Vacation Rentals by Owner

Beautiful' Green'Beachfront Home Secluded Paradise [#193291] | View Property

Boca del Drago
House, 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths (Sleeps 6)
$140 - $160/nt US Dollars
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Traveler Reviews (33)

• Worth the drive!

  Worth the drive!

  • Guest Ina
  • Date of stay 03/10/13
  • Review Submitted 05/14/13
  This was a great place to take my parents on their first trip to Panama. The porch overlooking the lush landscape was a great place to have breakfast and plan out the day. Gundula gave great tours of the property and shared some of her favorite swimming areas and private beaches! The fresh bananas, coconuts and breadfruit were just icing on the cake. I would highly recommend this property for anyone looking to get away and relax. I would also suggest doing a boat tour to the surrounding islands and snorkeling spots (which can be arranged by Gundula). It was so much fun to zip around and stop where ever you wanted!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, tourists without a car.

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• Paradise in Panama

  Paradise in Panama

  • Guest Holly
  • Date of stay 03/04/13
  • Review Submitted 03/20/13
  We just returned from Casa Mañana. What a wonderful place. The house, grounds and property are lovely, even more beautiful than the photos. The owners, Gundula and David (and the dogs) were helpful, accommodating, and a wealth of knowledge. Gundula knows the plants and has created a paradise. She showed us many edible plants, fruits and vegetables that we used nightly for dinner. We are all bird watchers and we were introduced to a neighbor who took us birding around the area. Gundula also arranged a boat ride for additional bird watching and snorkeling around many of the islands. Yarisnori restaurant was great for fish dinners. Our only regret was that we did not stay long enough. I also forgot to mention that Gundula is a massage therapist! This place is the entire package!

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

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• 9 Days in Paradise at Casa Manana

  9 Days in Paradise at Casa Manana

  • Guest LindaJohn99
  • Date of stay 01/27/13
  • Review Submitted 02/22/13
  We booked this beautiful home loving referred to by it's owners as Casa Mañana in Bocas del Toro for one week in late January 2013 and were delighted with our stay. We loved it so much we extended our stay for two more days. Even then, leaving wasn’t easy. Gundula, the on-site-owner, and her three dogs (Strider, Kenya and Schotzie) are so welcoming that we felt like we were saying our goodbyes to family. Our group was two couples. Everyone was in awe of the beauty of the house and the beautifully landscaped grounds that Gundula has created. To top this off, you have an ocean view from the house and within just a couple minutes walk, you are on this beautiful beach that you have all to yourself. The beds are very comfortable and the kitchen is very well equipped. The bathrooms are modern, Everything is clean and well cared for. There are lots of fun things to do during your stay or you can just stay put and relax in the hammock or the deck lounge chairs. Gundula can arrange many for you. She knows the best operators on the island and certainly this added to the enjoyment of our trip. One day we rode horses in the jungle with her German friends who were very nice and interesting people. Another day we took an all day boat trip where we saw dolphins, red frogs, lots of interesting fish where we snorkeled at Crawl Cay, and visited Bird Island. The boat captain customizes your trip based on your interests and it’s your own private tour. Two days we went to town and went diving with Bocas Water Sports. Saw some interesting fish underwater and our friends finished their their open water certifications. Gundula is also a very well known sports massage therapist and you will be happy you spent an hour with her as she works magic on your aching muscles. During our stay, we spent a lot of time looking for birds which could be photographed. The area where Casa Manana is located is famous for lots of interesting bird life. If you are interested in seeing the bird photographs of this area, visit whywelovebirds.com and click on Panama. If you would enjoy staying at beautiful place on Isla Colon where it’s laid back and relaxing and the beauty of the jungle is right there at your doorstep as well as the ocean, this is the place for you. We will go to Casa Manana's facebook page and post pictures from your trip then you can see even more of the beauty of this amazing Paradise!!!!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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• Beautiful Garden and Lovely Hostess

  Beautiful Garden and Lovely Hostess

  • Guest WM
  • Date of stay 12/12/12
  • Review Submitted 01/14/13
  Our family (4 people) truly enjoyed our stay with Gundula and her hilarious pets. The house is large, spacious and set on a hill overlooking the ocean and garden. There was plenty of space for the 4 of us. The kitchen had everything we needed, but make sure you pack enough to eat, as it's a bit difficult to pick up things you forgot. However, Gundula was very accommodating and shared with us when we needed. It was great to hang out with her and have her show us what life is like in Boca del Drago. Be aware that this is an energy-efficient home, so you need to be mindful of your water and electricity usage. The house could certainly use a few good bulbs: it was pretty dim at night. If you don't mind being pretty far out in a nice location, then prepare to relax for a week at Casa Manana. You won't regret it.

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

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• Perfect “off the grid” getaway

  Perfect “off the grid” getaway

  • Guest Amy
  • Date of stay 09/12/12
  • Review Submitted 01/27/13
  This was a wonderful vacation experience for my husband and me last fall. We stayed at Casa Manana from September 12th – 20th. It was truly an “off the grid” vacation rental in a very remote spot on the island, and exactly what we needed. The house runs solely on solar panels, rainwater, and a little bit of propane for the refrigerator. Our gracious hostess, Gundula, picked us up at the airport and took us grocery shopping first thing. We stocked up enough groceries so we didn’t need to shop again during our trip since the ride into the small town of Bocas took so long. Along with our groceries, Gundula kept us stocked with coconuts, bananas, plantains, cacao, yucca and peppers from the property! She is truly a wealth of information about the plants and wildlife on Bocas. We enjoyed her company, and were overjoyed to wake up and find her dog Strider waiting on the porch to check in on us each morning. We went with no agenda and let the surrounding jungle and ocean plan our days for us. We chartered a boat one day and Captain Amando took us around to snorkel the surrounding beaches and reefs, and stop in for a close-up of Bird Island, for a very reasonable price. Other than that, there were miles of private beach and jungle to explore. It only rained one day and spending it on the large porch, overlooking the ocean, sipping coffee was just perfect. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone needing a relaxing getaway.

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

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• WHY WOULD YOU STAY ANYPLACE ELSE?

  WHY WOULD YOU STAY ANYPLACE ELSE?

  • Guest moneymoo
  • Date of stay 09/01/12
  • Review Submitted 09/24/12
  Casa Manana is that rare find that has the comforts of home and the jungle "wild". I stayed here from September 1-7 and it was truly a wonderful experience. There is so much to do and it's so comfortable that you won't want to leave. Turtles were nesting while I was there and on the last day, several nests hatched and I had the privilege to see little babies head for the sea. Gundula is the perfect hostess and it's like having your personal guide take care of you, help you out, plan, suggest, etc. While I was there, I went to Starfish Beach, Yarsinori for some great fish and pina coladas and Bird Island and just stayed most days around the house. Bird Island is really something to see. There are great walks near the property where you can see sloths and monkeys and the white-faced monkeys came close to the house one morning for coffee. Just sitting out on the patio at the table and playing with the dogs was so enjoyable. If you are a party animal and need some night life, this is certainly not a place for you. But if you need to get away from it all and have quiet and relaxation, this is the most marvelous place you could find. There are other islands to explore and you could make the trek into town to do so. Gundula and I snorkeled out in front of the beach one day and there are plenty of beautiful fish to see. She can spot anything both underwater and in the trees like a trained guide! I loved having her dogs Stryder and Kenya around. They were an absolute joy and lessened my guilt of having to put my own dog in the kennel. I already miss the place and hope to return next summer with 3 other people that would love to enjoy everything that Casa Manana has to offer. You will fall asleep listening to the jungle and the ocean and you won't want to leave when it's your last day!

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

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• Casa Manana

  Casa Manana

  • Guest Pete
  • Date of stay 07/05/12
  • Review Submitted 07/07/12
  I stayed here July 5th and 6th 2012. Absolutely fantastic! In two days I saw 2 troops of howler monkeys right from the house and numerous sloths. Gundula is an absolute wealth of knowledge about the fauna and wildlife in the area. I would highly recommend this place, but keep in mind, it is a remote jungle setting with all the comforts of home. Bonfires on the beach as opposed to bar hopping in town. Very relaxing private get-away.,

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

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• unique, beautiful location; very private beach; great hosts

  unique, beautiful location; very private beach; great hosts

  • Guest Diederik H.
  • Date of stay 04/01/12
  • Review Submitted 04/22/12
  My wife and I spent a week at casa Mañana with our 10 year old son. The house itself is very nice, very comfortable, every bit as described on the website. But the location is what makes this house so special. Gundula and Dave have cut a beautiful property out of the jungle and the landscaping is magnificent. We took as many pictures of the colorful flowers as of the beach. We saw also some wildlife. We heard Howler Monkeys, but never had a good view of them. We did however see a sloth in the trees close to the house. There beach is definitely very nice even with the waves that were there the week we stayed. It is all extremely private allowing us to enjoy the clothing optional sunning and swimming that was mentioned on the website. Gundula is a great host and she enjoyed doing things with our son, allowing Mom and Dad a little free time. The house is a little remote, but if you want a beautiful quiet location, you can not do better than this.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

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• Paradise found!

  Paradise found!

  • Guest Randy J.
  • Date of stay 03/09/12
  • Review Submitted 03/20/12
  This is a beautiful property. We loved it. The best VRBO yet! Gundalah and Dave were great hosts, taking us on hiking tours, buying trips, etc. The property has a great native landscape plan with a view to the crashing waves from the large table on the patio. We went to sleep with the sound of crashing waves every night for the six nights we were there. Off the grid living at its finest. We would recommend this place to anyone and know we will be back!

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

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• A superb way to experience the natural side of Panama

  A superb way to experience the natural side of Panama

  • Guest Jim
  • Date of stay 02/18/12
  • Review Submitted 02/29/12
  Gorgeous home planted in a remote spot of Panama that was literally cut out of the jungle, overlooking a serene and private beach. Don't worry about the home's use of solar electricity and rain water - you'll never know the difference (Gundula and Dave provided bottled drinking water). But you WILL notice being in a peaceful, quiet, natural setting. The sound of the surf puts you to sleep and you can really see the stars at night. Gundula and Dave are the perfect hosts - there when you need them, but never an intrusion. They took great care of us and made sure we had everything we needed. We were five adults (2 couples and an adult child) who only stayed for 3 nights - but they were the best days of our 10 day trip. Highlight - kayaking to Bird Island just across from the beach! Our entire stay was a wonderful experience.

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

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• The best environment and accommodations in the Boca Del Toro island chain

  The best environment and accommodations in the Boca Del Toro island chain

  • Guest Acuman
  • Date of stay 01/19/12
  • Review Submitted 02/06/12
  We just returned from an unbelievable week at the "GREEN HOUSE" in Boca Del Drago. I have been visiting several times a year the Boca Del Toro area for about 10 years. This location far and away exceeds any location or accommodations that I have stayed in the Bocas area. The location of the home is magnificent. It is a little bit off the beaten path, but if you are looking for for peace and tranquility, then this place will be your Nirvana. The view from the patio belongs on a postcard. The 2 private beaches are only 2 minutes down the hill from the house. All of the furnishings are beautiful and appropriate to the environment. We cooked in most nights and the kitchen was extremely functional and no utensils was lacking. The bedrooms and showers are rather large and the water is always hot, which is not the case of many other locations that I stayed in Bocas. It was so unusual to have a beach with waves right in front of the house. You would normally have to pay for a boat to take you to a nice beach, for playing in the surf or sorkeling, but we had it right in front of our faces. The beaches are phenomenal and empty. There is crystal clear fresh water lagoon several minutes up the beach, where the water is 10 degrees cooler than the ocean. When you stay here, you are surrounded by nature. One can constantly see birds and flower from many different species. During the early morning or just before sunset , it is common to see several different species of monkies. One of the best parts of the stay here is the wonderful caretakers. They could not be more accommodating. They were extremely helpful in making arrangements for boat trips or dinner. There coordination prior to arrival made everything work like clockwork. The caretakers were as visible or invisible as one needed. It was wonderful to have them around and I hope we have established a long lasting friendship. I can not recommend anywhere in the Bocas area that would be more beautiful, peaceful, clean and just flat out remarkable then the, "Gren House". I know that in my many future visits to this area, that I will only be staying at this wonderful location.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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

• Amazing piece of paradise!

  Amazing piece of paradise!

  • Guest stephandrich
  • Date of stay 01/13/12
  • Review Submitted 01/22/12
  Wonderful hosts, a beautiful spacious main-floor apartment -- the whole main floor -- and stunning scenery. Comfy king bed. Falling asleep to the sound of waves was magic. Long walks on the beaches -- without another person around! The beaches are pristine and the waves were a riot to jump around in. We were there in January and the sea was quite active which we loved. This is a place where you can really slow down and enjoy nature. You can also hike through the rainforest, go kayaking, frolic in the waves, snorkel when the ocean is calm. Plus Gundula is a fantastic massage therapist -- highly recommend a treatment with her magic fingers. We're already saving for a visit next year!

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

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• Family Trip

  Family Trip

  • Guest EDKA
  • Date of stay 07/02/11
  • Review Submitted 08/08/11
  Best family vacation ever ,You will be positvely surprised by this place . We have traveled all over the World and have never come home so relaxed and happy .What a Dream, the house was wonderful, Gundula is the perfect host and our kids , ages 10 and 13 , loved it too, despite no internet and TV , there is so much to do or not . Everything is excately like its described here on the page , the payment, the transport to and from the airport, flawless.

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

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• Outstanding jungle/beach getaway in paradise

  Outstanding jungle/beach getaway in paradise

  • Guest Tom
  • Date of stay 03/25/11
  • Review Submitted 04/12/11
  We stayed here for a full week - an amazing bargain at the rates Gundula and Dave are offering. The house itself is clean and well-furnished - there is a big front porch with hammocks, chairs, and a big dining / cards table, where you can just sit and enjoy the sound of the ocean, the monkeys and tropical birds. The bathrooms and bedrooms were great, and it's easy to forget that the entire house uses solar power and has its own water system. This house lets you stay in the jungle and still have creature comforts. The property that the house overlooks is amazing - It is a large property with tropical plants, coconuts, and a long beach front. A short walk gets you to a beautiful tropical beach with a freshwater lagoon. You can swim in the 80 degree ocean, then cool off in the lagoon, or just lay on the beach with a good book. The other great thing about staying at this house is that there is no internet or (if you are on a CDMA cell phone network) no cell phone service. Some people see this as a drawback, but why would you go on vacation if you can't get away from it all? Gundula and Dave are excellent hosts, and have a lot of great information about Bocas Del Toro and things to do if you stop in Panama City. It's a place that really lets you get away from everything and recharge your batteries. If you want to have a more active vacation, there are a lot of recreational opportunities available. We took a boat trip with a local tour guide where we viewed dolphins, sloths, and howler monkeys, and we did some great snorkeling on the coral reefs in the archipelago. We also did a horseback ride through the jungle with a local tour guide, sea kayaking, and watched the locals race boats in Bastimentos. If you want to have a night out on the town, you can rent a room in bocas town for a night and go to one of the local bars built on stilts over the water. Overall, I would definitely recommend staying here. It lets you and your family get away from facebook, twitter, email, and phone calls, and really just reconnect, while providing abundant opportunities for recreational activities in the jungle, on the beach, and in the water.

  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: 2/2

• Paradise Found

  Paradise Found

  • Guest Heather
  • Date of stay 03/08/11
  • Review Submitted 04/20/11
  Our little family has a longing for laid-back,off the beaten path, Caribbean adventures. Every year we somehow find a way to head down south to warm our chilly bones, and remind us how to slow down, breathe in the sea and partake in the moment. This land has it all from the beautifully hand-crafted home, the wandering brilliant gardens bursting with every color and smell to the fresh hand-picked fruit that finds its way to your kitchen, the lullaby surf, the lush jungle that surrounds you and calls you back to childhood as you spot a sloth, listen for a howler, notice a boa curled upon a tree. The descriptions and pictures can't equate to the reality. All of your modern creature comforts in paradise, away from it all, and with a mere asking you can breeze away on a boat through the archipelago, kayak out to mesmerizing bird island, or just stroll forever along the beach. We've been all over the Caribbean, even lived in Central America. This piece of paradise and Gundula are a treasure. There really is no need to look further. You won't be disappointed, except for the fact that perhaps you didn't stay longer. We will be back. Next time, I hope for a month, at least me and our 4 year old jungle boy, who still blows kisses to Gundula and her sweet dogs most nights. And also, don't miss out on the massage - amazing, I promise.

  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: 3/3

• The ultimate nature experience with all the comforts of home!

  The ultimate nature experience with all the comforts of home!

  • Guest Ginna
  • Date of stay 01/28/11
  • Review Submitted 02/10/11
  The benefits you receive for the distance you must travel to arrive at this house are totally worth it. You may have your doubts as you traverse the dirt road upon arrival, but the house comes with access to a delightful stretch of nearly private beach; and the insight gained by having hosts as knowledgeable about the local ways as Gundula and Dave is priceless. We were welcomed as guests instead of tourists; and were even invited to join them at a birthday party for some local twins who were turning 70. If you are looking for nightlife, this is not the place for you, but if you are into making you own action, cooking meals, reading in a hammock while listening to the ocean, and getting out once or twice a week for boating, snorkeling, and island exploration- this place will fit you nicely. Make your own nightlife sitting by a fire on the beach or watching a movie on your laptop- there is no TV here. All of the other comforts of home are provided: hot showers, full kitchen, clean linens, and comfortable beds. Bugs are not an issue as the beach is breezy, the jungle is cleared on the property, and it is beautifully maintained. There are plenty of areas to walk around and explore the birds and animals if you can find them. Gundula checked on us regularly to make sure our needs were met; and at the same time, was respectful of our privacy. Highlights of our stay included: exploring the gardens and partaking of the fresh bananas, arugula, papaya, pineapples, and coconuts that grow here, cooling off in the peaceful lagoon that connects with the ocean, drinking coffee on the porch in the morning and watching the parrot couples fly by, boating 10 min. to Swan’s Cay to see Tropix birds that (in the whole wide world) are only found here, and walking on the beach with the dogs finding seashells and coral pieces. We would definitely return, given the opportunity.

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

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

• Traumhaft - Unvergleichlich - Robinson Crusoe pur!

  Traumhaft - Unvergleichlich - Robinson Crusoe pur!

  • Guest Pat
  • Date of stay 01/19/11
  • Review Submitted 02/03/12
  Wir danken für die wunder-wunderschöne Zeit die wir erleben durften... Ein traumhaftes Haus mit einem wunderschönen tropischen XXXXXXL-Garten und ein menschenleerer Traumstrand davor. Plus extrem gute Energie! Danke an Gundula & Dave und die beiden super lieben Hunde, es war toll bei Euch und wir kommen so bald wie möglich wieder! Herzliche Grüße Patricia & Rainer

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

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

• Fantastic Tropical Getaway

  Fantastic Tropical Getaway

  • Guest Kristin
  • Date of stay 01/12/11
  • Review Submitted 02/09/11
  Stayed with our family of five, children ages 18, 14, and 9 in mid-January 2011. The house is remote, but that is what we wanted. The house was kind of dark inside, but gorgeous, because everything was hand-crafted and natural wood and tile. BTW: ample water and towels. All the shutters (even the doors are shutters) open to an enormous panoramic view of the garden down to the Caribbean Sea and Bird Island. Never tired of looking at that view. The grounds are stunning and there are edible foods growing on it. We stayed there for six nights. What did we do? We practiced the art of doing nothing and cooked wonderful meals together, hiked to a restaurant, body-surfed and kayaked in the rough waves (at that time of year), did a snorkel day trip, read in the hammocks, wrote in our journal, played games and went to town for a second run of groceries. The owners are sincere and helpful. Their dogs are scary looking, but friendly and fun to have around. Animals (sloths, vine snake, frogs, geckos and parrots) were visible from the porch so bring your binoculars and camera. If you want pristine surroundings, peace and quiet, this place is truly awesome.

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

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

• Casa Manana is Beautiful Secluded Beachfront Paradise

  Casa Manana is Beautiful Secluded Beachfront Paradise

  • Guest My Pink Lawyer
  • Date of stay 12/18/10
  • Review Submitted 01/09/11
  My husband, 2 kids (ages 9 & 11) and I stayed at Casa Manana the week before Christmas 2010. It was just what we were looking for--a private beachfront paradise to get away from the world and "unplug" for a while. It was the perfect paradise to unwind and spend time together as a family without the distractions of computers or cell phones. We played lots of board and card games, played on the beach, took jungle hikes and snorkeling trips. Our hosts, Gundula and Dave, were wonderful. Gundula is very knowledgable about the local habitat and taught my kids so much. They can't wait to go back! I highly recommend this house if you truly are looking to get away in a beautiful Carribbean paradise. Be prepared to disengage from the world for a while. It will still be there when you return--I promise!

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

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

• Amazing Family Vacation

  Amazing Family Vacation

  • Guest jenn
  • Date of stay 10/09/10
  • Review Submitted 11/06/10
  Our family had a wonderful time at Casa Manana. The kids played in the surf, looked for shells, and hiked through the jungle. Enjoyed laying in hammock on the beach, kayaking to Bird Island, bird watching, wildlife viewing, warm ocean, and relaxing with a drink. Dave and Gundula's house and property was fabulous...all the amenities of home surrounded by the beautiful and natural enviroment of Panama. Dave and Gundula were great hosts and very helpful. Can't wait to return for another vacation! Jenn & Dave of Boise, Idaho

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

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

• A little slice of heaven!!

  A little slice of heaven!!

  • Guest Sue and Stan
  • Date of stay 10/08/10
  • Review Submitted 11/06/10
  When our accommodation plans for our Panama holiday fell apart we were referred to the Hofers and "Casa Manana". We met a new friend and a wonderful host in Dave Hofer, and were sorry his wife was in the USA since everyone told us she is the epitomy of a gracious hostess! Dave met us at Bocas del Toro airport. He had pre-arranged transportation for us and a grocery buying stop. We spent a lovely week at their beautiful home..our own little piece of rainforest, jungle, tropical flowers and an impeccably groomed Caribbean beach. The entire property was pristine and wellmaintained. Dave brought us fresh bananas, coconuts and passion fruit and introduced us to his neighbours, parrots and monkeys. He arranged a fishing and sightseeing boat trip where we snorkeled, waded in star fish pools and watched dolphins close up. We found the elusive red frog (with the help of small local Indian boy who befriended our grandsons) on the beach where Survivor was filmed. We would SO recommend the Hofers and Casa Manana at Bocas del Drago to anyone visiting Panama. We loved our visit, every day..the beach, the ocean,the home...a thrill for all ages..our little boys are 5,3 and 1 and they had as much fun as both generations of adults. it was a memorable family vacation. Thank you...we miss you and your warm weather!! Sue and Stan Fornander, Boise, Idaho USA

  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: 3/3

• A tranquil get away

  A tranquil get away

  • Guest Adventure Family
  • Date of stay 07/23/10
  • Review Submitted 08/14/10
  We are world travelers coming from Asia for the fist time to Central America. Casa Manana provided a get-away-from-it-all experience for our family with 4 kids (age 15, 13, 11, and 6). With no internet, TV, phones, it was pure family time with beautiful grounds, private beach, beach bonfire, and tree climbing fun. Gundula and Dave are gracious and thoughtful hosts who made our stay very comfortable and much more rewarding with sightings of Howling Monkeys, Leather back turtles, and even Lion Fish hunting! Thank you.

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

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

• Island paradise

  Island paradise

  • Guest worldtraveler
  • Date of stay 07/22/10
  • Review Submitted 07/22/10
  I've been to a lot of places around the globe, but this is the most beautiful I have ever been to. Maybe its watching the monkeys jump from tree to tree from the back porch. Maybe its the gorgeous sunsets, or having bonfires on the beach, the walks to the cold refreshing fresh water lagoon or taking a boat ride to see wild dolphins playing. Gundula and Dave you guys have what feels like one of the last pure places left in the world. Thanks for letting us stay with you, and tell Strider and Kenya everyone said hello!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, 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: 4/4

• Property 193291 (Beautiful Green Beachfront Paradise)

  Property 193291 (Beautiful Green Beachfront Paradise)

  • Guest D and D
  • Date of stay 07/13/10
  • Review Submitted 02/07/12
  Absolute Paradise!!! My boyfriend and I stayed at Gundula's property in Bocas del Drago in late July of 2011. Everything about this place is amazing. When you drive up the driveway you will be amazed with all the beautiful landscaping. Big tall beautiful trees, tropical flowers, palms, banana plants, and much much more. The home is very open and spacious. The windows and doors all open up to the beach with a wonderful patio to sit and enjoy the view. It has 2 large rooms, a large open living area. 2 restrooms and a beautiful kitchen filled with all the cooking utensils you would need. The house is completely solar powered by the sun, which we thought was great. Its just a short beautiful walk to the beach from the house. You are bound to see sloths, monkeys, snakes, lizards, and all kinds of tropical birds on your way. You will enjoy a gorgeous beach pretty much all to yourself. The only people you will see are other owners of property near by. Gundula has life vests of course, kayaks, snorkels, and boogie boards to use down by the beach. She also has plenty of firewood down by the beach for bonfires. There is an awesome island close by you can kayak to, or you can kayak down to the restaurant in the little town of Drago. We took many romantic walks down the beach with no one in sight. You can walk all over the property and see so many neat things. From sloths and monkeys, to passion fruit plants and pineapple gardens, to unique birds and so much more! We could go on and on really. One of the best parts about our whole stay was the company of Gundula and her two dogs, Stryder and Kenya. If you are not dog lovers, she will do a good job keeping them away from guests. My boyfriend and I just fell in love with the dogs, and just couldn't wait to see them everyday. Stryder loves to fetch coconuts down by the beach. Kenya just loves to lay in the sand and watch the action. It was such a pleasure to meet the owner Gundula. She is a very sweet and generous women. She will be a friend of ours for life!! You will not regret your stay here. We cannot wait to go back!!

  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

• excellent choice for a rental

  excellent choice for a rental

  • Guest Greg
  • Date of stay 06/25/10
  • Review Submitted 07/12/10
  we just finished our second stay at this home. i cannot reiterate enough how wonderful our stay was. the owners are great people and extremely helpful, always doing the best they can to make sure you have a safe, good time. the beach is amazing and i would recommend staying here to anyone. thanks again for a wonderful stay! this location is just far enough to have the privacy one desires while still being close enough to enjoy the town as well. the amount of fruit trees on the property is amazing and we hope to make a third trip to the same house again eventually.

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

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

• A place to recharge your batteries

  A place to recharge your batteries

  • Guest antofran
  • Date of stay 04/05/10
  • Review Submitted 05/18/10
  What an awesome place. We had a really great time at casa manana. Dave and Gundula where great hosts. At the end our daughter preferred to spend time with Gundula than with us ;-). We light a lot of fires on the beach and did many BBQ (You can find enough wood to light the fire of your life if you like to ;-)). Beaches around the house are great and you have the choice of several different. As our children are only 4 and 2, we also went quite frequent to the sweet weather lagoon which is a 10min walk away. The lagoon is just right by the sea just separated by the sandy beach in between. We spend there 4 fabulous weeks!!!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with young children.

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

• Genuine Tropical Paradise

  Genuine Tropical Paradise

  • Guest 2 Guys from NY
  • Date of stay 03/26/10
  • Review Submitted 05/15/10
  We spent 8 days at Casa Manana, and it was one of our best vacations ever. Everything there is incredibly beautiful, the house, the grounds, the beach, and the entire setting. You have total privacy, as the house is on a large property carved right out of the jungle, sitting on a hill overlooking the beach, with a clear view out to Bird Island. A 2 minute walk takes you down to a beautiful, totally private beach where you can swim, sunbathe, explore, snorkel, or just chill. How many other places offer your own little, utterly private slice of tropical paradise just a few steps from your room?! Although we did take some excursions to other sites around the island, you could easily spend your whole trip right there on the property. Despite the ruggedness of the area, this home is so comfortable that you won’t be roughing it. The very well designed, green house is spacious, open, and breezy, with 2 large BRs and 2 full baths, a fully-equipped kitchen, and (my personal favorite) a huge wraparound porch. I spent hours there reading, napping on the hammock, or just listening to the birds. The property is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts of any stripe: we spotted crabs, snakes (non-venomous), hummingbirds, funky looking spiders, a sloth, bats, and countless brightly-colored tropical birds. The friendly and worldly owners are amazing as well. Gundula is your multi-talented hostess and resident wildlife expert, who will help coordinate your visit. She’s a lovely lady, incredibly helpful, but unobtrusive, and a great cook to boot. She prepared several delicious lunches and dinners for us, incorporating some of the fresh fruits and vegetables grown right on the property. Her creative cuisine was much better than anything we had at the restaurants in Bocas. She also provides amazing massages for a very modest fee. Her husband, Dave, is a way cool dude, very knowledgeable, easy going, and with a great sense of humor. He offered many suggestions that improved our trip immeasurably. Their extensive knowledge of the area’s attractions allows you to get straight to the fun without having to spend valuable time figuring out everything yourself. We enjoyed hanging out with Dave & Gundula and had a blast playing Frisbee with their 2 beautiful dogs. I strongly urge anyone looking for peace, beauty, relaxation, and a dramatic change of pace to visit Casa Manana.

  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: 3/3

• • Guest Sara Greg Tyler
  • Date of stay 02/25/10
  • Review Submitted 02/25/10
  what a wonderful time we spent at this home...the owners were so helpful and i cannot reiterate enough how appreciative i was with everything...the property is beautiful and their private beach is awesome...quiet and breathtaking..yet close enough to the town to check out the area...we will go back to this rental during our next vacation...i highly recommend this spot...i have nothing negative to say about it...thank you for making our time in panama so memorable

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

• • Guest mel8
  • Date of stay 11/17/09
  • Review Submitted 11/17/09
  I can not say enough good things about this home. It is a vacation full of adventure, beauty, and peace, all contained within one property. Just far enough from town to ensure privacy and tranquility- not too far to out to plan a meal out, obtain supplies or take an excursion. The private beach is phenomenal, and the view of Bird Island is gorgeous and unique. This place was a slice of heaven, and made for a phenomenal getaway. Thanks to the homeowners Gundula and Dave... whose great attitudes, knowledge, and multi-lingual skills made everything so simple. Casa Manana truly has everything- well done!

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

• • Guest Sam25
  • Date of stay 11/15/09
  • Review Submitted 11/15/09
  What a amazing place! We stayed here just a few weeks ago and thought we were on fantasy island! You never have to leave this property. It has all you need...snorkel on sight...private sandy beach with lots of palm trees and other amazing plants and flowers. Gundula and Dave were the most wonderful and helpful host. Always there when you need them and have a knowledge of boca that exceeded all my expectations. If you are looking for a magical getaway..this is the place to be!!!

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

• • Guest Deana Jackson
  • Date of stay 11/13/09
  • Review Submitted 11/13/09
  We ended up at Casa Manana after 6 months of extensive research about the Boca Del Toro and Drago area. We did not know anyone that had ever been there. We were trying to find someplace to celebrate my 40th birthday. We knew exactly what we wanted peace, privacy, a place to reflect and totally get away from the hustle and bustle of life. We chose Casa manana after looking at MANY houses. Gundula kept in contact with us and answered all our questions. Once we were there Gundula made it easy for us to get our SUPPLIES. The drive to the house was 45min but Drago is only 20 min. (down very bumpy road). We didnt mind the drive because the scenery was beautiful. Once we got to the house we were all speechless the beauty was undescribable.The smell of all the flowers, the colors, and the sound of the beach.The house is open and airy with a great front porch. The walk to the beach was something we looked forward to. The property is very tropical full of life and color. The beach was sandy blue green with a front row seat to bird island..very very private. That week we kayaked through the mangroves at Star Fish Beach which is in Drago, took a boat excursion to Zapatillas Key, Bastimentos (ate at a great thia place, I belive called Top of Island. it was a hike but worth it), snorkeled at Crawl Kay and hiked the jungle. We were also able to catch the boat at Drago. Also great restaurant at Drago(it has a pay phone buy a calling card cell phones do not work). Next time we go we will probably stay on property most of the time except for supplies. The beach at the house is beautiful with great snorkeling,plenty of hiking and adventure, kayaking and tons of privacy. I could never say enough good things anout Gundula and Dave. They were informative, helpful and friendly, relaxed and laid back. I could not have found a better place to celebrate turning 40. Peace and serenity were abundant. It exceeded ALL my expectations many times over. We will definatley go back except this time with our 9 and 12 yr olds.

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

• • Guest Gail & Tom1
  • Date of stay 04/05/09
  • Review Submitted 04/05/09
  We stayed at here at the end of March. The property was beautiful and the house was lovely. Played on the private beach, took hikes through the jungle and just relaxed on the porch. Gundula and Dave were great hosts and our kids loved spending time with them and the dogs. Although the house is "off the grid", there was so much to see and do. We highly recommend staying here.

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

• • Guest Anonymous
  • Date of stay 01/28/09
  • Review Submitted 01/28/09
  This is a fantastic rental property! We, and our children, ages 11, 15, 17 roamed everywhere, sighted howler monkeys, sloths and green parrots, tasted yucca, plaintains and guavas for the first time, learned how to call crocodiles, went horseback riding with an Indian clearing the jungle with a machete ahead of the horses, surfed, snorkeled over coral reefs, collected shells, cut and drank coconuts with help from another Indian and his machete, and picked up live hand size star fish in the ocean. All of this was within walking distance or arranged by the hosts without us ever having to go into Bocas Town (other than to grocery shop). This place is off the beaten path; its own piece of paradise. We played cards, read books, swayed in the hammocks and looked out over the ocean. We'd go back in a second and, until then, learn a litte Spanish!

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