These Are the Best Overwater Bungalows in Panama to Book in 2026

Eclypse de Mar is an intimate, eco-friendly resort, with its own nature reserve in Bocas del Toro, along Panama’s east coast. It has tastefully designed and decorated, very Caribbean, overwater bungalows, just seven in total, which blend nicely with the deep jungle behind.   Eco-Friendly Overwater Bungalows & Jungle Treehouses Their overwater accommodation has two categories – the Standard Bungalows at 538 square feet/50 square meters and the larger, slightly more plush, Honeymoon Overwater Bungalows at 861 square feet/80 square meters. The latter has one king-size bedroom plus lounge while the former, though smaller, has two bedrooms, one double and one twin. We have seating areas inside and outside on the private terrace which offers direct access to the water (which is beautifully calm and clear), and inside they have glass floor panels to allow you to observe the abundant sea life below. We think you’ll find them super comfortable but this being a very much eco-friendly resort you will have to forgo some luxuries – No air-con just ceiling fans for example but, helped by the fresh breezes from the sea, they do the job well. There are no TVs or in-room fridges either though, and the WiFi can be quite weak in the overwater bungalows. Beyond the overwaters they have some rooms in the main building which have the same comfortable interiors and cozy, earthy feel. They have balconies equipped with hammocks and what they describe as a ‘sea view’ which in reality though is a view of the back of the overwater bungalows. They may be a little underwhelming but for us what certainly isn’t is the 3 bedroom, two-floor Sea Loft Villa which has great views over both the sea and the surrounding jungle. Their Tree House is set deeper in the jungle, so no sea views there, but it is the closest to nature of all the accommodation choices and you can spot all sorts of wildlife directly from your balcony.   Acqua Lodge Prices & Booking Information Check out all the details at Booking.com here or at Expedia here.   Eco-Activities, Nature Trails, Kayaking, & Wildlife Eclypse de Mar Acqua Lodge’s main attraction is its own little 7-acre nature reserve that surrounds the accommodation. Most of it is, as you imagine completely wild but there are also easy trails around which can be negotiated without any kind of hiking gear. It is home to a huge array of fauna – sloths, monkeys, caiman, iguanas, etc. and a great many species of tropical birds. A great amount of your time will be spent exploring the immediate surroundings and Eclypse de Mar, with a relatively central location near Bocas del Toro Airport can be a sensible Deep Dive: Read the Review…

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 Deep Dive: Read the Review…

Punta Caracol is an eco-friendly, overwater bungalow resort in Bocas del Toro, along Panama’s Caribbean Coast. It has just nine very picturesque bungalows over the water which have the aesthetics of old colonial jungle huts but with more modern comforts. We think the setting is sublime – a deeply remote spot accessible only by boat and surrounded by 100 acres of the lodge’s very own rainforest reserve, 98% of which is left completely as nature intended. We believe it is absolutely a place for relaxation and contemplation. The food is excellent and the staff are helpful and friendly.   Romantic Thatched Roof, Overwater Bungalows with Terraces They have just nine bungalows in total, divided into three categories – Standard Suites, Luna Suites, and Master Suites. The latter is definitely our pick of the bunch with 1076 square feet/100 square meters of open plan space including a mezzanine bedroom with its own outside terrace and wonderful views. Its two terraces cover a combined area of 646 square feet/60 square meters. The three Luna and the five Standard suites are broadly similar to each other, with the Luna just having that bit of extra space internally – 646 square feet/60 square meters as opposed to 538/50 meters but both have similar-sized terraces -269 square feet/25 square meters. Both also have mezzanine bedrooms but only their downstairs sections have a terrace. The terraces are a good size and are supplied with hammocks and dining and lounging furniture. We think you’ll find the waters below, even for the Bocas del Toro region, to be crystal clear and they contain a great array of sea life that the resort management and local government are careful to protect.   Punta Caracol Rates & Availability Check out all the details at Booking.com here or at Expedia here.   Rainforest Exploration & Caribbean Water Sports Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge has its own nature reserve surrounding the resort. It is there to be explored, by yourself or on guided tours, and here we can see and hear an incredible amount of local wildlife – sloths, capuchin monkeys, dolphins, and caiman to name but a few. The hotel also organizes other activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, dolphin-watching, visiting native communities, etc. as well as regular boats to and from the nearest beach, Starfish Beach, ten minutes along the coast. And you can also arrange private boat trips to some nearby stunning desert islands. The Punta Caracol’s restaurant/bar serves excellent Caribbean and international food, from breakfast to lavish evening meals, and also a good choice of drinks. It is a relaxed friendly place with a large terrace and lovely views over the water.   Location: A Remote Rainforest Hideaway There are Deep Dive: Read the Review…