9 Best Hotels in Bocas del Toro, Bocas del Toro Archipelago

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.

This small lodge in an older wooden building over the water has a great location at the end of Calle 3 and is buffered from the street by a large garden, so it's relatively quiet. It has a lovely second-floor balcony and large, open-air restaurant with plenty of hammocks and chairs from which to contemplate the sea. Most guest rooms are on the second floor of the main building; they have varnished hardwood floors, colorful tile bathrooms, and either one queen or two single beds. The rooms opening onto the common porch with an ocean view are well worth the extra $10; those over the office sit too close to the street. The lodge belongs to Panama's highly regarded Ancon Expeditions, so guests have access to the tour operator's top-notch excursions.

History abounds at the town's quaintest hotel, a two-story wooden building that was the headquarters of the United Fruit Company in the 1930s. The company's steel money vault is still beside the hotel lobby. The top floor served as guest rooms and still has the original veranda overlooking the bay, where mint juleps were probably the order of the hot tropical days. The spacious rooms have been completely refurbished, with shiny hardwood floors, double beds, cable TV, air-conditioning, and small tile bathrooms. There are two deluxe-plus rooms with king-size beds, sofa beds, mini-refrigerators, and 32″ flat screen TVs. If you've booked a room near the street, be sure to bring earplugs since noise from the neighboring disco can lead to sleepless nights.

Hidden at the south end of town, this large wooden hotel is one of the best deals in Bocas, comparable to more centrally located inns that charge twice as much. On each floor, long white corridors lead to common balconies. Built over the water, there's an open-air restaurant and bar on the back deck that has great views of the sea and mainland. Guest rooms are slightly cramped and boxy but comfortable enough, with wooden furnishings, a small TV (with cable), and air-conditioning. Request a room with a balcony and ocean view. Affordable boat excursions depart from the floating platform at the back of the restaurant.

At four stories, a veritable skyscraper for Bocas, this ocher hotel at the south end of town climbs in number of amenities as you climb the floors, and is the only hotel in town with an elevator. All bright, sunny units contain one or two queen-size beds and cedar furnishings, along with a refrigerator and private balcony. Lower-floor rooms begin as standard studios. By the time you get to the third and fourth floors, you find suites with fully equipped kitchens, living rooms, and balconies.

This two-story wooden complex behind the Palacio Municipal fits into Bocas well enough, but inside the lobby feels like Old Europe with dark woods and a long staircase leading to second-story rooms. The rambling hotel has its selling points, mainly the courtyard pool and minor upgrades in 2014. Rooms, with imported furniture, flat-screen TVs, and white bedding draped in velvet throws, are a mixed bag: some are bright, some are dark, some have hardwood floors while others have wall-to-wall carpeting. Your best bets are rooms 236 and 237 with hot tubs and large balconies.

Across the street from the water and a short walk from the center of town, this small B&B offers simple accommodations and a hearty breakfast. Run by a friendly couple from Atlanta, who bought the property in 2014, the lodge has a nice veranda on the second floor with a sea view over rooftops and a self-service bar. Rooms sleep up to four guests and have wooden floors, air-conditioning, and small bathrooms. A beautiful pancake breakfast is included in the rate. There are plenty of common areas with hammocks and tables for relaxing, or for those that want to hit the waves, Bocas Surf School is just across the street on the beach side.

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.