Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge

My feelings about this place are mixed. The manager is so helpful, she helped me rearrange my schedule and get my c-pap back. The staff was really nice but except for on my bday (they made me a cake and actually waited on us) they didnt seem to interested in anything beyond the bare. We had to get our own drinks, refill, etc. Now, we did come here knowing, things are just slower here and as long as you are patient, you'll be fine. The food was soooo good. I was nervous about the food being expensive bc of reviews but it was not, at all. Everything seemed fresh and homestyle. The tour company the recommended was top tier. The property grounds were beautiful. Crystal clear water, good snorkeling. We saw stingrays and cool fish. The rooms were cute but I didn't like that there is no power at night or barley any. In order to use the restrooms at night i had to scoot on the grou d to the stairs bc i couldnt see. LOL. Showers were hit or miss for heat(not a big deal here). There are no outlets in the rooms and the fans remain on low. Our first night was cool bc of the breeze but nights 2 & 3 were rough and we're from Florida and brought our own mini fans. Everything needs a good update. For the price we felt we've enjoyed other otw bungalows more in bocas. Eclipse del mar-better rooms, service, etc. Here-better view, snorkeling, water and food. The thing that really got me, is I'm a 20% tipper even if it's meh. I needed change for a 100, the staff member helping me told me that she didn't have change bc she saw I only had 100s. I saw the change.....which out of principle I'm not tipping tripple bc you refuse to provide change you clearly have. So they got 13%, which is standard there anyways. This place is advertised as eco lodge but there are no refill stations for water and they provide endless water bottles. The ultimate disappointment was we had a flight to catch and wanted to get a pizza first at bonbons. We asked them to call us a water taxi to town. Instead she said ok and then decided to have one of the staff members take us to town. Except town wasn't town, it was there personal laundry facility over water. Covered in barbed wire, miles from town AND charged us $40 ( the cost of a water taxi to where we asked to go lol). After 20 min of waiting for the taxi "she called" I had to beg him to take us where we actually needed to go. He was not happy. Neither was I. All in all, I don't think I'd stay here again but I'm really happy we did stay there. 3 nights was perfect. Anymore and wouldn't have been as exciting.

Punta Caracol is an accommodation located near Bocas del Toro on Isla Colón. Secluded, but within walking distance of the main residential area, it offers a break from the stresses of the city for those in need of total relaxation. The boat journey from Bocas to the lodge takes around 15 minutes and the hotel runs a service at certain times between Bocas and the lodge. The lodges are on the water of the Caribbean Sea and have direct access to the sea via a platform set up in front of the balcony of the rooms Breakfast, lunch and dinner are a la carte and offer a variety of good quality food. The resort can organise visits with other operators to other islands in the vicinity. The accommodation has a living room, bedroom, bathroom and balconies at the front and rear. The water available in the accommodation is treated but brackish. The hotel provides plenty of bottled fresh water for guests' daily use. Reception offers guests the chance to charge their mobile phones and Wi-Fi is available in the restaurant area.

Let’s start with the positives, we had accidentally booked one more night than we needed, whilst a refund for the would have been nice, the hotel did instead include our daily breakfasts throughout our stay. My partner and I are vegetarian and after highlighting the limited menu choices, the restaurant did provide a vegetarian pizza on one of the nights which was a welcome reprieve, and generally the staff are quite friendly but I’m afraid that’s where the positives end. Our experience started at the boat jetty on Bocas, I was surprised to see barbed wire adorning the jetty, but I was soon to realise the intention may have been less to keep people out, but more to keep the guests in! On arrival at the complex it was immediately clear just how in need of maintenance all areas are. The entire structure is quite frankly, one strong wind away from total collapse. We had booked the Master Suite, so the largest of the room types. The layout and decoration inside was at best, eclectic. There was only two of us, I’m not really sure how any more could be comfortably accommodated. There was a musky smell, it was very dark, and in line with the rest of the complex, very rickety. There is no AC and the thatched roof does an exceptional job at keeping the heat in. There’s three woeful fans, but they have no impact. The bed itself was very uncomfortable and I barely slept for three nights. The power outlets don’t work and everyone has to charge their devices at reception. The rear doors did not close at all, and the front door lock didn’t work. Every day someone was asked to fix these issues, but we left with neither being addressed. I am eternally thankful that we were not robbed or that no one tried to enter the room. The master suite has the perceived benefit of being further away from the other bungalows, but this affords no privacy or peace. Owing to the dilapidated state of the structure, every movement is fully audible, and if that wasn’t enough, the restaurant blasts music for most of the day too. Owing to its location, unless you go to Bocas for lunch, you are restricted to the on-site restaurant. It’s hard to accurately describe just how bad this is. Some easy tweaks could go a long way in rectifying this. Eg if you offer a burger also have a veggie option and who doesn’t love a margarita pizza? It’s also confusing that you must make your dinner order by 5:30pm each day, it’s unclear what control this affords them as it seems all deliveries are already completed by then. I asked for a portion of fries on the first night and was told no (as it wasn’t ordered at 5:30) Anyway, as I mentioned, you’ve no choice so in trying to make the best of it, my partner and I found ordering a starter and two main meals each was the optimal configuration. Yes it’s expensive, doesn’t taste great but at least you don’t go to bed hungry as we did on the first night. I’m sure at this stage you won’t be shocked to hear the drinks aren’t great either. I bitterly regret wast

This place is so lovely. We travelled as a family of 4 with 2 adults and 2 kids (8&10) We only stayed 1 night so tried to do as much as we could Our hut was the perfect size and it was really nice to have a separate room upstairs that looked out to the ocean. They have fans and it helped make the temp perfect for sleeping. There are only 10 huts so it is not busy, which is nice. You can snorkel right off your hut deck. The water was warm and there was a nice little variety of fish, we even saw a lion fish and 2 large sting rays. We kayaked as well. The food was delicious. Sounds funny but they have the absolute best chicken fingers!!! We found breakfast to be a bit pricy for what you got (1 small pancake was $3 US) and you had to buy everything separately. It was a beautiful view and a great experience to have.

Beautiful lodge with invidual cabins over the water you can swim and snorkel right off your deck. The staff is very nice and accommodating. The resturant is lovely and the food is very good. This is an ecolodge so very little electricity in the cabins so no appliances. They have a charging station near the restaurant. There is a shuttle to boca town three times a day. The downside is the place is in disrepair all walkways and decks could use some work as well as the roofs. We still had a great time. Tips if you go book through their website and breakfast will be included . Also if you take the shuttle to boca town have a cab waiting because it is a two mile walk from dock to town.

A beautiful place to relax and unwind, the location is unmatched and a bit remote but there is a restaurant and great service from all the staff! It was a hut on the water if you want luxury accommodations you will need to go to a luxury resort, we enjoyed the rustic feel and the tranquility!

Perfect spot to relax, swim out your back door and get away from it all. Really unique facilities. Great snorkeling - out your back door. Would love to come back. Nothing to complain about!

Beautiful ocean property, great for snorkelling right off your own private dock. Super relaxing listening to the ocean waves right outside your window. The staff were friendly and very efficient. Highly recommended!

Beware do not book here! I placed a booking with *********** that claims you can cancel up to 14 days before your arrival with no charge. I cancelled 3 months before my arrival date 4/7/2023 and was charged $900 to my CC which after 3 weeks of being told by a representative of Punta Caracol via WHAT'S APP it will be returned I am still waiting.