The eco-friendly & fully off-grid Sol Bungalows is a tiny, very intimate resort with just two overwater bungalows on Bocas del Toro’s Isla Solarte, the least populated, most undisturbed of all Bocas’ main islands.
Though relatively undisturbed we find the location is still very convenient, being just 5 minutes by water taxi from Bocas Town.
We think you’ll find the overwater bungalows leek, modern, and comfortable – they boast all the features you’d expect from quality overwater bungalows in the Caribbean but at a more reasonable price.
Sustainable Luxury: Off-Grid Overwater Bungalows
Those features include; traditional thatched roofs, glass floor viewing panels, nice furnished terraces with direct access to the water, overwater hammocks, and outdoor showers.
We think you’ll find the bungalows spacious too; they cover 775 square feet/78 square meters in total, with a lounge area, a separate bedroom with a king-size bed and memory foam mattress, a bathroom and a lovely outside terrace just made for gazing at sunsets.
Other hotel-type niceties include coffee makers, mini-fridges, and blackout curtains.
The lounge and bedroom are separated by a sliding door and the sofa in the lounge can be converted into two single beds which allows the bungalows an occupancy of four each if needed.
Sol Bungalows Pricing & Reservations
Check out all the details on the booking page here.
Note: only children over the ages of 12 are permitted to stay at Sol Bungalows.
Island Living: Solar Power, Surfing, & Healthy Dining
A fine healthy breakfast is included in the rate and evening meals, drinks, etc. can be provided on-site.
We are also, as previously mentioned, just five minutes away from Bocas Town where we have a choice of food stores, restaurants, bars, and cafes, and there are a few local stores on the island itself.
You can nip out your door for some snorkeling, kayaking, or paddle boarding, with all equipment provided, a range of massages can be arranged for you on-site and so too yoga classes.
Bocas del Toro is of course famous for its world-class surf and its best waves are just a short boat ride away. Scuba diving too – the area has some of the best in the world – and diving trips can be arranged from Sol Bungalows.
The enthusiastic owners of Sol Bungalows are Bocas experts, former guides in fact, so they have the knowledge and contacts to arrange all sorts of activities for you.
Island hopping boat trips, sea fishing, and jungle hikes to horseback riding, biking, and even pub crawls in Bocas Town for example.
The place is entirely off-grid – electricity comes from 14 solar panels on the roof of the restaurant, though they do also have a backup generator.
All water is collected from rainwater, with waste being processed on-site by their own septic system.
Location: The Untouched Beauty of Isla Solarte
Isla Solarte is as raw and authentic as it gets in this part of Panama. It has no roads and no mains electricity or running water.
Most of the interior is rainforest, which you can explore at your leisure, and its residents are mostly the local Ngobe indigenous group, who these days share the island with a small ex-pat community.
There are regular daily flights from Panama City International to Bocas del Toro airport which is just a few minutes, and a couple of dollars, by taxi to the ferry terminal.
There we can jump in a water taxi for the 5-minute journey (fare negotiable but expect it to be 3 to 5 USD per person) to Isla Solarte and Sol Overwater Bungalows.
Guest Reviews: Excellent
“Drew, Tamara, and their staff have made Sol Bungalows one of the best places I’ve ever stayed in! Everything was awesome! The food, location, staff, and cleanliness. No better place to stay in all of Bocas hands down! You will fall in love as soon as you get there..….”
“Breakfast Sandwich is hands down the BEST I’ve EVER had. The chimichurri is also the BEST I’ve EVER had. The dinners are awesome. Yuca balls, Mahi Mahi Ceviche, Seared Tuna with risotto, Pumpkin soup (Believe me it’s not what you think),& Jack Fruit with Quinoa. The place hands down exceeded all expectations. We will be back! This was a bucket list thing to stay at an overwater bungalow and Tamara and Drew knocked this one out of the park. I recommend anyone who is reading this to go and check it out for yourself…..”
See all the reviews right here
