Where to Stay in Bocas Del Toro!
Bocas del Toro is somewhere I’d return in a heartbeat! While most U.S. states are freezing cold from November through March, Panama’s islands are hitting prime weather, with temps around 84 degrees. And there’s always a gorgeous breeze in Bocas del Toro! It’s quite heavenly. Becasue there are so many islands, & because it can get confusing figuring out where to stay, I’m outlining “Where to Stay in Bocas del Toro,” so you can maximize your time in the water, & minimize any hassles!
My friend Kadi & I stayed in Bocas del Toro for a week! And tried out many different hotels…
Tropical Isla Bastimentos is a top contender for where to stay in Bocas del Toro.
If ANY photo in this article looks appealing: simply click on it, & it will take you to booking info for that specific hotel or island.
Overview of Top 5 Bocas Islands
- Isla Colon = The most populated island, where the airport is, & where Bocas Town is (the largest town in the islands). You can catch boats to any island from here, & there’s lots of restaurants & nightlife. Bocas Town can get loud at night, but there are SO many other places to stay on Colon; very wide range of accommodations here.
- Isla Carenero = Tiny little island right next door to Colon! It’s just a 5-minute boat ride across the bay from/to Bocas Town. Stay here if you’re looking for a little more tranquility, but still want to be close to the action.
- Isla Bastimentos = Beautiful, more natural & jungle-like island. The largest island in Bocas del Toro! Home to gorgeous Red Frog Beach, which has several high-end, beachfront hotels: Palmar Beach Lodge + Red Frog Island Resort. A 10-minute ride from Bocas Town, this is a great place to stay for a balance of natural beauty, surf breaks + easy access to other islands.
- Isla Solarte = Solarte parallels Bastimentos, & is covered in rainforest. You might see sloths, monkeys, or tropical birds here! Calm waters surrounding the island make it ideal for snorkeling, diving, swimming, & paddle-boarding. And Solarte is known for its eco-friendly lodging, like budget-friendly Bambuda Lodge.
- **Isla Zapatilla = The most gorgeous island, but UNINHABITED!! Think: Gilligan’s Island. You can take a day tour here ~ but you can’t stay overnight!
**These islands are where most people stay when visiting Bocas del Toro. Hotels below are categorized by type of stay: over-the-water, hotels by surf breaks, luxury, or hotels that are close to all the action….
Tropical (but UNINHABITED) perfection, on Zapatilla Island in Bocas del Toro.
Top Hotel Choices in Bocas del Toro:
(i.e. “Just Tell Me Where to Stay!!”)
| If You’re This Type of Traveler… | Stay Here |
|---|---|
| First-Time Visitor | Hotel Bocas del Toro |
| Best Overall Island | Isla Colon |
| Most Romantic | Sol Bungalows |
| Best Overwater Bungalow | Sol Bungalows |
| Best for Honeymoons | Nayara Bocas del Toro |
| Best for Lux Nature Lovers | La Loma Jungle Lodge |
| Best for Surfers | Palmar Beach Lodge |
| Best Social Atmosphere | Bambuda Lodge |
| Best Value Overall | Hotel Bocas del Toro |
Sol Bungalows wins in several categories: romance + over-the-water huts + easy accessibility. Photo: Sol Bungalows.
I Want to Stay in Over-the-Water Huts!
If there’s anywhere in the world you can stay in over-the-water bungalows affordably: it’s in Bocas del Toro. Most of these hotels cost less than $100/night! My top picks are Koko Acqua Lodge on Isla Colon, & Sol Bungalows on serene Isla Solarte.
Koko Acqua Lodge puts you right over-the-water, yet still close to Bocas Town. Photo: Koko.
- On Isla Colon = Koko Acqua Lodge offers colorful yellow huts right on the water, just a few minutes drive from Bocas Town. Rooms provide AC, balconies + full kitchens. Or also nearby is Saigon Bay Bed & Breakfast, which has 4 cozy over-the-sea rooms + a huge dock to lounge on!
- On Isla Carenero = I fell in love with the cute yellow over-the-water huts called El Faro del Calibri, one of the only overwater accommodations on this small island. Free SUP & kayak use here.
- On Isla Bastimentos = The Sea Monkey Lodge is a boutique over-the-water lodge located in the Caribbean village of Old Bank. Located by turquoise waters of Tortuga Beach, with a free breakfast buffet. Azul Paradise Resort (pictured below) is a fancier option, with stunning high-end huts located right over-the-water. Longer, 30-minute boat ride to Bocas Town.
- On Isla Solarte = Sol Bungalows is a darling overwater B&B, located on Solarte’s coveted “Sunset Coast.” Several bungalows feature glass floors, outdoor showers, & direct water access. They’ll provide kayaks, SUP’s, & snorkel gear ~ & they have a great on-site (overwater) restaurant! Just a 5-minute water taxi to Bocas Town.
Gorgeous huts-on-the-water at Azul Paradise Resort! Located on Isla Bastimentos.
Where to Stay in Bocas del Toro
I Want to Stay by a Good Surf Break!
- East Side of Isla Colon: Both Bluff Beach & Paunch are located here, & there are several surf breaks between them. BUT, these are better suited for more advanced surfers!! Bluff in particular had a really heavy wave with a beach break; be careful. Great Hotel Options by Bluff Beach: We had our own private “Retreat” at Jungle Paunch Villas ~ from here, you can walk to Paunch Beach Club/its surf break in 3 minutes. For more upscale, try Bluff Beach Resort.
Or Skully’s House is a really happening spot with a pool, large bar, loads of games & hammocks, & big tables for larger groups. Great spot if you’re looking to meet people.
Photo of my friend Kadi on Bluff Beach, on Isla Colon.
Having morning coffee at popular surf hotel, Jungle Paunch Villas!
- On Red Frog Beach/Wizard Beach/North Side of Isla Bastimentos: I came to Red Frog Beach more than three times during my stay in Bocas, & saw surfers every time. I LOVE THIS BEACH!!! When I was at Red Frog, the surf break looked a little easier than at Bluff Beach; but check the surf report prior to your visit. Palmar Beach Lodge is my top choice for surfers on Isla Bastimentos, due to its jungle-chic accommodations & easy beach access.
This was my first glimpse of Red Frog Beach: absolute heaven! Palmar Beach Lodge is located just to the right.
Stay on Bastimentos If:
✅ Love beaches
✅ Surf
✅ Want nature + beauty
Avoid Bastimentos If:
❌ Need nightlife every night
❌ Hate water taxis
I Want to Stay in Total LUXURY!
La Coralina Island House is one of the most high-end hotels on Isla Colon.
- On Isla Colon = La Coralina Island House brings relaxed, 4-star luxury to Colon. Situated right on the beach, there’s a wellness vibe here, with yoga classes & massages offered. About 15 minutes to Bocas Town.
- On Isla Bastimentos = La Loma Jungle Lodge & Chocolate Farm redefines glamping luxury in Panama. Located in the jungle on Bastimentos, you’ll pull up to their private dock & be greeted with their own cacao tea. Farm-to-table food is some of the best on the islands (good for vegetarians too), & you’ll be able to view wildlife from your room! Or, if you’d rather be on the beach: head over to Red Frog Beach Resort, where you can stay in luxury villas on the sand.
- On Isla Solarte = Akwaba Lodge is one of the only high-end properties on Solarte, which has a more relaxed feel. You’ll enjoy sea views, a nice cafe & restaurant, use of kayaks & SUP’s, & their beautiful garden ~ which is unique in the islands. Come here for secluded romance + luxury.
- On a PRIVATE ISLAND = The most exclusive resort in Bocas del Toro is hands-down Nayara Bocas del Toro. On it OWN island, this adults-only all-inclusive makes for an incredible honeymoon spot. Stay in sumptuous over-water villas or whimsical treehouses! Reviews are absolutely stellar; this is one of top resorts in Panama.
Nayara is an adults-only, all-includive on its own PRIVATE island!
Best Hotels in Bocas del Toro
I Want to Stay in the Middle of ALL the Action!!
- On Isla Colon: If you want action: stay in or near Bocas Town. I stayed at Hotel Bocas del Toro two separate times (for a total of 3 nights), & loved its perfectly central location, beautiful rooms, & oceanfront perch ~ its restaurant is also really popular & delicious. After staying at Jungle Paunch Villas (about 20 minutes north of Bocas Town on Isla Colon), I was personally ready to get back to having a variety of restaurants & bars, & being closer to the docks so I could explore other islands.
I didn’t just want to be in the jungle for my whole trip!
My Pick for First-Time Visitors to Bocas del Toro:
Why I’d Stay Here Again:
-
- Walk to restaurants
- Walk to boat taxis
- Easy access to other islands
- Oceanfront rooms
- Great restaurant on-site + lots of restaurants walkable
- Close to the airport/a great place to spend first two nights in town — get the “lay of the land”
- A great place to start your Bocas adventure!
For the younger set, Bocas Town is filled with hostels, like Selina & Twin Fins, where you’ll always be able to find a party.
Search all hotels in Bocas Town here, or use the map below to search for hotels.
The view from my oceanview suite at Hotel Bocas del Toro!
Stay on Isla Colon If:
✅ First visit
✅ Want restaurants
✅ Want convenience
Avoid Isla Colon If:
❌ Want complete seclusion
❌ Want jungle immersion
- On Isla Solarte: Bambuda Lodge is a gorgeous eco-lodge on Isla Solarte, with a fun, communal vibe. So again, a great place to find that perfect mix of relaxation + fun, with the ability to mingle & meet new people. The property is stunning. And they let you use their kayaks & SUP’s for free! The staff is super welcoming & inclusive, making it great for both solo travelers or groups.
Meet new people Bambuda Lodge, on Isla Solarte.
Best Hotels by Island in Bocas del Toro:
Best Hotels on Isla Colon
- Hotel Bocas del Toro
- La Coralina Island House (more lux)
- Koko Acqua Lodge (Over-the-water huts close to Bocas Town)
Best Hotels on Isla Bastimentos
- Palmar Beach Lodge
- Red Frog Resort (more lux)
- La Loma Jungle Lodge
- Azul Paradise (Over-the-water huts, 30 minutes from Bocas Town by water taxi)
Best Hotels on Isla Solarte
- Sol Bungalows (Over-the-water huts + B&B)
- Bambuda Lodge (hostel)
- Akwaba Lodge Boutique Hotel (Great for couples)
Akwaba Lodge is a beautiful, peaceful place to stay on Isla Solarte! Photo: Tripadvisor.
Goodbye…Bocas del Toro!
For any of the hotels listed above: I highly recommended staying at least 2-3 nights, to minimize moving your bags around.
If I returned to Bocas del Toro tomorrow, I’d spend:
- 2 nights at Hotel Bocas del Toro
- 4 nights at Sol Bungalows or Red Frog Beach Resort
xoxo Noelia
Read Next: Bocas del Toro Travel FAQ
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Some friends and I are wanting to stayin over-water huts in Bocas del Toro – thanks for helping us narrow down our search! One question: if we really want nightlife pretty much every night of our visit, do you think it would be easier to taxi from Koko Aqua Lodge into Bocas Town, or take a water taxi from Sol Bungalows across to Bocas Town each night? Thanks!
Hi Samantha, thanks for your question! Both are do-able, but I would reach out via email or phone to Sol Bungalows and see how late you’re able to get water taxis BACK to Isla Solarte, & specifically to their hotel. If that’s going to become an issue, than it might be easier to stay right on Isla Colon/at Koko’s. Taxis are fairly easy to get, even at night in Bocas Town – you just may have to share them with other riders, at times.
If nightlife is that important to you, you might want to consider staying 1-2 nights right IN Bocas Town, to maximize your “Town Time” (i.e. go shopping, to restaurants/bars, get massages, etc.). Then, if you’re next few nights are at over-water huts, you may want to just relax a bit ~ at least for a day or two! Hope that helps! xoxo Noelia
My husband and I are surfers, and we absolutely loved the vibe at Palmar Beach Lodge. We could walk out each day with our boards, before any crowds arrived, and surf to out heart’s content. Even when more people showed up for the day, Red Frog Beach never got too busy. And Palmar has a great jungle feel to it, really loved it! Thanks for your work, it really helped us find the right spot. – Esther
Thanks so much for your kind words, Esther! I’m thrilled that you and your husband found the right spot for your getaway. Red Frog Beach is such a special place, & yes: I agree that in the many times we visited, it never felt too busy or too touristy. And we were there during the “high” season of January! Thanks again for your comment : ) xoxo Noelia