Punta Caracol

Located in the Bocas del Toro archipelago on Panama’s Caribbean coast, Punta Caracol is accessed by flights from Panama City or San Jose in Costa Rica, or a 45 minute speedboat journey from the mainland.

There are just eight wooden thatched-roofed bungalows built on stilts, each with balconies that cry out for a good book and a lazy afternoon. Décor at Punta Caracol is comfortable and rustic with large beds on the second floor. The bungalows were built with the area’s delicate eco-system in mind so are powered by solar energy with eco-friendly sewage systems. Splash out on the Master Suite for loads of space and an enormous terrace.

Food at Punta Caracol is fresh, light and delicious, focusing mainly on the freshest of seafood caught that day. The fruit and vegetables come from the hotel’s organic farm in the Chiriqui highlands over on the mainland and while the choice is sometimes limited, the dishes are well thought-out and very tasty. Facilities are few and far between – but the sublime natural surroundings supply all the distractions you need.

Bocas del Toro is a fascinating place and staff at the lodge can help you organise boat trips to some of the most spectacular spots in the archipelago from deserted beaches and snorkelling trips on gorgeous coral reefs to hiking through rainforest (look out for the tiny red frogs!). Fishing and scuba diving can also be arranged on request. For a bit of fun take the shuttle boat to Bocas Town.