Reviews for Bocas del Toro Vacation Rental - VRBO 162165 - 1 BR Colon Island House in Panama, Island House Bocas Del Toro Panama, 100 Yards to Beach

Amazing accommodation in a Tropical Paradise

Guest Jo
Date of stay 04/11/13
Review Submitted 04/21/13

We spent one fabulous week at this beautiful home. The house is well maintained and comfortable in a private setting. It is close to town and beautiful beaches. Javier was very helpful and informative. He helped us plan excursions and connected us to the right people. His knowledge of the indeginous plants and culture is vast. We enjoyed the beautiful landscaped yard and photographing monkeys, sloths, iguana and birds in the backyard. There are many edible plants and fruits available in the yard. The large deck is perfect for lounging and entertaining. A perfect stay for those looking to relax in a comfortable home in the middle of tropical paradise. We highly recommend this rental property.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Beautiful Home - Relaxing Vacation!

Guest Di
Date of stay 03/30/13
Review Submitted 04/15/13

Everything about this experience was so positive and really easy. From the moment I reached out to Don (the owner) and inquired about the property, to the point in which Carol, the Manager picked us up and took us to grab a few groceries - just easy! The house itself is beautiful - exactly as is shown in the pictures. The patio is brilliant - we spent a lot of time out there just enjoying our time. My husband and I, along with our 16 year old daughter, stayed here. It was so comfortable and just perfect. We had access to the internet (important for my husband for work and for my daughter for posting pics on FB). Javier, the caretaker, is so kind and was a tremendous help. We were traveling w/another family of 9 (staying at a different house) and he made sure we all were taken care of for our trip to Star Beach and Zapatillos island. We so appreciated all he did for us! Loved that we could grocery shop and grill chicken or quesadillas - it was a wonderful bonding experience for our family. Stay here and you will not regret it!

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Great, Relaxing Stay

Guest Mary
Date of stay 03/25/13
Review Submitted 04/30/13

My husband and I spent 5 great days at Don's house on Bocas. The house was a perfect home base for our trip, we spent as much time lounging on the deck as we did exploring the islands because it was so relaxing. Both Carol and Javier were helpful and welcoming and got us set up with groceries, trips, and taxis. All of Carol's restaurant suggestions were great, so take note. The house itself is great and exactly as it looks in the pictures with a couple of unexpected bonuses. The shower in the bathroom is spacious with excellent water pressure and there's an outdoor spot to rinse the sand off when coming home from the beach. Having laundry was a huge perk since we were traveling light and sweaty from hiking and riding bikes. All in all a great stay!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Beautiful house, fantastic location

Guest Jess P.
Date of stay 02/28/13
Review Submitted 03/12/13

We arrived for our four night stay at this property and were so incredibly impressed! The house itself is absolutely gorgeous--and the surrounding forest--full of lush vegetation, birds and even howler monkeys! We were 4 adults--two couples, and the space suited us perfectly. We were able to rent bicycles and tour much of the island. Javier was a great help and assisted us with getting taxis and letting us know where to find groceries, etc on the island. It was great to have a kitchen to be able to cook for ourselves after a couple of weeks of eating in restaurants. I would very much recommend casa chocolate for your stay in Bocas!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Great location, great place.

Guest jandm9002
Date of stay 01/10/13
Review Submitted 01/26/13

We had a great two week stay in Casa Chocolate. The deck was our living room, what a great scene. I would say that this house is probably the best equipped house we have had the pleasure of staying in. The location is perfect, backing into the jungle but a short walk to the beach. Your caretaker is Javier. What a helpful nice guy he is, full of information. We rented bikes from him for the duration and booked a tour to the Zapatilla islands with his Uncle Moy. Bocas town is about 15 minutes down the road by bike. Keep an eye open in the trees and on the ground around the house. We were fortunate enough to not only have the Howler Monkeys come for lunch in the tree directly behind the house but also to get to see Toby the resident Caiman in the ditch behind the house also and a sloth just hanging around. Five minutes down the roadway is a man made lake which is a nice stroll. The house has all the things you need, we very much appreciated the washer and dryer after spending three damp days in tents on one of the local islands prior to getting to the house. Make the effort and ride the bikes out to Playa Bluff, you'll find some great food and drinks there. In town we enjoyed Lili's, Buena Vista, RAW sushi bar, Maycuna,El Casbah, and Barracuda. Have Javier cut you down a coconut and make yourself a blended rum smoothie or if you are cooking in he will offer up some fresh cilantro, and peppers from his garden. Booking the house and making the payments is a smooth process, no problems at all.We were well taken care of including a pick up and drop off to and from the airport. Rent this place and relax you will love it.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

Wonderful and tranquil vacation with jubgle views beside

Guest Anna
Date of stay 11/26/12
Review Submitted 12/04/12

My warmest thanks for a wonderful stay in this lovely ecologically build wooden house. The house is a unique experience with the nearby jungle bringing animals like howler monkeys greeting you from close by forest, hummingbirds, parrots and butterflies flying around terasse. Early morning walk to close by beach for a walk and splash is the sea and after that for exploring Colon Islandn in the end finalising the day in candle light BBQ on terasse - perfect! Warm thank you also for Javier the housekepper who made sure that additional help for all trips and arrangments were available always. The place is a gem that has special atmosphere surrounding it. Thanks again, Anna

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Amazing stay!

Guest Christine
Date of stay 11/10/12
Review Submitted 12/04/12

We stayed at this property from Nov 10th to 18th, 2012. The process of booking was easy, and Don was always available before and during our trip to answer questions. First and foremost, the house was very clean, and the pictures were really representative. The local caretaker, Javier, was very helpful and always keen to show us Panama’s diverse nature. We recommend to anyone who enjoys exploring to rent bicycles (Havier has some at reasonable rates). The house is well located on the island of Colon. – ten minute bike ride one direction to Bocas town, and 10 minutes ride the other direction to the wonderful Paki Point beach.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Perfect Spot for a Relaxing Vacation

Guest Margaret
Date of stay 09/19/12
Review Submitted 09/28/12

My husband and I rented this adorable place for a week. It made our vacation. the large deck is ideal for escaping the hot days and perfect for lounging in the warm evenings. the location is ideal as well.it is just far away from the town for privacy but close enough that it is an easy bike ride/taxi drive. Javier was very kind and helpful, we rented bikes from him for the week and spent our days exploring the beaches near by, snorkeling and swinging on hammocks. could not have been better. He was kind enough to show us where the monkeys hang out and we enjoyed chatting with him greatly. What a wonderful human being. We both highly highly recommend staying here, and recommend it to anyone who is looking to stay in paradise.

Recommended for: Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

great location and comfortable house!

Guest Olga R
Date of stay 08/30/12
Review Submitted 09/19/12

My husband and I stayed in the house for 5 days with our little toddler. We loved the huge patio. The house has all essentials for a relaxing vacation. We appreciated the roof design and fans that ensured good airflow; we hardly needed AC. During rains at night, monkeys were loud but it was great to feel them so close. We saw some during our beach walks. The town is 5-7 minutes away by taxi and property manager connected us with a reliable taxi driver that we used all the time, including for a trip to the opposite tip of the island (Bocas del Drago). a 20 minute walk away (or even shorter bike ride) is a great surf break and hang out spot on the ocean (Paki point). It was our favorite destination in the afternoons and the food was excellent there. In all, we just wished we had more time in Bocas

Recommended for: Families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/2

Don's home

Guest Debra
Date of stay 08/10/12
Review Submitted 09/08/12

My husband and I stayed at Don's home for 10 days. We had the most relaxing and enjoyable vacation of our lifes. Javier the care taker was fabulous, we took an all day boat tour of the islands. We spent lots of time on the beautiful deck and beach. We enjoyed watching the Holler Monkeys although the first morning they did scare us out of a death sleep. The grounds are beautiful the home is nice and has everything you need for 2 people. The only complaint and believe me it was minor was wanted a better frying pan, mentioned it to Don and he took care of it. The town is not far away you can ride bikes or take a taxi and the food is wonderful, so are the local people. Would I go back to Don's home in a heart beat.... Thanks Don!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Don's Bocas House

Guest Alice
Date of stay 07/20/12
Review Submitted 09/27/12

I visited the Bocas house with a group of friends in July and we had a fabulous time! We received a warm reception upon arrival at the airport by Javier and Flaco, who provided tips on restaurants and places to see. They also took us grocery shopping and helped us rent bikes. The house was in a great location and had adequate living space. The huge deck was the perfect spot to relax in the hammock or play games at the picnic table. The view from the master bedroom was beautiful and it was fun to wake up to the sounds of the howler monkeys each morning. Having a washing machine on site was a luxury, especially since we were traveling for two weeks. I would like to add that I forgot a few clothing items and Don (homeowner) was kind enough to send them back to me. Thanks Don!! Some of the recommended highlights of the trip included visiting Red Frog beach, Zapatillas, Super Gourmet Grocery and Starfish coffee (best chocolate banana shakes ever!). I definitely plan to go back to the Bocas house for another visit in the near future, and highly recommend the location to other travelers.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

couples getaway

Guest first time to panama
Date of stay 04/13/12
Review Submitted 06/17/12

My husband and I spent 4 nights at Don's house. The location is a perfect proximately to town as well as Playa Bluff and the surf spots. The grounds are clean and tropical. We probably could have been quite happy just staying on the deck and using the BBQ, but the house is nice and very comfortable. Not fancy but it has everything you need. Great for a couple or small family. We rented bikes from Javier and it was the perfect way to get around. Lots to do in the area and we would definitely recommend it to others. We had a great time and hope to go back.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Great Time in Bocas!

Guest Renee
Date of stay 03/21/12
Review Submitted 03/30/12

The house is great! It looks exactly like the photos. Javier was wonderful and was available to help us out anytime. Saw the howler monkey family that lives in the backyard/jungle!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

Great island location

Guest Tom
Date of stay 02/11/12
Review Submitted 04/03/12

The island house has a great deck, helpful caretaker in Javier, beautiful rainforest setting with howler monkeys, and easy access to beach and warm tropical waters. Bicycles were handy to see the island and to go into town. The pictures provided gave us a good idea of the property. We found the house best for 2 people.

Recommended for: Tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Good Week

Guest comment entered by owner

Good Week

Guest Janet
Date of stay 02/11/12
Review Submitted 03/01/12

Hi Don: We had a wonderful time last week at your home in Bocas. As everyone says I'm sure we spent a lot of time on the deck. Enjoyed swimming in the ocean just on the other side of the bridge too. Javier was great. He was always available if we needed him. We rented bikes from him and enjoyed doing a ride each day. We rode to del Drago- took the bus back with the bikes on top- out to Bluff beach and had lunch at Carolina- what a view. Was also great to be able to ride into town. Loved it

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

Not worth the price - be aware this is a ONE bedroom that sleeps 2 adults

Guest McD
Date of stay 12/21/11
Review Submitted 02/08/12

We LOVE Bocas....the town, the beaches, the people - are all wonderful and we highly recommend a visit to this unique spot. This review is intended to provide a realistic description of this rental unit. The rental is described as a two bedroom, but it is a ONE bedroom, one bath house, that sleeps TWO adults, with room for a child sleeping on the cot or couch. The extra room is actually a tiny room, approximately 6’x10’ with no window or fan. There is a single cot in the room, and some shelves. The house has old, inexpensive furniture that is not very comfortable and could definitely use some upgrades. The couches have tattered and stained cushions, broken seat frames, and are falling apart. The bed is dirty and is VERY hard. The linens are stained and old. Contrary to the satellite map photo of the house, there are neighbors located next to the house on three sides, all with barking dogs. The closest neighbor is extremely rude, uses loud swearing to communicate everything on the phone and to his workers, and has a constantly barking dog tied up out front. On the positive side, the area is full of birds and monkeys and sloths, which is awesome. We enjoyed the deck, watching all the birds, the peek-a-boo view of the beach, and listening to the waves. The location was nice - a short bike ride to town. The house hasn't been thoroughly cleaned in quite some time. On the surface things are fairly clean, but don’t look too close! The house is technically “finished”, but it was built as an inexpensive project and has never been upgraded to cover electrical conduits or to extend the walls to the ceiling. It is sufficient for two people, and provides a nice location, but don't expect a great house even though that is what is suggested in the advertising. The house is for sale, so it appears as though nothing is being done to maintain it. The lights are missing covers, there are no curtains, the bed is HORRIBLE, and the cupboards are filthy. The house is quite dark due to all the local wood walls, and lack of adequate lighting. The house is advertised as having a well stocked kitchen, however there are NO supplies in the kitchen, and the pans are in very poor condition. The one dented fry pan had a handle that was falling off. There are no casserole pans or baking supplies. Don was nice and worked with us to resolve a couple of questions we had. Javier was helpful and friendly. The house is adequate, but not worth the price. Keep looking!

Owner response: The house is a 1 bedroom with a small room suitable for a child. The furniture is 2 years old and comfortable. The house also is cleaned and linens are washed every week. It is all wood so there are no white walls but it is not dark. If this person needed anything he could have told Carol the next door neighbor and manager and she would have got him a new dish or frying pan. He spent new years and Christmas at the managers house, he could have told her then or anytime. I try hard to accommodate my guests. The neighbor that was yelling at his workers and had the barking dog has moved off of the island. Most of my renters enjoy the house very much.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/2

Great family vacation!

Guest Dennis
Date of stay 12/01/11
Review Submitted 02/10/12

My wife and I stayed at this house for the second time in December. We had 3 days of rain but the rest of the time was beautiful. The house is best for a couple or a couple with kids. The second bedroom is small but worked for our son. I got some good surf at Paunch, which is a short walk from the house. The large deck is the best part of the house. We saw monkeys and a sloth from there. The house has internet that works but it is slow. The caretaker was very helpful to tell us where to go and the taxis are cheap. Good restaurants in town and the zip line on Basementos is great. We are planning on coming back next year again! Highly recommended!

Recommended for: Families with young children

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Love this Place!!

Guest november renter
Date of stay 11/01/11
Review Submitted 02/10/12

My boyfriend and I visited Bocas for the first time in November, what a beautiful island. We are so lucky to have found Dons house to stay at. The accommodations are great, the house is beautiful, the jungle the beaches are right there giving you the whole experience. We enjoyed ourselves so much we are planning another trip this year with some friends. Don and the caretaker Javier were extremely helpful, suggesting places to visit, like red frog beach (my favorite), and making sure our visit was comfortable. I would definitely recommend this place...

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Panama...Paradise

Guest Ryan61
Date of stay 08/17/11
Review Submitted 12/04/11

You have to understand certain things when you go on a vacation to Panama, and if you are considering it then you should be fine with roughing it a bit. I really find it odd to see people complain about walls not going to the ceiling and gripes about rooms. its PANAMA this is a 3rd world country, if you have those high standards then go to Canada or Britan. If you want a great (different) vacation stay here, wake up with sights of monkeys in their natural environment behind your house. see the calm and soothing ocean from your balcony. Experience the local restaurants and nightlife(which is the best in bocas). I loved my stay, i have been twice and am gearing up for another.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/2

Breath Taking

Guest KristinT
Date of stay 04/02/11
Review Submitted 11/28/11

My dad has been to Bocas many times in last few years and kept telling a friend of mine and I that we have to go! Well we finally booked our trip over Spring Break of this year. I'm so glad that we did. Bocas was a once in a life time trip. Once arriving at the house the pictures didn't do it justice. The house is beautiful!! The patio is by far the best part of the house. There were four of us on the trip together which worked out perfect for the house. Everyone had their own spot in the house. One in the master, one in the second bedroom, one on the couch, and one that wouldn't leave the couch on the patio. The accommodations where just right. With a fully functioning kitchen that we just everyday and a bbq on the patio that we took fully advantage on it was perfect. We never once felt like we were in a third world country at Don's house. the bathroom is fully functioning with plumbing and running water. It was better than staying at a hotel. We spent most of our time exploring Bocas and the surrounding islands. For those of you who love night life Bocas is prefect. Every night there is a lady's night at one of the local bars where the girls drink for free during certain hours. So ladies take advantage!! Javier the grounds keeper hooked us up with a local book taxi that took us where ever we wanted to go all week for hardly any cost. Zip Lining on the island of Bastimentos is a must!! And while your there you have to check out Red Frog Beach, beautiful doesn't being to describe it. Javier help us connect with the local fisher man so we were able to buy 20 fresh lobsters for $15 which we cook at the house while we were there. Amazing!! We meet so many wonderful people that we still keep in contact with. It truely was a once in a life time trip. Can't wait to go back!!!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Worth a Repeat

Guest John M.
Date of stay 02/01/11
Review Submitted 04/06/11

Don has a wonderful house in a wonderful area of Bocas. It was truly "as advertised". The deck is where we literally lived except when sleeping or cooking a meal (when we didn't use the grill on the deck.) Very comfortable. Few bug problems too which was nice; around dusk and very early in the morning the mosquitoes show up but it was short-lived and a little "Off" took care of it. The nearby beach was fine; we swam there often. We loved backing-up to the jungle with the bird and monkey sounds; we never got tired of it. Javier, the all-around "did everything" guy, was great and he speaks English pretty well. He set us up with private tours we wanted and put us in touch with an excellent, totally reliable taxi driver who we used almost exclusively. Javier was great about immediately attending to things like burned out light bulbs and replacing an empty propane gas cylinder for the hot water. Bocas has a myriad of things to do and the location of the house is most conducive to doing all of them. Not right in town which is nice but certainly close enough for constant access to shopping and activities. We were there for Carnival and were very glad not to be right in town where it is constant loud noise 24 hours a day for the four day event. After being out most of the day on a tour, scuba diving, or shopping and hanging out in the town of Bocas, the house was a great place to return to every night. We stayed in the house two months and loved every minute of our time there. The master bedroom is very comfortable and yes, there is a single bed in one other small room but it is not particularly an inviting room. Our adult son was with us for two weeks and chose to sleep in the living room on the couch where he was comfortable. We would definitely stay there again.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

A Fine Time

Guest Maxie
Date of stay 12/25/10
Review Submitted 01/08/11

We thoroughly enjoyed this house. It is exactly as pictured in the ad. The best feature was the porch which is protected from the tropical rains yet airy and spacious so that most of your time in the house can be comfortably spent on the porch in a hammock. You feel you are in a tropical jungle yet the house has modern conveniences. The plumbing and appliances are modern and the shower is luxurious. The satellite TV and WiFi work well. The owner was very responsive to my questions by e-mail and the caretaker is interesting to talk to and takes good care of the house. Rental houses take a beating and houses in the tropics take a beating - so if you are comparing this home to a newly built vacation McMansion in the US, you will be slightly put off. But if you are in Panama for the tropical island experience and for the fun activities the ocean and island offers, this house will provide a great home base.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Bocas

Guest JPD
Date of stay 11/19/10
Review Submitted 02/09/11

While we had a great time in Bocas Del Toro this house wasn't the best accommodation for more than one couple. The second bedroom is SMALL and has a futon for a bed. The walls don't go to the ceiling so you can hear everything in the house. Basically there is no privacy which is fine if it's one couple but two couples as we had made it awkward at times. The property is very beautiful and the caretaker is very helpful. He was very helpful after the house was broken into and cameras we stolen. Everyone claimed this was the first time this ever happened in the neighborhood but it happened and we were robbed of cameras and a purse. The bikes are also in very poor shape and barely make it to town. Better to rent bikes then really try and ride the bikes that come with the house. Loved Bocas and Panama we just would stay somewhere else when we return. House isn’t bad but like I stated earlier this house is far more suitable for one couple, we were robbed, and the bikes are rusted out beyond use.

Owner response: The house is more suitable for a couple or a couple with kids. Out of the 50 plus people that have rented the house there have been only 2 that did not like the accommodations. I try hard to make the house comfortable and clean. It is hard to keep the bicycles in good shape as the salt air and rain damage them. I just had all of the bikes reconditioned. It is a great neighborhood with very little crime, we had some kids that were caught after stealing some things but no other problems.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Great vacation spot/home

Guest Elizabeth
Date of stay 11/08/10
Review Submitted 11/25/11

Absolutely wonderful vacation rental. The views and scenery were wonderful.This place is cozy and very comfortable- just as described and pictured! Close to the beach but yet very quiet and safe- absolutely recommend - we will be staying again and again and have friends who will be visiting and renting in near future. Thank you for a dream vacation!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Great place for a family holiday

Guest Jaime Viera1
Date of stay 11/01/10
Review Submitted 02/26/11

We (me, my husband and my 4 year old son) stayed at Don's house in Bocas last year for 2 weeks. Don lives back in the states and was very helpful while we were deciding to book the property. He also has a great grounds keeper, Javier that was super helpful while we were staying - with everything to brining fresh towels to telling us the best beaches and places to go. The house is very comfortable and charming. It does have walls that do not entirely go to the ceiling, but it is absolutely finished and contributes to it's charm (in my opinion). After all, it is in Panama! That is why we chose Panama, for something different than the normal vacation. The furniture is all really nice and fits with the area. It is super close to the water and I just LOVE that the jungle is right behind you, the sounds are amazing. We woke up one morning with a sloth (very slowly) crawling through the garden and we saw (and heard!) a family of howler monkeys as well. If you want a relaxing, comfortable, charming traditional panamanian house - this is the one! :)

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Great experience --

Guest Howie
Date of stay 06/14/10
Review Submitted 07/17/10

My son (16) and I visited Don's home in June 2010. We had a fantastic time in the area. Don's home is very well cared for. The master bedroom is great. The second bedroom is small and can be stuffy, so my son slept on the couch in the living room under the air conditioner. He was very comfortable there. The house has a beautiful deck and the ocean is visible. The monkeys or the bush chickens will be waking you up early if you are a light sleeper! The house is a few miles outside town, but taxis are cheap and readily available. We used Don's bikes for a day, but they need some work if you want to take a long ride. So, if you aren't expecting the Ritz, the house is great. As I love to cook, the kitchen was fairly well stocked, but we could have used a few more quality pots, pans, and baking ware. Don was very accommodating with information about the area. His neighbor Carol picked us up at the airport and took us grocery shopping and gave us the rundown on the area. Don's caretaker, Javier, was a great help and companion. He really went the extra mile for us to make us feel welcome. For activities we went snorkeling, jungle hiking to Wizard Beach on Bastimentos, manatee trip on the mainland, hand-line fishing on a boat we rented from Javier's uncle, and lots of eating. The seafood is great, although surprisingly not locally caught due to overfishing. If you are looking for a unique experience, without the excesses of most island vacations, this is a great place for you. My son and I definitely want to return to the area.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

Another great getaway...

Guest Dennis
Date of stay 05/24/10
Review Submitted 03/02/11

We had a great time again! Bocas isn't for everyone but for us, it's the perfect getaway to get in some good surfing, fishing and snorkeling with our adventurous 4 1/2 year old boy. The home was immaculate when we arrived and Javier's (the groundskeeper) wife was very sweet and brought fruit for our little man. It's nice beeing just outside of town for us as well because the noise from downtown gets old and Casa Oceana is nice and quiet. Can't wait to go back!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

Great Family Stay in Bocas

Guest Paul & Pia
Date of stay 04/06/10
Review Submitted 05/14/10

We (husband, wife, daughter (14) and son (10)) spent a week at this house and had a peaceful, relaxing time. The veranda was a great place to read and wait out the rainy periods. The bikes helped us be mobile and explore the area. The neighbors (Carol and Larry) were very helpful and Javier was willing to help out whenever we wanted. It's a nice distance from town that is not too far away and not too close. The howler monkeys are an exotic alarm clock in the morning.

Recommended for: Families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6

Guest The Richards Family
Date of stay 03/10/10
Review Submitted 03/09/10

Just returned from a one month stay at this peaceful home. We spent many hours on the front deck, listening to the wildlife while reading and relaxing. We rode the bikes everywhere - town and beaches. A wonderful addition was the caretakers next door. Larry and Carol were always there when we needed them and quick to help. One important thing to mention is that at this time the home truly only sleeps 4 - 2 on a queen, one single bed and enough room for one adult on the couch. Overall, if you are looking for a real tropical setting, with all the raw beauty it offers, Bocas is a great choice and this house with its location is ideal.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/4

Great friends' getaway

Guest Jill0120
Date of stay 03/02/10
Review Submitted 04/10/10

We spent a fantastic month at this beautiful house in Bocas. Set in the jungle, not too far from Bocas Town and Bluff/Paunch breaks, easy access to water taxis and the many beaches of the archipelago. Everything you could want in a getaway. Satellite TV, beautiful huge outdoor living space with gas grill, hammocks and comfy couches. We loved it here and look forward to visiting again! Note that this house is not directly on the beach, but riding your bike into town takes about 15 minutes and from there water taxis take you direct to many beaches.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/7

Underwhelming

Guest ECNY
Date of stay 01/03/10
Review Submitted 03/26/10

This is a semi-finished cottage on a side road far from Bocas town. The walls do not go all the way to the ceiling, so there is no privacy. It is one bedroom. There is another bed in the electrical room, but no window. Construction crews clean their trucks into the creek using very noisy gasoline-powered water pumps about 100 yards from the deck all day. The beach nearby is possibly the only beach in Bocas that you would not want to swim at. Everything else requires a taxi ride. Taxis are unreliable as there is no central dispatch.

Recommended for: Pet owners

Owner response: Of all of the people that have rented my house these are the only ones that did not enjoy it. The house is finished, it has high ceilings and the whole inside is wood, which to some people looks unfinished. Next to the master bedroom there is a small room that is used for a bedroom but it is not the electrical room, it just has a small sub panel in it. The trucks that were at the bridge pumping water are gone, they were only there when the road was being worked on. The house is in a very quiet area. The beach nearby is a good beach when it is not raining as a small creek runs out next to it. I now have a cell phone at the house for tenants use with taxi's numbers on it. They are very reliable and cheap. There is now wireless internet

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/9

Guest Ryan61
Date of stay 08/23/09
Review Submitted 08/23/09

I stayed at Casa Oceana in March of this yesr with my father and my uncle. We got some good waves at Dumpers, we also did some diving and exploring other islands. We has 2 days of rain. The house was great, especially the large deck We bought some fresh lobster from locals and BBQ'd, it was fantastic. We are planning on going back next year

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/4

-

Guest Lorie R.
Date of stay 04/04/09
Review Submitted 04/04/09

We enjoyed our Bocas vacation for one month. Every day we would ride bikes into town. Please note that on the house web site it states that internet is available and that it is not. You must go the 3 miles to town to an internet cafe.

Owner response: The house now has wireless internet

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/5

Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Dennis
Date of stay 03/21/09
Review Submitted 03/28/10

My wife and I stayed at Casa Oceana in March of last yesr and we very much enjoyed Bocas and the house. Javier the grounds keeper was very helpful on any requests that we had. He was able to arrange surf adventures and fishing adventures for us. The house is in a very peaceful and in a good location. We saw monkeys from our deck and many cool birds.We plan on going again this year.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/6

Guest Jaime21
Date of stay 11/28/08
Review Submitted 11/28/08

We had such a wonderful time at your property! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful home with us. Every morning we woke up hearing birds or monkeys in the jungle behind us. It is such a peaceful spot. We spent many days on the veranda in the hammocks reading books, or just relaxing on the comfortable furniture. We had plenty of BBQs (getting a HUGE tuna for 20$ at a local shop) on the veranda. It is a very short walk to a gorgeous swimming beach and very handy to town. Your place is everything we could want in a holiday home, comfortable, beautiful, and peaceful. I highly recommend it!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/3

Guest Jaime Viera
Date of stay 08/28/08
Review Submitted 08/28/08

My husband and I stayed at Casa Oceana for 1 week and we did not want to leave. It was very relaxing and beautiful. We spent most of our home time on the large deck. We rode bicycles daily and my husband was able to find good surfing close by.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/3

Guest Susan216
Date of stay 04/01/08
Review Submitted 04/01/08

We spent an amazing ten days in this house which was a perfect island getaway. We were close enough to town, yet far enough away to really feel the tranquility of the area. I would highly recommend it for anyone staying in Bocas and looking for a Home away from Home.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/3

Vacation Rentals by Owner

Island House Bocas Del Toro Panama, 100 Yards to Beach [#162165] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (37)

Amazing accommodation in a Tropical Paradise

Amazing accommodation in a Tropical Paradise

Beautiful Home - Relaxing Vacation!

Beautiful Home - Relaxing Vacation!

Great, Relaxing Stay

Great, Relaxing Stay

Beautiful house, fantastic location

Beautiful house, fantastic location

Great location, great place.

Great location, great place.

Wonderful and tranquil vacation with jubgle views beside

Wonderful and tranquil vacation with jubgle views beside

Amazing stay!

Amazing stay!

Perfect Spot for a Relaxing Vacation

Perfect Spot for a Relaxing Vacation

great location and comfortable house!

great location and comfortable house!

Don's home

Don's home

Don's Bocas House

Don's Bocas House

couples getaway

couples getaway

Great Time in Bocas!

Great Time in Bocas!

Great island location

Great island location

Good Week

Good Week

Not worth the price - be aware this is a ONE bedroom that sleeps 2 adults

Not worth the price - be aware this is a ONE bedroom that sleeps 2 adults

Great family vacation!

Great family vacation!

Love this Place!!

Love this Place!!

Panama...Paradise

Panama...Paradise

Breath Taking

Breath Taking

Worth a Repeat

Worth a Repeat

A Fine Time

A Fine Time

Bocas

Bocas

Great vacation spot/home

Great vacation spot/home

Great place for a family holiday

Great place for a family holiday

Great experience --

Great experience --

Another great getaway...

Another great getaway...

Great Family Stay in Bocas

Great Family Stay in Bocas

Great friends' getaway

Great friends' getaway

Underwhelming

Underwhelming

-

-