4 Best Hotels in Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama

This attractive waterfront hotel was designed by a boat builder, so it's no coincidence that guest rooms, with their polished hardwoods and nautical decor, look as if they could be on a yacht. The bilingual staff is possibly the most helpful in town, and take their cue from the engaging owner. Rooms vary in size and price, but all have flat-screen TVs, orthopedic mattresses, coffee makers, balconies, Wi-Fi, and a blue-and-white nautical motif to complement the dark wood. More expensive ocean-view rooms are quieter than the town-view units. If you don't mind the climb, request spacious room #11 on the top floor with a large balcony overlooking the water. The open-air restaurant serves a good mix of Panamanian and international fare, with an ocean view. Day trips and in-room massages can be arranged. As an ambassador for promoting ecotourism, the owner has won several awards for sustaining and enhancing the geographical character of Bocas del Toro.

Completely remodeled in 2012, the spacious rooms here evoke fully furnished Florida condos, with their tropical colors, tile floors, ceiling fans, and sliding glass doors that open onto balconies (half have ocean views). Each room has a queen bed, cable TV, a kitchenette with breakfast bar, and a large bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub. The hotel is built over the water, and there's a floating plastic dock in back with a swimming area, though the water here is not that clean. Pay the extra money for an ocean-view room—they're nicer and quieter. The glass-bottom Starfish Suite lets you watch the fish swim beneath your feet without leaving the comfort of your room. It is conveniently close to most restaurants and bars. The hotel runs periodic Web-only promotions.

It's still pretty remote out here in Playa Bluff, but this comfy place is an oasis at the end of a rugged road. Rooms are bright and cheery, with sliding patio doors. All come with king-size beds; one room has an additional queen-size bed. The entire place is solar-powered and the showers run on collected rainwater. You'll find red arrow frogs throughout the gardens, but any snakes (nonvenomous) stay reassuringly on the far fringes of the large property. You'll be provided with boots and a cell phone if you wish to go hiking; the cell phone comes in handy if you want to make a trip into town, but most guests are content to stay here. A separate on-premises business, the Playa Bluff Lounge, serves as the hotel's seafood restaurant.

Everything, but everything is here at Bocas's largest, flashiest, resort-iest hotel. Two pools, two restaurants, meeting facilities, beach volleyball, a gym, sea kayaks, and numerous tours will keep you occupied. The resort lies outside of Bocas Town itself, but free, regularly scheduled shuttle service will get you there if you seek off-site diversions. Rooms are bright and cheery, done up in tropical pastels, with one king- or two queen-size beds. All have private balcony and ocean view.