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

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.

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.