). Rooms have Hot water, Phone
in room, Safe (in main building), MiniBar in Deluxe & Suite Deluxe rooms, A/C, Cable TV.
Guests get to use their NICE “GOLDEN BEACH BEACH CLUB” across the street with a nice pool, chaises on the dock
& café (La TERRAZZA RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA). They even
have their own little man-made beach.
NON-GUESTS can use the facilities for $5/day (as long as you’re eating,
etc.). They generate their own power and water. WIFI. Their beautiful upscale (one of the most upscale on the
island & VERY ROMANTIC!!) ITALIAN Restaurant Milano serves
breakfast (American Breakfast - $7.50 for guests), lunch and dinner offering
excellent international and local cuisine (a diversity of dishes) at moderate
prices. RATES: Standard - $69/1, $81/2. Deluxe - $94/1-2 + 10% tax, Jr. Suite -
$126/1-2, Suite $210/1-2 Package
(includes American Breakfast & Dinner) - Standard - $97.50/1,
$69/2/pp. Deluxe - $122.50/1,
$75.50/2-pp. Jr. Suite $91.50pp,
Suite $133.50pp. Annex (“Depandance” [can sleep up to 5 in a
room]) - $52/1, $63/2. Package -
$80.50/1, $60/2-pp + 10% tax.
Cocomo on the Sea - Avenida Norte & 6A Street (http://CocomoOnTheSea.com /
757-9259 / CocoMoonSea@cwpanama.net) -
WATERFRONT!! I feel REALLY drawn to this
quaint place with just 4 spacious rooms with private bathrooms, hot water & A/C built OVER the water. I LOVE their bedspreads!!! I feel like I’m ON a boat staying
here!! $60/1, $75/2 + 10% tax
(INCLUDES an “ABUNDANT BREAKFAST” served on the waterfront veranda. Free use of kayaks & ice from their freezer. Kids over 8. OWNER: Douglas Ruscher
LULA’s B&B (http://lulabb.com
/ 757-9057 / 6629-0836 / Information@lulabb.com
/ lulabocas@msn.com) - 4 blocks from airport on Avenida
Norte between Calle 6 and Calle 7 (walk out of the airport, at the first street
at the end of the runway turn Left & go down to the street that runs along
the water. It’s there on your Left
corner) in an overall nice quiet residential neighborhood. GOOD HOST!! Quaint (6 rooms – 2 double rooms with 2 double beds, 4
Triple rooms [double, twin, twin futon chair – max 4]), charming. GOOD BEDS! CLEAN! A/C, armoir, GOOD NEW bathroom (tiny but attention to details)
with Hot Water. FULL BREAKFAST
INCLUDED (though not very big & only
one choice). GOOD reliable WiFi (including IN the room plus from the upstairs
Veranda & downstairs Porch)!!!
Honor Bar on the upstairs patio with water, sodas and cervezas/beer so
you have something at any hour. They have their own water system (so no problem
if the island has another shortage). They have their own fishing boat –
Sapphire. RATES: $50/1-2, + $10 each additional. OWNER: Bryan and Jana Hudson. CC-MC, V,
PAYPAL
Hotel Angela (http://HotelAngela.com
/ 757-9813 / HotelAngelaBocas@yahoo.com) -
Nice simple rooms OVER THE WATER, RESTAURANT & BAR overlooking the
water on the side of the island so not much noise!! I stayed here and the
staff was VERY helpful/nice, place was pretty clean. When I was there, the WiFi was NOT
reliable & when it worked, it didn’t out on the veranda though their
website advertises a computer room (often we had to sit out on the floor in the
lobby and it DEFINITELY did NOT work from the deck!! Brian at LuLa’s is usually
pretty good to let you come sit on their patio & get their WiFi). CREDIT CARDS: Visa, MasterCard, AmEx. RATES: 12 rooms - Standard (TINY – 2
Twins or Double) - $40-$45, Double/Twin $50-$55. Deluxe rooms $45-$75.
#9 – Queen with balcony $65, #11 has a Double & Twin & Balcony
$75. #12 - Queen & GREAT VIEW
- $82. range from $40 (TINY)-$82 + a COOL WATERFRONT SUITE with full Kitchen,
Livingroom, Jacuzzi & GREAT VIEW - $125/n + 10% tax. - INCLUDES CONTINENTAL
BREAKFAST. CC: AmEx, MC, V
Bocas Inn (http://AnconExpeditions.com /
269-9415-office / 757-9600) - ON the water, between el Limbo and
Lemongrass restaurant - Calle 3 - NICE spacious rooms with LOTS of
beautiful wood (floors, walls, etc!).
Pretty Good restaurant. Bar with daily HAPPY HOUR. CREDIT CARDS.
Hotel Bahia (http://HotelBahia.biz) - At the opposite/quieter end of town
just before Super Gourmet Market. -
They’re slowly renovating this place – starting with rooms so don’t let
the pretty worn lobby turn you off.
They adding some pretty comfy beds! 18 rooms, a/c, cable tv, nice balcony/veranda, doesn’t look
like any/many rooms with a water view, or much window. I believe this is a
historical hotel (part of the Unifruit Company dating back to 1904!). $55/1-2
Dos Palmas -
following the road after the curve on South Av / Dbl w. (757-9906) -
HW shower and TV 22, w. AC 27 / Go there for the small house with a
terrace over the sea, the nice rooms and the relaxed atmosphere outside of the
tourist crowd.. Expensive for solo
travelers!
KoKo Resort (757-9627
/ 6-631-6348 / http://KokoResort.net / info@KoKoResort.net) - 7 totally self-contained cabins built on stilts over the
water (including one 3-bedroom one) with A/C, bathroom with HOT WATER). The Single room is a room with private
bath with WARM water, A/C and Dining room. The Manager House has 2-bedrooms and 2-bathrooms . The Pink House has 3-bedrooms, terrace,
kitchen. Not poz how their pricing
works as it says Single $260, Double $380, Triple $490, Full $660 + 10% that
includes transportation from the airport, daily maid, kayaks and bicycles and
laundry. 2 night min. They said they’re located in Istmito, 5
min. from the airport. They say
their upscale (I can’t totally tell by the pictures but the prices sure are).
Posada Los Delfines – Avenida H and Calle 5 (http://PosadaLosDelfines.com /
757-9963 / delfines1@cwp.net.pa) -
10 rooms and 2 junior suites with a/c, private bathroom with hot water,
cable tv, NICE. Arco Iris Cafe
with Italiano gelato, smoothies, roasted chicken and more. A block off the beach but water
views? RATES: Double room/standard bed $45. Double room/king bed $50. Junior Suite $60 + 10% tax.
La Veranda
Hotel and Restaurant - Main island “Bocas” – Isla Colon (757-9211) -
Manager Marcial Rohman.
Hotelito – (http://HotelitoDelMar.com / 757-9861 /
6615-2220 / tashmoo@cwpanama.net) -
Across from the Jail, a block from the water. Outside looks cute but bedspreads are odd and rooms are
stark. 5 rooms have
air-conditioning, hot water. 2
rooms have Double/Double, 2 rooms have full sofabed. 5th room has a double and twin bed. New Building. RATES: Mid-April-Aug.
$45/1-2, Sept.-mid-April $55/1-2. + 10% tax. +$10 each additional.
Pasa Tiempo Café - Organic French Press Coffee, Fresh Menu
daily. Cute/funky décor! CREDIT CARDS: AmEx, MC, V.
HOURS: 7:3am-2:30pm
Playa Mango
- Main island “Bocas” – Isla Colon (5 min. outside of town) (http://MangoBeachClub.com
/ 6616-0311 / 6679-3956 / info@MangoBeachClub.com) - Eco-Resort, BEACHFRONT with dock, POOL with restaurant and
bar, WiFi, Water Sports.
El Limbo on the Sea Hotel &
Restaurant (ON - NOT their Beach location - http://ellimbo.com) - Contrary to the pictures there are
tall buildings on both sides of this property [VERY misleading – especially to
hotel guests like I was thinking it was a peaceful/tranquil place. It was nice and clean enough but I
wouldn't stay there/in town again (just didn’t get a good vibe & not very
attentive staff – especially considering how expensive they were).. More expensive (around $75 + tax) but
with NO breakfast, just a room (and SMALL at that) and more noisy (being IN
town IS going to be more noisy)!!
NOTE: their property on the beach does NOT have internet access contrary
to what their website implies. The
menu in their restaurant is HUGE, though my experience has been they were quite
inconsistent. I’ve eaten there
twice – once was tasty – the other so-so.
Guacamole “puree” had a little bite to it - $4. CREDIT CARDS.
Las Brisas - Main island “Bocas” – Isla Colon – North end of Main
Street (757-9549) -
When I inspected it they had the crew from one
of the international Survivor sets staying there for 2 or so months & it
was QUITE worn!
Koko Resort - La Cabaña, area of the Fair, path
towards Saigon (757-9827 / 6631-6348 / http://KoKoResort.net
/ KoKoResort@hotmail.com / dinek22@hotmail.com) -
Individual Casitas ON the water (on stilts), 2-levels, sleeps up to 6,
bed, futon, Hot Water, Air-conditioning, Safety Box, Kitchenette, Daily Maid,
hair dryer, includes Transfer to/from airport, hammocks, kayaks and bikes,
WiFi, 24-hour guard. RATES: $250/1 people, $360/2, $480/3, $590/4
people, $640/5+? + 10% tax (ULTRA strange rates as it looks BEYOND rustic!!)
Tropical Suites
PRIVATE HOMES
Bahia del Sol (http://BocasBahiaDelSol.com /
1-310-464-1661 / 1-310-228-7540 (U.S.)
/ 6591-3530 / info@BocasBahiaDelSol.com)
- BEAUTIFUL!!!!! Currently
operating as a 5-bedroom villa ON THE WATER ON Saigon Bay. $250/n (2 night min.), $1450/week. Standard – Queen Posturepedic bed,
ceiling fans, screens $45-$65/2.
Master Suite with King Posturepedic bed, jacuzzi tub, 1-person shower on
the private patio, AWESOME view. rooms all come with oversized tiled hot showers,
private toilet, and queen size posturepedic beds. Three with ceiling fans and
one with a/c. Managers: Marni and
Lawrence. CALENDAR: http://HomeAwayConnect.com/calendar.aspx?propertyid=244511
PLACES TO STAY – CARENERO
I
LOVE being on Isla Carenero (except for the sand fleas/”no-see-ums” which usually come out at
sunrise and sunset and eat the hell out of your legs if you’re really sweet
like me!!) as it's nice and QUIET (I also stayed on Main island “Bocas” – Isla
Colon the first trip but found that toooo noisy for my sleep patterns) and the
Pickled Parrot Restaurant has REALLY GOOD FOOD and the BEST Piña Coladas I've
EVER had (and I KNOW Pina Coladas!!).
I stayed 7/22-25/06 and 10/21-24/06.
BLUE
MARLIN CABINAS
(at PICKLED PARROT Restaurant) on Isla Carenero (next to the Buccaneer) 757-9003 / 757-9853 / http://bocasbluemarlin.com / bluemarlin@cwpanama.net)
Yessica
is a Panamanian nurse and hubby George Ingenthron (from U.S.) are VERY attentive hosts!
The Blue Marlin has 2 cabinas ON the beach for just
$55/n + tax with REALLY HOT water in the shower, a spacious bedroom with a
REALLY comfortable King Size orthopedic bed, air-conditioning and a ceiling fan
(which is all I needed all the 7 nights I was there [I went for 3 and stayed
for 7!! I LOVE it there!!]) and a
front room with table and 2 chairs, small fridge and sink and LOTS of windows
that open up giving a nice breeze!! They also have wireless internet connection so I could sit
there in my room, looking out over the water (and saying "Hola" to
all the surfers walk by) and still work!! Note - You
are living under the owners which have a young, VERY rambunxious child (I call
him "Boo" cause when I'm sitting in my Cabina working - we play
"Boo". His real name is
Jorge) and wood floors so it's not always so quiet but he goes to school during
the week around 7am-ish till 4pm.
Buccaneer "Resort" (a "resort" to me is MUCH more grand and has LOTS
more amenities than any of the places I saw in Bocas) located ON the Beach with
it's own pier (Buccaneer Resort) http://bocasbuccaneer.com / http://buccaneer-resort.com /
757-9042 / askreception@yahoo.com
NEW
OWNERS & now the Restaurant is open for 3 meals a day. I stayed in #6 - a nice Cabana on
stilts ON the beach, under a big palapa, with air-conditioning, comfortable
orthopedic Queen bed, Hot Water (I think it was purified though I'm always
QUITE skeptical as water is ONLY as good as the pipes it goes through plus I
don't choose to have extra chlorine and other chemicals added to my body but that's
just me), a sitting area for just $65/n (+ tax which I can't remember at this
moment exactly what it was but I'm sure around 16%) BUT that INCLUDED a $5
credit (for 1-2 people) towards breakfast!! My ONLY complaint is there wasn't wireless service IN the
room (I was there because I HAD to go but I still have a business to run and I
had an important conference call that I HAD to make one night so I had to stay
in town to have my wireless connection [to use Skype]). BUT their restaurant did have a week wireless
connection though I believe they're only open till around 2pm. The food was tasty though more on the
simple side. It's on the closest
island to Main island “Bocas” – Isla Colon. They have 4 types of accommodations – #1 – the Cabana (MY
FAV!! 5 total) -
some have 1 Double bed plus a Twin bed (though mine - #6 ON the beach
right by the restaurant -had a Queen size orthopedic bed). $65/n. #2 - the Bedroom Suite (2) with a Queen and a Twin or the
other has a Double and 2 Twins and a Livingroom - $85. Royal Family Suite – 2-bedroom
$200/n. All include a $5 credit
towards breakfast. 2 night min. on
Sat./Sun. + 10% tax. They take
credit cards so perhaps their restaurant accepts credit cards.
Careening Cay Resort (http://CareeningCay.com
/ 757-9157) - Just north of the Marina. Not much of a problem here as they are
set back a bit with grass (it’s the sand & seaweed that attracts the
no-see-ums!). They have little
lights along the path & LOTS of flowers!! Quite charming!
BEAUTIFUL handcarved patio railing individual Cabinas with a Queen
orthopedic bed in one room & another room with little kitchenette & 2
Twin bunk beds. Home also to COSMIC
CRAB CAFÉ – a
TASTY restaurant OVER the WATER (see “Cosmic Crab” under “Restaurants”). Breakfast is included. $110/n for 2.
Pargo Rojo (http://PargoRojo.net
/ 757-9649 / reservations@pargorojo.net) -
ON WATER, VERY rusticy, open air concept with thatched roofs, no a/c, no
screens, free use of canoes.
Cabins with lofts. Private
bathroom, hot water. RATES: $45/1-2
Hotel Dona Mara,
Isla Carenero (http://DonaMara.com / 757-9555 / donamara10@hotmail.com) - Beachfront, Restaurant, simple. RATES: Peak –
Jan 15 -Nov. 1 - $60/1, $65/2
“Gorgeous” Beachfront Casitas – on Carenero
Isla - Short or long-term rental with internet, Direct TV, A/C,
full kitchens, boat dock.
(6580-0906 / jonboca@hotmail.com)
Seeking
something MEGA CHEAP?? Hotel
Zapatia is just $15/night WITH hot water (I can’t vouch for it though).
HOUSEBOATS -
Want something different – how about renting Aqua Cruiser – a HOUSEBOAT
that can sleep up to 20 people for $350/n. Rodney or Mora with Yam Pan Tours can reserve it for you
(757-9619) or contact the owner – Robert Wright in Florida (1-561-352-0469-cell
/1-561-732-8394 / jamdutch@aol.com / http://hometown.aol.com/jamdutch)
BOCAS HOUSEBOATS (http://BocasHouseboats.com /
6-583-3922 / 6-580-5052 / charters@BocasHouseboats.com
/ Tperaza@yahoo.com) - 35’ boat sleeps 6.
NEW HOUSE OVER THE
WATER. 1 BR / 1 Ba - Boat Dock, A/C, DirecTV, fully equipped. Long Term $800,
weekly $385, daily $65. (6-585-7615 / claudipalm@yahoo.de)
STUDIO EFFICIENCIES
/ NEW CONSTRUCTION, Over the Water, Private Bath, Full Kitchen, Fully,
Furnished, Hot water, Boat Slip. $650/mo short term lease, $550 for year
lease. (6-725-0429 / 6-805-5304 / kroutkw@yahoo.com)
http://panama-travel-bureau.com/bocas-del-toro-hotel-panama.html
http://passplanet.com/Panama/bocas_del_toro.htm
http://bocasmarinetours.com/bstreetmap.html
.
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Vicki Skinner (aka THE "Sarong Goddess" in Escazu, Costa Rica)