Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
mangroves and rivers. Guided excursions run extra but include choice, unique offerings.
Guests choose from rooms with fans and hardwood details in a post-and-beam lodge or
private jungle cabins.
The resort runs on solar power and cached rainwater. Located on the white-sand beach
of Punta Vieja, it's 45 minutes by boat to Bocas. There's no phone. It's closed through
November.
La Loma Jungle Lodge
ECOLODGE $$$
$$$
OFFLINE MAP
( 592-5162;
www.thejunglelodge.com
;
r per person all inclusive US$133)
Integrated into
the forest and the community, this chocolate farm offers tasteful, sustainable lodging to
rave reviews. The location is hidden in mangroves, accessed by boat. A steep hill leads
past a rushing creek to sedate, ultraprivate bungalows with hand-carved beds. Each has a
propane-fuelled, rainwater-fed bathroom, a mosquito net and solar- powered energy sys-
tem.
Meals include fresh-baked bread and organic vegetables grown on the premises - you
can even pick your own. La Loma donates a percentage of profits to the Bahía Honda
Ngöbe community.
Tranquilo Bay
RESORT $$$
$$$
( 380-0721;
www.tranquilobay.com
;
3 nights all-inclusive per person US$1115; )
Notably family-friendly, this American-run lodge creates a fantastic environment for
play and relaxation. The grounds feature six comfortable cabins with orthopedic beds,
fine linens and locally crafted hardwood furnishings and art. Guests dine at the main
lodge with a wrap-around porch and ocean views. Tailored excursions run by biologist
guides include wildlife-watching, or you could just beach it.
The lodge composts, captures rainwater, uses a minimum of plastics and educates staff
on water usage. Created around 52 hectares of conservation land, Tranquilo Bay also
works with local scientists and conservation agencies and does not print marketing ma-
terial. Transportation is US$155 per person, round trip. It's near the island's remote
southeast tip.
Al Natural Resort
RESORT $$$
$$$
OFFLINE MAP
( 757-9004;
www.alnaturalresort.com
;
d incl 3 meals from US$260)
This desert-island hide-
away lends a bohemian twist to all-inclusive. Based on traditional Ngöbe-Buglé architec-
