Best Off-Grid Resorts in Bocas del Toro

Discover Isla Bastimentos where secluded beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and lush jungle deliver an authentic off-the-beaten-path experience

 

Not so long ago, Panama’s Bocas del Toro region was a relatively unknown destination where backpackers, surfers, and adventure trekkers made pilgrimages to the sleepy regional hub of Isla Colon to get away from it all.

Fast forward a decade and Colon has become a globally recognized mecca for digital nomads, affluent Gen Z gap year dropouts, and a growing number of upscale travelers. Rustic hostels now share waterfront space with a growing collection of upscale live and work hostels along with luxury resorts. The region’s epicenter Bocas Town pulses to the rhythms of all-night clubbing.

The good news for travelers seeking that elusive “away from it all” vibe – it’s just a boat ride away. The only way to get to nearby Isla Bastimentos is by water taxi. And though the trip is relatively short, the journey takes you back 50 years to a time before electric grids and paved roads – or any road for that matter. Bastimentos is the largest island in the expansive Bahia Honda Bay wetlands, but it remains sparely populated and almost completely undeveloped. Scattered along the pristine shorelines of the island are a handful of off- grid resorts. Here are three favorites:

Casa Cayuco

From open-air treehouse bedrooms to boardwalks winding through palm groves and rustic platforms suspended over clear shallows, Casa Cayuco adds a touch of Swiss Family Robinson flair to the off-grid vacation experience. The resort is located on a golden sand beach on Isla Bastimentos’ calm southern shore, offering eight unique guest accommodations that include suites in the main lodge, rustic beach bungalows, and a panoramic treetop cabaña. Designs blur the lines between indoors and outdoors with shaded decks, netted bedding, and half walls fitted with shutters that open to usher in sea breezes and the sounds of nature.

The resort’s emphasis on ecological responsibility includes the use of renewable construction materials, solar power, rainwater harvesting, the use of bio- degradable products. Menus at the on-site restaurant focus on locally sourced whole foods and grown on-site items, with an emphasis on plant-based cuisines that minimize the “foodprint” of production, packaging, and transport. The chefs can accommodate almost all dietary preferences and restrictions.

With clear Caribbean waters right out front, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing are always close at hand. The resort can arrange trips to nearby deserted islands, surfing safaris, and lagoon tours, while land-based activities center around guided nature hikes and birding excursions into the unspoiled interior of Isla Bastimentos. Yoga and massage therapies are offered, along with cultural activities such as cooking classes and visits to traditional villages.

La Loma Jungle Lodge & Chocolate Farm

Tree houses and chocolate. That’s the short pitch for La Loma. The grounds of this jungle farm are a mix of fruit orchards, cacao tree groves, and rainforest thickets that rise from the shores of Bahia Honda Bay to the highest point on Isla Bastimentos. Scattered across the upper ridges of this 55-acre property are a number of hand- crafted treehouse-style bungalows set into the forest canopy with sweeping views of the forest and bay. Accommodations also include rooms and suites in a rustic lodge set in the heart of the working farm.

La Loma’s owners are passionate about sustainability and the eco-friendly practices of permaculture agriculture. Guests are invited to engage in the process with tours, workshops, and self-guided wanderings. A highlight of stays is the chance to participate in cacao harvesting and processing, where beans are fermented, dried, roasted, and transformed into chocolate products on-site and inspire menus at the farm kitchen. Dining at La Loma is a culinary journey into the authentic flavors of the region. Cuisines showcasing bold tastes and textures incorporate organic fruits and vegetables from the farm gardens with wild foods harvested from the forest.

The farm, which is accessed only by boat, is surrounded by virgin rainforest where footpaths lead to hidden pools in jungle streams and a mysterious cave system that is best explored with a guide. Kayaks and SUPs are available for exploring the mangrove shoreline, white sand beaches are just a short ride away aboard the resort’s shuttle boat. Wellness programs include daily yoga sessions and massage treatments in an open-air spa set in the rainforest canopy.

Red Frog Beach Island Resort

When the Red Frog developers broke ground some two decades ago, the ambitious master plan envisioned hundreds of retirement villas and a large resort complex. This vision was never realized, and only the initial phase of development took place. That said, the current downsized iteration of the Red Frog project remains Isla Bastimentos’ largest and only full-service resort. It’s off-grid and developed with respect for the natural environment but also backed by a well- developed infrastructure that allows guests to enjoy all the comforts and conveniences of a four-star property including air conditioning, property-wide Wi-Fi, complimentary local cell phones, childcare, and private chef services.

The property sits on a scenic swath of its namesake east coast beach. Guests have exclusive access to the resort’s La Rosa Beach Club, and water taxis are available to visit four additional island beaches. Red Frog offers a number of varied lodging options spread across the expansive landscaped grounds. Choices include rooms in a beachfront lodge, 2- to 5-bedroom self-contained hillside and beachfront villas – some with private pools – jungle lodges, and 1- and 2-bedroom oceanview condominium units. All feature a clean, modern design, with ocean, garden, or pool views. To facilitate access to all areas of the resort Red Frog operates shuttles and maintains a fleet of rental golf carts.

In addition to eco-themed activities such as jungle hikes, lagoon cruises, snorkeling, diving, surfing, catamaran sailing trips, birding trips, and beach combing excursions, Red Frog provides a variety of on- property activities. There are two restaurants, several pools and hot tubs, a fitness center, daily yoga and on- site, and a convenience store stocked with essentials. A spa set in a secluded inland valley offers a full range of massage and wellness treatments in an oasis-like setting. The resort is family-friendly and offers concierge transportation services from the Isla Colon airport and the mainland.