About this hotel
General information
Nayara Bocas del Toro has a small island of its own in the Bocas del Toro archipelago on the Caribbean Sea, and it is for adults only: guests must be 16 or over. The resort is made up of villas raised on stilts above a clear lagoon and bamboo treehouses in the forest, in a style that blends Bali with Panama — carved teak, beds under Balinese tumpang sari canopies, hand-made tiles in the bathrooms. The main restaurant occupies a century-old timber house brought over from Bali.
Wide wooden boardwalks run for about 800 metres through gardens and mangroves, and after dark guests go out on guided walks to look for frogs. The resort was built on stilts and runs off-grid, drinking rainwater it collects itself, and artificial reefs seeded with coral have been placed in the bay. Stays are all-inclusive — meals, premium drinks, non-motorised water sports and boat transfers — and the hotel belongs to the Nayara Resorts collection, whose sister properties are in Costa Rica.
Location
The resort's island lies in the Bocas del Toro archipelago off Panama's western Caribbean coast, close to the town of Bocas del Toro and its Latin-Caribbean street life. Most guests fly into Panama City's international airport and take a short regional flight from Panama City's domestic airport to Bocas del Toro airport; there are also regional flights from San José in Costa Rica. The hotel's team meets guests at the airport for a brief drive to the dock, followed by a boat ride of about 20 minutes to the island, with the round-trip transfer included. There are no cars on the island; every journey around the archipelago is by water.
Spa
The spa menu covers Swedish and deep-tissue massage, body wraps, facials, and scrubs made with organic coffee or Dead Sea salt. Treatments take place in the quiet indoor spa or out in the open on a villa's own terrace with the sea for a soundtrack, couples' massages included. Booking at least 24 hours ahead is recommended.
Sports & leisure
Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and snorkelling gear are included, the gym is open around the clock, and private yoga sessions can be held on a villa deck, in the gym or by the water. For days out across the archipelago there is a private boat with a naturalist captain.
- the Zapatilla Cays in Bastimentos National Marine Park — snorkelling over coral reefs
- an evening boat trip to a bay where dolphins gather in schools, with champagne at sunset
- Isla Bastimentos — Red Frog Beach, reached along a forest trail, with tiny red poison-dart frogs
- Boca del Drago on the archipelago's main island — a beach with calm, shallow water and an islet where red-billed tropicbirds and brown boobies nest
- a night trip to bioluminescent bays around the new moon
- scuba diving on reefs and old wrecks, with PADI courses for beginners and certified divers
- a private surf lesson on Isla Carenero, or a run out to the better breaks for experienced surfers
- sails on a 12-metre catamaran or the yacht La Verónica, and e-bikes for rides around the main island
Restaurants & bars
The kitchens work on a zero-kilometre principle, with local seasonal produce and seafood straight from the sea; the dinner menu changes every night, and vegan, kosher and gluten-free dishes are prepared on request. Food can be ordered to the villa at any hour through the in-room tablet.
- Elephant House — fine dining in a century-old Balinese house above the lagoon, international dishes built on local produce
- The Coral Cafe — a poolside Latin bistro for breakfast and lunch, with local seafood and craft cocktails
- Besame Mucho — a private room for a candlelit dinner for two with its own chef and server, booked 24 hours ahead
Swimming
Every villa has its own saltwater pool and steps from the terrace straight into the sea, and the water around the island is usually calm. There is a pool beside The Coral Cafe, and a timber 'beach' with loungers stands on stilts above the water. The archipelago's sandy beaches, such as Red Frog Beach on Isla Bastimentos, are a boat ride away.
Pets
Pets are not allowed; certified service animals are the exception and should be mentioned at the time of booking.
Rooms
There are four categories: overwater pool villas in two versions, bamboo treehouses and a presidential villa. All are designed for two, and none connect.
Each has air conditioning, a king-size bed, a tablet for in-room dining, free Wi-Fi, a 4K smart TV, a coffee machine or coffee and tea, a minibar restocked daily, a safe, a hairdryer, reef-safe bath products and insect repellent.
Overwater Pool Villa Deluxe
An overwater villa with carved teak interiors and a king-size bed under a Balinese canopy. The ocean-facing terrace has its own saltwater plunge pool and steps down into the sea; for two guests.
Overwater Pool Villa
An overwater villa with a glass panel in the floor for watching marine life below and a canopied king-size bed. The deck has a private pool, loungers, a fire pit and steps into the sea; for two guests.
Treehouse
A bamboo treehouse some 15 metres up, looking over forest, mangroves and sea, with a king-size bed and hand-hammered Javanese copper bathtubs. Ocean-view terrace; for two guests.
Presidential Villa
The largest overwater villa, with ceilings over six metres: a king-size bedroom, separate living room, dining area and wet bar, a saltwater infinity pool and a terrace with a fire pit and direct sea access. For two guests, with a personal 24-hour concierge, private-chef dinners in the villa and unlimited laundry.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.