Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
village. The all-inclusive eco-lodges elsewhere on the island (also listed) offer a more back-
to-nature and luxurious experience.
OLD BANK
Caribbean View Hotel
757 9442,
hotelcaribbeanview.bocas.com
.
Impressive two-
storey structure stretching over the water containing eleven neat, compact rooms (with fan or
a/c, TV and hot-water bathrooms), some with private balconies. A friendly, locally run es-
tablishment, it has a pleasant resta
uran
t-lounge deck serving predominantly Creole seafood
dishes (mains $9-14). Takes cards.
$55
Hostal Bastimentos
757 9053.
A friendly maze of a backpackers' hostel spread over
the hillside behind town, offering everything from dorms to basic doubles with shared facil-
ities ($15) and fancier en-suite bedrooms with a/c, hot water, fridge and private balcony, plus
gr
eat views
. Ha
s two communal kitchens, bags of hammock space and a mellow vibe. Dorms
$8
, doubles
$20
Pensión Tío Tom
757 9831,
tiotomsguesthouse.com
.
Long-standing wooden inn built
over water in the thick of things (so can be noisy), with simple, clean en-suite rooms (fan and
mosquito net) and a
me
llow over-the-water hammock deck at the back. Inexpensive food is
served family style.
$32
Rafael's House
6446 0787,
panamasparadise.com
.
Beautifully renovated, two-bedroom
Caribbean house with fully fitted kitchen, living room and balconies front and back, one over-
looking the meanderings along the main stree
t, th
e other the sea
. Ro
oms can be rented separ-
ately though the bathroom is shared. Doubles
$45
, whole house
$132
THE REST OF THE ISLAND
Al Natural
Punta Vieja 757 9004,
alnaturalresort.com
.
Beautiful, isolated spot with
half a dozen single or double-decker palm-thatched huts that open onto the sea. Decorated
with hewn driftwood, and using solar-powered fans and showers (which don't always de-
liver), the simple bungalows have comfy beds with netting. Delicious meals are served in
the bar-restaurant area, with games and reading room plus an observation deck on the upper
storeys. Rates include transfer from Bocas, meals (including wine and beer), use of kayaks
and snorkel gear wit
h mo
derately priced excursions extra. The superior bungalows are well
worth the extra $50.
$239
Casa Cayuco
Punta Vieja US 248 631 4112,
casacayuco.com
.
A three-storey lodge and
five lovely raised wooden cabins (for 2-6 people) with private balconies to lounge on are
tucked away in the rainforest just off the beach. Rates include transport to the lodge
, co
m-
munal fine dining, and use of kayaks, SUPs, boogie boards and even a sailing dinghy.
$325
La Loma Jungle Lodge
Bahía Honda 6619 5364,
thejunglelodge.com
.
On a hilltop
surrounded by lush rainforest, only reachable by boat, this working cocoa farm offers four
very private airy Ngäbe-style
ranchos
at incredibly modest prices. Rates include transfer,
