THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Panama - page 180

By car Cars an be left by La Guaira dock for free, or in the more secure partially fenced area
nearby ($3/day). Either way, don't leave valuables in the vehicle.
FROM LA GUAIRA TO ISLA GRANDE
By water-taxi At La Guaira a water-taxi ($3) takes you 200m across the water to the main
jetty by Cabañas Jackson , which is the unofficial information point - for a little extra you
can be taken directly to lodgings further afield.
ACCOMMODATION
There's a reasonable range of basic accommodation on the island, none of it particularly
cheap, though midweek in low season you can bargain for better rates.
Cabañas Jackson By the main jetty 448 2311. Cheap, cheerily painted cement rooms
(fans, cold water and private bathrooms) with tiled floors and so-so mat tres ses, accommod-
ating couples or families, with an adjacent shop selling basic provisions. $30
Hotel Sister Moon Northeastern tip of the island 236 8489, hotelsistermoon.com .
Scattered over the breezy hillside overlooking the island's only surf break, thatched cabins on
stilts (with fans and mosquito screens) comprise the island's nicest accommodation - make
sure you get a full sea view. Next to the cosy restaurant is a small pool and sun deck provid-
ing an excell ent view of the waves. Breakfast included for dorms, but not for rooms. Dorms
$25 , doubles $69
Villa Ensueño East of the main jetty by the monument of the crucifixion 448 2964,
[e-mail] . Very popular, comprising sixteen clean, brightly painted en-suite
rooms (firm beds, a/c 6pm-9am, mosquito screens) and shared porches looking onto a
garden. This gets noisy and lacks privacy at weekends as picnic tables in the grounds are ren-
ted ou t to day-trippers. Boat trips can be arranged at the hotel and full-board packages are on
offer. $55
EATING
The island's restaurants predominantly serve fresh seafood almost straight from the boats,
often accompanied by coconut rice or plantain. The opening hours below are for the dry sea-
son; you'll be lucky to get anyone to serve you a meal midweek during the rainy season.
El Bucanero Close to La Punta. Relaxed beach bar-restaurant, where you can sit with your
toes in the sand at a couple of tables with umbrellas, or under a makeshift awning, or up at
the bar. Fairly inexpensive seafood dishes ($7-9) are served. Daily 11am-8/9pm.
El Nido del Postre Between the main jetty and La Punta 448 2061. Certainly the plushest
place on the island, with tablecloths, table decorations, and a dining area bedecked in arti-
ficial lilac flowers. The food is good too, if overpriced, with seafood dishes the main fare
(mains around $20). Daily 8am-8pm.