Bocas del Toro, Panama is an island archipelago much like the Maldives or Fiji, featuring several overwater bungalow places to stay, as well as overwater hotels, hostels, lodges, and AirBnb’s. In Bocas del Toro, being over the water isn’t just for luxury resorts, it’s the local way of life!

We have been living in Bocas del Toro Panama since 2015 and are the owners of Sol Bungalows (and this blog). We put this list together of our favorite overwater places to stay to help draw attention to this amazing travel destination. We have visited several tropical destinations in our lives like Bali, Thailand, Hawaii, and Costa Rica, and can safely say that Bocas del Toro belongs on your travel bucket-list as well!

If you book a stay directly through our links we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you – thanks for your help!

Sol Bungalows – Overwater Bungalows

Sol Bungalows features two, eco-friendly overwater bungalows located on the rainforest-covered and coral-fringed island of Solarte in Bocas del Toro. The bungalows are spacious, new as of 2021, and feature stairs to the water, outdoor showers, catamaran net hammocks, and some of the best views in the islands. They are priced competitively to be some of the best quality and most affordable overwater bungalows in the world.

They feature just two overwater bungalows so you’ll get to enjoy a private experience and can easily rent out the entire property by reserving both!

Guests Love: Location, Hosts, Food

Starting Price: $318/ Night | BOOK NOW

Check out our Bocas del Toro Ultimate Travel Guide

Tropical Suites – Hotel

Tropical Suites is an Overwater Hotel located in the heart of historic Bocas Town on Isla Colón. Tropical Suites feature both overwater/ oceanfront rooms and rooms that overlook the lively streets of town. The rooms are fully equipped with the usual hotel amenities plus some larger suites with kitchens. It is also the only place to stay in Bocas del Toro that has a completely over-the-water swimming pool, complete with a swim-up bar and gourmet restaurant. 

If you’re gonna be staying in Bocas Town at all, then staying at the place with a swimming pool is a good choice!

Guests Love: Location, Staff, Cleanliness

Starting Price: Around $150 | BOOK NOW

Check out our Bocas del Toro Beach Guide

Nayara Bocas del Toro – Overwater Bungalows

Nayara Bocas del Toro is an all-inclusive overwater bungalow resort that brings Balinese architecture and Bora Bora style luxury to just a couple-hour flight from the USA. No more need to fly halfway around the world, (we’ve done it, it isn’t fun!), now you have a Bali or Maldives-like overwater experience right at your fingertips! Bocas Bali is located on a private island just off of Isla San Cristobal, secluded away at about a 20-minute boat ride from Bocas Town.

This resort also boasts having the world’s only overwater beach and is the most luxurious place to stay in Bocas del Toro.

Guests Love: Location | Food | 24-Hour Service

Starting Price: $900-$1000/ Night | BOOK NOW

Check out our Quick Guide to Bocas del Toro

Bambuda Bocas Town – Hotel

Bambuda Bocas Town is an overwater hotel and hostel that also features dorm rooms like a hostel for more budget-minded travelers. Bambuda takes the idea of a hostel and classes it up for the young professional crowd. Their King rooms have some of the best views in Bocas, with huge beds that look straight out through the glass doors over the Caribbean Sea. The hotel is located on the outskirts of Bocas Town, on the quieter side but still close enough for guests to have easy access to the town.

The hotel also features a top-rated bar and restaurant, frequent live music and events, and a huge deck area for soaking up that Panamanian sun!

Guests Love: New, Cleanliness, Location, Vibe

Starting Price (Sea View Room): $136/ Night | BOOK NOW

Check out our Isla Colon Panama Travel Guide

Eclypse del Mar – Overwater Bungalows

Eclypse del Mar is an overwater bungalow eco-lodge on the island of Bastimentos, just outside the cultural Afro-Caribbean town of Old Bank. Eclypse del Mar offers an authentic Bocas del Toro experience where you can immerse yourself in the Caribbean sea, tropical rainforest, and local Panamanian culture.

Their bungalows are super instagrammy and the price is just right!

Guests Love: Staff, Location, Overall Experience

Starting Price: $259/ Night | BOOK NOW

Check out our Isla Bastimentos Travel Guide

Coco Vivo – Overwater Bungalows

Coco Vivo is an al-natural eco-lodge with overwater bungalows located on Cristobal Island in a quiet corner of the Bocas del Toro archipelago.

Coco Vivo boasts of being the #1 top-rated Airbnb in all of Bocas del Toro! Their rooms are very rustic – made with local materials and – get this – no walls. They have a special bug screen to keep out the critters, but other than that, you’ll be sleeping, showering (and everything else), fully exposed to incredible experiences like bioluminescence at night and dolphins swimming by!

Guests Love: Food, Hosts, Quiet Location

Starting Price: $85/ Night | BOOK NOW

Electronic Sim Card for Travel in Panama: Airalo is the world’s leading E-Sim brand and they offer a 30-day, 3GB plan for $18 that covers all of Panama. We use Airalo whenever we travel abroad!

Aqua Lounge – Hostel

Aqua Lounge is an over-the-water hostel located on Carenero Island just across the bay from Bocas Town. Aqua Lounge is the place to be for young travelers – they have comfortable rooms, a huge deck, game, and lounge area, and nightly live music events that feature the best DJ’s in the area.

Surfers will love being able to walk to some of Bocas del Toro’s best waves and foodies will love access to some of the area’s best restaurants!

Guests Love: Location, Vibe, Sunsets

Starting Price (Private Room): $65/ Night | BOOK NOW

Check out our Isla Carenero Travel Guide

Casa Acuario – Boutique Hotel

Casa Acuario is a Caribbean-style over-the-water house featuring 4 oceanfront rooms and some of the most stunning views in Bocas del Toro. Guests love the convenient location on Isla Carenero, just minutes from everything on offer in the archipelago including Bocas Town, surfing, beaches, and restaurants.

Guests Love: Hosts, Location, Views

Starting Price: $198 | BOOK NOW

Artist’s Tower on the Sea – AirBnb

The Artist’s Tower on the Sea is possibly the most unique place to stay in Bocas del Toro! Enjoy staying high above the Caribbean Sea with absolutely incredible views of the authentic Saigon Bay area and amazing sunsets towards the mountains of mainland Panama!

This property was built by an artist (hence the name), so expect to find it quite quirky and creative. 

Guests Love: Host, Location, View

Starting Price: $150/ Night | BOOK NOW

Learn about the Best Things to Do in Bocas del Toro

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