Vacation Rentals by Owner

Best place in Bocas

Guest: jalgera (Prospect Park, NJ)
Date of Stay: 10/04/10 Review Submitted: 10/12/10

We spent 6 nights here in October. Weather was great, with temps in the 80s everyday. The beach is very close and many times we were the only ones on it. Water was warm. Every morning, a huge breakfast was laid out and preparations were made with the help from the owner for various activities including snorkeling, boat tour, town dining and jungle hikes. The accommodations were top notch, clean and modern, and they had WiFi which is tough to find on Bocas. We had an excellent stay and highly recommend this place to any party traveling to the Caribbean..

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

Whatever happened to truth in advertising: This place is better than they say!

Guest: Crystal & Rod (Atlanta, GA)
Date of Stay: 06/29/10 Review Submitted: 07/17/10

The Retreat at Bluff Beach is....well,...I'm afraid to say how satisfying the experience was for fear that the world will descend upon the place. This would be good, of course, for Ron Dennis and his warm, competent staff, but selfishly, we'd like to keep the knowledge of this little gem all to ourselves. We were there for eight days, 7 nights and had our schedules permitted, we would have stayed longer. I worried that there would not be enough for Rod to do "way out" in the jungle (have you traveled with a hyper person before?), but he was content to read novels, take daily naps, walk/run on the beach with Cassius, hike through the jungle, amble down to La Coralinas for cocktails (and that view!); , explore Bocas in all its quirkiness; talk with the interesting guests, Steve and Karen (the temporary managers) and Ron, "retreat's owner and developer. Nonetheless, eight days was the right enough time for each of us to really rest and relax. The photos that you see on this site are NOT an accurate depiction: the place much is lovelier! Downsides: 1 ) Fruit back "home" (in GA) pales in comparison to the fruit that you are served each morning at breakfast 2) somehow the hum of the A/C at night doesn't have the same effect as falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing against the shore a few hundred yards away 3) the beach needs more people! You wouldn't want to think you were in a postcard or something! Seriously: the waters are rough and needs to be respected!!--not for children or inexperienced, poor swimmers. Upsides: Breakfast at Bluff beach; meeting interesting brave people who know that there are alternatives to living at full throttle--and are trying it (in Panama); William the dependable, gregarious cab driver; living off the grid and sustainable tourism; breakfasts at Bluff beach-oh, I said that already; napping in the hammock in the mangrove trees on edges of the ocean; touring Ron's finca (farm) with Steve, Karen and Omar the farm's manager learning about the rainforest (but do wear the boots that they offer!!); experiencing the (still) pristine waters of Dolphin Bay (with Louis tour guide who is very proud and knowledgeable about the area)--we actually saw dolphins and ate fresh oysters that Louis pulled from the roots Mangrove tree. He opened them, squeezed lime juice (from limes picked that morning) over the delicacys and served them to us on the oar! On second thought, I think that part was a dream. Crystal & Rod

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

Relaxing Quiet Getaway!

Guest: Anoo (Boston,MA)
Date of Stay: 06/27/10 Review Submitted: 07/10/10

We had a wonderful time at the Bluff Beach retreat. The beach right in front of the property was pristine and beautiful! You could spend hours lazing on the hammocks! The daily freshly prepared breakfast is awesome. Ron, Steve, and Karen have genuine interest in sustainable tourism and this property is a live example - of course they are wonderful hosts and make you feel right at home.

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

Fantastic Beach Retreat!

Guest: weaver2713 (Apex, NC)
Date of Stay: 04/10/10 Review Submitted: 04/28/11

We went to Bluff Beach Retreat in April 2010 (now getting around to writing the review) and I have to say it was a wonderful experience. From the flight into Bocas del Toro to the 4 wheel drive journey to BBR. It got better when we arrived at BBR. It's located on a beautiful tropical beach with no visible neighbors, the lodging is immaculate and Ron is the icing on the cake. He was extremely helpful planning our daily travels (snorkeling, cacao tour, sight seeing, etc.) and dinner at various B & B's at night. I had doubts about going to Panama but this place rocks. All question marks were erased! And, it was not too hot. There were nice ocean breezes at night and you can hear the pounding surf. If you are looking for a very nice place, great value, something off the beaten track, this is it. I HIGHLY recommend BBR.

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

Guest: Mark Orion
Date of Stay: 12/31/09 Review Submitted: 12/30/09

"December 23rd, 2009 - I just returned yesterday from a week at Bluff Beach Retreat. Ron and his staff deserve the highest ratings we can bestow. I'll share a few observations regarding why I think they went above and beyond. First of all; honesty. Ron's a guy whose word can be trusted. When traveling internationally you need honesty and Ron was super. You don't want someone feeding you B.S. just to get you to stay there and then once you arrive it's brown water for showers (or drinking water). Our group of 10 bombarded Ron with email questions BEFORE we arrived and he responded immediately in all cases with useful information and tips that proved factual. No tricks - no surprises - nice. Right up front, let's talk about money. Ron provided many services he simply didn't charge for. The rates we negotiated for the stay were fair and he certainly could have charged for many other value adds he made available. There were bikes available to ride, high rubber boots for the "genuine rainforest experience" (your shoes would have been trashed), books to borrow for leisurely reading, DVD's to watch, Internet access... the point is he didn't nickel and dime us on each thing. If you stay in town, it's not as personable and expect everything else to be a ticket item. Ron offered the option to have our own cook onsite and WOW - this was fabulous. If this is offered to you - DO THIS and beg for Nicole! Nicole is a world class chef (really!) and she handled meals for 10 with ease. The food was superb (we were picky and loved the organic local produce) and we all ate like we were on a cruise ship (including fattening deserts made with local chocolate!). Believe me, when on vacation who wants to cook PLUS Nicole is very friendly and fun to chat with as she whips up her masterpieces in the kitchen. Spend the dough and hire Nicole. Absolute deal." The rest of this review can be found on TripAdvisor - "The BEST in Bocas - A Five Star Experience"

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Guest: Alex Modzelewski (Kailua, HI)
Date of Stay: 11/01/09 Review Submitted: 11/01/09

This B&B on Bluff Beach in Bocas del Toro, Panama feels like a stage from the “Mosquito Coast” movie: miles of sandy, empty beaches pounded by powerful surf, mist of salty water suspended in the morning sun, the jungle coming within twenty feet of the water. To finish it off, a local Indian worker trotted by me on his pony, heading for his work in one of the hidden haciendas.It is a great place to enjoy a few quiet days dedicated to exploring the jungle (a great birding place), walking a wonderful beach and having some philosophic reflections on absurdity of city life.The accommodations are very comfortable in a newly built, sumptuous house and Ron, the owner-operator, is a friendly Canadian who will give you as much privacy or companionship as you desire. His big, goofy boxer, Cassius comes as a bonus. A trip to the resort is an adventure by itself; don’t try to drive there through the jungle yourself, let Ron pick you up.Thank you,Ron.Alex and Ania Modzelewski

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Guest: Jody Johnson (Charlotte ,N.C.)
Date of Stay: 09/21/09 Review Submitted: 09/21/09

One of the most if not the most pleasant vacations we have ever taken, Ron was so accomodating , picking us up at Bocas, arranging the taxi and room in Panama, We thourougly enjoyed the main house, ( as a free upgrade ) and enjoyed Ron's company and his great boxer buddy - Cassius,, Horseback riding was great fun, boat trip and lunch, all very reasonable, A beautiful home and setting, We intend to come back, want to bring my daughters, thanks again to Ron Dennis for a delightful experience at a gorgeous setting,,

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Guest: Hatton Littman (Big Sky, MT)
Date of Stay: 07/25/09 Review Submitted: 07/25/09

We LOVED the house at Bluff Beach. Our group of 5 women surfed, snorkeled, walked the beach, and dined fantastically every night. We loved the comfort of the house and the quiet away from town. We were in total luxury! And then if we wanted to get into town it really wasn't a hassle to drive and of course we had some fun adventures biking in and out. Ron and Christine are fabulous hosts!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/15/09 Review Submitted: 07/15/09

Bluff Beach is beautiful and perfect for walking/running/sunbathing. The house is fabulous and so are it's owners. We had a wonderful time and would recommend a week or more stay to all!

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Guest: Sydney & Jeff Lynott
Date of Stay: 04/26/09 Review Submitted: 04/25/09

Wow! Where do we begin? We could NOT have asked for a better place to enjoy our honeymoon. Ron, you made it so easy from beginning to end, whether it was answering our hundreds of emails before coming out or ensuring we had access to everything Bocas has to offer. Your ability to host/entertain/tour guide/bartend/provide history is what sets Bluff Beach apart from the rest. What's more, your place is stunning & the location could not be more perfect! We will never forget riding in the "dirty bitch", Iris' breakfasts, the nights at the Coralina, the sound of the waves & nature all around us and your good company. We are so sad to leave & can't wait to bring our families back someday. What an incredible paradise you have here. Thank you for everything! Sydney & Jeff Lynott married 4-18-09 PS. Cassius will always be near & dear to our hearts!

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Guest: Eve & Mike White
Date of Stay: 04/16/09 Review Submitted: 04/15/09

"I can't say enough how much we all thoroughly enjoyed staying at Bluff Beach. Actually, the kids can't stop talking about it. Even the girly-girls came around and made peace with nature. We each came away with many awesome lifelong memories. Between two families we had four adults and five teens so we took over the beach house. It was so comfortably laid out that it lent itself so that each of us did what our little hearts desired: nap in a hammock, watch a movie, jump the waves, take Cassius for a walk on the beach, snack on pineapple, play cards, whatever. Ron is an excellent host and we appreciate the laid back hospitality. From arranging transportation, the catamaran tour, horseback riding, to making food & supply runs in town and giving tips & information about the local "stuff". "Muchas gracias!" again to Iris for starting our days off with a super & delicious breakfast. It was truly a relaxing adventure that was difficult to leave. Cassius (the dog) was a great touch to really making it feel like home. Thank you for a wonderful experience. Next time we'll definitely stay longer."

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Guest: Jason,Debbie,Bates,Jason,Dave, (Vancouver WA)
Date of Stay: 02/17/09 Review Submitted: 02/17/09

25)The amazing house 24)Parrot Alarm Clock 23)Coffee and Tea in am 22)Hot breakfast eggs, bacon, pancakes 21)Tropical fruits 20)Old fashion softdrinks with cane sugar 19)Can you say Rum 18)Hammocks for naps 17)Ceiling fans and ocean breeze 16)La Piscina is close by :) 15)Strong surf 14)Cassius Clay aka meathead the dog 13)Brooke the Cook 12)Iris the souschef 11)Inabina 10)Ron the host, part-time chef,part-time cabbie, cruise director, information minister and Spanish translator 9)Jungle environment 8)Monkeys! 7)Excellent food 6)Beer PANAMA 5)Restful stormy days 4)Vicious games of hearts 3)Reading on the porch 2)Long beach walks 1)Sound of the waves

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Guest: sarah milton and andy hartigan (ponte vedra beach, fl)
Date of Stay: 12/19/08 Review Submitted: 12/19/08

ron and cassius clay, his boxer. are amazing hosts and exceeded all of our expectations. the property is stunning and the hospitality is world class. ron went above and beyond to make sure we had the best vacation possible. Every morning we woke up to a delicious homemade customized breakfast. Then you can either enjoy the miles of beautiful desolate golden sand beaches or hike through the jungle to the nearby tidepools. ron is always willing to suggest and set up many of the activities that bocas del toro has to offer. We often would eat dinner at the nearby restaurant 'la coralina'. the food and atmosphere were perfect for relaxing. we highly recommend staying here and having as great of an experience as we did.

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Guest: Wanda Lalonde
Date of Stay: 12/01/08 Review Submitted: 11/30/08

Dear Ron And Christine The first words that come to mind are, "Oh My God What a Wonderful Place to Be". and "CAN I COME BACK". Your home is wonderful. My daughter Carlin and I enjoyed our stay with you very much. I can not get over your setting. It is the Island Paradise get-away that we only have in our minds but are never able to actually find. Laid back and elegant at the same time,not an easy feat. I know at first Carlin was a little uncomfortable with the local wildlife but by the end of the week it was "what wild life?". I don't think I have ever been on a more secluded and beautiful beach. Where you can hear the earth breathe and wash away all your stresses. Your Yoga instruction Christine is always the very best. As Carlin said to me "Mom you never have to go out and explore teachers, you have found the very best". Carlin is working to your instruction now, every day. As she said and I feel, it is such an elevated practice when it is done in the rain forest beside the waves of the sea. I thank you for such a wonderful time. I am sure I will be back with as much of my family and friends as possible. I always like to share the best. Wishing you and yours a wonderful, happy and peaceful 2009. Very Gratefully Yours, Wanda Lalonde

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Guest: Carlin Lalonde
Date of Stay: 12/01/08 Review Submitted: 11/30/08

I attended one of Christine Dennis’ yoga retreats at Bluff Beach Retreat. The experience was amazing; Christine is by far the best yoga instructor I have ever had. The house is stunning, with a huge outdoor living space overlooking Ron’s gorgeous gardens, and a beautiful, very private beach. Ron and Christine were great hosts, very funny and knowledgeable as island tour guides. There is so much to do on the island and the town of Bocas is great, with lots of shops and restaurants in a relaxed environment. It was one of the best trips I have ever been on and I hope to return as soon as possible. Thanks to everyone at Bluff Beach Retreat for such a great time!

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Guest: Orphee & Denis Laprise
Date of Stay: 10/29/08 Review Submitted: 10/28/08

"This place has everything we expected Panama to offer! Perfect blend of jungle + beach + hospitality. The only thing we had to worry about were sunburns! Thanks to our hosts. A la prochaine...

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Guest: The Casons (Laguna Niguel, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/29/08 Review Submitted: 09/29/08

Bluff Beach House was definately the best place to be in and around Bocas Town. A beautifully crafted and maintained house with all of the amenities one could wish for. KC couldn't have be a more helpful and chill innkeep...but the best part of all? Brooke's pancakes in the morning!!!

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Guest: The Macombs
Date of Stay: 08/28/08 Review Submitted: 08/27/08

"The most peaceful spot in all of Bocas! The house is gorgeous-the energy, the feng shui of the place, is amazing. The beach is not only breathtaking, it is secluded. Brooke and Kasey are the most amiable, service oriented managers imaginable. Also, for Bocas, as this is our 6th time here, the linens, towels, all the comforts of home, are greatly appreciated and often not readily found here. Thankyou! Thankyou! Thankyou! Tha Macombs, NYC"

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Guest: Eugenio Fernandez-Rico
Date of Stay: 08/26/08 Review Submitted: 08/25/08

We had a wonderful time during our four day stay in this beautiful house! Kasey and Brooke were awesome, and always trying to ensure we had a great vacation. Thanks guys! Eugenio Fernandez-Rico Maria Sebastian Aug 26, 2008 Madrid, Spain

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Guest: Matt & Rebecca Carvatt
Date of Stay: 08/14/08 Review Submitted: 08/13/08

What a wonderful place to relax! We had a fantastic time enjoying the beach, the waves, the BREAKFASTS! (Brooke makes fantastic eggs!) Riding the horses in the morning, on the beach with Omar was a special treat! Thank you to Ron, Kasey, and Brooke for sharing this little piece of Bocas with us. Can't wait to return to such an amazing place! Thanks again, and we'll be back soon! Matt and Becky -NYC

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Guest: Amber Lundsguard
Date of Stay: 07/18/08 Review Submitted: 07/17/08

"The house was amazing, between the views of Bluff beach, and the tropical landscape surrounding. Brooke and Kasey were great and have a lot of knowledge about Bocas and other islands. Thanks for everything." Amber Lundsguard, New Orleans

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Guest: Wendy & Richard Enright
Date of Stay: 07/18/08 Review Submitted: 07/17/08

"Ron-The house was spectacular! Kasey and Brooke were unbelievable! Thanks to them we were able to enjoy the flavor of not only Bocas, but other surrounding islands. Our visit wouldn't have been complete without Hank and Lidovina. They took great care of the place, making certain everything exceeded our expectations! We look forward to visiting again in the near future. Wendy and Richard Enright, New Orleans, LA"

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Guest: Pratt & Ashley Butler
Date of Stay: 07/07/08 Review Submitted: 07/06/08

"This was amazing! There are no words to express how amazing this experience was! The guesthouse, the views, the beach were all incredible! We were just amazed at God's beautiful creation! Thanks for such a wonderful, relaxing, get-away!" Pratt & Ashley Butler

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Guest: Kate Besanceney
Date of Stay: 06/30/08 Review Submitted: 06/29/08

May 30, 2008” The house is much more beautiful than in the photos! Great place for a retreat and to unwind from the hustle and bustle of the mainland. The wild-life is amazing, especially the turtles. I had a great time and arrived without expectations to be pleasantly surprised. Thanks Ron!”Kate, Colorado, USA

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Guest: Robert and Tracy Lehodey (Calgary Alberta)
Date of Stay: 05/21/08 Review Submitted: 05/21/08

Our family group of eight, three adults and five children, had one of our best vacations ever staying at this beautiful property on Bluff Beach on Ile de Colon in the Bocas del Toros region of Panama. The house is beautiful and works very well in this environment where living outdoors and indoors are interchangeable - the expansive covered deck flows as part of the living space and the kitchen opens to the deck which accomodates a terrific dining space outdoors. Ron Dennis, the owner has put a lot of thought and effort effort into designing the property and the finishing details. The beach is beautiful and very private and although the waves prevented us from swimming per se we enjoyed long walks on the beach, boogey boarding and playing in the water. Ron went beyond our expectations in making sure our stay was an enjoyable one and facilitated our getting around and setting up day trips surfing, touring to see some of the local unique sights and circumnavigating the island by boat. We are hoping to be Ron's first repeat customers!

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Guest: Fraser Smith (Sidney BC)
Date of Stay: 04/27/08 Review Submitted: 04/27/08

Super week long vacation for the two of us. Ron Dennis is a fabulous host, went way beyond expectations. Virtually empty beach for miles, right on the edge of the jungle. Parrots and other birds everywhere. Sloths in the trees, and monkeys howling during the night. Breakfasts were fabulous every morning we were there, days were hot and nights were cool with not a bug bite for me, but a few sand flea bites on Judy. We slept with doors and windows open, no screens needed. Highest quality furnishings and equipment including top grade high-speed internet, with big fridges for the Panama beer. Townies are very very friendly, very safe even at night downtown. Never once felt uncomfortable for our safety. The little bars are jumping, eclectic and full of locals and tourists just plain enjoying being there. The road to town is a real eye-opener - it is a jungle/beach trail which is essentially made up of a series of small ponds linked together. You will immediately understand why 4 wheel drive dominates in Bocas. Only one thing to do - take your time, and enjoy the way it is. We'll go back. Have a good time. Fraser and Judy Smith, Sidney, BC.

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Guest: Norah Prodan
Date of Stay: 03/31/08 Review Submitted: 03/30/08

March 31, 2008“Wow. IT’S LIKE ONE GIANT SCREEN SAVER! Absolutely lovely! I continue to be amazed by how helpful everyone is……Although I gained 20 pounds from stuffing my face with excellent food! But your house is just a “little” too beautiful! from seeing sloths, getting caught in HUGE waves, laying in the sun, lots of rain, a tortoise, going surfing, playing poker, watching movies, laying in hammocks, looking at views, playing with Edgar, getting bitten by Edgar, getting mad at Edgar, having burnt legs, and seeing baby cows (and scared cows poo). I am speechless and can’t wait to brag to my friends! I JUST DON’T WANT TO LEAVE! Thanks!”“I give everyone Kudos! and again extra points for not killing us!”Norah Prodan (12 years old)Calgary, AB, Canada

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